America has a real love affair with the romantic comedy.
Film and culture website PixlParade polled around 2,000 Americans across all 50 states to find out which ones were the favorites, based on a list of 30 films from the last 50 years.
So without further ado, here are their findings!
#1 When Harry Met Sally
This image released by the Library of Congress shows Meg Ryan, left, and Billy Crystal in a scene from “When Harry Met Sally.” (MGM/Library of Congress via AP)
With 21.78% of the country’s vote, the 1989 classic starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan took the top spot. The movie set the standard for so many rom coms after it thanks to its charming leads, subtle humor (except perhaps the infamous diner scene), and cozy familiarity.
#2 Pretty Woman
American actors Richard Gere and Julia Roberts on the set of Pretty Woman, directed by Garry Marshall. (Photo by Touchstone Pictures/Silver Screen Partners IV/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
A Cinderella story for the modern age, “Pretty Woman” came in second in the poll with 19% of the votes. Julia Roberts became a superstar thanks to the movie and Queen of the Rom Coms for years, even reuniting with Richard Gere several years later for “Runaway Bride.”
#3 The Princess Bride
Cary Elwes and Robin Wright in “The Princess Bride,” directed by Rob Reiner. (Courtesy: 20th Century Fox)
The second Rob Reiner-directed film on this list, “The Princess Bride” has been a classic because it blends not just romance and comedy, but fantasy, adventure, and a sweet family tale all in one.
#4 Notting Hill
American actress Julia Roberts and English actor Hugh Grant on set during production of Roger Michell’s ‘Notting Hill’, London, 1998. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The second Julia Roberts movie on this list, this time she’s paired with Hugh Grant who was a rom com king in the 90s. Roberts plays a movie star (of course) who falls for Grant’s charming bookshop owner, but her fame threatens to pull them apart.
#5 Say Anything…
John Cusack in the most iconic moment from “Say Antyhing…” (Courtesy: 20th Century Fox)
You can see it now: John Cusack holding a boom box above his head playing “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel. It’s an image that has stuck with audiences as one of the most romantic movie gestures in movie history, earning “Say Anything…” the number five slot.
#6 Moonstruck
American actress and singer Cher and actor Nicolas Cage on the set of Moonstruck, directed and produced by Canadian Norman Jewison. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
“Snap out of it!” Cher earned herself an Oscar for this rom-com, playing a middle-aged woman who finds new love with a much younger man, played by Nicolas Cage.
#7 There’s Something About Mary
Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz in “There’s Something About Mary.” (Courtesy: 20th Century Fox)
The comedy is big in this movie, but there is a sweet underlying love story as Ben Stiller pines for Cameron Diaz’s dream girl, Mary. She’s such a dream girl that multiple men are trying to chase after her, creating hilarious slapstick sequences.
#8 As Good as it Gets
Helen Hunt as Jack Nicholson’s waitress at a restaurant in a scene from the film ‘As Good as It Gets’, 1997. (Photo by TriStar Pictures/Getty Images)
A more mature rom-com, starring Jack Nicholson as a novelist with major issues who falls for a single mom, played by Helen Hunt. Both stars won Oscars for their roles in the film, and it’s been a classic since its 1997 debut.
#9 (Tied) My Big Fat Greek Wedding and La La Land
John Corbett and Nia Vardalos in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” (Courtesy: IFC Films)
This was down to the wire, with both movies earning 2.63% of the vote. It’s understandable why it’s a tough choice; both films offer romance and charm while telling very different stories. The real question is, why not make it a double feature?
Emma Stone and Ryan Goslin in “La La Land.” (Courtesy: Lionsgate)
And one final fun fact: the only state that didn’t have one of the top 10 films as their personal favorite was Louisiana, which overwhelmingly voted for “Shrek” as the top rom-com. Maybe it’s the call of the swamps and the bayous that made them vote for the big green ogre?
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