Few genres make audiences feel as good as a romantic comedy, and these Best rom-coms From the last 5 years offer a variety of stories that deftly bring as many swoons as they laugh. The genre remains as popular as ever, and the best romantic comedies that have come out in the last five years have told some of the most original stories to date. Today’s rom-coms have more diverse casts and often flip traditional romance conventions.
Although romantic comedies are known for their tropes, some modern and recent rom-coms try different and creative setups while their characters are more representative of millennials, Gen Z and younger audiences. Modern rom-com characters still live fantastic lives Filled with meet-cutes and deus ex machina moments and also deal with more serious topics like not succeeding at work, being rejected and being single after a long relationship. The best fresh rom-coms are a breath of fresh air in the genre.
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25
Anyone But You (2023)
Starring Sidney Sweeney and Glenn Powell
Anyone But Her is a romantic comedy from director Will Gluck starring Sidney Sweeney and Glenn Powell. Sweeny and Powell star as Bea and Ben, two strangers with an incredible first date that turns sour after one incident at the tail end. Thinking that the worst is behind them, the two are roped into a destination wedding in Sydney, Australia, where they will have to pretend to be a couple despite absolutely hating each other.
- Director
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Wish you luck
- Release date
-
December 22, 2023
- runtime
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103 minutes
It’s clear that there have been a lot of great rom-coms in the last five years, though Anyone but you Attracted a lot of attention for proving that these types of movies are still box office draws. It didn’t hurt that the film starred two of Hollywood’s biggest up-and-coming stars Sidney Sweeney and Glenn Powell play a couple of single men with a conflicted history. When they find themselves invited to the same wedding, they decide to avoid the awkwardness by pretending to be a couple.
Powell and Sweeney cemented themselves as true Hollywood stars, sharing excellent chemistry that lights up the entire movie. Anyone but you is a throwback to the 90s era of rom-coms, embracing the familiar tropes and even serving as a loose Shakespearean adaptation with aspects of Much ado about nothing. The box office success will likely lead to more confidence in the genre.
24
elemental (2023)
Starring Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie
Pixar’s Elemental focuses on the residents of Elemental City, who are all made of earth, air, water, or fire. Originally thinking that elements cannot mix thanks to her father, Ember Lumen (Leah Lewis) sets out on a journey with Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie) to see the world in a whole new light. Also starring is Catherine O’Hara as Brooke Ripple, Wade’s mother, and Ronnie Del Carmen as Bernie, Ember’s father.
- Director
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Peter Sohn
- Release date
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June 16, 2023
- Figure
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Leah Lewis, Mamadou Atti, Catherine O’Hara, Ronnie Del Carmen, Wendy McClendon-Covey
- runtime
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93 minutes
The best Pixar movies showcase the studio’s excellent sense of humor. however, Elemental was the first time the animation studio had embraced a full-blown rom-com story. Of course, they do it in the typical Pixar way with a smart, family-friendly world to set the story in. Elemental deals with a world occupied by the four elements and follows a girl from a fire family named Ember and a boy from a water family named Wade who form a bond.
As with most Pixar releases, the world-building is one of the best aspects of the movie. However, along with being a story about this unexpected relationship blossoming, it is also a story of immigrants and community with some very worthwhile messages. Although the movie initially seemed to be another misfire at the box office to continue Pixar’s recent woes, it went strong thanks to word of mouth and solid reviews, showing that there is still a lot of magic in original Pixar movies.
23
Hit Man (2024)
With Glen Powell and Adria Arjona
From director Richard Linklater comes Hit Man, a 2023 action comedy film based on a Texas Monthly Article with the same name. Under cover and trying to catch a group of criminals, a Houston police officer poses as a hitman until he falls for a woman on assignment. The Houston officer finds himself deeper and deeper in the world of crime, and it is increasingly difficult to escape his new undercover persona.
- Release date
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September 5, 2023
- runtime
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113 minutes
Glen Powell recently came up with another excellent rom-com, but one that is drastically different from Anyone but you. Hit man is loosely based on a true story and stars Powell as Gary Johnson, a surveillance expert and college professor who monopolizes helping the police take down people who try to hire hitmen to carry out murders. Gary proves to have a knack for undercover work, convincingly posing as a number of different guns for hire. however, It’s all complicated when he falls for one of his would-be clients, played by Adria Arjona.
