Top Romantic Comedy Movies of 21st Century

Top Romantic Comedy Movies of 21st Century loveactually Love Actually (2003)- The movie deals with the love lives of eight couples living in London. Somehow, these people are interrelated and their stories unfold at an interesting pace. With an ensemble cast of Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightly, this flick is an ideal choice for a cold Winter night. meettheparents Meet the Parents (2000)- A Jewish male nurse is forced to meet the parents of his live-in girlfriend. A weekend with the deadly parents proves to be quite eventful. Son-in-law “to be” embarrasses himself in front of the entire family. This hilarious comedy will surely leave you in splits. Rober De Niro and Ben Stiller are at their comical best. whatwomenwant What Women Want (2000)- Well, that’s one thing everyone would like to know. Nick Marshell, played by Mel Gibson, is a chauvinist to the core. Accidentally, he is blessed” with the power to know what the women are thinking. Then starts all his problems. With Helen Hunt as his love interest the plot surely gets exciting. howtoloseaguy How to Lose a Guy in 10 days (2003)- Benjamin Berry (Matthew McConaughey) bets with his chums that he could make a woman fall for him in 10 days. Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) is writing an article on How to lose a guy in 10 days”. They both choose each other for their selfish intentions. What follows is a series of funny escapades with neither of them ready to give in. maidinmanhattan Maid in Manhattan (2002)- Marisa Ventura, a waitress at a top-notch Manhattan hotel, tries on a guest’s Armani dress. As luck would have it, she bumps into a handsome senatorial candidate, Christopher Marshall, who falls for her, mistaking her to be a socialite. Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes in the lead roles form a handsome couple. uglytruth The Ugly Truth (2009)- Katherine Heigl is a producer of a morning show, whose ratings are going down faster than the stock market. Gerard Butler is roped in, to save the Titanic from sinking. However, both the protagonists are at loggerheads with each other. How they eventually fall in love is worth a dekko. shallowhal Shallow Hal (2001)- A superficial man (Jack Black) runs after the external beauty. One fine day, he is hypnotized by a self-help guru and starts appreciating the inner beauty”. This makes him fall in love with a 300 pound woman (Gwyneth Paltrow) kateandleopold Kate and Leopold (2001)- A duke (Hugh Jackman) from the 19th century lands in the 21st century New York. Here, he meets workaholic and ambitious Kate McKay (Meg Ryan) and falls for her. How he uses his ancient chivalry to win his upbeat lady’s heart is for you to find out. whathappensinvegas What happens in Vegas (2008)- Joy Mcnally (Cameron Diaz) is a control freak who is unceremoniously dumped by her fiancé. Jack Fuller (Ashton Kutcher) is shown the door by his boss/father. Both meet in Vegas and get married under the influence of alcohol. But they have to stick together to get 1.5 million dollars each. How they tolerate each other for money is outrightly humorous. A decade which brought great change in the way movies are made and the way in which we watch them, the Noughties ended with the screening of Avatar, a film which will probably define the future of cinema as much as the first talking picture did over eighty years ago. Yet for all its incredible CGI effects, Avatar was still beaten to the best picture Oscar by a smaller more intimate film about the Iraq war. This is the beauty of movies, for all the modern technology and studio money, you still need a good story, characters we care about and a little bit of magic which can transport us to a world of make believe. This is my personal list of the best films of the Noughties, its pretty subjective (as all lists are), there's no Bourne, no Batman, no Coen Brothers, there's only one best picture winner (The Hurt locker) and there's none of the Rings trilogy (I'm sorry, I just don`t get it). I hope there's a little bit of everything in there for even the most discerning viewer. This is a hobby, I don`t do this for a living so I haven't seen every film released in the Noughties, this list will continue to change, that I'm sure of.

100 Superbad (2007)

McLovin? Yeah. Great name, It is, it just rolls off the tongue. 'Sounds like a sexy hamburger!

Director:Greg Mottola
Starring:Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Michael Cera.

