10 Highest-Grossing Rom-Coms Ever Made

Since when have broken hearts and an even more broken dating system ever been able to threaten our love for rom-coms? Never! We're better than that.

Rom-coms have proved time and again that they are here to stay. Why? Because it's a genre that makes you tear up, but with joy. It makes you laugh, but mostly in the face of amorous chaos. Plus, they can be oddly satisfying, even when the characters are being totally cringey.

If you think I'm exaggerating, here's a list of the highest-grossing rom-coms that prove our love for the genre.

10 Highest-Grossing Rom-Coms of All Time

1. The Mermaid (2016)

$553 million

Stephen Chow’s The Mermaid is a Chinese-Hong Kong fantasy film that broke all box-office records for any romantic comedy, including the biggest opening-day collection. It follows a developer and businessman played by Deng Chao, who wishes to build a real estate project that will destroy the house of mermaids. But his plans take a back seat as he falls in love with a mermaid played by Lin Yun.

With an impressive 95% Tomatometer, Chow’s feature is a fantastic comedy with an out-of-this-world romance and an important environmental message. Although most of its box-office collection comes from Asian countries like China, Singapore, and Vietnam, The Mermaid is a highly entertaining movie with enough substance to make you think when the laughter dies down.

2. Pretty Woman (1990)

$463 million

No romantic comedy list would be complete without the iconic Pretty Woman, as it features one of the best romantic chemistries between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. It’s a love story between a sex worker and a businessman that starts as a business-only arrangement, but slowly they both develop feelings for each other.

Not only is Pretty Woman the second-highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time, but it is also quite honestly one of the best rom-coms ever in the history of cinema. With a unique and engaging plotline, Gary Marshall’s iconic movie is a treat that comments on wealth, class, and indifference between two people.

3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

$368 million

The very first installment of My Big Fat Greek Wedding follows a 30-year-old Greek-American, Toula (Nia Vardalos), who falls in love with a tall, handsome teacher, Ian (John Corbett), who is definitely not Greek. As their love blossoms, Toula attempts to get her family to accept him despite their cultural differences.

Joel Zwick’s romantic comedy is the third-highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time and is a captivating comedy with its heart in the right place. The movie delves into Greek culture, including traditional dresses, food, and dance, and the relatable issue of overbearing relatives. Made on a modest budget and marketed with word-of-mouth, My Big Fat Greek Wedding has definitely made its mark on the box office.

4. What Women Want (2000)

$374 million

Nancy Meyers’ What Women Want is a mix of comedy, romance, and fantasy, following a confident advertising executive (Mel Gibson), who can hear women’s thoughts after a freak accident. With this ability, he tries to woo his boss, Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt).

This romantic comedy made an incredible $374 million worldwide, but the story fell short of expectations. There’s nothing particularly profound in the film, and yet it stays with you—Mel Gibson’s performance keeps the whole ship afloat. But overall, What Women Want makes a decent watch while chilling out on a sofa.

5. There’s Something About Mary (1998)

$369 million

Ted (Ben Stiller) hires a private detective, Pat Healy (Matt Dillon), to track down his high school crush, Mary (Cameron Diaz), so he can reconnect with the woman of his dreams.

There’s Something About Mary begins as a lightweight romantic comedy, which gradually expands into a surprisingly sophisticated exploration of romantic obsession and self-delusion. It’s crude and vulgar, packed with an uncomfortable reality—so, it’s safe to say that it’s one of the funniest rom-coms ever, earning a spot on the list.

6. Hitch (2005)

$371 million

In Hitch, a professional matchmaker, Alex “Hitch” Hitchens (Will Smith), discovers his dream match in Sara Melas (Eva Mendes), and all his professional tips are turned upside down.

Despite getting mixed reviews, Hitch is an engaging film with a promising rom-com premise. It’s witty and full of romantic wisdom, enough to make up for the lack of substance. Considering that it was Will Smith’s first romantic comedy, his charm proves to be a good match for the genre. Overall, the star power and Andy Tennant’s story were able to make people buy tickets, making Hitch one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies of all time.

7. Notting Hill (1999)

$363 million

Roger Mitchell’s iconic romantic comedy Notting Hill stars Julia Roberts and charismatic Hugh Grant in the lead roles. It centers around an actress, Anna Scott, and her relationship with a bookshop owner in Notting Hill, and how they manage to love each other despite different lifestyles.

Upon its release, Notting Hill received several Golden Globe Award nominations and became one of the highest-grossing British films of all time. Both actors display sensational chemistry and compatibility with just enough wit to hook you in this delightful romantic comedy experience.

8. Enchanted (2007)

$340 million

Amy Adams is a princess in Disney’s fairy-tale movie Enchanted, in which she is sent away to New York City by her lover’s evil stepmother. There, she falls in love with a lawyer played by Patrick Dempsey.

Earning $340 million at the box office, Enchanted deals with themes of true love and feminism with a magical storyline. It is a feel-good movie that’s fit for a date night or anyone who wants to keep boredom at bay. The movie might be 18 years old now, but its jokes are never going to be outdated.

9. The Proposal (2009)

$317 million

Anne Fletcher’s The Proposal focuses on a rude and dominating editor-in-chief, Margaret (Sandra Bullock), who, upon learning that she might be deported from the U.S. due to visa issues, persuades her assistant, Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), to be her fake fiancé.

Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock’s chemistry is the strongest aspect of this romantic comedy. However, at the time of its release, many viewers found the performances somewhat underwhelming, but The Proposal still managed to attract audiences. But honestly, the movie has a simplistic plot and fun back-and-forth between the main characters, making it a decent watch.

10. As Good as It Gets (1997)

$314 million

Featuring an Academy Award-winning performance by Jack Nicholson, As Good as It Gets earned $148 million domestically and $314 million worldwide. The story follows Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson), an obsessive-compulsive romance fiction writer who has to take care of his neighbor’s (Greg Kinnear) dog after the latter is brutally assaulted. The unlikely bond gradually starts to soften Melvin, and he falls in love with the only waitress who will serve him.

James L. Brooks’ brilliant writing, especially the dialogue, helps this romantic comedy flourish. On top of that, Jack Nicholson once again proves that he is just as good at playing light-hearted, dramatic characters as he is at playing intense, dark roles.

Summing It Up

It’s important to note that not every great romantic comedy is a box-office blockbuster. To become commercially successful, it requires more than just good storytelling—marketing is an integral element of the process.

Which one of these romantic comedies did you find most interesting?

Let us know in the comments.