Here's New Zealand's top romantic comedy

With the festive season in full swing, what better way to catch a breather than spending an evening on the sofa watching a romantic comedy? Elitesingles.co.nz did a recent survey of 200 singles and found that 92% of them said they like to watch rom-coms with a date. This inspired a little look into what are NZ's fave rom-coms.

The top 10 best rom-coms (according to New Zealanders):

10. Something's Gotta Give (2003)

At number 10 it's a smart comedy about over-50s dating. Something's Gotta Give takes the old tale of opposites attracting and gives it fresh, funny life. Erica Barry (Diane Keaton) and Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) are two successful singles in their late 50s/early 60s with wildly different approaches to life – but those differences might just make them perfect for each other.

9. The Holiday (2006)

Yum yum Jude Law. This Christmas rom-com tells two love stories side by side, one set in rural England and the other in sunny LA. One of the few movies to show warm-weather Christmas scenes that Kiwis can really relate to, it's the ideal choice to dial up the romance as the festive season continues.

8. Dirty Dancing (1987)

It's 1963 and Frances "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer Grey) is on holiday with her family at an up-market resort in the Catskill Mountains. The independent-minded Baby is far more comfortable with the working-class staff at resort than with her well-off fellow guests, and it's not long before she falls for handsome dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). The feeling's mutual – but can their budding romance survive the class barriers that divide them?

7. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

This unashamedly English film where Hugh Grant plays the sweet and bumbling Charles was made on a relatively low-budget by Hollywood standards, but has gone down in history as one of the best rom-coms of all time – and is certainly one of NZ's favourites.

7. Notting Hill (1999)

Hugh Grant makes his second appearance on the list, doing what he does best by playing a lovable London gentleman who falls for a woman he believes is way out of his league, a famous American actress played by the radiant Julia Roberts. 

5. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Members were asked which decade had the best rom-coms, and the 90s was the runaway winner, taking 40% of the vote. Films from other decades didn't even come close - the 00s took second place, but only managed 27%, while movies from this decade were in third place with 13%. When it comes to romance on film, the 90s apparently rule and, as Sleepless in Seattle was one of the most popular rom-coms of the 90s, it’s no wonder it made the top five!

4. The Notebook (2004)

Noah and Allie’s romance begins in 1940s South Carolina and spans the 20th century. It pulls on the heartstrings of the viewer, as we’re left to wonder whether Allie will choose her first-love Noah or her fiancé back home in New York. If you're like the 17% of our survey respondents who think that a rom-com should make you cry, then this is the ideal tear-jerker!

3. When Harry met Sally (1989)

Can men and woman really ever be just friends? This film asks this question throughout as Sally (Meg Ryan) and Harry (Billy Crystal) navigate their way through moving to New York and doomed relationships with other people, all the while falling deeper into their 'friendship'. 

2. Pretty Woman (1990)

This well-loved rags-to-riches story of a prostitute falling for a business man has been voted NZ's second-favourite rom-com and, incidentally, stars the woman voted NZ's second-favourite leading lady (Julia Roberts), alongside NZ's second-favourite leading man (Richard Gere).

1. Love, Actually (2003)

Appropriately enough for the festive season, NZ's favourite rom-com is the most romantic Christmas movie of all. This fantastic rom-com intertwines multiple romantic storylines, from a boy’s first crush to the Prime Minister falling for his housekeeper. It’ll have you crying over one scene and then rolling around in fits of laughter over another. Not only that, it allows Hugh Grant to make his third appearance on this list!

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