Bawdy, crude and foul mouthed, Superbad makes American Pie look like a watered down version of Grange Hill, but beneath all its Gross out humour and crass comedy, there beats a heart of gold.
A coming of age movie which is honest, accurate and sometimes so wince inducing that you can't help but cry with laughter.
An incredibly likable cast who are surely destined for bigger things seem to be having a lot of fun and the script and direction is inspired and intelligent.
A tale of adolescent boys on the prowl for sex and booze it may be, but Superbad is also sweet, good natured and surprisingly romantic.
Dare I say it, Superbad is Supergood.

99 The Miracle Of Bern (2003)

Every nation needs heroes

Director:Sonke Wortmann
Starring:Louis Klamroth, Peter Lohmeyer, Johanna Gastdorf.

It would be difficult to dispute the fact that "The Miracle of Bern" is almost certainly the best football film ever (although to be honest, there are few rivals).
Meticulously detailing the German footballs teams success at the 1954 World Cup against all odds, Bern is a poignant, sentimental and gloriously choreographed delve into the history books.
Significantly dealing (through the eyes of a child) with post war life in a divided country still coming to terms with events in World War Two, The Miracle Of Bern is also a coming of age film which deals with the guilt, anger and suffering of the people in Germanys industrial heartland. At its core though this is simply a rollicking good underdog story, even if as England football fans will testify, it's the Germans who win again.

98 The King (2005)

The devil made me do it.

Director:James Marsh
Starring:Gael Garcia Bernal, William Hunt, Pell James, Paul Dano, Laura Harring.

Elvis(Gael Garcia Bernal) recently released from the Navy seeks out the father he has never known.
His father, David Sandow (William Hurt) is now a hellfire preacher in the bible belt of America and is married with 2 children and at first wants little to do with his long lost son.
Elvis begins an illicit affair with Sandow's 16yr old daughter and begins to slowly worm his way into the pastors family structure.
If you are currently on suicide watch or suffering from a serious bout of depression, I would strongly advise you not to watch this film, feel good movie is definitely not the way I would describe it.
This shouldn't put you off though, this is an impeccably acted film which deals with the everyday subjects of incest, redemption,family and religion.
The king is unsettling and at times difficult to watch, it is also potent and shocking.
Bernal is mesmerising as the lonely drifter and continues to prove his versatility as his star-meter continues to grow. He is ably backed up by Hurt who subtly convinces the audience of his obsessive faith.
A troubling movie that wallows in its own degradation and challenges the very fabric of life itself, how far can forgiveness stretch and do we all pay for our past sins.
A picture that is challenging and entertaining, the King is a morally twisted parable that defies pigeonholing but ends up been one of the best films of the year.

97 Apocalypto (2006)

A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.

Director:Mel Gibson.
Starring: Dalia Hernández, Rudy Youngblood, Morris Birdyellowhead,Jonathan Brewer.

A nerve shredding chase movie form Mel Gibson which is visceral, bloody and so over the top, it's hard to dislike.
The downfall of Mayan civilization is examined leaving nothing to the imagination, jungle savagery, human sacrifice and unrelenting sadism abound but taken at face value, Apocalypto is a cracking action adventure movie.
A story about an ancient history and culture and a world that is long forgotten is significantly free of sermons and messages and delivers a frenzied, visually stunning portrayal of one mans battle for survival in a cruel and savage world.

96 Me, You and Everyone We Know (2005)

I don't want to have to do this living. I just walk around. I want to be swept off my feet, you know? I want my children to have magical powers. I am prepared for amazing things to happen. I can handle it.

Director:Miranda July.
Starring: John Hawkes,Miranda July.

A simple but very effective film which deals with relationships, love and adolescence and the funny and sometimes painful journey through life in pursuit of happiness. Quirky (with a capital Q) offbeat and unashamedly provocative, this is a movie which fails to tread a distinctive path and delivers a touching bittersweet comedy that features bizarre characters who genuinely act like real people.
Unexpectedly honest, poignant and romantic, this is a movie that me, you and everyone we know should know about.