Powell co-wrote the movie with director Richard Linklater and the two do an excellent job of finding the perfect tone in this tricky story. It’s funny and a little elevated at times, but there’s also a level of real tension and tremendous sexiness. The result is one of the most unique rom-coms in recent years and one that can appeal to those who typically shun the genre.
22
Good luck to you, Leo Grande (2022)
Starring Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack
Good luck to you, Leo Grande is a comedy-drama directed by Sophie Hyde, starring Emma Thompson as a retired widow who seeks intimacy and self-discovery with a young sex worker, played by Daryl McCormack. The film explores themes of sexual liberation and human connection, presenting a nuanced picture of personal growth and relationships in later life.
- Director
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Sophie Hyde
- Release date
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June 17, 2022
- Figure
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Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack, Isabella Laughland, Les Mabaleka, Lennie Beare
- runtime
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97 minutes
Age gaps in rom-coms can be off-putting and problematic in many instances, however Good luck to you, Leo Grande Find a way to make it work and even make it lovable. The movie also takes a unique approach to a relationship in a movie of this kind as it stars Emma Thompson as an older woman who feels unfulfilled in her sex life so far. She decides to make a list of various things she would like to try and hires a sex worker (Daryl McCormack) to help her cross things out of her life..
The movie is basically a two-hander, which tells its story over the course of several meetings all in a small hotel room. Thompson and McCormack have wonderful chemistry as the two strangers embark on a very intimate journey with each other. However, the intimacy truly comes from their conversations in which they open up to each other and find similarities and differences. It’s a rom-com in which the relationship isn’t really building to romance, but rather friendship.
21
Ray Lane (2023)
Starring David Johnson and Vivian Oparah
Ray Lane is a romantic comedy directed by Ryan Allen-Miller. It follows two young Londoners, Yas (Vivian Oparah) and Dom (David Jonsson), as they form a bond over the course of an adventurous day while navigating the bustling streets of South London. Through their shared experiences, they confront past relationships and find a new perspective on life and love.
- Director
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Ryan Allen Miller
- Release date
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March 31, 2023
- runtime
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88 minutes
After David Jonsson’s breakout performance in Alien: RomulusThere will likely be a lot more people looking for his previously underrated rom-com row lane. The movie seems to take inspiration from films like before sunrise How successful it is to simply follow two people throughout their day as they get to know each other and make a connection. Jonsson plays Dom while Vivian Oparah plays Yas, two strangers who have recently gone through breakups and have a chance meeting and decide to spend the day making each other feel better..
The two leads have great chemistry in roles that allow them to be silly, hearty and adventurous as they gradually see that the end of their previous relationship is not the end of the world. This is the kind of quiet and simple rom-com that can leave a big impact just through its relatable characters, sharp humor and engrossing dialogue.
20
No Hard Feelings (2023)
Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Bart Feldman
- Director
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Gene Stupnitsky
- Release date
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June 23, 2023
- Writers
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John Phillips, Gene Stupnicki
- runtime
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103 minutes
Jennifer Lawrence stars in the romantic comedy No hard feelingsA movie that came out in 2023 and was one of her raunchiest, but funny movie turns. The film has a chance to cause controversy, viz Lawrence played a young woman who agrees to help a teenager lose his virginity When his parents offer you a new car in exchange for the deed.
Lawrence was all in this role and showed a different side to her already incredible acting talents.
While an older woman seducing a teen might have been a terrible idea, the movie remains a sweet story, albeit with some very raunchy scenes throughout. Lawrence was all in this role and showed a different side to her already incredible acting talents. The movie also has some fun supporting characters, with the boy’s parents played by Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti.
Jennifer Lawrence earned a Golden Globes nomination for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical and the movie also earned a Critics’ Choice Awards nomination for Best Comedy. moreover, No hard feelings became a hit on Netflix.
19
Someone I Used to Know (2023)
Starring Alison Brie and Jay Ellis
- Director
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Dave Franco
- Release date
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February 10, 2023
- runtime
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106 minutes
Someone I used to know is a Dave Franco directed movie that arrived in 2023 with Alison Brie starring as the showrunner of a reality TV series called Dessert Island. When she learns that her show has been canceled, she decides to take a break from television and visit her mom in Washington, where she runs into her ex-boyfriend.
As expected in a rom-com, they hook up again, and then She learns after they sleep together that he is about to get married And his mother, unaware of what happened, asks Ali to video the wedding. This is a perfect setup for a romantic comedy with lots of uncomfortable situations and is similar to classics like My best friend’s wedding.
