If you haven’t watched these early 2000s rom-coms, cancel all your plans

Hollywood had a major thing for romantic comedies in the early-aughts. From 2000 through 2010, we were all gifted with some of the best rom-coms to grace the big screen: think classics like How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, 13 Going On 30, The Proposal, Love Actually, and Bridget Jones' Diary, just to name a few. Will these ever stop being perfect for a re-watch? Absolutely not—but it's worth pointing out that there were a whole bunch of underrated rom-coms from the early 2000s you've probably completely forgotten about by now.

Like the rest of the genre's classics out there, these are funny, full of clichéd meet-cutes, a little bit silly, admittedly kind of corny, and overall adorably sweet. They'll make you laugh, they'll make you cry, they may even send you down a Google spiral to find out what ever happened to Shane West. Whatever the case, these light-hearted films are the perfect antidote to the blues. Make yourself a giant bowl(s) of popcorn, get comfy on the couch (where else would you be at this point?), and jump back into 2005 with us.

'A Lot Like Love' (2005)

 

In A Lot Like Love, Oliver (Ashton Kutcher) and Emily (Amanda Peet) meet on a plane and sparks fly (pun def intended) immediately. But despite the fact that their chemistry is off the charts, these two know that they're wrong for each other. Over the next few years of their lives, they end up meeting and connecting several more times, but, of course, they just can't seem to get it together. 

'The Fighting Temptations' (2003)

 

BEYONCÉ??!? Yes, it's true: Queen Bey will grace your screen when you watch this 2003 throwback. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays Darren Hill, a big-time advertising executive who is basically forced to go back to his small town in Atlanta when he loses his job and his life is turned upside down. He ends up leading a church choir while they try to win a gospel competition. Beyoncé plays Lily, his childhood friend—and an incredible singer who might be the key to helping the choir win. *dun dun dunnnn*

'Get Over It' (2001)

 

In this loose adaption of A Midsummer Night's Dream (turning Shakespeare into rom-com fodder is so fun), Berke Landers (Ben Foster) is a high school student who is determined to get his ex-girlfriend back, even if it means auditioning for the school play just to get closer to her. His best friend's sister Kelly (Kirsten Dunst) helps him get ready for the role...and, in the end, Berke falls for someone else. You'll also notice *chef's kiss* worthy appearances by Mila Kunis, Sisqó, Shane West, Colin Hanks, and Zoë Saldaña.

'In The Land Of Women' (2007)

 

It seems that we've all collectively forgotten that this gem of a movie exists. In The Land Of Women stars Adam Brody as Carter Webb, who moves from Los Angeles to a small town in Michigan to take care of his grandma after going through a breakup. He ends up spending most of his time with the family across the street, a mother (Meg Ryan) and daughters (one played by Kristen Stewart). It wouldn't be a perfect rom-com without Ryan's appearance and a kick-ass soundtrack, and this film has both.

'The Sweetest Thing' (2002)

 

If you need the perfect girl's night movie to watch, make it The Sweetest Thing. Christina (Cameron Diaz), Courtney (Christina Applegate), and Jane (Selma Blair) are three friends who get into a slew of crazy adventures while searching for a man Christina met at a club one night. It's hilarious, cute, and perfectly goofy, and it will make you want to give your BFF a huge hug.

'Bride and Prejudice' (2004)

 

Bride and Prejudice is a Bollywood rom-com take on Pride and Prejudice, and, really, how can you resist that? In the film, Manorama (Nadira Babbar) and Chaman Bakshi (Anupam Kher) search for the perfect husbands for their four daughters—except Lalita (Aishwarya Rai), the oldest daughter, has no interest in an arranged marriage. As she searches for her version of the perfect husband, she ends up meeting her William Darcy (Martin Henderson), and, as you can probably imagine the rest. 

'Fever Pitch' (2005)

 

Based on the book A Fan's Life by Nick Hornby, Fever Pitch is about Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon), a teacher who is dating Lindsey Meeks (Drew Barrymoore). Despite the fact that they're basically polar opposites, the two fall in love and things are going great... until Lindsey realises that Ben is completely obsessed with the Boston Red Sox. Are their different opinions on baseball enough to ruin their relationship? You'll have to watch to find out.

'Whatever It Takes' (2000)

 

Whatever It Takes has an all-star early 2000s cast that is basically perfect: Shane West, Jody Lyn O'Keefe, James Franco, and Marka Sokoloff. In this teen rom-com, nerdy Ryan (West) is in love with the popular Ashley (O'Keefe), but the feeling is not mutual. Meanwhile, star athlete Chris (Franco) is into Maggie (Sokoloff), who is Ryan's super smart BFF. Ryan and Chris work together to get the girls to fall for them until they realize they're both going after the wrong girl.

