Romantic comedies are one of the audience’s favorite genres when a light, comfortable and hopeful film will do.
However, works of this genre are often underestimated by critics. Despite this, there are romantic comedies that have become cinema classics and have received acclaim from specialized critics.
Below, we present 10 films of this genre that have received praise from general specialized critics and are available on streaming services in Brazil for your viewing.
Romantic comedies: the best to watch online
Over the past decade, romantic comedies have lost their cachet, but “The Love Sick” is a notable exception. The film received critical praise, with a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was one of the highest-grossing independent films of its year of release.
Comedian Kumail Nanjiani co-writes the screenplay with his wife, Emily V. Gordon, telling a story based on real events that happened to them: an interracial couple facing cultural differences and challenges after one of them becomes ill.
Nanjiani plays himself, while actress Zoe Kazan plays a version of Emily, a student who becomes mysteriously ill.

In addition to its great success at the box office, “Harry and Sally” was fervently acclaimed by specialized critics.
The film appears on countless lists as one of the best comedies of all time. And in 2022, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, a program administered by the U.S. Library of Congress that aims to identify and preserve culturally significant and historically important films in the history of American cinema.
Directed by Rob Reiner, the film follows the relationship between Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) over the years, exploring the question of whether men and women can be friends without romance coming into play.

An early example of “screwball comedy,” a subgenre of romantic comedy that became popular in the 1930s and 1940s, “It Happened One Night” is one of the greatest classics of American cinema.
Directed by Frank Capra, the film won five major Academy Awards (picture, director, adapted screenplay, actor, and actress) and was also selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
The film follows a millionaire heiress (Claudette Colbert) who flees her domineering father to marry a man he disapproves of. While on the run, she becomes friends with a charming, unemployed journalist (Clark Gable).

Considered one of the best jokes in history, “His Girl Friday” is acclaimed for its fast pace and sharp, witty dialogue. Directed by the famed Howard Hawks, this classic features memorable performances from Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. The film is also selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
The plot follows a journalist (Russell) who is about to get married and leave journalism behind. However, her editor, who is also her ex-husband (Grant), has other plans for her.

Peter Bogdanovich directed this highly acclaimed romantic comedy that pays homage to the screwball comedy classics of the 1930s and 1940s. With an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the feature film appears on several lists of the best comedies in film history. It was also a commercial success.
Featuring physical humor, fast-paced dialogue and absurd situations, the entertaining plot revolves around a series of hilarious misunderstandings caused by the mix-up of four identical suitcases at a San Francisco hotel. The film stars singer and actress Barbra Streisand and actor Ryan O’Neal.

This acclaimed Hong Kong romantic comedy is directed by world-renowned director Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai.
Set in the commercial buildings and modern architecture of Hong Kong, the film follows a love triangle. Louis Koo, Daniel Wu and Gao Yuanyuan play the lead roles.
The film received a highly prestigious sequel in 2014.

Mixing sports themes and romantic comedies, “Luck in Love” was a box office success, grossing well over its budget. Furthermore, the film received much praise from specialized critics. On the Rotten Tomatoes website the work has an approval rating of 97%.
Directed by Ron Shelton, the film features a love triangle set in the world of baseball. The plot follows a veteran player (Kevin Costner) assigned to coach a rookie pitcher (Tim Robbins), the latter who has a romance with a fanatical fan (Susan Sarandon).

In addition to being one of the most acclaimed romantic comedies of all time, “The Princess and the Commoner” is considered a classic of American cinema. Directed by William Wyler, the film stars Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, the latter of whom received the Oscar for Best Actress for her extraordinary performance.
Hepburn plays a princess who is tired of real life and decides to escape her itinerary to explore the city of Rome anonymously. Peck plays a reporter who recognizes the princess and sees an opportunity for an exclusive interview.

Charlie Chaplin writes, directs and stars in “City Lights”, one of the last significant silent film productions, since sound cinema had already established itself at the time.
The plot follows one of Chaplin’s most iconic characters, The Tramp, who falls in love with a blind flower girl (Virginia Cherrill) and tries to help her financially. Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, this film is considered Chaplin’s masterpiece and one of the best in film history.

With Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, “A Place Called Notting Hill” is one of the modern romantic comedies most appreciated by specialized critics. On the Rotten Tomatoes website the film has an approval rating of 84%.
Directed by Richard Curtis, the story follows an ordinary London bookseller (Grant) who has a surprising romance with a famous Hollywood actress (Roberts) who happens to come into his shop.
The 10 Best Romantic Comedies Critics Say Are Available to Stream appeared first on Olhar Digital.
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Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.