95 Far From Heaven (2002)

I've learned my lesson about mixing in other worlds. I've seen the sparks fly. All kinds.

Director:Todd Haynes
Starring:Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis, James Rebhorn.

A slice of nostalgic history long gone is lovingly created in Todd Haynes critique of 1950s American society.
A perfect recreation of the melodramas of that decade touches on subjects that would have been definitely taboo in an era of repression and narrow mindedness.
Totally relevant to society today, Far From Heaven is a stunning achievement, superbly realized with handsome design and impeccable performances form all concerned.

94 Watchmen (2009)

This city is afraid of me. I've seen its true face.

Director Zack Snyder
Starring: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino.

Alan Moore's seminal graphic novel has long been deemed unfilmable. Usually touted as the greatest comic book ever and even popping up on any number of greatest literary works of the 20th century, the movie adaptation of Watchmen was sure to come under a lot of scrutiny.
Director Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead, 300) generally makes a good fist of it. Word of warning though, if you haven't read the book, the film pretty much fails to take this into account and prefers to preach to the converted.
What you get for your money is a faithful and visually striking film which is violent, complex and undisputedly entertaining.
Watchmen is a superhero film strictly for adults, philosophical, symbolic, dark and twisted definitely but it is also widely ambitious and an incredibly brave effort which makes the movie flawed yet highly commendable.

93 Almost Famous (2000)

Rock stars have kidnapped my son!

Director:Cameron Crowe
Starring:Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Fairuza Balk, Anna Paquin, Bijou Phillips, Zooey Deschanel.

Although Almost Famous is a fictionalized account of a teenage journalist working for Rolling Stone magazine, director Cameron Crowe based it on his own experiences touring with rock bands, The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Crowe's Magical Mystery Tour is an endearing and nostalgic look at a time of hope and idealism where the problems in the world could be solved by rock and roll and innocence was not yet lost. A bittersweet coming of age movie, which deals with friendship, family and the desire to be someone.
An exuberant cast of fresh new faces, an awe inspiring soundtrack and an Oscar winning screenplay all help to make Almost Famous, almost perfect (if a little over-long).

92 Good Night And Good Luck (2005)

We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.

Director:George Clooney
Starring:David Strathairn, George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr, Patricia Clarkson, Rose Abdoo, Alex Borstein, Robert John Burke, Ray Wise, Frank Langella, Jeff Daniels.

Although covering a period of history that may be slightly unfamiliar to British audiences, "Good Night" concentrates on issues still relevant today in America.
It is the year 1954 and television journalist Edward R Murrow and his team of dedicated staff challenge the tactics used by "Commie bashing" senator Joe McCarthy. In an era of extreme anti-communist suspicions and fear brought on by the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union, Murrow attempts to discredit McCarthy and his unsubstantiated claims.
McCarthy's Claims of Soviet spies and Communist party members in American government and the armed forces are challenged live on TV in the CBS show "See It Now" as Murrow defies Public and internal pressure.
Continuing a seemingly never ending character assassination of Joe McCarthy, Good Night is nevertheless a riveting good watch.
Shot in beautiful black and white Monochrome and flawlessly directed by George Clooney, this movie spotlessly resembles the very era it is trying to emulate.
A short running time hardly stretches the thespian skills of the majority of the talented actors on display. David Strathairn is the exception as the seemingly honest and credible Murrow. His performance is nigh on perfect as his anguished face betrays his determined stance and makes you genuinely believe this is a man who is struggling with his inner demons.
The interspersion of the real Joe McCarthy ( and his hearings) into proceedings, although gimmicky, works well and provides a genuine fly on the wall feel.
Clooney continues to move away from his pretty boy persona and is now becoming a filmmaker of some note, this is a movie obviously close to his heart ( he majored in Journalism at College and his father was a TV journalist for many years) and it shows on every level.
Sub plots in the movie involving a clandestine marriage and a suicide of an estranged journalist are slightly jarring within the context of the movie and fail to add anything to proceedings.
Good Night works well as an excellent dramatisation and portrays a turbulent and challenging period of American Modern History, this film recreates the golden age of television and delivers a morality play in which the main protagonists eventually get their comeuppance.

