11 Movies That'll Warm Your Heart Just as Much as To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Based on Jenny Han's young adult novel, To All the Boys I've Loved Before has pretty much swept the internet off of its feet. With a charming romantic lead, a heartfelt story, and a fresh soundtrack, it encapsulates everything great about the romantic comedy genre. While you keep your fingers crossed for a sequel, there are plenty of similar feel-good romantic movies to enjoy in the meantime. From Set It Up to Bridget Jones's Diary, we've gathered the sweetest, funniest films that fans of To All the Boys I've Loved will fall head over heels for — maybe even harder than for the tender Peter Kavinsky himself.
The Proposal
We have to pay our respects to Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, who are two of the leading names in contemporary romantic comedies (and Reynolds's in-movie grandma, played by Betty White because, of course, she's Betty White). In The Proposal, Bullock plays a no-nonsense editor who gets into a fake relationship with her assistant in order to avoid getting deported. Lo and behold, their fake relationship, much like Peter and Lara Jean's, blooms into real feelings.
Set It Up
Set It Up is arguably one of Netflix's best original romantic comedies (along with To All the Boys I've Loved Before, of course), taking us back to the heyday of frothy, feel-good Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movies. It features Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell as two hustling New York assistants who set up their tyrannical bosses in order to get more time for themselves. It's a must watch for the dynamics between these two — Deutch and Powell share a sweet, understated chemistry that reminds us, like To All the Boys I've Loved Before, that true love exists.
Where to watch: Netflix
Bridget Jones's Diary
Southside With You
Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky might not be the future first lady and president (or president and first man), but Southside With You shares the sweetness and rich character development of To All the Boys I've Loved Before. It focuses on a date that the future couple share while exploring Chicago's artistic and political scenes.
Clueless
Truth be told, we could watch Paul Rudd and Alicia Silverstone banter forever in this modern-day teen rom-com adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. The film revolves around the youthful escapades of a fashion savvy, slightly spoiled teenager named Cher Horowitz. Cher and Lara Jean might be from different worlds, but they're smarter and more introspective than most people give them credit for. Like Lara Jean, Cher eventually realizes where her true feelings lie.
Sixteen Candles
Yup, Lara Jean herself loves watching Sixteen Candles with her little sister, Kitty. Though it occasionally relies on regressive stereotypes (as Lara Jean points out), it's a flick that'll help you unpack a lot of the tropes and plot devices in contemporary rom-coms. Plus, Jake Ryan's not too hard on the eyes.
Man Up
In this charming slice-of-life English film, a single 30-something journalist gets gifted with a self-help book by a stranger on a train and ends up accidentally meeting up with the woman's blind date. Their encounter initiates a series of hilarious and sweet misadventures.
Can't Buy Me Love
Before he became McDreamy on Grey's Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey starred as an adorkable astronomy kid in Can't Buy Me Love. In the film, his character pays a popular high school girl $1,000 to be his girlfriend for a month. Do they eventually fall for each other over the course of this fake relationship? You bet.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
We imagine that this is the kind of story that Lara Jean would read when she runs out of bodice rippers. Starring Lily James and Michiel Huisman, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is about an author who escapes her busy city life and befriends the quaint but lovable residents of a small English town. It's a whimsical, delightful period film with both a mystery and rom-com embedded within it.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
The Incredible Jessica James
While Lara Jean is quiet and introverted, there's no doubt that she's brave, intelligent, and passionate, like the titular character in this Netflix original movie. In the film, Jessica, a heartbroken playwright and teacher, unexpectedly finds romance with a divorcé named Boone.
Where to watch: Netflix