(Photo by Netflix)
Netflix Romantic Comedies Ranked by Tomatometer
Romantic comedies have a unique Catch-22: They are both beloved by their fans and often despised by jaded critics who review them.
Thankfully for those who love a good meet-cute, Netflix understands the marketability of the former and has fallen head-over-heels with the genre. The streaming giant has bankrolled Netflix Originals series and films with a variety of takes on romantic comedies, giving us 2018’s Set It Up and the teen dream that is To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and its 2020 sequel, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, as well as dramedies like Sex Education and Love. Netflix also helped with 2019’s Keanaissance, thanks to John Wick star Keanu Reeves’ stellar cameo in Ali Wong and Randall Park’s Always Be My Maybe.
Love doesn’t always conquer all in this genre, however. Netflix’s 2018 film The Kissing Booth fell flat with critics, scoring 17% on the Tomatometer, despite starring former teen rom-com goddess Molly Ringwald, but the Netflix original film was a hit with viewers, scoring a 60% Audience Score, and Netflix reporting that one in three viewers have rewatched the film. No wonder the streaming channel ordered a sequel, The Kissing Booth 2, which is scheduled to premiere in 2020.
But which of Netflix’s rom-coms is the best for a night of cozying up on your couch? We’ll definitely kiss and tell! Below, we rank all of Netflix’s romantic comedies based on their Tomatometer scores.
Is your favorite Netflix rom-com missing? Tell us in the comments.
Added 05/29: The Lovebirds, The Wrong Missy, I Love You, Stupid (Te quiero, Imbécil).
#59
Adjusted Score: 5892%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Simone believes she's a lesbian, but she suddenly finds herself attracted to a man....
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#58
Adjusted Score: 29425%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Individually, Sanjay and Karina don't earn enough to be able to buy a home, so they enter into a marriage...
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#57
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Dumped over a video he made to amuse his ailing dad, a heartsick man hatches an elaborate scheme to win...
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#56
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: A woman is stuck being everyone's bridesmaid. Deciding to no longer be a lady-in-waiting, she bravely reenters the dating scene....
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#55
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Maddy and Cole were inseparable friends until high school started and Maddy became the most popular girl on campus. When...
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#54
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Rob Anderson is all set to marry the girl of his dreams, but can't quite get to the altar. He...
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#53
Adjusted Score: 11085%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: High school graduates wrestle with love and friendship during their final summer together before heading off to college....
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#52
Adjusted Score: 12010%
Critics Consensus: The Kissing Booth deploys every rom-com cliché in the book with little care given to achieving any real sentiment.
Synopsis: A high school student finds herself face-to-face with her long-term crush when she signs up to run a kissing booth...
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#51
Adjusted Score: 25503%
Critics Consensus: Eager to please and stuffed with stars, Valentine's Day squanders its promise with a frantic, episodic plot and an abundance of rom-com cliches.
Synopsis: In a series of interconnected stories, various Los Angeles residents (Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper) wend their way through...
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#50
Adjusted Score: 32430%
Critics Consensus: A retread of A Christmas Carol, featuring Matthew McConaughey in a retread of his Dazed and Confused role, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past lacks originality, humor, and any semblance of charm.
Synopsis: Celebrity photographer Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) lives life in the fast lane, committed to bachelorhood and simultaneous relationships with multiple...
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#49
Adjusted Score: 35875%
Critics Consensus: Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel make a charming couple with plenty of chemistry, but that isn't enough to make up for Life as We Know It's formulaic plot and poorly written script.
Synopsis: After a disastrous first date, the only things Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) have in common...
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#48
Adjusted Score: 33060%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: When Abbie is diagnosed with cancer, she embarks on a humorous mission to find a new love for Sam, her...
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#47
Adjusted Score: 11656%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: A photographer inherits an antique Advent calendar that seems to predict her future -- including a budding romance....
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#46
Adjusted Score: 22174%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Amber and Richard host royals from a faraway kingdom to renew a sacred truce, but when the priceless treaty disappears,...
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#45
Adjusted Score: 35592%
Critics Consensus: Lauren Lapkus lifts The Wrong Missy above abject failure, but this lazy comedy will be the wrong option for all but the most Happy Madison-starved viewers.
Synopsis: Disaster strikes when a man invites his dream girl to an island resort -- but a previous blind date shows...
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#44
Adjusted Score: 16855%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: To keep her spirits high when their son leaves for college, Manhattanite Kate Conrad (Kristin Davis) has booked a 'second...
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#43
Adjusted Score: 48509%
Critics Consensus: Despite the best efforts of a talented cast, He's Just Not That Into You devotes too little time to each of its protagonists, thus reducing them to stereotypes.
Synopsis: Baltimore-based friends and lovers, all in their 20s and 30s, try to navigate their way through the complexities of modern...
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#42
Adjusted Score: 17742%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Before ambitious heiress Ellen Langford can inherit her father's business, she must deliver a special Christmas card to her dad's...
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#41
Adjusted Score: 45296%
Critics Consensus: Much like its protagonist, When We First Met struggles in the cinematic "friend zone" -- and will face a slew of viewer breakups before finding much in the way of true love.
