America Just Picked Its 10 Favorite Romantic Comedies, and One Classic Won by a Landslide
A new 2026 survey of nearly 2,000 Americans reveals the rom-coms we actually rewatch, from ‘Pretty Woman’ to ‘La La Land.’
Everyone has that rom-com they throw on when they’re sick, heartbroken, or just need something cozy playing in the background. To see which films Americans love the most, film and culture site PixlParade surveyed 1,979 adults across all 50 states and asked them to pick their favorite romantic comedy from a curated list of 30 movies from the last 50 years.
The list pulled from three different rankings — Rotten Tomatoes critic scores, IMDb audience ratings, and the highest-grossing rom-coms of all time — and then let voters decide which ones still hold up in 2026.
Nationally, classics led the pack, but there were some delightfully weird outliers at the state level. Louisiana showed its swamp loyalty with Shrek as a runaway favorite, New York went all-in on About Time, and Wisconsin backed Notting Hill in a big way. But when you zoom out to the whole country, here’s how America’s top 10 romantic comedies stack up.
We’re counting down from #10 to #1.
10. La La Land (2016)
This modern musical about a struggling actress and a jazz purist trying to make it in Los Angeles has already earned “future classic” status. It’s bittersweet, stylish, and leans into the idea that some love stories change your life even if they don’t last.
La La Land tied for ninth place nationally, earning 2.63% of the total vote — and it absolutely dominated in Idaho, where more than 42% of respondents picked it as their favorite romantic comedy.
9. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Toula and Ian’s culture-clash love story has become comfort viewing for anyone who’s ever felt like the “weird one” in their family. The film’s mix of big family chaos, heartfelt romance, and quotable one-liners is exactly why it’s still on so many rewatch lists.
It tied with La La Land at 2.63% of the nationwide vote and was especially popular in states like Arizona and Virginia, where it claimed the top spot.
8. As Good as it Gets (1997)
Only a 90s rom-com would center a misanthropic novelist, a single mom waitress, and a cranky little dog, and somehow make it romantic. Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt ground the movie in something messier and more complicated than a typical meet-cute.
It pulled in 3.18% of the national vote and even snagged the #1 spot in Oregon, where it was the most-picked romantic comedy in the state.
7. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
This one leans hard into chaotic, extremely 90s humor, but underneath the outrageous gags is a surprisingly earnest story about a woman who refuses to settle and the guys who never quite got over her. It’s one of the few rom-coms that manages to be both gross-out silly and genuinely sweet.
There’s Something About Mary earned 3.49% of the nationwide vote and took the top spot in places like Arkansas and Nevada, where it won by a huge margin.
6. Moonstruck (1987)
Cher plays a no-nonsense widow who thinks she’s agreed to a sensible second chance at love — until she falls for her fiancé’s intense younger brother instead. Between the operatic drama, big Italian-American family energy, and Nicolas Cage yelling about his lost hand and his lost bride, it’s peak rom-com chaos in the best way.
The film captured 3.79% of the nationwide vote and was especially beloved in Florida, where it ranked as the state’s favorite romantic comedy.
5. Say Anything (1989)
Yes, the boombox scene still lives rent-free in everyone’s head — but there’s more here than one famous image. The movie treats teen feelings seriously, letting Lloyd and Diane’s relationship unfold with a level of vulnerability that still hits decades later.
Say Anything grabbed 4.85% of the national vote and rose to #1 in states like Kentucky and Massachusetts, proving that some classic 80s angst never goes out of style.
4. Notting Hill (1999)
A shy London bookseller, the world’s biggest movie star, and one of the most swoony finales in rom-com history — this is the kind of film people rewatch because it feels like slipping into a warm bath. It’s funny, self-aware, and romantic without getting too saccharine.
Nationally, Notting Hill took 5% of the vote, but some states love it even more. In Wisconsin, more than 31% of respondents picked it as their favorite rom-com, making it the clear state champion there.
3. The Princess Bride (1987)
“Farm boy” doesn’t sound like a romantic hero setup, but this fairy-tale adventure is basically one long quote board: true love, sword fights, rodents of unusual size, and an oddly relaxing amount of narration from a cranky grandpa.
The film landed 8.69% of the nationwide vote and topped the list in states like Delaware and Iowa, where its mix of fantasy, comedy, and romance clearly still works for all ages.
2. Pretty Woman (1990)
Julia Roberts’ megawatt charm and Richard Gere’s reserved billionaire energy made this updated Cinderella story a cultural moment. It’s glossy, escapist, and full of scenes that are already burned into most people’s brains — from the shopping montage to the fire escape finale.
Pretty Woman came in second overall with 19% of the nationwide vote and was the top choice in 14 states, including places like Minnesota, Tennessee, Utah, and Alaska, where it absolutely dominated the results.
1. When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Decades after its release, this story about two New Yorkers circling each other for years is still the rom-com to beat. The dialogue is sharp, the chemistry feels lived-in, and the movie actually lets its characters grow up a little before they figure out what they want.
It wasn’t even close: When Harry Met Sally… earned 21.78% of the nationwide vote and ranked as the most popular romantic comedy in 22 different states, from California and Texas to New Hampshire and Rhode Island. For a film built on the question “Can men and women really just be friends?”, America’s answer is clear: we’re still obsessed with watching Harry and Sally figure it out.
And if this list has you itching for a movie night, you can keep going down the rabbit hole. Try a lineup of awesome romance movies to watch this weekend, even if you don’t like the genre, or lean all the way into nostalgia with movies that will take you straight back to the ’90s.
10 Awesome Romance Movies to Watch This Weekend, Even If You Don’t Like the Genre
A recent message board thread had people rating their top recommendations for great romance films, and honestly, they might surprise you—even if you think you’re not into love stories!
Read more: 10 Awesome Romance Movies to Watch This Weekend, Even If You Don’t Like the Genre
These 10 Movies Will Take You Straight Back to the ’90s—Have You Seen Them All?
If you’re craving that unmistakable ’90s vibe…before smartphones, when flannel was a lifestyle, and soundtracks slapped…these movies will take you straight there.
Read more: These 10 Movies Will Take You Straight Back to the ’90s—Have You Seen Them All?
10 Absolutely Flawless Films, According to People Who Love to Pick Movies Apart
If you’re looking for a movie night that’s practically bulletproof, these 10 titles have the Internet’s vote for “flawless.”
Read more: 10 Absolutely Flawless Films, According to People Who Love to Pick Movies Apart
10 Surprisingly Good Movies with Terrible Reviews
Here are 10 movies that critics slammed but audiences swear by — and why they’re totally worth your time.
Read more: 10 Surprisingly Good Movies with Terrible Reviews
Movies People Only Pretend To Enjoy
Every once in a while, a movie comes out that seems to be popular with everyone. Whether it’s extremely artistically unique, an epic story, or really high-budget, something about the film has people talking. According to movie buffs on a recent message board thread, the following movies are ones that folks act as if they like to fit in with the crowd. What would you add to this list?
Read more: 11 Movies People Only Pretend To Enjoy
