18 essential rom-coms that represent the genre best

With a star-packed cast that includes Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Kiera Knightly, it's no wonder that "Love Actually" is one of the top-rated romantic comedies in movie history. 

Whether it's the iconic "I'll have what she's having" scene or the impeccable chemistry between Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, "When Harry Met Sally" instantly became a rom-com classic upon its release in 1989. 

An adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma" starring Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd, Wallace Shawn, and Donald Faison, "Clueless" is a fun teen movie that's deceptively good. The writing is great, the acting is super fun, and the film inspired a slew of catchphrases that still remain beloved today. 

Sandra Bullock plays a seriously intense boss in this 2011 rom-com, opposite her intern (and future on-screen fiance) Ryan Reynolds. Both funny and charming, it's the perfect kind of silly rom-com for a date night at home. 

Featuring a legendary performance from Julia Roberts and some of the most iconic lines in film history, "Pretty Woman" isn't just a great rom-com, it's a great movie. 

If the stunning scenery, lavish sets, and gorgeous wardrobe aren't enough to convince you to watch this 2013 film based on Kevin Kwan's best-selling novel, the romance in "Crazy Rich Asians" will definitely do the trick. 

This Nora Ephron classic, released in 1993, is among the most beloved in the romantic comedy genre. The cast is packed with mega-stars like Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Rita Wilson, and Bill Pullman. If you're a big fan of love letters, this is the rom-com for you. 

A continuation of John Hughes's "Brat Pack" films of the 1980s, "Pretty In Pink" is among the best of his teen romances. Molly Ringwald stars as a broke, unpopular — yet seriously fashionable — high schooler who finds herself falling in love with one of the rich kids. Also starring Annie Potts and Jon Cryer, it's classic '80s perfection. 

The breakout film for Renee Zellweger, "Bridget Jones's Diary" is based on a Helen Fielding novel. It was an instant hit upon its 2001 release, and spawned multiple sequels, including "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," and "Bridget Jones's Baby."  

Released in 1940 and starring Katharine Hepburn alongside Cary Grant and James Stewart, "The Philadelphia Story" is one of the earliest rom-coms in film history. And even if you're not really into old cinema, this is the kind of film that stands the test of time. 

This charming French film was a sensation in the United States, earning five Oscar nods including a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Led by Audrey Toutou, the film follows a shy young woman who's looking to find her own happiness, and of course, there's a great love story involved. 

This 1953 film brought together Hollywood icons Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck for a romance that is, as you might expect, set in Rome. A critical darling, the film earned Hepburn an Oscar for Best Actress and legions of fans born well after the '50s. 

Starring Julia Roberts as a food critic intent on breaking up the marriage of a man she's smitten with, this 1997 rom-com was a global smash hit, grossing more than $300 million worldwide. 

This teen romance is a take on Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" made for the 20th century. Starring Julia Stiles, Larisa Oleynik, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and the late Heath Ledger, the film is the perfect balance of charming, funny, and totally sweet. 

Nobody dominated the world of romantic comedies in the '90s like Meg Ryan, and films like "You've Got Mail" are proof. Alongside co-star Tom Hanks, Ryan navigates the world of online dating for the first time and just happens to find the man of her dreams. But of course, because this is Nora Ephron, it's not quite that simple. 

In this 1998 classic, Angela Bassett plays a high-powered executive whose love life has taken a back seat to her career. That all changes when she makes a trip to Jamaica, where a handsome stranger helps her take stock of what she needs to find happiness. 

Led by Reese Witherspoon and boasting an ensemble cast of Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Jean Smart, and Candice Bergen, "Sweet Home Alabama" follows a New York sophisticate back to her hometown in Alabama. Of course, romance ensues, along with plenty of laughs along the way. 

This Garry Marshall film starring Julia Roberts explores the actual phenomenon of runaway brides — or women who ditch their fiances at the alter — in a hilarious and charming way. Richard Gere portrays a reporter looking to get the scoop on this woman who's jilted so many would-be grooms, and sparks fly almost instantly.