Synopsis: After spending a night with the girl of his dreams only to become just friends, a man gets the opportunity...
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#40
Adjusted Score: 28225%
Critics Consensus: While charming at times, Tall Girl is mostly an uninspired teen comedy that fails to bring anything new to the genre.
Synopsis: Jodi (Ava Michelle) has always been the tallest girl in school -- and she's always been uncomfortable with it. After...
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#39
Adjusted Score: 23550%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Starring:
Directed By:
#38
Adjusted Score: 45863%
Critics Consensus: Murder Mystery reunites Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler for a lightweight comedy that's content to settle for merely mediocre.
Synopsis: A New York cop and his wife go on a European vacation to reinvigorate the spark in their marriage. A...
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#37
Adjusted Score: 49355%
Critics Consensus: Like Father unites an alarmingly talented cast for a predictable rom-com that does nothing to counter the negative stereotypes surrounding the genre.
Synopsis: Left at the altar, a young executive takes her Caribbean honeymoon cruise with the last person she ever expected --...
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#36
Adjusted Score: 50060%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: A year after Amber helped Richard secure the crown, the two are set to tie the knot in a royal...
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#35
Adjusted Score: 30773%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: After losing his girlfriend and his job, Marcos' life is turned upside down, and then he meets Raquel....
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#34
Adjusted Score: 59355%
Critics Consensus: Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, but her movie's okay - largely thanks to Shannon Purser's work in the title role, which is strong enough to counter an uneven narrative.
Synopsis: A case of mistaken identity leads to an unexpected romance when a teen joins forces with a popular student to...
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#33
Adjusted Score: 29248%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#32
Adjusted Score: 67008%
Critics Consensus: Though it may not be the perfect romcom, The Perfect Date's endearing leads still manage to show viewers a fun -- if overly familiar -- time.
Synopsis: A high school student creates an app to offer his services as a fake date to make money for college....
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#31
Adjusted Score: 71176%
Critics Consensus: Warm and welcoming, Falling Inn Love doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it will give those looking for a cozy new romantic comedy a nice place to lay their heads.
Synopsis: Romance and remodeling collide when a corporate executive wins a New Zealand inn that lacks curb appeal....
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#30
Adjusted Score: 76085%
Critics Consensus: If the breezily enjoyable The Lovebirds feels like a little less than the sum of its parts, it's still an enjoyable showcase for the talents of its well-matched stars.
Synopsis: Accused of murder, a desperate couple embark on a dangerous quest to solve the mystery and clear their names....
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#29
Adjusted Score: 67413%
Critics Consensus: Ibiza settles into an amiable comedic groove enlivened by its talented stars, even if the end result is fittingly somewhat narratively hazy.
Synopsis: Harper, a single 30-something New Yorker, lets loose on a business trip to Barcelona, leading to a flirty encounter with...
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#28
Adjusted Score: 71176%
Critics Consensus: While its plot borders on the absurd, The Knight Before Christmas is endearing and charming enough to make it a worthy addition to the holiday rom-com genre.
Synopsis: A medieval knight is transported to the present day, where he falls for a high school science teacher who's disillusioned...
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#27
Adjusted Score: 58514%
Critics Consensus: Smart and socially conscious, Nappily Ever After depicts black female empowerment in a fresh way, but the film relies too heavily on romantic comedy tropes.
Synopsis: A soulful barber helps a woman piece her life back together after an accident at her hair salon makes her...
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#26
Adjusted Score: 47331%
Critics Consensus: Predictable but sweet, A Christmas Prince is pleasant enough to pass the time during the holiday season.
Synopsis: Christmas comes early for an aspiring young journalist when she's sent abroad to get the scoop on a dashing prince...
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#25
Adjusted Score: 81515%
Critics Consensus: To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You may feel like little more than an amiable postscript to its predecessor, but fans of the original should still find this a swoonworthy sequel.
Synopsis: As her relationship with Peter continues to grow, Lara Jean reunites with another recipient of one of her old love...
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#24
Adjusted Score: 59320%
Critics Consensus: The Princess Switch offers a healthy dose of charming, light-hearted, twin-swap fun and is delightful viewing for any hopeless romantic.
Synopsis: One week before Christmas, a duchess switches places with an ordinary woman from Chicago, who looks exactly like her, and...
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#23
Adjusted Score: 80798%
Critics Consensus: The Fundamentals of Caring gets maximum mileage out of the chemistry between its well-matched leads as it follows a fairly well-worn coming-of-age road trip route.
Synopsis: A writer (Paul Rudd) retires after a personal tragedy and becomes a disabled teen's caregiver. When the two embark on...
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Synopsis: Iconic filmmaker Spike Lee revisits his first feature film with this Netflix original series of the same name. Brooklyn-based artist...
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#21
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: A chauvinist gets a taste of his own medicine when he wakes up in a world dominated by women....
