Since the initial invention of cinema, the romantic comedy genre has boasted a stellar lineup of various films. While typical rom-coms fail to generate as much critical and blockbuster box-office success as thrillers and action movies today, these timeless, bittersweet tales remain in our hearts and minds even decades after their initial release. Furthermore, the rom-com genre has successfully launched the careers of several actresses, many of which attribute the birth of their illustrious careers to the unforgettable genre.
When it comes to the magic of rom-coms, many feel-good storylines undergo a tremendous amount of buzz once the two central characters cross paths in the direction of an intense romance. Despite the slew of criticism romantic comedies typically receive, their unrealistic yet buoyant approach gives hopeless romantics something to gleefully hold on to. From the incomparable Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman to Meg Ryan’s memorable performance in Sleepless in Seattle, here are the biggest actresses of the rom-com genre.
Updated, June 2022: To keep the article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated by Rafa Boladeras.
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11 Emma Stone
Sony Pictures Releasing
If the 2010s had a rom-com queen, it would be Emma Stone. From her first leading role in Easy A to both movies she partnered with Ryan Gosling, Crazy Stupid Love, and La La Land, Stone always showed her sly sense of humor, her comedic timing, and her big heart., even when a tough exterior says otherwise. Even in the Amazing Spider-Man movies, every time she and Andrew Garfield shared the screen felt like a romantic comedy. Here’s hoping she comes back to the genre in the future.
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10 Cameron Diaz
20th Century Fox
Enticingly blonde, Cameron Diaz quickly gained notable stardom for her portrayal in Peter and Bobby Farrelly’s There’s Something About Mary. The film grossed $369 million worldwide and effectively launched the career of the then 25-year-old Diaz. Critical acclaim and renowned box-office success led to her roles in The Mask and My Best Friend’s Wedding, alongside fellow rom-com sensation, Julia Roberts. Her smile, her unique sense of humor, and her willingness to look like a fool made her a perfect rom-com lead.
9 Kate Hudson
Dreamworks pictures
As the child of Hollywood icon Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson certainly had massive shoes to fill. With the acting royalty coursing through her veins, Hudson stole the hearts of many fans alongside Luke Wilson in Alex & Emma. From then on, Hudson’s masterful prominence in rom-coms only increased with her overall success. Her charming performances in films such as How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Raising Helen further established her popularity and success as a rom-com actress. She has her mother’s magnetism, and her enthusiasm always makes us fall in love with her.
8 Katherine Heigl
According to Heigl herself, she acted in one too many rom-com staples during her esteemed career. Nevertheless, her contribution to the canon hardly goes unnoticed. After her success on Grey’s Anatomy, Heigl transitioned her notable television career in exchange for several rom-com films, including Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up. Such boisterous success led to her next movie, 27 Dresses, which perfectly painted the authentic rom-com image. Followed up by The Ugly Truth and Killers, Heigl rightfully etched her name on this monumental list, as she always showed a different kind of romantic heroine for every movie, giving her performances a unique touch.
7 Reese Witherspoon
Black Bicycle Entertainment
Effortlessly, Reese Witherspoon beautifully altered the limitations of a genre that, at the time, was rapidly losing its appeal. The actress struck immediate rom-com success when she portrayed Melanie Smooter in Sweet Home Alabama. By the time the successful star starred in the Legally Blonde franchise, she had already broken the mold in the realm of romantic comedies. Furthermore, Witherspoon’s commitment to shallow characters rings as a true attestation in the world of pop culture. In the last few years, she’s been showing those kinds of characters in both film and TV, as she has starred, and produced shows like Big Little Lies and The Morning Show.
6 Jennifer Lopez
Sony Pictures
During the earlier days of her film career, Jennifer Lopez struck cinematic gold with her stand-out performances in rom-com beloved flicks, Maid in Manhattan and The Wedding Planner. Interestingly, Jennifer Lopez’s beaming success in blockbuster romantic comedies coincided with her notorious music career, with the actress blossoming vocation featuring an album and movie released in the same week. Since then, she has become a double threat, keeping both careers in motion. As a Latina in her fifties, she has become one of the most important figures in rom-com history, while she keeps creating musical hits. We still can’t believe she wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in Hustlers.
5 Meg Ryan
Warner Bros.
Deemed a pioneer of romantic comedies, Meg Ryan simply epitomizes the fascination surrounding the genre. You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle are amongst the most favored flicks of their peculiar kind. Furthermore, its self-aware nature as a rom-com makes it that much more likable in terms of the fuzzy flow and pairing of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Include the standard of all rom-com flicks in the form of When Harry Met Sally, and it’s not hard to understand why audiences fell in love with Ryan’s charm. She imbued all of her characters with every woman’s qualities, making us understand and agree with all those people who find her irresistible.
RELATED: Best Meg Ryan’s Movies, Ranked
4 Sandra Bullock
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
While her notable roles in rom-com films are surprisingly limited to a small number, her dominant performances remain a memorable force in the minds of dedicated fans of the genre. Her masterful performance in Miss Congeniality 1 & 2 still gets the attention and adoration of fans everywhere. Her likable nature led to her involvement in Hope Floats, and a precious rom-com staple, The Proposal. Effortlessly, Sandra Bullock paired her brilliant acting prowess with her authentic knack for physical comedy which kept audiences thoroughly engaged. The Lost City proved that we still craved Sandra Bullock, the rom-com queen, as we can never get enough of her genuine smile and the romantic hijinks she falls into.
3 Drew Barrymore
New Line Cinema
Drew Barrymore’s dedication to some of the best films in the rom-com genre may appear endless, but the talented actress actually only starred in four flicks related to the category. The staggering actress broke notable ground with her appearance in The Wedding Singer, alongside Adam Sandler. Several years later, the beloved duo once again electrified rom-com fanatics with 50 First Dates. Her recognizable star power further helped to present credibility and popularity in Never Been Kissed and Fever Pitch. The genuine appeal to her characters and her quirky nature are exactly why fans remain captivated. We want to be friends with Barrymore’s characters even more, and fall in love with them.
2 Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston undoubtedly shines in her heartwarming, constantly relatable roles. Alongside Ben Stiller, Aniston boldly captivated audiences with her memorable portrayal of Polly Prince in Along Came Polly. As usual for Aniston, much like her famous run on Friends, which can arguably be considered a long-standing romantic comedy, the film was an instant genre hit. Aniston’s massive reputation as a rom-com heroine grew with her roles in The Break-Up and Just Go With It, which have only further launched her super-stardom. Even now at 53, Aniston still has all of us in her pocket, watching every project she does, especially when love is around the corner.
1 Julia Roberts
PolyGram Films
The critically-acclaimed actress is, on all counts, the undisputed queen of romantic comedies. Julia Roberts first graced the silver screen in the rom-com category with her memorable performance as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman. Alongside Richard Gere, the gifted actress helped to shape the very fiber of the romantic comedy genre, both with Pretty Woman and My Best Friend’s Wedding. Combined with her effervescent performances in Notting Hill and Mystic Pizza, and her crowning as the biggest name in the romantic comedy genre rightfully placed her atop the rest. After more than twenty years, the queen of romantic comedies is back in 2022. She didn’t do any rom-coms for many years as she felt the quality of the ones offered was subpar, but she has finally found a project that it’s up to her standards. She’s back with George Clooney as her partner in crime in Ticket to Paradise.