'Bride Wars' (2009)

 

Childhood besties Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) become bridezilla enemies when their dream weddings are accidentally scheduled on the same day at the same exact place. Don't worry, they end up living happily ever after.

'Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!' (2004)

 

Like some of the best rom-coms ever, Win A Date With Tad Hamilton! is based on a ridiculous premise: a huge actor, Tad Hamilton (Josh Duhamel), moves to a small town to pursue a girl named Rosalee (Kate Bosworth), although his actions aren't totally innocent. Rosalee's best friend Pete (Topher Grace), who is, incidentally, in love with her, has to try to win her heart from a Hollywood stud. This would literally never happen IRL, but it's certainly fun to watch! 

'Deliver Us From Eva' (2003)

 

If you loved Gabrielle Union in her other early 2000's hit, Bring It On, then you'll really love her in Deliver Us From Eva. Union plays Eva, who has been in charge of taking care of her younger sisters since their parents died years before. Eva has a weird amount of control over her sisters and happens to be in control of the family trust fund—something her sister's partners are not into. They come up with a plan to set Eva up with Ray Adams (LL Cool J), who happens to be a total player, but things don't go quite as they planned.

'Catch and Release' (2006)

 

On the day they were supposed to get married, Gray Wheeler (Jennifer Garner) attends the funeral of her fiancé, Grady Douglas. The rest of the film is about Gray trying to put her life back together as she deals with the loss of the love of her life. While doing so, she finds comfort in becoming close with his best friends, played by Sam Jaeger, Kevin Smith, and Timothy Olyphant. The subject is a bit heavier than some of the other movies, but it's still sweet.

'The Last Kiss' (2006)

 

Less happy and silly and a bit more introspective and serious, The Last Kiss is about four friends (Zach Braff, Casey Affleck, Michael Weston, and Eric Christian Olsen) who are turning 30 and basically freaking out about it (who can't relate?). Michael (Braff) is having a tough time dealing with being a father and an adult, and ends up turning to another woman, Kim (Rachel Bilson), for some help. Yikes? Yup.

'Down With Love' (2003)

 

Down With Love features a classic rom-com trope: two people who kind of hate each other end up accidentally falling in love. It takes place in 1962, when feminist writer Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) writes a best-selling book about why love isn't worth it and encourages women to avoid serious relationships and enjoy independence and casual flings instead (okay, we stan!). Writer Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor) hates her message, and has a plan to show she's a fraud by making her fall in love with him. What could go wrong?

'Good Luck Chuck' (2007)

 

Back when he was one of the biggest stand-up comedians out there, Dane Cook starred in Good Luck Chuck alongside Jessica Alba, and it is truly a gem. Cook plays Charlie Kagan, a dentist with horrible luck who is just trying to find the love of his life. The only problem? Every women he breaks up with immediately meets their soul-mate after dating him, and he becomes known as a good luck charm for women to use. It's not until he meets Cam (Alba) that he tries to find a way to break the curse.

'License To Wed' (2007)

 

Robin Williams, John Krasinski, and Mandy Moore? How could you miss out on this one? In License To Wed, newly engaged couple Sadie (Moore) and Ben (Krasinski) are trying to plan their dream wedding...but Reverend Frank (Williams) makes them get through his tough marriage prep course first. Through all the hijinks, Sadie and Ben have to decide if they're really meant to be together. 

'Just Like Heaven' (2005)

 

Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo together in a rom-com?! How could you not want to watch this one, you know? Just Like Heaven has a crazy plot that weirdly...works? Ruffalo plays David, a recently widowed architect who has just moved into a new apartment in San Francisco. Here's the problem: it's being haunted by the ghost of Elizabeth (Witherspoon), who can't remember much about her life and is convinced she's actually alive. Does David fall in love with a ghost? Yes. Yes he does.

'Two Can Play That Game' (2001)

Shanté Smith (Vivica A. Fox) is the woman all of her friends go to for guy advice because she seems to know it all. But when Shanté's boyfriend Keith (Morris Chestnut) starts to stray, she's forced to figure out how to control the man in her life. 'Kay, fine. The plot definitely didn't age that well, but it is still entertaining.

'What Happens In Vegas' (2008)

Serious career woman Joy McNally (Diaz) meets playboy Jack Fuller (Kutcher) during a vacation in Vegas, and after a drunken night out, the two realize they got married (as one does in Vegas). Of course, the two aren't able to get an annulment, so instead, they just... try to make their marriage work? 

