#romcomproject group 1: random movies I wanted to watch right away

This is my first round of ranking romantic comedies, a way to nerd out on an under-appreciated movie genre and entertain myself with a feel-good project during quarantine. For more info on my ranking methodology, see the #romcomproject overview.

In group 1, I started out with the bottom of the Independent list and then hopped around to include some I wanted to watch, some that were available on streaming, and some that were appropriate to watch with the kids around.

Movie: I Like It Like That (1994) Rank in this Group: 20/20

Source: Independent #32

Seen Before? No

Grade: F Notes: I could not identify with these characters. I would not want this love story.

Movie: Trainwreck (2015) Rank in this Group: 19/20 Source: Rotten Tomatoes #56 Seen Before? Yes

Grade: F Notes: I remember liking this movie the first time I saw it, but not this time. I felt icky watching this.

Movie: One Fine Day (1996) Rank in this Group: 18/20 Source: Independent #29 Seen Before? Yes

Grade: D- Notes: This isn't a comedy. They aren't nice to each other. Suddenly they fall in love in the middle of the day even though they have no chemistry. And it's a movie about a stressful day, something I have plenty of.

Movie: I Give It a Year (2013) Rank in this Group: 17/20 Source: Independent #31 Seen Before? No Grade: D- Notes: I didn't like the characters. There is a strong cheating premise.

Movie: The Wedding Singer (1998) Rank in this Group: 15/20 Source: Independent #25 Seen Before? No Grade: D- Notes: I don't get the hype on this one.

Movie: The Wedding Planner (2001) Rank in this Group: 16/20 Source: I added this movie based on previous viewing Seen Before? Yes Grade: D Notes: I had previously considered this on a favorite, but comparing it with others now, it doesn't stack up. I found myself really unsure why they made Jennifer Lopez play an Italian woman rather than make this a story about a Latina.

Movie: There's Something About Mary (1998) Rank in this Group: 14/20 Source: Independent #27 Seen Before? Yes Grade: D Notes: I found myself really worried about Mary. How is she so oblivious?

Movie: You've Got Mail (1998) Rank in this Group: 13/20 Source: Independent #2 Seen Before? Yes Grade: D+ Notes: He spent half of the movie lying to her. This one doesn't hold up in a world where internet dating is a normal thing.

Movie: Definitely, Maybe (2008) Rank in this Group: 12/20 Source: Rotten Tomatoes #147 Seen Before? No Grade: D+ Notes: Ryan Reynolds is my celebrity crush, and this is a sweet movie in many ways. It moved a bit slow and didn't have much comedy though.

Movie: It Happened One Night (1934) Rank in this Group: 11/20 Source: Rotten Tomatoes #1 Seen Before? No Grade: C- Notes: This is the #1 rom-com according to Rotten Tomatoes, and it was really fun to watch this gem from 1934. The gender norms were so different then that it's a bit hard to relate, but this movie was laugh-out-loud funny.

Movie: Long Shot (2019) Rank in this Group: 9/20 Source: Independent #33 Seen Before? No Grade: C Notes: Super funny. Not highly believable, although that is what the title suggests, so no surprise there.

Movie: Pretty Woman (1990) Rank in this Group: 10/20 Source: Independent #30 Seen Before? Yes Grade: C+ Notes: There's so much to love about this movie, but I always feel that underlying discomfort that he's with a prostitute.

Movie: Sleepless In Seattle (1993) Rank in this Group: 7/20 Source: Rotten Tomatoes #136 Seen Before? Yes Grade: B- Notes: Not much comedy, but this is such a sweet love story. I forgot how good this movie was.

Movie: The Five Year Engagement (2012) Rank in this Group: 8/20 Source: Independent #28 Seen Before? Yes Grade: B-

Notes: I love their chemistry, and the soundtrack is great.

Movie: 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) Rank in this Group: 6/10 Source: Independent #10 Seen Before? Yes Grade: B-

Notes: I adore this movie, teen angst and all. When he sings to her in the bleachers, it makes my heart happy.

Movie: 500 Days of Summer (2009) Rank in this Group: 5/20 Source: Independent #19 Seen Before? No Grade: B-

Notes: This is a beautiful movie with rich dialogue. It is a rare rom-com to focus on the male perspective.

Movie: 13 Going On 30 (2004) Rank in this Group: 4/20 Source: Independent #18 Seen Before? Yes Grade: B-

Notes: I identify so much with the feeling of being a kid living in an adult world, and Jennifer Garner is perfect.

Movie: Crazy Rich Asians (2018) Rank in this Group: 3/20 Source: Independent #34 Seen Before? No Grade: B+

Notes: I was blown away by this movie. I loved the female protagonist!

Movie: The Proposal (2009) Rank in this Group: 2/20 Source: I added based on previous viewing Seen Before? Yes Grade: A-

Notes: I adore this movie, and it's the one I am astonished has not made it onto the Independent or Rotten Tomatoes lists. The cast, the comedy, the characters, the music, the emotional arc... love it.

Movie: Yesterday (2019) Rank in this Group: 1/20 Source: Rotten Tomatoes #134 Seen Before? No Grade: A+

Notes: This movie already broke my rating scale with perfect scores in every category and a boost in soundtrack because IT'S THE BEATLES. A magical movie I can't stop thinking about.

Note: all images in this post belong to the respective film production companies.