However, this ends with the familiar storylines and is a movie with some nice depth and characters who realize what they are supposed to do in life, and not cheat with a fake happiness after ending up for Ally in the end. It had some interesting things to say for a comedy and was a surprising film, but one that has been largely overlooked.
18
Red, White and Royal Blue (2023)
With Tyler Zakar Perez and Nicholas Galitsyn
Red, white and royal blue is a Prime Video original romantic comedy featuring a LGBTQ+ love story between the son of the United States President and Prince Philip, Duke of Cambridge. As with many rom-coms, the two men don’t start off on good terms, neither do they like each other after an early embarrassing incident.
However, their parents force them to act as friends for better relations between the countries, no leader realized that the sons would end up falling in love. The film received mostly positive reviews from critics, sitting at 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it offers a more inclusive romantic experience for viewers at home.
It also received praise at the end of the year, with the GLAAD Media Awards naming it Queer Fan Favorite of the Year, and also nominating it for Outstanding Film – Streaming Television. It also received a nomination in the Producers Guild of America Awards for Outstanding Producer of Streamed or Television Motion Pictures.
17
I Want You Back (2022)
Starring Charlie Day and Jenny Slate
I want you back is a more irreverent romantic comedy starring Charlie Day (It’s always sunny in Philadelphia) and Jenny Slate (Parks and Recreation). With the two comedic TV actors leading the way, the movie tells The story of two people who have just been dumped by their romantic partners.
They become friends and try to help each other navigate their new lives after the breakups. However, they decide that they will help each other to try to win back their exes, who have moved on. However, as expected in movies of this type, the two end up falling for each other along the way.
Critics loved the movie, and it’s a nice 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. The cast received praise for their performances and it is a rom-com that not only delivers the laughs and romance but also has a great story about learning to move on in life, Even if it’s not what the couple expected along the way.
16
Ghosted (2023)
Starring Chris Evans & Ana De Armas
Ghosted is a romantic action-comedy film directed by Dexter Fletcher, starring Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. The plot revolves around an ordinary man who falls for a mysterious woman, only to discover that she is actually a secret agent. Their next adventure takes them on a thrilling, globe-trotting mission. The film combines elements of romance, humor and high-stakes action for an engaging cinematic experience.
- Director
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Dexter Fletcher
- Release date
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April 18, 2023
- runtime
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117 minutes
Ghosted is a movie that has some big-time stars behind it and some successful directors helming the project. Chris Evans plays against type as an unhappy romantic who heads to London to find a woman with whom he has a one-night stand after a date. However, when he arrives, a criminal abducts him and his former date must save him. This is Oscar-nominated actress Ana de Armas (Blonde), who is a highly-trained secret agent.
Seeing the former Captain America constantly needing to be rescued made it all worth the watch. The original Apple TV + Movie was written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the writing team Deadpool And Deapool 2 and was directed by Dexter Fletcher, who previously directed the Oscar-nominated Rocketman.
While critics hated the movie (with a 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), the audience score was much higher. This makes this a crowd-friendly movie and a rom-com worth the watch for anyone just looking to have a good time.
15
The Perfect Find (2023)
Starring Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers
- Release date
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June 23, 2023
- Director
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Numa Perrier
- Figure
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Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers, Gina Torres, La La Anthony, Aisha Hinds, Janet Hubert
- Writers
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Leigh Davenport
- distributor(s)
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Netflix
Available to stream on Netflix
One of the best recent rom-coms, The perfect find is a Netflix original movie that arrived on the streaming service in 2023. Although it is inspired by a novel of the same name by Tia Williams, fans of the book will find some differences in the movie.
In a cast with talent, Gabrielle Union leads as Jenna, a woman who is just getting out of a decade-long relationship. After starting a new job, Jenna finds herself drawn to a much younger man (Keith Powers).
Although they experience a lot of bumps when they get to know one another, including the fact that Jenna works for her mother (Gina Torres), they work well together. Even more than the romance aspect of the story, both characters find a way to follow their career aspirations while falling for one another.
14
To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021)
Starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
To all the boys: always and forever is the final chapter in Jenny Han To all the boys Trilogy on Netflix. It follows Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) as she struggles to choose a university to attend after her dreams of going to the same school as Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) are shattered.
Although Lara Jean has already learned so many lessons in love from the first two movies, this time around, She learns that she cannot sacrifice what she wants in life for loveEven if it makes your relationship harder.
