Romantic comedies- the cure to a rainy day and as delicious to watch as a hot cup of cocoa is to drink. Hollywood romcoms are filled to the brim with unrealistic loved stories that skew our expectations, but at least they provide us of some dreamy men who are as good-hearted as they are good to look at!
For your viewing pleasure, we are counting down our favorite movie boyfriends and why exactly they are worthy of our total devotion.
Westley in “The Princess Bride”
Westley made “As you wish” the line that melted hearts (and increased women’s fantasies about bossing men around and having them love you for it). The gorgeous blonde farmer turned pirate was every bit as perfect as he could possibly be.
We Do Wish
From the fact that he knows how to deal with what life hands him, to the fact that he knows when to listen to the independent woman in his life, he definitely is the full package.
Michael Moskovitz in “The Princess Diaries”
Of course, our first dedication must go to the dark, brooding, incredibly talented Michael Moskovitz. From his alluring sideburns to the fact that he has a rock bands and fixes cars (always handy) he’s pretty much perfect all-round.
Boyfriend Material
Never mind that he is dripping with coolness, the cherry on the top is that he is so reserved and shy there is no way for him to ever get cocky. So shy in fact, that his younger sisters best friend Mia (who turns out to be a princess) doesn’t even realize he is totally in love with her!
I remain furious with the movie franchise for totally axing Michael in princess diaries 2, the handsome, heart-warming human deserved to remain!
Graham Simpkins in “The Holiday"
Jude Law was the perfect choice for the crushable Graham Simpkins. He has everything going for him to make him the perfect beau. He has the interesting job of editor, he has that amazing British accent, and he is great with kids!
Swoon-worthy Simpkins
His devotion to his two daughters actually brings tears to my eyes when I think about it…(we won’t even discuss is Mr. Napkin Head antics) I would not mind settling down with him and his cute girls in that cozy English countryside home for good!
Edward Lewis in “Pretty Women”
Okay so he does hire a prostitute (though at first, it’s purely for directions) but I don’t know anyone that does not swoon over ‘90s sex god Richard Gere especially in “Pretty Women” where he plays the millionaire that is equally manly and charmingly boyish.
Saviour in a Suite
He plays the swoon-worthy savior who literally turns a prostitute into a princess. And we can’t help but be drawn into his dark side that can’t sleep and is weirdly afraid of heights. Save me any day Edward Lewis!
Lloyd Dobler in “Say Anything”
The young love film that ruined men for an entire generation of women. When John Cusack stepped into his character of the adorably devoted and irresistibly determined Lloyd Dobler, he captured hearts of girls and women across the globe.
That Scene Though
The director said of Lloyd’s character that he is a monument to the idea of optimism as a revolutionary act”. Not only do I like that, but I’m ready to join any revolution that includes Lloyd Dobley’s mixed tapes and radio holding antics.
Jake Perry in “Sweet Home Alabama”
Not everyone is perfect, but some come very close. Leave out the fact that he is withholding his estranged wife from moving on and this blonde southern sexy man is the full package that may or may not have defined my adult sexuality.
Sweet, Sweet Josh Lucas
Not to mention the fact that this brilliant reversal of the common rom-com trope captures a man who is willing to work as hard as he can to win back his love.
Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice”
I myself am prejudice to Matthew McFadyen’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy being the English literature fanatic that I am, but objectively the brooding beautiful man who is so very misunderstood is one of the most romantic Ollywood heroes of all time.
An English Gentleman
It doesn’t hurt that he is one of the richest men in England with a mansion worthy of its own paragraph of appreciation. But the focus is this slow courtship where you realize the man who you first think is a stuck-up pompous prick turns out to be a misunderstood man with a heart of gold who makes walking through a field with his shirt half-fastened and hair splashed across his face as sexy as it gets.
Benjamin Barry in “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”
Out of all Matthew McConaughey’s rom-com characters, Benny boo boo boo boo boo has got to be the most drool-worthy. From his southern drawl to those rippling muscles, he is head to toe sex-appeal.
Redeeming Qualities
Okay so he’s a pretty awful human who is literally toying with a girl’s emotions to the point of making her fall in love with him to get a promotion, but at the end of the day he pulls through with his very authentic (and only) romantic gesture. Those abs though….
Charles in “Four Weddings and a Funeral”
Hugh Grant makes the list when he plays the gorgeous glasses-wearing Charles in Four Weddings and a Funeral who has a sweet and bumbling charm that we just cannot ignore.
The Ultimate Gesture
From his British accent to his perfect wavy hair, and the ultimate romantic gesture of NOT insisting the women he loves agrees to marry him! a feminist before his time and a guy you want your daughter ending up with.