91 Hellboy 2- The Golden Army (2008)

World, here I come

Director:Guillermo Del Toro
Starring:Seth MacFarlane, Luke Goss, Anna Walton, Brian Steele, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, Ron Perlman, Jason Alexander, John Hurt, Jeffrey Tambor.

The advancement in CGI and the rise and unprecedented success of Marvel studios has led to a whole slew of superhero/comic book movies. Any superhero worth his salt is currently lined up to appear in a special effects blockbuster, even many of the minor and secondary Marvel characters seem to be getting in on the act (Ant Man anyone?). DC are also not resting on their laurels either, The Dark Knight was an absolute smash at the box office and Superman Returns while not entirely super still set the cash tills ringing. One of the more shall we say unusual superheroes to take a shot at the big time was Hellboy, a red skinned devil looking guy with sawn off horns, a tail and a shoot first, ask questions later kinda attitude.
The first Hellboy movie was a disjointed, campy but enjoyable effort; the sequel though upped the ante. Creating a fantastical world with bizarre but genuinely likable characters, director Guillermo Del Toro once again works his magic.
An enriched universe, eye-popping visuals and wall-to-wall action coupled with a surprisingly intelligent plot and extraordinary character interaction, Hellboy 2 is unquestionably one of the best superhero movies of the Noughties.

90 The Wrestler (2008)

I don't hear as good as I used to, and I ain't as pretty as I used to be. But I'm still here - I'm the Ram.

Director:Darren Aronofsky
Starring:Mickey Rourke,Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Ernest "The Cat" Miller.

An absolute pile driver of a movie, The Wrestler does all its talking in the ring.
Less a sports movie and more a character study, the comeback kid, Mickey Rourke is amazingly good as the wrestling has- been who is battered, bruised and alone.
There is no condemnation of the fakeness of wrestling or any attempt at airbrushing, this is a warts and all depiction of a tormented soul living on past glories.
Cleverly documented, choreographed and staged, The Wrestler punches well above its weight.

89 Battle In Heaven (2005)

Batalla en el cielo

Director:Carlos Reygadas
Starring:Marcos Hernandez, Anapola Mushkadiz, Bertha Ruiz, David Bornstien, Rosalinda Ramirez.

An art movie not for all tastes, Battle In Heaven is a slowly paced and hypnotic examination of sex, religion and redemption in a modern day Mexico rarely seen on the screen.
Explicit, daring and a little pretentious, this is a film that fails to take the easy option and delivers a haunting and disturbing fable of ordinary people battling for their souls.
A film, which is as perplexing as it, is ambitious.

88 Coraline (2008)

Be careful what you wish for.

Director:Henry Selick.
Starring (Voices) Dakota Fanning,Teri Hatcher,Jennifer Saunders,Dawn French, John Hodgeman, Keith David,Ian McShane.

Destined to be a cult classic, Coraline is a rare beast of a movie, a children's film that is scary, creepy and genuinely macabre.
A fantastical fable with dazzling visuals, stunning stop motion animation and a storyline that neither condescends or attempts to preach.
An almost old fashioned un PC story along the lines of Roal Dahl or Alice in Wonderland blends seamlessly with modern technology overflowing with inventive design.
Coraline is a vibrant, haunting and imaginative horror story, which while aimed at children, should appeal to all ages.

87 V For Vendetta (2005)

Penny for the Guy?

Director:James McTeigue
Starring:Hugo Weaving, Stephen Fry, John Hurt, Natalie Portman.