'No Reservations' (2007)

In No Reservations, Kate Armstrong (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is a famous chef who also happens to be total boss with a type-A personality. She becomes the guardian of her niece (Abigail Breslin), and also starts a feud with her new sous-chef, Nicholas (Aaron Eckhart)...and of course, Kate and Nicholas end up falling for each other despite all of the bad feelings. It wouldn't be a true rom-com without an improbable romance! 

'Just My Luck' (2006)

Lindsay Lohan plays Ashley, the luckiest woman in the world: she's got the clothes, the friends, and the social calendar to prove it. But then Ashley kisses Jake (Chris Pine) at a costume party, and her good fortune turns into the worst luck ever. As she tries to get her good luck back, things begin to heat up with Jake... and yes, this is just as silly as it sounds (still worth watching though!). 

'Kate & Leopold' (2001)

Nineties rom-com queen Meg Ryan stars in Kate & Leopold as Kate, a modern-day executive who is only interested in her career. Meanwhile, there's Leopold (Hugh Jackman), a charming Duke from the late 1800s who doesn't believe in love. A rip in time catapults Leopold into the 21st century with Kate, and the two end up in a relationship.

Made of Honor (2008)

In Made of Honor, Patrick Dempsey plays Tom, a serial dater who avoids commitment like the plague. It's not until his BFF Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) is about to get married that he realizes, unfortunately, he's in love with her. Hannah asks him to be part of her bridal party, and he begins to do anything he can to stop the wedding. And yes, this movie sounds just like My Best Friend's Wedding.

'The Heartbreak Kid' (2007)

Ben Stiller plays Eddie, a man who has a little fling with the beautiful Lila (Malin Akerman)... a little fling that ends in a quick and rushed marriage. It's only after they're married that Eddie realizes he's made a huge mistake and Lila isn't the woman he thought she was at all. Eddie falls for Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), and struggles to end things with his wife. It's definitely a wild ride!

‘Punch-Drunk Love’ (2002)

A rom-com starring Adam Sandler – that’s all we have to say, but we’ll say more. This Paul Thomas Anderson comedy follows an anxious, hardworking, sad sack of a man who begins his search for love at a phone sex hotline, only to end on a business trip to Hawaii with his sister. We can thank Punch-Drunk Love for launching Sandler’s dramatic career, the fruits of which would become Uncut Gems, The Meyerowitz Stories, and more.

‘Sweet Home Alabama’ (2002)

Many peoples’ desert island rom-com, Sweet Home Alabama stars Reese Witherspoon as a very posh fashion designer who, upon getting engaged to New York City’s most eligible bachelor, must return to her Alabama hometown to divorce her stubborn high school sweetheart. Our leading men? None other than Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey. We’re sat.

‘500 Days of Summer’ (2009)

500 Days of Summer is more than a God-tier romantic comedy, it’s the ultimate relationship litmus test. Here’s how to play: simply ask your partner, was Summer a villain? Brace for impact and proceed with caution. This film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a hopelessly romantic greeting card writer and Zooey Deschanel as his dream girl who dumps him, kicking off a feature film-length spiral asking, “how did it end?”

‘Lost in Translation’ (2003)

Written and directed by living legend Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation stars Bill Murray as an aging movie star who lands in Tokyo to film a whiskey commercial (glamorous!). There, he meets a troubled young newlywed, played by Scarlett Johansson, accompanying her celebrity photographer husband on a business trip. Together, they share a night of adventure and understanding in a foreign city.

‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ (2002)

If you were sentient for the early 2000s rom-com wave, then you’re likely in or entering the wedding season of your lifetime. As such, it’s a perfect time to revisit one of the best wedding comedies in the game, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Starring (and written by) Nia Vardalos, opposite John Corbett, the film follows a Greek-American bride-to-be who brings her non-Greek fiance home to her family ahead of their impending nuptials.

‘Amélie’ (2001)

For all the girlies summering in France, Amélie follows a young waitress falling in love with the Parisian people and places while living in Monmartre. This film is one of the most successful French films ever made and was shot in over 80 locations across the city of Paris, so if you didn’t quite make it over the pond, Amélie will take you there.

‘Maid in Manhattan’ (2002)

Let’s revisit a time when the J Lo we had was different from the J Lo we have. Maid in Manhattan stars Lopez alongside Voldemort in his most romantic facade, Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes plays a Senatorial candidate who falls in love with a woman he believes to be a socialite, but is really a hotel maid. Spoiler alert! We learn in the end that money doesn’t matter all that much – swoon.

 

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