Matt Flamhaff in “13 Going on 30"
Mark Ruffalo is perfect in any role he plays, but when he embodies the nerd who turned into a sensitive and grounded young man, he takes the cake (and all our hearts)
His Many Traits
Not only is he gorgeous and sensitive and sweet and caring and….(I could go on) but he knows the moves to “Thriller”, build hand-made dollhouses and knows how to forgive! I’d spend hours in a closet with Matty any day of the week.
Jack Callaghan in “While You Were Sleeping”
It’s a rom-com involving a coma, but somehow it still introduces us to the almost-perfect Jack Callaghan played by Bill Pullman. While we have to admit Jack’s, appeal is downplayed at first, that crazy chemistry between him and Lucy is undeniable.
Ascending the Throne of rom-com Boyfriend Supreme
When he makes the bold move of asking Lucy to marry him in front of all his relatives after a rather dramatic turn, he ascends his throne as the swoon-worthy ultimate rom-com boyfriend.
Kumail in “The Big Sick”
The best part about this rom-com dream boyfriend is that he is the REAL DEAL. Like actually. Kumail Nijani plays himself in the film loosely based on his life after his casual-girlfriend galls into a mysterious coma and he steps up to the plate.
Transcending Faith
the movie focuses on Kumai, the guy with traditional Muslim parents who falls for a white woman, who falls into a coma, and his hilarious, adorable, heart-warming ways he copes and supports her parents throughout the trauma. (Note this is the second movie on the list with a comatose love interest….I'm sensing a trend)
Patrick Verona in “10 Things I Hate About You”
May Heath Ledger’s soul rest in peace and may girl’s around the world continue to swoon over his character Patrick Verona for years to come. That Australian accent, those curls, those dimples!!! It doesn’t get any better.
Rebel with a Cause
Patrick Verona is the ultimate rebel with a hard as steel exterior and an extra mushy heart. sure, he started off wooing Kate to make some extra cash, but we cannot deny those dimples!!! And the fact that he turned out to really care for her and show it.
Josh Lucas in “Clueless”
Let’s try put aside the fact that he was Cher’s stepbrother (which we admit is super weird) but Paul Rudd playing the insanely likable college bro in “Clueless” almost made incest okay! (we said almost).
The Perfect Package
Who but Josh Lucas would dance like a crazy man at a car dealership, be an avid Nietzsche reader, care about current events and be equally naughty and nice… no wonder Cher falls for him.
Cliff Pantone in “Bring It On”
Bring It On may not be considered a romcom as such, but we cannot exclude the confident and goody (and ridiculously sexy) Jesse Bradford from the list. Not to mention his fiery chemistry with head cheerleader played by Kirsten Dunst.
A Whole New World
From that side-by-side toothbrush scene to the heated grin he blesses her with after he sees her watching him shredding his guitar, and of course that almost-kiss on the swings. Scene after scene reminds us that Cliff is just the kind of guys we need.
Harry Burns in “When Harry Met Sally”
Now Harry and Sally come as a pair. Take Sally away he is a rather annoying consultant who is not as charming as he is stubborn. But put Sally in the picture and we have a love-story that charms generations.
We Love Him for the Love
He’s a different sort of rom-com crush. We love him for the complexed relationship he has with Sally who is basically him inside out. We love him for the quirky conversations, but mostly, we love him for the love.
Max in “Obvious Child
He warms her butter up for her in the restaurant scene, so she doesn’t have to battle with scraping it out….that us enough of a reason why the dopey-cute, ridiculously good-hearted Max deserves a place on our list. Max played by Jack Lacet has a smile that can buckle all the knees in the general vicinity with its genuine warmth.
The Ultimate Nice Guy
What is so fascinatingly refreshing about Max is that never, not once does he hurt Donna. She may hurt him and herself in her process of navigating being a sexually active woman in this abortion rom-com, but Max never hurts her. even in the end when you think he can’t possibly have that much good in his heart, he shows up. What a fantasy.
Nick Young in “Crazy Rich Asians”
it was the rom-com that took the world by storm in 201he Singaporean celebrity played by the abnormally fit Henry Golding casually forgets to tell his girlfriend that he is part of a family of billionaire, so not materialistic is he.
Adorable Rich Asian
Throughout the movie we see him never giving into his rich and crazy families’ values and sticking with his gut and the love of his life. handsome, rich, loves his mama, but not as much as his girlfriend, he is the perfect package.
Marc Darcy in “Bridget Jones’s Diary”
Colin Firth’s character Marc Darcy is basically the modern version of Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice without the frills. Its impossible not to be completely taken by his sweet sad eyes, his reindeer sweater, and his brave attempt during a physical altercation.
Ultimate Gentleman
He proves sometimes the good guy wins, and at the end of the day, is it not everyone’s dream to find a man who “likes you very much, just as you are”?
