It’s summertime! And that means the best way to Netflix and chill is with some fun summer romcoms. Luckily, Netflix has been a romantic comedy making machine these past couple of years, making romcoms cool again. These Netflix originals are fun, light, witty, and adorable. They also subvert some of the old-school romcom tropes, that promote unhealthy relationship dynamics, while leaning into the sweet tropes that make us love the genre. Without further ado, here are the top five Netflix romantic comedies to watch this summer.
- Set It Up – When two overworked assistants (Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) realize they can set up their demonic bosses (Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs) to get them off their backs, they launch a Cyrano de Bergerac level plan. While planning their bosses romantic future together, the two bond and develop some romantic feelings of their own. This is possibly the most typical romcom on this list, with a gay best friend (Pete Davidson) to boot, but the decent writing and great acting keep it from feeling too cliché. Deutch and Powell have wonderful chemistry, as does the rest of the cast, and there are a couple of ways where the film subverts tropes and surprises.
Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch in Set It Up. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – Based on the book by Jenny Han, one in a trilogy (yes, that means they’re making more movies. A sequel has already been announced), this sweet teen romance has all of the feels. When Lara-Jean (Lana Condor) has a crush, she writes a letter to that person, but doesn’t send it. When all of the letters get sent out one day, however, she has to think fast. In order to avoid a confrontation with her sister’s ex-boyfriend (Israel Broussard), Lara-Jean starts a fake relationship with other-letter-recipient Peter Kavinsky (a swoon-worthy Noah Centineo). As you might be able to guess, feelings between Lara-Jean and Peter develop, as do complications. This one is pure comfort food designed to make you feel good, read our full review here.
Noah Centineo and Lana Condor in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
- Someone Great – This film takes the typical romantic comedy and smashes it. Instead of being about a couple falling in love, it’s about what happens after that couple has had a great run, and is breaking up. Jenny, played by the ever-wonderful Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), is moving to San Francisco for her dream job, and as a result, her long-term boyfriend (LaKeith Stanfield) breaks up with her. For her last weekend in the city, Jenny plans to go out with a bang, and plans an epic 24 hours with her two best friends, Blaire (Brittany Snow) and Erin (DeWanda Wise), even as she mourns her relationship. The movie is really about the friendship between these three women, as they navigate love and careers, and having to say goodbye to Jenny. The director of the film, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, said in an interview with Bustle that she “wanted to make a romantic comedy where a woman chooses herself.” This film is a lot of fun, as we follow the friends on one adventure after another during their last day together.
DeWanda Wise, Gina Rodriguez, and Brittany Snow in Someone Great. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
- Always Be My Maybe – Two childhood best friends reconnecting and realizing they’ve loved each other all along? That is romantic comedy gold right there. Sasha Tran (comedian Ali Wong) left home to create a successful career as a chef, leaving her family and childhood best friend behind (Randall Park – Fresh Off the Boat). When she returns to San Francisco to open up a new restaurant, old feelings come bubbling to the surface, but this movie doesn’t end the moment the titular couple gets together, but takes us through a portion of their relationship as they figure out their future together. This film subverts the icky romcom trope that has the successful career woman leave her job to be with the guy, and instead insists that Sasha can and very well should have it all. It also has a killer Keanu Reeves cameo, contributing to the current Keanussance the internet is experiencing.
Randall Park and Ali Wong in Always Be My Maybe. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
- Wine Country – What happens when six long-time best friends (Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Maya Rudolph, Paula Pell, Emily Spivey) leave their husbands and careers for a weekend away for a 50th birthday? Answer: a lot of secrets, feelings, and shenanigans come out. In Poehler’s feature directorial debut, the women rent an Air BnB in Napa from landlord Tammy (Tina Fey), and have to figure out how to be honest with each other, and keep the cat fights to the minimum. Like Someone Great, though there are plenty of romantic subplots in this movie, it is primarily about the friendships and adventures these women have. Rich in comedy talent, this one is sure to make you laugh.
Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph in Wine Country. Photo courtesy of Netflix.
