8 Romcoms Like Netflix’s 36%-Rated Irish Wish, But Better
You don’t have to suffer to get a fun romantic story.
The era of romantic comedy is back and we could not be happier about it. From the way the 90's and 00's went, we all know that the worse the romcom is rated, the better it probably is. But that's not always the case.
Lindsay Lohan 's latest foray into the genre proved to be very controversial. Netflix 's Irish Wish seemed to check all the boxes of a perfect romantic comedy, but too many clichés ended up mixing together in a cacophony that weighed the film down.
With a 36% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Irish Wish is hardly worth seeing.
Fortunately, there are many movies that have the same vibe without going overboard with cheesiness. Here are 8 that are absolute must-watches.
27 Dresses (2008)
While the story of Jane Nichols finding not only love but a sense of self-worth was almost as critically panned as Irish Wish, it's hard to find anyone who didn't like it after seeing it.
The concept of a woman who went to 27 weddings, but always as a bridesmaid, is cute, and the sequence of Jane trying on all the dresses and explaining the story behind them will forever remain iconic to all fans of the genre. So 27 Dresses has to be one of the best alternatives to this day.
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
Even though this is a romantic comedy about the main character's best friend's wedding and both women desperately want to steal the groom, the setups are surprisingly different.
Julia Roberts' Julianne in My Best Friend's Wedding was sure that her best friend Michael would propose to her when she turned 28, as per their childhood pact. But when he invites her to his wedding instead, she sets out to steal him away from his bride and follow through with the original plan.
Palm Springs (2020)
Starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, Palm Springs begins with a wedding, but ends with so much more.
Attending her sister's wedding in sunny Palm Springs, Sarah can't help but feel down about herself before meeting the carefree and bubbly Nyles. All is well until Sarah is caught in a time loop, forced to relive one day over and over again, and her gut tells her that the new acquaintance has something to do with it.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Another Julia Roberts character, Lucy, always dreamed of marrying a rich man. However, she never had a chance to do so and had to live her normal life. That is, until she meets a stranger and saves him from being hit by a train.
When he wakes up from the accident with no memory and his family confuses her with his bride-to-be, Lucy plays along. But the deeper the lie goes, the harder it is to maintain.
Leap Year (2010)
Leap Year not only takes place in Ireland, it also has a long tradition in the premise. Anna travels to Dublin to propose to her non-committal boyfriend on February 29th, the one day he cannot reject her.
But when she gets the chance to spend some time with Declan, a man who agrees to take her, she starts to doubt the whole plan and feels like she's made a big mistake. Just like Lindsay Lohan's Maddie.
Plus One (2019)
With an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Plus One is everything a good romantic comedy about weddings should be. All the romantic clichés should sing in harmony and not make too much of a mess.
The two leads, portrayed by Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid, need a plus one for all the important social events, so they take each other as the easy option and make their way through one reception after another, somehow getting closer to each other.
The Wedding Date (2005)
Much like Irish Wish, The Wedding Date shows exactly what happens when you think you know who's perfect for you, but that person turns out to be nothing like you imagined.
Luckily, thanks to the genre, the heartbreak of disappointment is quickly replaced with a new, passionate romance. The kind that pushes you to be a better person and not bend to someone else's expectations.
About Time (2013)
There are a lot of romantic comedies that use the time travel trope to build the best possible love story, but About Time has to be one of the most endearing.
Starring Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson, the film follows a young man with the ability to travel through time, which he uses to improve his future. Just like in Irish Wish, every change comes with a price, but in About Time the stakes are much higher.