William “Will” Thacker in “Notting Hill”
Hugh Grant is the only actor to appear twice on this list, perhaps because of the inexplicable charm that makes him the perfect romantic lead. And that he certainly is when he plays the insecure, quirky and mumbling William Thacker.
Most Approachable
For once it is beyond endearing to see the man play the part of the insecure and self-doubting romantic rather than the woman. He stumbles over his liens and shows him at the wrong time hands clasping flowers to declare that Anna is “Heavenly” after all, he’s just a boy, standing in front of a girl, finally admitting that he loves her….and we love him!!!
Peter Kavinsky in “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”
There is a reason that actor Noah Centineo became every girl’s movie boyfriend in 2018, and it started off when he burst onto the scene. The sleek tousled haired loos limbed athlete who doesn’t want to change you doesn’t need someone changing him, and ticks every box.
Our Internet Boyfriend
Beyond his looks, he understands relationships are give and take and he is a pro at giving. There is more than enough reasons he has crowned the internet boyfriend every girl; deserves.
Jack Dawson in “Titanic”
A young Leonardo DiCaprio may have had his best performance in the James Cameron classic Titanic. Jack, the spontaneous, beautiful, good-hearted youngster who stirs up the world of Rose and teaches her what living means.
Jack, Come Back
The burning love story that last but a few days shows young love on display in all its rawness and passion. Jack teaches Rose how to spit, how to dance, how to let go and how to love. It may have been short, but their love was oh so very sweet.
“Woodchuck” Todd in “Easy A”
This move is a goldmine that includes Emma Stone wearing lingerie to school and re-enacting The Scarlet Letter, but Penn Badgley’s role as the understanding and goofy Todd stole all of our hearts.
Real and Relatable
He is authentic, he is so very un-pushy for a change, and he just wants the best for Olive, even if that isn’t him. it turns out to be him and none of us are complaining.
Noah in “The Notebook”
From the moment he flashes that grin and asked Allie to dance with him in the middle of the street we were hooked. Ryan Gosling embraced being the ultimate movie boyfriend when he played the undyingly devoted man to the girl he loved.
He Texts Back
Noah is the reason girl’s get angry when a guy doesn’t put in the effort to text back, I mean he literally wrote 365 letters! Life with Noah would never be boring, whether he’s hanging off a Ferris wheel to get your attention or bluffing you the house of your dreams… who could resist?
Dylan from “Friend with Benefits”
Justin Timberlake’s character in this movie is not only bringing sexy back but is proving that sometimes the very best person to be your boyfriend is your best friend! Dylan is a mixture of silly and sweet and the perfect combo to make the ultimate boyfriend.
The Hook-Up which Turns into Love
From Dylan’s laid-back character to his hilarious sense of humor…he is not afraid to tease you and he won’t get annoyed when you tease the hell out of him back! There’s no doubt he would make one hell of a happy relationship.
Johnny from “Dirty Dancing”
I don’t think anyone would mind having one heated summer romance with Johnny (played by the late Patrick Swayze) his pecks, his abs, his dancing skills, all in all, he is pretty darn irresistible.
No one Puts Baby in the Corner
But aside from his looks throw in his hard exterior and mushy heart, his calmness and strength and the fact he will not stand to have his girl be overlooked. Not to mention I don’t think anyone can rock a tight black tank top the way Johnny does.
Tom from “(500) Days of Summer”
All puppy-eyes Tom wants is a girl he can take on a stroll with through Ikea or browse through an old record store with and let’s be honest, most girls would be happy to join!
Unrequited Love
Although all his grand romantic fantasies don’t come true, he proved that its sometimes the smaller unexpected things that are the most special (did someone say drunken karaoke?). crossing fingers our Tom is lingering around in the waiting room in our next job interview!
Landon Carter in “A Walk to Remember”
this movie is a real tearjerker but at least it introduced us to the absolute heartthrob Landon Carter played by Shayne West. Landon us the ultimate cool guy who falls in love with the terminally ill Jamie Sullivan and spend the remainder of her life trying to make all her dreams come true.
Dreams Come True
If that in and of itself isn’t enough to make you fall in love with the character, his sexy smirk and too-big heart will do the truck. Some of the dreams on her list include getting married in the same church as her mother, being in two places at once, and witnessing a miracle, all of which he manages to make come true.
Henry Roth in “50 First Dates”
One of my personal favorite on the list is the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore classic 50 First Dates. Henry Roth meets the girl of his dreams…except there’s a small snag when it comes to light that she suffers from short-term memory loss which makes her forget her beau daily.
Never Gives Up
This doesn’t faze Henry Roth who takes it on himself to make his girl re-fall in love with his every single day. EVERY SINGLE DAY! Proving that nothing can ever stop true love. How’s that for persistence?
Paul Varjack in “Breakfast at Tiffanies”
