Best Remarriage Comedies
Remarriage comedies, popular in the 1930s and 1940s, feature couples who divorce but eventually reunite.
1. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
A socialite’s wedding plans are complicated by the arrival of her ex-husband and a charming reporter.
Why it’s great:
- Star power of Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart
- Witty dialogue and sophisticated humor
- Exploration of class and societal expectations
2. His Girl Friday (1940)
A newspaper editor uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying.
Why it’s great:
- Rapid-fire dialogue and screwball comedy pacing
- Chemistry between Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell
- Clever blend of romance and newspaper world satire
3. The Awful Truth (1937)
A divorcing couple interferes in each other’s romances as they await their divorce to become final.
Why it’s great:
- Irene Dunne and Cary Grant’s comedic chemistry
- Sophisticated humor and witty banter
- Influential on subsequent screwball comedies
4. The Palm Beach Story (1942)
A woman leaves her husband and travels to Palm Beach to divorce him and find a wealthier man to help her husband’s business.
Why it’s great:
- Preston Sturges‘ clever screenplay and direction
- Claudette Colbert and Joel McCrea’s charming performances
- Satirical take on marriage, wealth, and gender roles
5. Adam’s Rib (1949)
Married lawyers find themselves opposing each other in court.
Why it’s great:
- Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn’s on-screen chemistry
- Exploration of gender roles and equality
- Sharp dialogue and legal setting providing comedic opportunities.