The 80s really were a time of groovy hits, iconic fashion, and most importantly, romantic comedies that we just can’t get enough of. There was an undeniable rollout of some of the best classic and quirky love stories. With a few witty and lovable titles such as The Princess Bride, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Dirty Dancing, Big, and The Breakfast Club, there’s a wide range of films that continue to resonate to this day!
The great thing about the 80s rom-com era is that there’s a little bit of something for everyone. From quirky and funny to romantic and swoon-worthy, we’ve rounded up some of the most nostalgic 80s romantic movies that will transport you back to a time of great entertainment. With star-studded casts such as John Cusack in Say Anything and Molly Ringwald in Pretty In Pink, you can never really go wrong with these picks. So, here are six unforgettable 80s romantic comedies to stream now!
1. Say Anything
Say Anything is the mother of all grand gestures. In this iconic film, Cusack became the poster boy for grand gestures featuring boomboxes. What makes Say Anything so special is the romance between Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) and Diane Court (Ione Skye). It’s not just another teen romance; Llyod is a charming boy with no set plans for his future, who falls helplessly in love with the beautiful class valedictorian, Diane. Despite being out of his league, she turns out to be the perfect girl for him.
Directed by Cameron Crowe, Say Anything delivers an unlikely love story between two characters that give ‘opposites attract’ a whole new meaning. The chemistry between Cusack and Skye is undeniable as you root for the characters to have their happily-ever-after moment. The icing on the cake has to be Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” playing on a boombox in the scene that will go down in history as one of the most iconic grand gestures on screen.
2. Pretty in Pink
If you’re looking for something sweet and romantic, it doesn’t get better than John Hughes’ Pretty in Pink. This iconic 80s romcom gave us more of Molly Ringwald to enjoy after Sixteen Candles. The story follows Andie Walsh (Ringwald) in the most epic love triangle between her best friend, Duckie Dale (Jon Cryer), and her rich heartthrob classmate Blane McDonagh (Andrew McCarthy). A little fun fact: the ending of Andie’s love story goes through a little switcheroo, as the original final scene was shot with a completely different endgame. So, if you’re craving solid teen love triangles, team Duckie or team Blane could be exactly what you need.
Watch Pretty In Pink on Apple TV+
3. Coming To America
Coming To America takes you to a world of its own where African Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) defies the rules of a traditionally accepted arranged marriage, to go on a journey to America to find the girl of his dreams. This heart-melting and hysterical 80s rom-com gave us an amazing soundtrack, the iconic line, “Good morning my neighbors,” and it also brought together legendary actors such as James Earl Jones, Shari Headley, John Amos, and Arsenio Hall. The 1988 romantic comedy was an instant hit that earned Eddie Murphy the title of ‘King of Comedy’ in Hollywood. The actor, alongside other cast mates, also got the chance to reprise their legendary roles in 2021’s Coming 2 America.
Watch Coming To America on Prime Video
4. When Harry Met Sally
When Harry Met Sally set out to argue the logic that men and women can’t be friends because ‘the sex part always gets in the way.’ In this Nora Ephron classic, Sally (Meg Ryan) and Harry (Billy Crystal) meet and begin a short-lived friendship, until they meet again five years later and realize that they’re meant to be. This 80s rom-com is sweet and amusing, but what really gets you going is how the movie cuts to different couples as they tell you the story of how they met and the moment they knew they were meant to be together.
When Harry Met Sally is the perfect romantic comedy to watch if you’re a strong believer in the power of fate. The movie represents the essence of all hopeless romantics who yearn for that ideal moment where true love meets romantic outbursts. Many scenes from When Harry Met Sally have stood the test of time for their realness and unconventionality — the hilarious deli scene especially comes to mind.
Watch When Harry Met Sally on Apple TV+
5. Working Girl
Working Girl isn’t just another romantic comedy, it’s also a story that marked an important shift in gender stereotypes. Think of it as a boss lady meets Cinderella-esque kind of rom-com. In this workplace comedy, Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) has dreams that supersede marrying her working-class boyfriend Mick (Alec Baldwin).
Her luck changes when she’s assigned as a secretary to the powerful Katherine Parker (Sigourney Weaver). When her boss gets injured, she takes it as an opportunity to further her career by pretending to be someone she’s not, which leads her to meet with executive Jack Trainer (Harrison Ford). The train crash of events in her fake work life leads to a love story between her and Jack and ultimately to a happily-ever-after in her personal and professional life.
6. Overboard
Starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russel, this 80s romantic comedy follows the story of a wealthy and bratty woman Joanna Stayton (Goldie Hawn), who lives a luxurious life with her husband, Grant (Edward Hermann). In a slight twist of events, she falls off their yacht and suffers from amnesia. Her partner sees this as an opportunity to leave her, but her former unpaid employee, Dean (Kurt Russel), hatches a revenge plan. The widowed carpenter with four kids claims Joanna as his wife and takes her home to make her repay the money she owes by subjecting her to household and motherly duties. Despite her amnesia, she has a tough time believing that this is truly her life. Also, check out how Sydney Sweeney‘s Anyone But You is a refreshing take on classic rom-coms!
Follow Us
