A lot of people (especially men) say that they’re not into romance movies. After all, you’re able to only watch so many movies with the same played-out, meet-love-lose-win-back-happily-ever-after formula with sweeping music before it drives you insane.
But I’m here to tell you that there’s a deep well of romantic films like nothing you’ve seen before, and they’re all onHulu. I’m talking about the kinds of movies that still provide heartfelt moments but wrap them up in humor that’s weird, raunchy, or a bit of both. Without further ado, here are the best unconventional romantic comedies you may now stream on Hulu!
2001
Runtime
1 hour 54 minutes
Shallow Halis more than just an unconventional romantic comedy. It’s the kind of movie that rightfully headlines those “movies you couldnevermake today” lists, and for good reason. You see, the premise is that Jack Black’s character, the titular shallow Hal, is a horned-up hound dog who can’t find luck with the ladies. That all changes when he falls in love with Rosemary, a morbidly obese girl-next-door played by Gwyneth Paltrow, who practically disappears with the help of prosthetics and a fatsuit. Of course, Hal doesn’t notice that she’s supersized because Tony Robbins hypnotized him to only see a person’s inner beauty.
There’s supposed to be a lesson here about overcoming personal shallowness and realizing that beauty is only skin deep. At least, that’s the lesson on paper. In practice, the premise is just an excuse to make one out-of-pocket fat joke after another that would have gotten everyone involved canceled if this film had come out today rather than decades ago. Fortunately, the chemistry between Black and Paltrow elevates their scenes, and if you don’t mind throwback humor, many of the jokes will leave you laughing, if only at the poor taste of the filmmakers.
2002
1 hour 49 minutes
Sweet Home Alabamahas the kind of premise you might expect from a Lifetime movie. Our main character (Reese Witherspoon) is a very successful New York City fashion designer who gets proposed to by her rich boyfriend (Patrick Dempsey). Before they can marry, though, this southern gal has to return to Alabama to finalize a divorce from her childhood sweetheart (Josh Lucas). What sets this movie apart from the typical Lifetime fare, though, is how much it leans into the amusing culture shock of an accomplished New Yorker returning to her rural hometown.
Accordingly, many of the punchlines revolve around just how dumb and weird southerners can be. It’s not as offensive as it sounds: in point of fact, I’m from Alabama, and a lot of the punchlines are milder than they could be (trust me, Reese, a baby at a bar is the most normal thing you might see back in ‘Bama!). Fortunately, Witherspoon is charming as a girl next door who made good, and Dempsey does a pitch-perfect job of playing the archetype of a handsome jerk. And this movie never fails to make the most out of its unconventionally rural setting, and Alabama feels like its own character in the best possible way.
1989
1 hour 40 minutes
Even if you don’t normally watch rom-coms,Say Anythingis basically required viewing. That’s because it’s the directorial debut of Hollywood golden boy Cameron Crowe and features an understated and downright excellent performance from John Cusack. Trust me, youngsters: long before memes were a thing, you could hold up your boombox like Cusack does and instantly make friends with those who had (like me) immediately fallen in love with this film.
Speaking of love, the premise is simple: Cusack plays an underachiever who falls in love with the valedictorian (played by Ione Skye). When he asks her out to a graduation party, she surprises everyone by agreeing, and we then follow this mismatched couple as they unexpectedly grow closer. Sounds simple, right? But the film features surprising depth, peppering in scenes of snobs-versus-slobs comedy with interesting observations about everything from families to fortunes.
This iconic ’80s movie will firmly stick Peter Gabriel’s hit “In Your Eyes” firmly in your head in a mad way!
2011
The problem with many romantic comedies is that the actual romance isn’t relatable to many people. If you want something a bit more modern,Friends With Benefitsserves up the tale of a Los Angeles art director (Justin Timberlake) who’s lured to New York City for a new job by a cute headhunter (Mila Kunis). They have clear chemistry and decide to become (you guessed it) “friends with benefits,” without getting entwined in any kind of serious relationship.
What’s refreshing aboutFriends With Benefitsis that none of the drama revolves around whether the couple (two insanely hot people that clearly have a great vibe) will sleep together. Instead, the movie is driven by the crunchier dilemma of whether being friends with benefits works out or if it’s inevitable that someone will catch feelings. Whether you enjoy that philosophical debate or just enjoy the natural chemistry and hilarious bond between Timberlake and Kunis, this movie will keep you watching all the way through to the cozy-cute post-credits scene.