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#20
Adjusted Score: 84472%
Critics Consensus: Alex Strangelove offers a refreshingly insightful -- and fittingly adult -- take on teen sexuality enlivened by smart humor and a fearlessly progressive approach.
Synopsis: A high school senior plans on losing his virginity to his girlfriend. Things get complicated when he meets a handsome...
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#19
Adjusted Score: 85456%
Critics Consensus: Comfortably cliché, Let It Snow wears its influences on its sleeve, but works anyway thanks an excellent ensemble and just the right amount of holiday cheer.
Synopsis: A snowstorm brings a group of young people together....
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#18
Adjusted Score: 85856%
Critics Consensus: What Someone Great lacks in originality it makes up for in relatability and charm, thanks in large part to the undeniable chemistry between its talented leads.
Synopsis: Dumped by her long-term boyfriend, a music journalist recruits her two best friends for one last outrageous adventure in New...
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#17
Adjusted Score: 23550%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: On their three-year anniversary, Molly and Sam are at a crossroads and need to decide whether to move forward or...
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#16
Adjusted Score: 91319%
Critics Consensus: As can be expected from a Tim Burton movie, Corpse Bride is whimsically macabre, visually imaginative, and emotionally bittersweet.
Synopsis: Victor (Johnny Depp) and Victoria's (Emily Watson) families have arranged their marriage. Though they like each other, Victor is nervous...
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#15
Adjusted Score: 86299%
Critics Consensus: Win It All finds writer-director Joe Swanberg working in a comparatively mainstream vein -- and striking another collaborative spark with leading man Jake Johnson.
Synopsis: A small-time gambler (Jake Johnson) agrees to stash a duffel bag for an acquaintance who is heading to prison. When...
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#14
Adjusted Score: 90537%
Critics Consensus: The Incredible Jessica James makes its standard storyline feel new, almost purely on the strength of a captivating, potentially star-making performance from Jessica Williams.
Synopsis: Jessica, an aspiring playwright in New York City, is trying to get over a recent break-up when she meets Boone,...
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#13
Adjusted Score: 90648%
Critics Consensus: The Breaker Upperers brings the laughs early and often, thanks to the dry wit -- and effervescent chemistry -- of writer-director-star duo Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami.
Synopsis: Two cynical women create an agency that helps break up couples in an attempt to avoid moving on with their...
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#12
Adjusted Score: 93599%
Critics Consensus: Carried by the infectious charms of Ali Wong and Randall Park, Always Be My Maybe takes familiar rom-com beats and cleverly layers in smart social commentary to find its own sweet groove.
Synopsis: Childhood sweethearts have a falling out and don't speak for 15 years. They reconnect as adults when Sasha runs into...
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#11
Adjusted Score: 92594%
Critics Consensus: Our Souls at Night honors the quiet strength of its source material by offering a simple yet sturdy canvas for two talented veteran leads to bring its story to life.
Synopsis: Addie Moore and Louis Waters, a widow and widower, have lived next door to each other for years. When Addie...
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Synopsis: From director and creator Joe Swanberg, this Netflix-original comedy anthology series explores diverse Chicago characters, modern romance technology and culture....
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Starring:
#9
Adjusted Score: 92414%
Critics Consensus: Ali's Wedding uses its very specific setting to explore universal ideas about relationships -- and in delightfully smart, funny fashion.
Synopsis: After a reckless lie, the son of a Muslim cleric finds himself caught between his sense of duty and following...
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#8
Adjusted Score: 94650%
Critics Consensus: Set It Up follows the long-established outlines of the rom-com template -- and in the process, proves there's still substantial pleasure to be wrought from familiar formulas.
Synopsis: Two overworked and underpaid assistants come up with a plan to get their bosses off their backs by setting them...
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Synopsis: When his cheating girlfriend leaves him, people-pleasing nice-guy Gus (Paul Rust, "I Love You, Beth Cooper" and "Inglorious Basterds") moves...
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Synopsis: Socially awkward high school student Otis may not have much experience in the lovemaking department, but he gets good guidance...
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#5
Adjusted Score: 91181%
Critics Consensus: Sweet, breezy, and unexpected, Tramps traipses through its romcom premise with earnestness and ease.
Synopsis: A heist, a stolen briefcase and a case of mistaken identity in New York bring together two aspiring criminals and...
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#4
Adjusted Score: 99121%
Critics Consensus: To All the Boys I've Loved Before plays by the teen rom-com rules, but relatable characters and a thoroughly charming cast more than make up for a lack of surprises.
Synopsis: A teenage girl's love letters are exposed and wreak havoc on her life....
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Synopsis: Dylan, a 20-something romantic, has been intimate with a long list of women during his quest for true love. When...
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#2
Adjusted Score: 35365%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: The lives of a formerly-famous writer and his wife are disrupted when a famous and very self-indulgent author comes to...
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#1
Adjusted Score: 70641%
Critics Consensus: Directed by four talented Indian filmmakers, Lust Stories offers a refreshing and nuanced portrayal of women's complex desires.
Synopsis: An anthology of four stories that sheds light on modern relationships from the viewpoint of the Indian woman....
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