30 Rom-Coms For People Who Hate Rom-Coms

A quirky and whimsical romantic comedy, Amélie follows the story of an extremely shy woman who endeavors to change the lives of people around her for the better, while further isolating herself from them — until someone comes along who finally might bring her out of her shell. Since the movie is light on the romance but full of countless magical moments, cynics will appreciate it all the more.

WALL-E, a robot commissioned to clean up a waste-ridden future Earth, falls in love with another robot and pursues her to outer space. The pair embark on an epic adventure, and their story explores very real human emotions we can all relate to, such as free will, individuality, humanity, and the remarkable ability we all have to love.

A love story so weird it could only be true, I Love You Phillip Morris is about a con artist and frequent prison breaker, played by Jim Carrey, falling in love with with another inmate, Ewan McGregor, while incarcerated.

Edward Scissorhands just wanted to be loved. And though it seemed unlikely after a string of unintentional faux pas, the unusual hero steals the heart of his beloved in this unconventional and fantastical love story. Rom-com haters will love the darker plot and weird humor that tinges what still, at its heart, is a film about love and human compassion.

In the cult classic Harold and Maude, a young man obsessed with death discovers what it really means to live when he falls in love with a vivacious 79-year-old woman. It's a completely different perspective on romance, and one that skeptics will find refreshing.

The name of this black comedy speaks for itself: it's nothing like any romantic movie you've ever seen. Taking place in an afterlife world reserved for people who have committed suicide, Wristcutters is a movie about love, second chances, and the beauty of life . . . from the perspective of the dead.

Many were initially skeptical about a "zombie love story," but the paranormal romance Warm Bodies makes falling in love with the undead look both hilarious and incredibly sweet without crossing the line to corny.

Ryan Gosling stars in Lars and the Real Girl, a dramatic comedy about an socially awkward man who has a romantic relationship with a sex doll, Bianca. Definitely not your typical love story — but in light of the efforts Lars's family and friends make to accept his unconventional choice, it is a unique story of love in its own way.

When a couple's love affair goes awry, they go to great lengths to move on and forget. This melancholy story is sad, sweet, and perfect for people who love something other than the typical happy ending.

OK, so she's a vampire. But Let the Right One In is actually a kind of sweet story about an immortal girl falling for a lonely young boy. She protects him from his bullies, he gives her companionship she can't find elsewhere, and the pair's relationship development is something special to see, even if she does thrive on blood. This vampire love story is better than other vampire love stories that shall not be named, and horror film buffs will love the combination of creepy and cute.

We're all so wrapped up in technology that the concept of growing attached to a human-like representation of a significant other isn't so far-fetched. Her, a movie about a man falling in love with his computer's operating system, is a poignant look at love in the modern world, loneliness, technology, and the inherent craving for human companionship — even if it's in an unconventional form.

Sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Almost Famous has it all, but the movie shows the world from a perspective that most of us never get to see. When a young journalist infiltrates a '70s band on the rise, he finds love, friendship, and an adventure that turns out to be way more than he bargained for. And he gets the girl. But only kind of.

Friends and co-workers find themselves in a four-way love square bolstered by beer. Lots of it. Drinking Buddies stands out from the typical rom-com because of the great cast, clever dialogue, and an ending that will catch you by surprise.

In Lost in Translation, a recent college graduate and aging actor find a connection after meeting at a hotel in Tokyo. They explore the city together and form a special bond. People who hate formulaic love stories will find the relationship between the two main characters to be a welcome departure from the norm.

With a minimalist plot and a simple, sweet story, Before Sunrise follows two strangers over the course of just one passionate night as they get to know each other. The movie stands out because of its uncomplicated and poignant plotline. No rom-com frills to be found here.

Before Sunset picks up nine years after Before Sunrise left off and continues the story of an American man and French woman as they reunite and spend an afternoon together.

The third and final installment in a trilogy following a couples' one-day encounters, Before Midnight explores their lives together after they conceived twin girls at their previous meeting.

In this quirky and cute comedy, a shy secretary and her boss explore the world of BDSM as their affair develops into something deeper. In some ways, the movie is oddly everything that a romantic comedy is — but the predictable plotline is quickly turned on its head by the kinkiness and darker undertones of the story.

In Ruby Sparks, an introverted novelist's leading lady comes to life and a relationship develops between the author and the character of Ruby Sparks. The line between reality and fiction is blurred, and a weirdly romantic love affair ensues. Romance haters who like quirky stories and ambiguous endings will love this film.

In the dark comedy Punch-Drunk Love, a socially inept toilet plunger supplier played by Adam Sandler is being blackmailed by a phone-sex operator who also happens to be a crooked mattress salesman. He is set up with a Englishwoman who has her own issues, and the two try to meet in the middle amid their oddities. Definitely unusual. Definitely not your average love story.

A dysfunctional couple attempts to rekindle their relationship with a trip to Paris, but language barriers, old lovers, and personal issues challenge them both.

A college graduate answers an unusual classified ad sent to the newspaper where she interns. The sender asks for a partner to time travel with him and warns that the travelers' safety is not guaranteed. Skeptical but intrigued, she embarks on a journey that takes her to places she never imagined — with someone she never imagined falling for. Safety Not Guaranteed is all sorts of weird, but it's also oddly endearing — perfect for the romantic oddballs in us all.

Charlie is scared of commitment until he falls for Harriet and realizes he's ready to settle down. The only problem? She may or may not be an axe murderer. So I Married an Axe Murderer is a hilarious and offbeat comedy that even rom-com haters will giggle at.

Kept apart by the forces of nature (and their parents), a young boy and girl embark on an adorable and hilarious adventure as they escape into the nature to be together. Wes Anderson is the master of all things eccentric, and Moonrise Kingdom is a heartfelt film that is impossible to hate — even if love stories aren't your thing.

Two awkward misfits begin to fall for each other when they go on an epic quest, proving that love is love, no matter how incredibly weird it is.

Slate's portrayal of a woman who discovers she is pregnant after a one-night stand in Obvious Child is touching, hilarious, and most of all — realistic. Labeled one of film's first "abortion rom-coms," the movie ties romance, heartbreak, and comedy neatly together in a groundbreaking story that will make you laugh, cry, and ponder the meaning of it all.

Musicians and stars of the film Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová wrote and performed all the music for Once, a sweet story about two struggling musicians falling in love. The indie film stands out from other romance movies because of its authenticity and simplicity.

Not all love stories end the way you want them to, but 500 Days of Summer takes a bittersweet story and makes it into one we can all relate to — and more importantly, one we can learn from. It's sad, it's happy, and it's real.

If given the chance, there's probably a thing or two we'd change out our pasts. But what kind of consequences come from tampering with the natural way of things? In About Time, a man is able to time travel in order to tweak mistakes in hopes of improving his future, but learns that there are some things that can't — and shouldn't — be altered. Rom-com haters will appreciate that the love story is really secondary to the overarching theme of family and coming of age.