The 11 most swoon-worthy rom-coms streaming on Peacock right now
Universal Studios; Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Focus Features Romantic comediesmight have that "guilty pleasure" rep, but at the end of the day, they're another form of self-care. Most of them bring that too-good-to-be-true Hollywood glow while also sneaking in simple yet effective lessons about love, timing, and sometimes, knowing when the hell to run in the other direction. While the genre has evolved a lot over the years,Peacockhas gathered some of the silliest, most charming titles in one place. If you need a nostalgic pick-me-up,Cluelessstill has gas left in the tank after 30 years. Want something more current?Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boyexplores dating in the Tinder age. And if you're in a slump,Lisa Frankensteinis ready to revive you. Whatever your heart desires, you'll find it on EW's list of the best rom-coms on Peacock. Jane Nichols (Katherine Heigl) has always been the bridesmaid, never the bride. But Jane reaches a turning point when her self-absorbed sister (Malin Åkerman) gets engaged to the man she secretly loves and asks her to plan the wedding. A forgotten day planner left in a cab ends up in the hands of a dreamy-eyed reporter (James Marsden), who sees there's more to Jane than tulle and bouquet tosses. Marsden as the swoony male rom-com lead may be reason enough to watch, but for anyone still on the fence,27 Dressesdelivers the cheesy, formulaic juice to satisfy your need for that inevitable happily-ever-after. —James Mercadante Where to watch27 Dresses: Peacock EW grade:(Read the review) Director:Anne Fletcher Cast:Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Åkerman,Ed Burns Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) is back, but her life looks much different. Now a single mom and widow, the film begins four years after Bridget's husband, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), is killed during a humanitarian mission. Bridget's grief is still fresh, but she decides to dive into the modern dating pool and sign up for Tinder. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boyis the fourth installment in the franchise, and Bridget's new journey includes connections with 29-year-old park ranger Roxster (Leo Woodall) and her son's science teacher, Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor). The film has plenty of Easter eggs for fans of the originalBridget Jones's Diary, and is a tribute to learning to thrive on the other side of sudden loss.—Ilana Gordon Where to watchBridget Jones: Mad About the Boy: Peacock Director:Michael Morris Cast:Renée Zellweger, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, Colin Firth,Hugh Grant Brosbombed at the box office, and while critics and pundits will argue the reason, it's clear the blame doesn't fall on the quality of the film. A romantic comedy led byBilly Eichner— the first out gay man to co-write and star in his own major studio film —Brosfollows the proudly single Bobby Lieber (Eichner) as he accidentally falls for the masc-presenting Aaron (Luke Macfarlane). AJudd Apatowproduction,Broshas the requisite one-liners, witty banter, and celebrity cameos necessary to boost the comedic sections of the movie. But it's the romantic portions that truly distinguish the film. AsEW's critic notes, "Broswears its queerness proudly, without stooping to cater overmuch to whatever elusive demographics might qualify it as a 'crossover' success." —I.G. Where to watchBros: Peacock EW grade:B+ (read the review) Director:Nicholas Stoller Cast:Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane,Guy Branum Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection It's been three decades since Hollywood introduced the world to classic Valley girl Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone), who has a heart as oversized as her Beverly Hills mansion. She's always matchmaking and makeover-ing everyone around her, but when it comes to her own love life, she's turning down every dead-end road. Turns out, her Baldwin has been in the passenger seat all along. Based onJane Austen'sEmma, Amy Heckerling's seminal film is the kind of rom-com you finish and immediately want to restart. With its quotable dialogue,Mona May's iconic costuming, and a soundtrack that could not be more era-perfect,Cluelessstill feels as fizzy and warm as it did 30 years ago. —J.M. Where to watchClueless: Peacock EW grade:(Read the review) Director:Amy Heckerling Cast:Alicia Silverstone,Stacey Dash,Paul Rudd,Brittany Murphy,Donald Faison WhileClueless(1995) might forever reign as the best ofJane Austen'sEmmaadaptations,Autumn de Wilde's 2020 reimagining is a worthy contender that musters the novelist's immortal spirit.Anya Taylor-Joysteps into the shoes of its eponymous lead, a wealthy Regency-era woman whose matchmaking antics eclipse her own romantic prospects. Bathed in a sumptuous pastel mise en scène — which earnedOscarnominations for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling — and featuring standout performances from Taylor-Joy andMia Goth,Emma.seamlessly demonstrates how to modernize a period piece without sacrificing its inherent charm.