English writer Alan Moore best known for his work in comics and graphic novels may constantly distance himself from the film adaptations of his work, but Watchmen and in particular, V For Vendetta are both well made and thought provoking movies.
V nicely captures a dystopian society on the edge of rebellion and becomes an interesting parable of the terrorist threatened world today.
Interesting ideas abound and the acting is top drawer. Visually, V is stunning and offers a London of the future as a grim fearful place.
As a popcorn movie, V is great escapism, as a political allegory, it is a meaningful and highly intelligent piece of work.

86 Adventureland (2009)

Two options: I can play it safe, pick them off from back here, or I can rush into the breach guns a blazing, make a run to the cortex and... bombs away!

Director:Greg Mottola
Starring:Kristen Stewart, Margarita Levieva, Sue O'Malley, Bill Hader, Jack Gilpin, Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Wiig, Martin Starr, Wendie Malick, Ryan Reynolds.

A deft rites of passage movie with its feet firmly in the Rom-Com mould, Adventureland is an intelligent, quirky and nostalgic slice of 1980s life exploring the pitfalls and pratfalls of a gawky teen (Jesse Eisenberg) as he looks to win over the girl of his dreams (Kirsten Stewart) who has a few issues of her own.
Definitely a gentler, more intimate and much more subtle film than director Greg Mottolas previous effort "Superbad", Adventureland has a pitch perfect script, super cool acting and a decent quota of laugh out loud moments.
An excellent retro film with a sublime soundtrack and believe it or not, the whole story's set in a funfair, how good is that?

85 Junebug (2005)

God loves you just the way you are. But He loves you too much to let you stay that way.

Director:Phil Morrison
Starring:Amy Adams, Embeth Davidtz, Benjamin McKenzie, Alessandro Nivola, Celia Weston, Scott Wilson, Frank Hoyt Taylor.

Very good character driven movie that gets better and better the longer it goes on.
A great cast of familiar if not totally well know faces pull out all the stops and deliver a great slice of middle class America.
Extremely realistic in its portrayal of ordinary people and the effect a newcomer can have on an unbalanced family.
Superb acting all round and not a false note to be seen.

84 King Kong (2005)

Ladies and Gentlemen... I give you... KONG! THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD!

Director:Peter Jackson
Starring:Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Andy Serkis.

An undisputed labor of love for director Peter Jackson, King Kong is both a delightful homage to the original 1933 version and a marvelously entertaining fantasy epic with spectacular technical wizardry on display.
Almost old fashioned at times, Kong (even at three hours long) is a fast paced, emotive and visionary effort, which at its heart is a simple (if strange) love story. Amid the destruction, chaos and multitude of savage monsters there lies an intimate tale that is heartrending and tragic.
A modern day creature feature that you should rightly go bananas over.

83 Wanted (2008)

Welcome... to the Fraternity. This gun you're holding belonged to your father; he could conduct a symphony orchestra with it.

Director:Timur Bekmambetov
Starring:Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy, Thomas Kretschmann, Morgan Freeman.

Ultra slick, extremely explosive, action packed adaptation of the graphic novel by Mark Millar (which, believe me, makes the film look pretty tame). Angelina Jolie has never been better in a role she seems very well suited to and there's a nice change of pace for the talented and upcoming James McAvoy.
Gratuitous violence galore and an adrenaline pumping storyline help paper over a few cracks and the level of stunts, gunplay and mind blowing visuals are enough for even the most discerning of viewers.
Top notch editing, over the top set pieces and bullets that fly round corners, what more could you wish for.

82 Wall E (2008)

Computer, define dancing.

Director:Andrew Stanton
Starring (voices) Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight,John Ratzenberger,Sigourney Weaver

In a world of sequels, remakes and largely undistinguished so-called crowd pleasers, Pixar still refuses to play safe.
A post apocalyptic almost silent movie about two robots (who look like trash cans) falling in love hardly whets the appetite but Wall E is another audacious and simply brilliant effort from the studio of dreams.
Subtle, creative and strangely inspiring, Wall E belies its roots as a children's film and succeeds as a serious Sci Fi epic with an eco friendly message about saving the planet.
A magical, captivating odyssey, which deserves its place among the stars.

