25 Underrated Rom-Coms of the 1980s That Still Hold Up in 2024

The '80s were a wild time for cinema – budgets ballooned, and box office records smashed. Yet, amidst this, our 25 picks were often overshadowed. Did you know, for instance, that one of these gems was made on a shoestring budget but ended up being a sleeper hit, raking in millions? Or that another featured a then-unknown who's now a household name?

1. "Say Anything..." (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%

Underachieving, optimistic kickboxer Lloyd Dobler falls for valedictorian Diane Court, embarking on a heartfelt and earnest romance, despite her father's disapproval and the looming reality of their future paths.

2. "Splash" (1984)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

When Allen Bauer falls in love with the mysterious Madison, he discovers she's a mermaid; their romantic and comedic journey navigates societal norms, scientific curiosity, and the challenges of a land-and-sea love affair.

3. "Roxanne" (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

C.D. Bales, a witty and intelligent fire chief with an unusually long nose, helps a handsome but inarticulate firefighter woo the beautiful Roxanne, all while secretly harboring his own love for her.

4. "The Sure Thing" (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

College students Walter and Alison embark on a cross-country road trip to California, where Walter hopes to meet his ideal woman; along the way, they bicker, bond, and eventually discover their own romantic chemistry.

5. "The Tall Guy" (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

An American actor in London, Dexter King, experiences a series of comedic misfortunes in his career and love life, eventually finding romance with a charming nurse, Kate, amidst the backdrop of a bizarre new musical.

6. "Valley Girl" (1983)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%

In a classic tale of opposites attracting, Julie, a quintessential valley girl, falls for Randy, a punk from the city, challenging the norms of her shallow high school social life and discovering the depths of true love.

7. "Crossing Delancey" (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

Independent bookstore manager Izzy Grossman is torn between her attraction to a sophisticated author and a traditional matchmaker's pick, the charming but unassuming pickle vendor Sam Posner, in Manhattan's Lower East Side.

8. "Mystic Pizza" (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%

In a small Connecticut town, three young waitresses at Mystic Pizza – sisters Kat and Daisy, and their friend Jojo – experience the trials and tribulations of love and find their bond tested amidst personal growth and romantic entanglements.

9. "Some Kind of Wonderful" (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%

High school misfit Keith Nelson pines for the popular girl Amanda Jones, enlisting his tomboy best friend Watts to help win her heart; but in doing so, he learns about true friendship and love.

10. "True Love" (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

Donna and Michael, a young Italian-American couple from the Bronx, experience the ups and downs of their relationship, including family pressures and cold feet, leading up to their big, chaotic wedding day.

11. "Chances Are" (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 65%

After dying and being reincarnated, Louie Jeffries finds himself romantically drawn to his daughter's boyfriend's mother, Corinne, not realizing she was his wife in his previous life, leading to heartwarming and comical revelations.

12. "About Last Night" (1986)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 61%

Danny and Debbie navigate the complexities of a modern relationship, from passionate beginnings to the challenges of cohabitation and commitment, reflecting the nuances of love and friendship in 1980s Chicago.

13. "The Pick-up Artist" (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 61%

Serial womanizer Jack Jericho meets his match in the independent and resistant Randy Jensen; his pursuit of her leads him into a tangled web of gambling debts, family dramas, and ultimately, genuine love.

14. "Just One of the Guys" (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%

High school journalist Terry Griffith, frustrated by sexism, disguises herself as a boy at a rival school to enter a journalism competition, leading to comical and insightful encounters about gender perceptions.

15. "Making Mr. Right" (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%

Uptight scientist Dr. Jeff Peters creates a humanoid robot, Ulysses, for a space mission, and PR consultant Frankie Stone is tasked with teaching Ulysses human behavior, leading to unexpected romance and quirky scenarios.

16. "Can't Buy Me Love" (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%

Nerdy high-schooler Ronald Miller pays the popular cheerleader Cindy Mancini to pose as his girlfriend for a month, leading to unexpected popularity, life lessons, and realizations about the nature of love and social status.

17. "Loverboy" (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%

College student Randy Bodek, desperate for money, becomes a gigolo for older women, leading to comic situations and life lessons; his escapades come to a head when his parents and girlfriend become entwined in his secret life.

18. "Electric Dreams" (1984)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 47%

An unconventional love triangle emerges between a shy architect, his sentient home computer, and his neighbor – a cellist – leading to comedic and heartfelt moments as the computer tries to win her love.

19. "The Rachel Papers" (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 45%

Ambitious, self-absorbed teenager Charles Highway navigates the complexities of young love and sexual conquests in London, meticulously planning to seduce an older woman, Rachel, while dealing with his family and school life.

20. "Sweet Hearts Dance" (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 44%

High school sweethearts Sam and Sandra Manners face the trials of midlife crisis and marital strain in a small Vermont town, juxtaposed with the blooming romance of their best friends, Wiley and Adie.

21. "Modern Girls" (1986)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%

Three young women in Los Angeles – Kelly, Cece, and Margo – embark on a wild night of adventure, romance, and mishaps, as they navigate the city's vibrant nightclub scene in search of fun and love.

22. "Lovesick" (1983)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%

Psychiatrist Saul Benjamin falls hopelessly in love with his patient, Chloe Allen, leading him into a series of humorous and introspective situations as he questions his professional ethics and personal desires.

23. "Blind Date" (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 24%

Workaholic Walter Davis goes on a blind date with beautiful but disaster-prone Nadia Gates, leading to a chaotic night full of misunderstandings, mishaps, and ultimately, unexpected romance.

24. "Mannequin" (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 20%

Struggling artist Jonathan Switcher, working at a department store, falls in love with a mannequin that comes to life as the ancient Egyptian princess Emmy, leading to comical and romantic escapades as they outwit the store's management.

25. "Vibes" (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 13%

Psychics Nick and Sylvia, possessing unique paranormal abilities, embark on an adventurous quest in Ecuador to find a lost ancient city of gold, facing dangers, romantic tension, and comedic mishaps along the way.