—J.M. Where to watchEmma.: Peacock EW grade:B+ (read the review) Director:Autumn de Wilde Cast:Anya Taylor-Joy,Johnny Flynn,Josh O'Connor,Callum Turner, Mia Goth Peacock/Everett This Peacock Original takes the forced proximity trope to new heights… literally. Zoë Chao andAnthony Mackiestar as two astronauts stranded on a malfunctioning ship, drifting through space with no chance of rescue. Despite being married to others back on Earth, they can't help but wonder if their one-in-a-million situation qualifies as a hall pass. Leaning into its far-fetched premise,If You Were the Lastis a self-aware rom-com that embraces its science-fair-project aesthetics and delightfully artificial space backdrops. However, what grounds the film is the palpable chemistry between Chao and Mackie, who bring a delightful rhythm to their characters' humdrum routines. —J.M. Where to watchIf You Were the Last: Peacock Director:Kristian Mercado Cast:Anthony Mackie, Zoë Chao,Natalie Morales,Geoff Stults,Missi Pyle Michele K. Short/Focus Features Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton) isn't daydreaming about the high school quarterback or boy band heartthrobs; her heart beats for a centuries-old Victorian corpse. When a lightning bolt zaps her dead crush back to life as a voiceless, Frankenstein's monster-like creature (Cole Sprouse), Lisa reintroduces him how to be a human, how to fall in love… and how to bury a body. From the mind ofJennifer's BodywriterDiablo Cody,Lisa Frankensteinis an eccentric interpretation of Mary Shelley's 1818 classic that plays like the strangest fever-dream rom-com. With its nostalgic '80s setting and Newton's tour de force performance, thisTim Burton-esque romp lays the groundwork for a future cult classic. —J.M. Where to watchLisa Frankenstein: Peacock Director:Zelda Williams Cast:Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Joe Chrest,Carla Gugino Prime At the height of theBachelorboom,ABCdecided to milk its then-newest phenomenon with a made-for-TV movie that fictionalizes the behind-the-scenes drama. Ryan Banks (Jason Priestley) is a movie star on the cusp of irrelevance, and his best friend/agent, Todd (Bradley Cooper), hatches a "genius" plan to stage aBachelor-knockoff dating show to fix his image. While 15 women vie for the actor's heart, one contestant ends up gettingCyrano'd — and falls for the man pulling the strings: Todd. One of those so-bad-it's-so-good gems,Reality of Loveis a cheesy yet irresistible rom-com full of family-friendly sweetness and early-Y2K nostalgia. Plus, it gives you pre-fame Cooper in one of his earliest rom-com lead parts. —J.M. Where to watchReality of Love: Peacock Director:Sheldon Larry Cast:Jason Priestley, Bradley Cooper, Emma Caulfield,Mark L. Walberg Miramax/Everett IfThe Butterfly Effectwas a romantic comedy, it would look something likeSliding Doors.Gwyneth Paltrowstars as Helen, a London publicist whose life after being fired unfolds in parallel storylines: One details what happens after she catches a train home, the other tells the story of what happens after she misses it. As Helen's two paths deviate and coincide throughout the film, her love life and career trajectory form separate arcs. Alternately funny, tragic, and ultimately very, very British,EW's critic writes, "writer-director Peter Howitt demonstrates a lovely feel for the dreamy poetry of what-ifs — a deeply satisfying formula for romances and melodramas, fromIt's a Wonderful LifetoBrief Encounter." —I.G. Where to watchSliding Doors: Peacock EW grade:(Read the review) Directors:Peter Howitt Cast:Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah, John Lynch, Jeanne Tripplehorn Jim Bridges/Millennium Entertainment/Everett Novelist Bill Borgens (Greg Kinnear) hasn't penned a word since his wife, Erica (Jennifer Connelly), left him three years ago. As he indulges in the unhealthy habit of spying on his ex, his children, Samantha (Lily Collins) and Rusty (Nat Wolff), write their own love stories. Though not exactly cinematic brilliance,Stuck in Loveis a solid enough romantic comedy that ends more or less exactly how you expect it to. Sure, the film wades into soap opera-esque territory more than once — especially with the predictably sappy ending — but the at-times unusual and always heartfelt family dynamic between Bill, Erica, Samantha, and Rusty still rings true. —Stephanie Kaloi Where to watchStuck in Love: Peacock Director:Josh Boone Cast:Jennifer Connelly, Greg Kinnear, Lily Collins, Nat Wolff,Logan Lerman Vince Valitutti/Universal Studios More than two decades after they first costarred inOcean's Eleven(2001), real-life palsJulia RobertsandGeorge Clooneybrought their well-oiled repertoire toTicket to Paradise— a glossy rom-com where they play bickering exes forced back into each other's proximity at their daughter's (Kaitlyn Dever) surprise Bali wedding. You can pretty much guess the entire plot fromthe traileralone (not a complaint!), and that's kind of the point: The film knows exactly what it is. Whatreallysells it, though, is the combined appeal of the two leads, whichEW's critic says"should have its own collective noun: a pizzazz of mass appeal, a glamour of enchantment." Andthe Bali of it allgives rom-com fans the perfect escapist fix. —J.M. Where to watchTicket to Paradise: Peacock Director:Ol Parker EW grade:(Read the review) Cast:Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Kaitlyn Dever, Maxime Bouttier Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly
The 11 most swoon-worthy rom-coms streaming on Peacock right now Universal Studios; Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection; Focus Features Ro...
