2000s Rom-coms

The ultimate feel-good film genre.

Written by: Taylor Watts

Romantic comedies are the perfect movie for any occasion. Needing inspiration? Rom-com. Feeling hopeless? Rom-com. Need something to keep your attention for only the next 100 minutes? Rom-com. The only thing better than your typical romantic comedy is a rom-com from the early 2000s. Not only are the storylines lighthearted and fun, but the soundtracks and wardrobe are also unmatched. The next time you are feeling, well, just about any range of emotions, come back to this list and watch one of my personal favorite early 2000’s romantic comedies.

13 Going on 30 (2004) Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving. A movie that has Razzles, a dance break to Thriller, and a young Mark Ruffalo. Need I say more?

Legally Blonde (2001) Truly, a movie ahead of its time. Guaranteed to make you add something pink to your wardrobe and to have Hoku’s Perfect Day stuck in your head for the rest of the week. Mean Girls (2004) This movie might fall more in the comedy section rather than a romantic comedy, but I'll take any excuse to include Mean Girls on this list. What can I say? It’s just too fetch to pass up.

A Cinderella Story (2004) A modern retelling of Cinderella with Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray (back in his Lucas Scott prime!). This movie quite literally made me believe all princesses went to Princeton.

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) I have many reasons why the sequel is better than the first one, but I will leave you with just one. Chris Pine.

Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging (2008) It’s a teen rom-com set in the UK with Aaron Taylor-Johnson… And he’s in a rock band. I feel like the movie sells itself at this point.

The Wedding Date (2004) Another movie set in the UK, but this time we actually get to see Big Ben. Again, it sells itself.

27 Dresses (2008) James Marsden, an OSU alum, plays a reporter who doesn’t believe in love and eventually meets a girl who loves love so much, but she is constantly the maid of honor. Just wait for the very end, you'll know what I mean.

John Tucker Must Die (2006) Highly recommend watching this after a breakup. Nobody does a takedown quite like three vengeful ex-girlfriends.

Bride Wars (2009) Watch this with your best friend and try to figure out which one of you is an Emma and who is a Liv. Two weddings at The Plaza, what could go wrong?

The Proposal (2009) She was a power-hungry boss who did not want to be deported, he was her American assistant... Can I make it any more obvious? Also Betty White dances to Lil Jon’s Get Low, so there’s that.

Easy A (2010) One of my favorite movies on this list, simply because it's almost like a John Hughes film - but set in 2010. It's also somewhat a twisted tale of The Scarlet Letter, but with Gossip Girl’s Dan Humphrey. Enjoy.