2009
1 hour 45 minutes
The magic trick at the heart ofI Love You, Manis that the movie isn’t really about the relationship between the real estate agent (Paul Rudd) who just proposed to his girlfriend (Rashida Jones). Sure, we get some inevitable drama as their wedding date looms near, but the driving force of this story is that Rudd’s character doesn’t have a close male friend who can be his best man. Therefore, he sets off on a very post-modern quest to make friends, meeting an eclectic collection of dudes before finding his new bestie (Jason Segel).
If you’ll allow me to go full fanboy,I Love You, Manmay very well be the best romantic comedy ever made. The script is tight, managing to balance over-the-top gags with surprisingly raw discussions about love and sex. It’s also perfectly cast—the core trio of Rudd, Jones, and Segal continuously dazzle, and the supporting cast includes major talents like Andy Samberg, J.K. Simmons, and Thomas Lennon. Throw in a surprise cameo by Rush, and you have an unconventional romantic comedy that can win anyone over, one bass-slapping session at a time.
2023
1 hour 43 minutes
No Hard Feelingshas a premise so wild that I’m still amazed it got made. Basically, two wealthy parents (Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti) are worried that their son (Andrew Barth Feldman) is too much of a wallflower. Accordingly, they bribe an older woman (Jennifer Lawrence) to have sex with their son so he can come out of his shell before attending Princeton University. But he isn’t too eager to lose his virginity, leading to the two developing an unexpected relationship over a series of increasingly insane dates.
Going into it, I was prepared to hateNo Hard Feelings. That’s because a movie featuring both a problematic age gap and parents pimping out their virgin child sounded like it would be disgusting on every level. However, the relationship at the center of this film is surprisingly heartfelt, and the genuine moments between our quirky couple feel earned. Plus, the movie doesn’t hold back with its raunchy humor, including a scene where Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence must fight off some thieves while wearing only her birthday suit. This scene reveals Lawrence (rather literally) as the perfect embodiment of this film—fun, fearless, and more than a little freaky.
1996
2 hours
As an English professor (yes, really), I’m here to tell you that Shakespeare was the master of unconventional romantic comedies long before the advent of film. If you need proof, look no further thanRomeo+Juliet, Baz Luhrmann’s modernized adaptation of Shakespeare’s most famous work. The gimmick here is that the story of our titular star-crossed couple (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes) is set in the present day, but the movie retains Shakespeare’s original dialogue. The result is surprisingly effective, making this centuries-old play feel remarkably fresh and innovative.
For as great as the words of the Immortal Bard are, the standout feature ofRomeo+Julietis the awesome casting. Despite their youth, DiCaprio and Danes effortlessly exhibit the star power that would later make them household names. The rest of the cast also shines, including Paul Rudd as a nebbish suitor and John Leguizamo as the world’s angriest cousin. Throw in a casual masterpiece performance from Paul Sorvino and an absolute banger of a soundtrack, and you’ve got perhaps the best cinematic adaptation of the greatest (and most certainly weirdest) love story ever told.
1 hour 35 minutes
500 Days of Summeris a beautiful little trap of movie. At first, it’s easy to think of this as a more traditional love story—it follows a greeting card writer (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) with architectural aspirations who hits it off with Summer, a cute fellow employee (Zoey Deschanel). She doesn’t believe in love, but he does. Inevitably, this philosophical disagreement doesn’t keep them from hooking up and then enjoying a casual relationship. Pretty straightforward, right?
Before it’s all over, though, this romantic comedy with the sensibilities of anart house movieoffers some very frank meditations on love, sex, and relationships. It’s also a surprisingly nuanced movie, which is why so many of its biggest fans seem to miss its message. Personally, I love a movie like this that rewards rewatching, and I have a feeling you and your sweetie will want to watch it again as soon as the credits roll.
Not a big fan of your standard love stories? Don’t worry: these movies will win you over while surprising you with almost every scene. Whether you’re watching with your partner or just streaming stag, these are the romantic comedies you’ve been looking for!
Hulu
Ready for a romantic night in but you’re sick of cheesy movies where everyone lives happily ever after? Don’t worry: you can stream all of these incredibly unconventional romantic comedies on Hulu!
