With Valentine’s Day approaching, we asked the NAU community: What’s your favorite romantic comedy? And you did not disappoint. If you’re looking for a romantic evening, a good laugh, a new favorite or a blast from the past (not Brendan Fraser’s best, but how can he outdo “George of the Jungle”?), check out our list. Is your favorite on here?
Brad Mihalik, deputy police chief, NAUPD
“Fools Rush In!” I am a big Matthew Perry fan, and this movie has just been one that I go back to from time to time. Feel-good flick set in Vegas!
“Fools Rush In” is currently streaming on Pluto TV and Amazon Prime Video.
Jessie Finch, chair, Department of Sociology
Can I have a three-way tie between “Clueless,” “Fools Rush In” and “Notting Hill”?
“Clueless” is currently streaming on Pluto TV, Paramount+, The Roku Channel and Amazon Prime Video. “Notting Hill” is streaming on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video.
Alex Fischer, communications manager, College of Health and Human Services
“Sleepless in Seattle” or “You’ve Got Mail” ALWAYS!
“Sleepless in Seattle” is currently streaming on Pluto TV and Amazon Prime Video. “You’ve Got Mail” is streaming on Netflix.
Kim Hensley Owens, professor of English
“When Harry Met Sally.” This is my all-time favorite rom-com, and I watch it every year. Harry and Sally meet as they carpool together from college to their new lives in New York. Over the years, they become friends, then decidedly not friends, before figuring out they’re in love with one another on a fateful New Year’s Eve. I absolutely love the people-who-meet-and-hate-each-other become people-who-fall-in-love-and-live-happily-ever-after thing here. It’s adorable, and the writing is impeccable (Thanks, Nora Ephron). The film hits harder now that I know director Rob Reiner changed the original ending to the one we know and love because he fell in love while this movie was being made. I know the entire movie by heart, which will help me out if I’m ever imprisoned and need to entertain myself inside my head.
“When Harry Met Sally” is currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
Erin Stam, director, University Transit Services
I really like “While You Were Sleeping,” especially around the Christmas holidays. I’m particularly fond of the older actors and the characters they portray, especially Grandma, who was also the mom in Mary Poppins. It’s more than love for one person—it’s about the love of family <3.
“While You Were Sleeping” is currently streaming on Tubi and Disney+.
Alysa Ojeda, director of advancement communications
“People We Meet on Vacation,” which just came out in January. If you swooned over Meg Ryan movies and are looking for a new-age, fresh take on the classics, then “People We Meet on Vacation” is for you. It combines college friendship, traveling and some eclectic fashion choices in an adaptation of Emily Henry’s New York Times best-selling romance novel. Starring hunk Tom Blyth as Alex and the adorable Emily Bader as Poppy, these two take you to some beautiful locations as they reminisce on past trips and work through challenges to reignite their friendship in hopes of leading to more.
“People We Meet on Vacation” is currently streaming on Netflix.
Ali Applin, director of community relations
I know it’s not technically a rom-com, but “This Is 40” still feels like one of my favorites because it shows what a relationship is actually like, not just the flirty, polished lead-up where everything is cute and effortless. It’s messy and loud and painfully honest in the best way. The arguments are cringey, the parenting chaos is real, and the jokes hit so close to home you almost feel called out, but that’s what makes it so funny.
Tyler Conlon, community program coordinator of Upward Bound
“Love, Simon.” This coming-of-age rom-com follows Simon Spier, a high school senior whose anonymous email romance with a classmate sparks a journey toward honesty, connection and self-acceptance. I love this movie because I was in the midst of my own coming-out journey when I first saw it, and it moved me so much that I used the film as an icebreaker to come out to my own family. It’s a beautiful reminder that messages of love in rom-coms aren’t just for couples—they can also be life-changing for queer people discovering who they are and who they might one day love.
“Love, Simon” is currently streaming on Hulu.
Carsen Jones, technical training analyst, ITS
Oof, picking just one is so hard! But I have to go with “Bridesmaids.” No matter how many times I’ve seen it, I laugh every single time. The cast is such a hilarious ensemble of some of my favorite actors, and it does a great job touching on the messy intersection of friendship and romance. Balancing a new romantic relationship while still showing up as a good friend is tricky and so important, and this movie nails that in the funniest way possible. 5/5 stars in my book!
“Bridesmaids” is currently streaming on Hulu, The Roku Channel and Amazon Prime Video.
