Nothing says “cozy night in” quite like a proper romantic comedy. Though the rom-com genre has evolved quite a bit over the years, the basic tenets have largely stayed the same since the time of Shakespeare, who is often credited with introducing romantic comedy to the theater — his play “The Merchant of Venice,” written in 1600, is sometimes referred to as the very first rom-com.
Romantic comedies are stories that tackle the complex topic of love in playful, often humorous ways. Think: Pretty Woman, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, You’ve Got Mail, and Love Actually. Over the years, rom-coms have shifted to give more of a platform for different forms of love as well, with films like Saving Face, Love and Basketball, and The Happiest Season presenting a broader scope of non-white, non-heteronormative love stories. The beauty of the genre is that it can and will continue to change as more perspectives and more creatives join the conversation. Because after all, who doesn’t love love?
A big part of the appeal of rom-coms is that they give us just the right dose of dopamine with their balance of sappy, relatable characters and often over-the-top storylines. So grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and enjoy these 15 funny and sweet quotes from some of the best rom-coms of all time.
I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) to Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) in "When Harry Met Sally"
I hate it when you're not around, and the fact that you didn't call. But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) to Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) in "10 Things I Hate About You"
Gosh, she’s so badass. You know, I bet if you told her you’d leave Nick for a million dollars, she will write that check. They do that around here.Peik Lin Goh (Awkwafina) to Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) in "Crazy Rich Asians"
What I really want to do with my life — what I want to do for a living — is I want to be with your daughter. I’m good at it.Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) in "Say Anything"
In my opinion, the best thing you can do is find someone who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you.Mac MacGuff (J.K. Simmons) to Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page) in "Juno"
I’ll play you.For what?Monica (Sanaa Lathan) to Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) in "Love and Basketball"
Your heart.
You had me at hello.Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger) to Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) in "Jerry Maguire"
You want the moon? Just say the word, and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) to Mary Hatch Bailey (Donna Reed) in "It’s a Wonderful Life"
I'd rather fight with you than make love with anyone else.Nick Mercer (Dermot Mulroney) to Kat Ellis (Debra Messing) in "The Wedding Date"
Thank you. I love you. I knew it the minute I met you. I'm sorry it took so long for me to catch up. I just got stuck.Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) to Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) in "Silver Linings Playbook"
I knew I’d never be able to remember what Nina wore that day. But I also knew I’d never forget the way she looked.George Banks (Steve Martin) in "Father of the Bride"
It’s not about owning her. It’s about building a life with her. She is my person, and I really want everyone to know that.Abby (Kristen Stewart) in "The Happiest Season"
Matt, stop being so nice to me. I don't deserve it. Do you know what kind of person I am now, I mean — do you know who I am right now? I don't have any real friends. I did something bad with a married guy. I don't talk to my mom and dad. I'm not a nice person. And the thing is — I'm not 13 anymore.Jenna Rink (Jennifer Garner) in "13 Going On 30"
And don't forget: I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) to William Thacker (Hugh Grant) in "Notting Hill"
I would have asked for your number, and I wouldn't have been able to wait 24 hours before calling you and saying, "Hey, how about... oh, how about some coffee or, you know, drinks or dinner or a movie... for as long as we both shall live?"Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) to Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) in "You've Got Mail"
Photo credit: Photo 12/ Alamy Stock Photo
