8 Lesser-Known Romantic Comedies Like 'Materialists', Ranked by IMDb
A touching story from the director of Pretty Woman, another rom-com with Dakota Johnson and other films that will surprise even seasoned fans of the genre.
One of the most highly anticipated releases of the summer is Celine Song's romantic comedy, Materialists, featuring an impressive cast – Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans.
To get into a romantic mood, we suggest setting aside classic stories like Pretty Woman and When Harry Met Sally and paying attention to hidden gems in the genre.
8. 'Hello I Must Be Going', 2012
IMDb Score: 6.2/10
Amy is 35 and going through a difficult divorce. She is forced to move back in with her parents in Connecticut. Her caring friends try to help by finding her a new partner, but the dates are unsuccessful.
Amy's parents are hosting a dinner party for a potential client and his family. At the party, Amy meets the client's 19-year-old stepson, Jeremy. A whirlwind romance begins between them. This relationship threatens the deal, the parents' dreams, and both lovers' normal lives.
7. 'Two Night Stand', 2014
IMDb Score: 6.3/10
Things aren't going well for Megan on Christmas Eve. She has no job and no money to pay her rent, and her neighbors are waiting for her to move out.
After a bouncer at a club refuses to let her in, Megan registers on a dating app out of boredom and immediately meets Alec. The next morning, Megan almost escapes Alec unnoticed if not for the terrible snowstorm preventing her from going outside.
Thus, two people who don't like each other are forced to spend the day together, get to know each other, and go on a real date.
6. 'Frankie and Johnny', 1991
IMDb Score: 6.7/10
This romantic comedy, directed by the man who gave us Pretty Woman, Garry Marshall, stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino. Waitress Frankie and Johnny meet at a café where they both work. They both have difficult fates: Frankie can't build a relationship – she's tired of disappointments and just wants to be alone.
Johnny recently got divorced, lost custody of his children, and went to prison for petty fraud. While in prison, he learned to cook. He is not at all satisfied with Frankie's plan to be alone – he believes that she is his destiny.
5. 'Always Be My Maybe', 2019
IMDb Score: 6.7/10
Marcus and Sasha were friends in childhood, dated as teenagers, broke up, and reunited sixteen years later. She is now a successful restaurateur and he is an unsuccessful, albeit talented, musician.
They both have new lives, but you can't escape fate. Just when you think you know what to expect from this movie, Keanu Reeves appears on the screen as himself.
4. 'Before We Go', 2014
IMDb Score: 6.8/10
In 2014, Chris Evans directed his own version of Before Sunrise, in which the characters spend one night together before parting ways forever.
The story centers on Brooke, who is having a very bad day – she misses her train, her phone breaks, and she is robbed.
A street musician named Nick comes to her rescue. He offers to call her a taxi, but he has no money. The two set out to find the missing purse and, in the process, get to know each other better.
3. 'Ruby Sparks', 2012
IMDb Score: 7.2/10
Calvin is a young writer who can't overcome a creative crisis following the release of his successful novel, and is also still grieving the loss of his ex.
The appearance of the beautiful Ruby Sparks solves both problems at once – because she literally comes off the pages of his new book and is everything he has dreamed of for so long.
2. 'Cha Cha Real Smooth', 2022
IMDb Score: 7.3/10
It's another rom-com starring Dakota Johnson. Twenty-two-year-old college graduate Andrew works in catering and discovers his talent for hosting bar mitzvahs. At one of these events, he befriends a young single mother named Domino and her daughter, Lola.
Andrew, soft and cheerful, is imbued with Domino's charm and tries to prove to her that he is ready to take responsibility.
1. 'A Biltmore Christmas', 2023
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
Screenwriter Lucy is preparing the script for the remake of the classic Christmas movie. The head of the studio was not pleased with the ending Lucy came up with because it was too dark.
To help Lucy get into the spirit of the film, she is sent to the luxurious Biltmore Estate. After turning over the hourglass, Lucy accidentally travels to 1947 – to the filming of the original movie.
There, she gets closer to Jack Huston, one of the movie's stars. Everything is going well until Lucy realizes that her time travel has triggered a chain of events that threatens the existence of the film.