Rebecca Cirzan, director of the Early Learning and Development Center
“Zoolander.” OK, it’s not exactly a rom-com, but it’s my favorite movie! Ridiculousness is at its finest with this movie featuring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell. We all know the pain of being “too good-looking.” Derek Zoolander navigates the hardships of being a male fashion model who wants to be taken seriously. Matilda, played by Christine Taylor, helps Derek overturn a plot to kill the prime minister while learning about his true inner beauty. I love the escape to something so unreal and silly. The one-liners are timeless.
“Zoolander” is currently streaming on Pluto TV, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel and Peacock.
Dawn Clifford, professor of health sciences
“Sixteen Candles.” This is an ‘80s classic, filled with happy endings and memorable characters. Growing up, I knew every line and I tried to find my Jake Ryan.
“Sixteen Candles” is currently streaming on Paramount+, Hulu and The Roku Channel.
Adi Schaeffer, events manager, Institute for Human Development
One of my earliest and longtime favorites is a movie called “Butterflies are Free.” Starring Goldie Hawn as the love interest, the movie’s lead man is blind. As an IHD staff member working to ensure inclusion for people with disabilities, the movie’s uplifting message and themes dealing with concerns about what is realistic and possible in this largely sighted world have always touched me.
Tina Chaseley, assistant professor of literacy and reading
“Enough Said.” This movie, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini, follows middle-aged characters navigating new relationships while dealing with their own baggage and insecurities. It’s warm and real.
Salvador Lopez, assistant director of Leadership and Engagement
My favorite rom-com is “Crazy Rich Asians.”
“Crazy Rich Asians” is currently streaming on HBO and Peacock.
And finally, our team’s picks:
Jill Kimball, communications manager
“10 Things I Hate About You.” For those who can’t choose between a historical fairytale and a modern comedy, try this updated take on the original rom-com: Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” Julia Stiles plays high schooler Kat Stratford, a misunderstood feminist who gets unwittingly caught up in a scheme cooked up by bad boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger, RIP) and two nerds who are desperate for the cool crowd’s approval. Even if you’re not interested in the plot, you’ll love Stiles’ savage one-liners and the swoonworthy views from Padua High School, which looks like a Renaissance castle by the bay.
“10 Things I Hate About You” is currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
Heidi Toth, director of communications
As an ‘80s baby, I grew up in the golden age of rom-coms and y’all, there are just so many! But after much consideration, I’m going with “The Princess Diaries 2.” It’s Anne Hathaway as Princess Mia at her big-hearted, clumsy best. It’s Chris Pine at his dreamiest. Who among us didn’t want to learn how to shoot a flaming arrow from him? Then, there’s the side romance of Queen Clarice (the incomparable Julie Andrews, who is perfection) and Hector Elizondo as Joseph (sometimes Joe, never Joey). It’s a perfect movie. I have no notes.
“The Princess Diaries 2” is currently streaming on Disney+.
Carly Banks, assistant director of communications
As a rom-com enthusiast, picking one was nearly impossible. But it all came down to three things: watchability, characters/storyline and quotability. And the movie that takes the cake in all three categories is, hands down, “The Holiday.” No matter the time of year, this instant classic can be watched over and over again, providing all the feel-good, laugh-out-loud moments that every rom-com should. The all-star cast is so lovable (Helloooooo, Big Dollop!), and with half the movie taking place in England (where Cary Grant is from ), it allows us to live vicariously through the characters in a way that everyone can enjoy. Plus, who hasn’t dreamed of house-swapping abroad? The soundtrack, meet-cutes and quotable one-liners make it stand out above the rest, because at the end of the day, who doesn’t need a little corny in their life?
“The Holiday” is currently streaming on Tubi.
Mariana Laas, assistant manager of communications
Such a hard question. I went through a mental list of movies, and I am going with “French Kiss,” a 1995 rom-com starting Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline with locations in Paris and all over the French countryside. Need I say more? The story is about a woman named Kate, whose fiancé leaves her to marry a French woman he met on a business trip to Paris. Kate believes that if she can talk to him in person, he will change his mind and stay with her. She flies to Paris determined to win him back, and on the way there, she meets Luc, a man who promises to help her win her love back. However, Luc has other motives in mind; he smuggled a stolen necklace and a vine from a vineyard to the France inside Kate’s bag and is trying to get them back. Together, they have a very funny adventure and learn that sometimes what you think you want is not what will make you happy.
Top image created by ChatGPT.