Best “Meet-Cute” Screwball or Romantic Comedies
These films feature chance encounters that lead to romantic entanglements, often with witty dialogue and comedic misunderstandings.
1. When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Two friends grapple with the question of whether men and women can be just friends over the course of 12 years.
Why it’s great:
- Chemistry between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan
- Witty dialogue and memorable scenes (e.g., deli scene)
- Exploration of friendship and romance
2. Notting Hill (1999)
A famous American actress falls for a British bookshop owner.
Why it’s great:
- Charming performances by Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant
- Fish-out-of-water elements as worlds collide
- Memorable supporting characters, especially Rhys Ifans as Spike
3. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Two employees at a gift shop can’t stand each other, not knowing they’re falling in love as anonymous pen pals.
Why it’s great:
- Chemistry between James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan
- Clever premise (later remade as “You’ve Got Mail”)
- Witty dialogue and charming supporting cast
4. It Happened One Night (1934)
A spoiled heiress and a roguish reporter fall in love while traveling across the country.
Why it’s great:
- Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert’s sparkling chemistry
- Pioneering road trip romantic comedy
- Influential on subsequent screwball comedies
5. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
A British woman decides to improve her life and chronicles her misadventures in a diary.
Why it’s great:
- Renée Zellweger’s endearing performance as Bridget
- Humorous love triangle with Colin Firth and Hugh Grant
- Relatable protagonist and situations.