The last chapter of their story allows a grounded approach to the two of them going to different universities after spending the last two years of high school together.
While Lara Jean and Peter mostly have a fairy tale romance, the final chapter of their story allows a grounded approach to the two of them going to different universities after spending the last two years of high school together.
13
Crush (2022)
With Rowan Blanchard and Auli’i Cravalho
- Release date
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April 24, 2022
- Director
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Sami Cohen
- Figure
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Rowan Blanchard, Auli’i Cravalho, Isabella Ferreira, Tyler Alvarez, Teala Dunn, Aasif Mandvi
- runtime
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92 minutes
Another high school rom-com, 2022 crush is a Hulu original. Unlike Netflix, Hulu doesn’t have a lot of recent romantic comedies made just for the platform, and crush is certainly unique. It has a sarcastic sense of humor that Plays with some teen comedy tropes while subverting others.
The love triangle at the center of the story, after all, concerns three young women. Roman Blanchard stars in crush As Paige, a teenager who joins the track team to get close to her crush (Isabella Ferriera). While training, however, she ends up getting closer to her crush’s sister, AJ (Auli’i Cravalho).
The two sisters are co-captains of the track team, which means that Paige ends up in the orbit of both of them, only further confusing her feelings. What makes the movie work is that Blanchard has fantastic chemistry with both leading ladies alongside her.
12
Palm Springs (2020)
With Andy Saberg and Akiba Schafer
Since then Groundhog Day By 1993, science fiction projects had been fascinated by the idea of ​​a time loop. While most time loop movies provide a moral tale in which the protagonist has to learn their lesson and are not necessarily romantic comedies, Palm Springs makes the Science fiction concept in the perfect setting for a romantic comedy.
While Sarah is new to the time loop, Nyles is not.
After Sarah (Kristin Milioti) hooks up with Niles (Andy Samberg) at her sister’s wedding, she finds herself pulled into a vortex that causes her to repeat the day. While Sarah is new to the time loop, Nyles is not.
He repeated the day so many times that he developed a more detached attitude to the loop, enjoying himself and doing things he wouldn’t necessarily do in his everyday life. Sarah, on the other hand, is determined to find a way to end it. It’s their differences that make them so fun to watch together.
11
Single All the Way (2021)
With Michael Urie and Philemon Chambers
- Release date
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December 2, 2021
- Director
-
Michael Mayer
- Figure
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Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Luke Macfarlane, Jennifer Coolidge, Kathy Najimy
- Writers
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Chad Hodge
Holiday romances are incredibly common. Hallmark has a lock on them when it comes to tears, but this Netflix original rom-com is sweet and hilarious. It features some tried and true romantic comedy tropes like fake dating and friends-to-lovers and is easily one of the best holiday romantic comedies of the last five years.
in single all the way, Peter (Michael Ury) goes home for the holidays, convincing his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to Pretend to be his boyfriend after his last relationship ends.
His mother (Kathy Najimi), however, sets him up on a blind date, and the two discover that maybe there are real feelings beneath the relationship they’ve been pretending to have. The movie, which will be released in 2021, won the GLAAD Media Awards honor for Outstanding TV Movie and also earned Joel S. Rice a Producers Guild of America Award.
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10
Emma (2020)
Starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn
- Release date
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February 21, 2020
- Director
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Autumn de Wilde
- Figure
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Bill Nighy, Gemma Whelan, Rupert Graves, Mia Goth, Amber Anderson, Tanya Reynolds, Callum Turner, Chloe Pirrie, Josh O’Connor, Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Miranda Hart, Suzy Bloom
- Writers
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Eleanor Cotton
- distributor(s)
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Focus features, universal pictures
Although Pride and Prejudice Perhaps the best known, many other Jane Austen novels have been adapted for the screen, including Emma. The 2020 adaptation of Emma Starring Anya Taylor-Joy is visually stunning with fantastic cinematography and costumes. It’s not much of the source material, but that’s not a bad thing.
Emma (Annie Taylor-Joy) is the daughter of a rich man who enjoys matchmaking. She often finds herself making mistakes as she meddles in the love lives of those she cares aboutAlmost too late that she is in the same man, a dear friend loves.
While Emma is a charming heroine, there is no denying that she can be spoiled and selfish, making her more than the archetypal woman at the center of a love story. Taylor-Joy earned a Golden Globe nomination and the movie received several nominations for costuming from different organizations.
