Here’s an overview of the five best rom-coms on Netflix for Lovers’ Day.
There’s hardly anything worse than spending Valentine’s Day with forced romance at every turn. Of course, it’s perfectly fine if it’s exactly what you’re into. Either way, the fact is: you can have a damn good time on the sofa with a rom-com – whether alone or with a partner.
But we don’t want to discuss here that “Harry and Sally” is the inviolable Holy Grail of romantic comedies. However, you can’t really surprise anyone with a film that’s more than 30 years old. It’s completely different with the many little rom-com gems that have accumulated on Netflix. And these are our favorites:
1. Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Ali Wong’s screenplay debut didn’t make much waves among critics. Completely wrong, in our opinion. The story of Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park), both children of Korean immigrants who were close friends as teenagers, then lost touch and met again 16 years later, is simply very likeable. There’s also supposedly silly humor that makes you smile at first and then laugh out loud because of the second level, which isn’t immediately apparent at first. And anyone who knows Ali Wong’s stand-up knows that the seemingly harmless set-up of a gag can also have a rude punchline.
2. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) / PS I Still Love You (2020) / Always and Forever (2021)
Netflix’s “To All the Boys” films are anything but an insider tip. Lara Jean’s (Lana Condor) love life has built up an enormous fan base – not least because of the already very successful novel by Jenny Han. Nevertheless, the entry simply cannot be missing from this list.
3. Separation by order (2018)
Sometimes the inevitable separation is part of the relationship debacle. It’s usually not romantic at all, but in the case of “Separation on Order” it’s at least damn funny – (almost) without any gloating. The film is about Jen (Jackie van Beek) and Mel (Madeleine Sami). The two best friends run a separation agency in Auckland, New Zealand, for everyone who can’t utter the infamous phrase “We need to talk.” And so the couple conjures up one absurd method after another to turn the previous couples into divorcees. Anyone who likes the humor of Taika Waititi (“Where Wild People Hunt”, “5 Room Kitchen Coffin”, “Thor: Decision Day”) will also love “Separation to Order”.
4. Only half the story (2020)
The introverted Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) is hired by sports bro Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer) to write a love letter to his crush. And that’s where things get complicated, because Elli is in love with the same girl. The film relies more heavily on dramatic elements than other genre representatives. But it doesn’t always have to be a big slapstick.
5. The Lovebirds (2020)
At the end there can also be a pinch of action. Because there is suddenly a lot of that in the lives of Leilani (Issa Rae) and Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) when they suddenly stumble into the environment of a murder. And this not only causes a crash in the relationship, but also when fists and bullets fly. But admittedly: “The Turtle Doves” is more of a “head off” type of film, but no one can blame you for this mood either. Because if you like to plug plot holes with a little chocolate, you’ll have fun – especially because Rae and Nanjiani work great together.