The 13 Best Romantic Comedies On Netflix In November 2024
· Thought CatalogWe’ve got a mix of rom com Netflix movies to recommend, from old classics to new streaming originals–all available in November 2024.
After all the horror movies and spooky shows you no doubt binged during September and October, you may be itching for a palate cleanser. What better way to wash away the blood and gore than filling your eyes and hearts with some adorable love? It may not be Valentine’s Day season yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t binge a few great love stories. For those with a Netflix subscription burning a hole in their wallet, it’s time for a love-themed movie marathon. These are the best romantic comedies on Netflix in November 2024, including a few gems that are new to the streaming service. Enjoy!
Sixteen Candles (1984)
Did Sixteen Candles age perfectly? No, not at all. It’s full of problematic content that places it firmly in the ’80s. But even with all that questionable stuff, there’s no denying how cute the main couple are. May we all have our crushes like us back just like Jake Ryan likes Sam. (Sorry for the 40-year-old spoilers.) Sixteen Candles will be available on Netflix on November 1.
Two Weeks Notice (2002)
While it’s commonplace to see the enemies-to-lovers romance trope in more recent rom coms, that’s less the case in older entries of the genre. Alas, Sandra Bullock as Hugh Grant’s overworked assistant is a perfect example of enemies-to-lovers, especially for the character growth of both of them.
The Sweetest Thing (2002)
Why does no one talk about this absolutely hilarious classic? Flying in the face of the “this woman is perfect in every way” problem we had with romance movies to this point, The Sweetest Thing features three realistic messes just trying to get by. They’re funny, they’re irreverent, and they make the potentially bad choice of following a man they’d only just met. This is an underrated gem you have to see.
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
A troubled Hollywood star holds a competition to win a date with him so he can improve his image, much to the glee of the small-town girl who wins. But is a movie star crush actually a good thing in real life? With celebrity culture becoming so much more parasocial these days, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! is more relevant than ever.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
We all know it. It’s the cute-turned-desperately-sad-turned-hopeful movie about two people who would rather zap all memories of their ex from their head than deal with the grief of their breakup. If you’ve made it this far into your life without seeing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, now’s your time to rectify that.
The House Bunny (2008)
At the time The House Bunny came out, we were past the whole ditzy blonde phase. You can thank Legally Blonde (2001) for that. That unfortunately meant that a lot of people didn’t give this gem a chance, which is criminal. I implore you to watch this awesome rom com about a former Playboy Bunny cast out of the mansion who finds a place to stay as the house mother of a sorority of unfortunate college girls. It’s better than you think.
A Holiday Engagement (2011)
Available on Netflix on November 8, A Holiday Engagement is a classic Hallmark Thanksgiving movie that continues to be great over ten years later. Hillary just got broken up with right before she has to visit family for Thanksgiving, so she hires an actor to pretend to be her boyfriend. It’s the fake boyfriend trope at its best.
Set It Up (2018)
Sure, there are newer Glen Powell movies on Netflix that I could have put on the list, like Anyone But You or Hit Man, but this rom com is a sleeper hit that deserves more recognition. Two assistants attempt to set up their bosses so they can finally have some free time, but all that working together may be the time they needed after all.
Irreplaceable You (2018)
Okay, we needed something sad in this list. Irreplaceable You is about a woman diagnosed with cancer who tries to set up her husband for after she’s gone. She just wants him to be happy and not stuck in grief. We’re all collectively weeping, right? Reserve this watch for when you need a good cry.
Plus One (2019)
This friends-to-lovers movie–about two buddies who decide to be each other’s plus one for wedding season–is often hard to find. It moves around the streaming services so much that there’s a good chance you don’t always have access to it. You might as well watch this modern classic on Netflix while you still can.
The Lost City (2022)
Available on Netflix November 9, The Lost City is the high budget action and adventure rom com we haven’t gotten in decades. While movies like this came out all the time in the ’80s and ’90s, most modern rom coms have tiny indie budgets. Luckily this amazing movie, about a romance author who gets abducted and the cover model who attempts to save her, is everything we needed.
The Noel Diary (2022)
There are so many Christmas movies I could have put on this list, but I thought I’d leave it to just one. (Don’t worry, we have some holiday rom com lists coming soon.) This one stands out because the quality is so good. Unlike the generic plots and subpar acting of most made-for-streaming Christmas romance movies, The Noel Diary has heart and soul.
Happiness for Beginners (2023)
Okay, I get it. I put this movie on every list I can shoehorn it into. But it’s for good reason! Happiness for Beginners, about a woman who discovers that her younger brother’s best friend signed up for the same beginner’s hiking trip, is hands-down the best rom com of the 2020s so far. Bold statement, I know, but with the awesome cast and thorough character development for every single character, it deserves its spot in the pantheon of great romantic comedies.