81 Oldboy (2003)

Revenge is good for your health, but pain will find you again.

Director:Chan-Wook Park
Starring:Choe Min-Sik.

Gloriously violent and extremely brutal revenge thriller, which could only come from the Far East.
Complex, disturbing and at times cartoonish, Oldboy offers many questions and few answers yet remains a mesmerizing and challenging ride.
Bold, belligerent and beautiful, Oldboy will not be everyone's cup of tea, but its style and substance far outweigh its few flaws.
An enigmatic journey of revenge, murder and redemption.

80 Gomorra (2008)

Italy's Other Mafia:

Director:Matteo Garrone
Starring:Salvatore Abruzzese, Salvatore Ruocco, Vincenzo Fabricino, Carlo Del Sorbo, Maria Nazionale, Italo Renda, Gianfelice Imparato, Simone Sacchettino, Vincenzo Altamura, Salvatore Striano.

Billed as an expose of the Naples Mafia (the Camorra) and based on a controversial bestselling book, Gomorra is a superb gangster movie in the mould of "City Of God".
Unflinching, brutal and incredibly powerful, this is a compelling and totally authentic look at a society dominated by corruption and violence.
As realistic as any documentary, Gomorra doesn't desensitise or glamorise the mob rule prevalent in this movie, it shows it as a fearful, unsentimental and excessively dangerous place to be.
No heroes, no villains, just ordinary people caught up in a web of an urban underworld there is no escape from...

79 London to Brighton (2006)

Innocence has nowhere to hide

Director:Paul Williams
Starring:Lorraine Stanley, Georgia Groome.

Gritty urban crime thriller while disturbing is also compelling and highly suspenseful.
London to Brighton is a grim portrayal of life in the underbelly of British society which deals with the fragile nature of existence, redemption and the everyday battle for survival in a society, many of us hate to admit exists.
Expertly directed by newcomer Paul Andrew Williams, LTB is a shot in the arm for the British gangster genre and even through all the impeding doom which prevails, there is a flicker of hope at the end of this nicely constructed movie.

78 The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

This tornado just came and erased the Hollywood sign. The Hollywood sign is gone. It's just shredded.

Director:Roland Emmerich
Starring:Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal

Subtlety is not an option. The movies of Roland Emmerich are usually dumb, loud and highly entertaining, The Day after Tomorrow is no exception. In an era of extreme weather and scientist predictions regarding the malevolent force of Global warming TDAT is a timely if rather overblown warning of things to come if we fail to heed the doom mongers.
Filled with exceptional special effects, seat of the pants last minute escapes and scenes of destruction and devastation on a grandeur scale, TDAT does exactly what it says on the tin.
Put your brain in neutral, take the phone off the hook and enjoy one of the best popcorn movies of the decade.

77 Kill Bill Vol 2 (2004)

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Director:Quentin Tarantino
Starring:Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A Fox, Daryl Hannah, Julie Dreyfus, David Carradine, Michael Madsen.

A different animal to the first Kill Bill movie, Volume 2 displays more restraint, less action and much more character driven dialogue worthy of a Shakespearean tragedy.
Filled with tributes and homage's, Tarentino stylishly creates his own world filled with revenge, redemption and regret.
Exploitive to be sure but there is enough visual imagery, pitch black humour and emotional resonance to satisfy the most impatient of viewers.
Already a visionary director, Tarentino`s showmanship creates another masterful slice of "Pulp Fiction"

76 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Do you think we'll ever just have a quiet year at Hogwarts?

Director:Mike Newell
Starring:Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman.

The fourth in the series, Goblet of Fire is a much more assured and bravely ambitious movie than the first three.
A faster paced action packed special effects extravagance of a movie, Harry Potter is now maturing and adolescence and death have a much more prominent role to play as the boy wizard faces the trials of the Triwizard Tournament.
Creating a sprawling yet seamless epic, director Mike Newell delivers the quintessential Harry Potter Movie which is magical, atmospheric, imaginative and highly effective.
Wondrous entertainment
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