9
Happiest Season (2020)
Starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis
- Release date
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November 26, 2020
- Director
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Clea DuVall
- Writers
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Clea DuVall, Mary Holland
- distributor(s)
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Hulu
The best romantic comedies of the past five years have included quite a few during the holiday season. Happiest season is one such Christmas rom-com, detailing a relationship that finds itself facing a very big hurdle during the holidays: One of the women has not yet come out to her family As they go home for Christmas.
Abby (Kristen Stewart) plans to propose to Harper (Mackenzie Davis) over the holidays, but when she is invited to spend the holidays with Harper’s family is when Harper drops the bomb on her.
Although Abby agrees not to tell her family the nature of their relationship, she finds herself increasingly out of place and continues to break up with Harper if Harper is not ready to build a future with her. The movie details the many differences in coming out stories, and it does so with a cast of characters that feel very real instead of like stereotypes.
8
The Personal Story of David Copperfield (2019)
With Dev Patel and Rosalind Eleazar
The personal story of David Copperfield offers a fresh take on Charles Dickens’ classic novel. Directed by Armando Iannucci, the film stars Dev Patel as David Copperfield, navigating a life marked by hardship and fortune. The ensemble cast includes Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie and Ben Whishaw, among others, in a richly textured period drama that balances humor and pathos while examining themes of identity and resilience.
- Release date
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August 28, 2020
- Director
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Armando Iannucci
- runtime
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119 minutes
Dev Patel stars as David Copperfield in this delightful reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic novel “David Copperfield” Which is a bright and hilarious version of the story. The movie follows Copperfield from his childhood days as an orphan into his adulthood as he blossoms into a successful writer with fantastic imagery throughout the movie. This loose adaptation of the classic Dickens work has all the hallmarks of a solid rom-com.
The diverse cast has great chemistry, from Hugh Laurie as Mr. Dick to Rosalind Lazarus as Agnes Wakefield. The portrayal of the relationship between Agnes Wickfield and David Copperfield in particular makes this movie one of the best recent rom-coms.
The Personal Story of David Copperfield was very popular in the UK, earning 11 British Independent Film Awards nominations, and winning for Best Supporting Actor (Hugh Laurie), Best Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
7
The Lovebirds (2020)
Starring Kumail Nanjiani & Issa Rae
- Director
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Michael Showalter
- Writers
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Martin Gero, Brendan Gall, Aaron Abrams
- distributor(s)
-
Netflix
- runtime
-
86 minutes
The lovebirds is a Netflix rom-com starring Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani as a couple who started out strong in their relationship, but the two find that their relationship has grown stale after years of being together. They are about to go to a friend’s party when they decide to split up, just to have it A man claiming to be law enforcement jumps into their car and kills a man.
The fight throws Leilani (Rae) and Jibran (Nanjiani) into a night where they have to fight for their survival while also reckoning with their relationship falling apart or finding a way to fall back in love with each other. This is not a movie made for awards but was made to entertain audiences, and that is what it did.
with A 66% critical rating on Rotten TomatoesIt was still one of the top-streamed movies for Netflix upon its release. Nanjiani and Rae were great leads, with perfect chemistry, and both very funny throughout the movie.
6
What People Want (2019)
Starring Taraji P. Henson & Aldis Hodge
- Release date
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February 8, 2019
- Director
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Adam Shankman
- Figure
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Pete Davidson, Max Greenfield, Wendy McLendon-Covey, Taraji P. Henson, Brian Bosworth, Tracy Morgan, Aldis Hodge, Richard Roundtree, Tamale Jones, Kellan Lutz.
- Writers
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Chris Spain, Peter Hoyk, Jon Zack, Alex Gregory, Jace Waters, Tina Gordon Chism
- distributor(s)
-
Top pictures
2019 rom-com What people want is a reboot of the early 2000s film what women want Only this time it follows a successful sports agent named Ali, played by Empire’s Taraji P. Henson, after she starts to Hear people’s thoughts due to a potion from a shaman. This potion not only exposes the sexism and racism of Ali’s workplace, but it allows her to gain a foothold in her career.
What people want is a solid update on a classic and easily one of the best romantic comedies of the last five years.
The film is a fun ride, and it uses the telepathy trick very well. Henson is a great leading lady – her strong-willed determination and softness endear her instantly. With a great supporting cast that includes Tracy Morgan, Erykah Badu, Max Greenfield and Richard Roundtree, What people want is a solid update on a classic and easily one of the best romantic comedies of the last five years.
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