They just don't make movies like they used to — and by that, we mean the romantic comedies that were so popular in the 1990s and early 2000s and featured some of Hollywood's most popular leading ladies. Though they may not have been Oscar winners when they were first released, they were still so beloved by fans, and certain movies in this genre, including Legally Blonde and Mean Girls, have gone on to become iconic in American pop culture, even decades after they originally hit theaters.
We've been hoping for a return to movies like this, and it looks like our wish is being granted. Thanks to streaming services, more movies are getting made than ever before — and many of our favorite rom-com actresses have decided to make a comeback with brand new movies, whether they're straight to streaming or premiering in theaters.
Here are all of the rom-com queens who are already making a comeback — or planning one in the near future. There's no such thing as too many fluffy rom-coms, so we'll take all of them that we can get!
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Jennifer Lopez
We will never forget watching Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey fall head over heels in love in The Wedding Planner — a movie she followed up with others in the genre, including Jersey Girl and Maid in Manhattan. If you loved all of these movies, be sure to watch Marry Me, the movie where J.Lo plays a wildly popular singer (what a stretch for her!) who falls in love with a regular dude, played by Owen Wilson.
Julia Roberts
As far as we're concerned, Julia Roberts is one of the best to do it. After all, without her, there would be no Runaway Bride, Pretty Woman, or My Best Friend's Wedding. That's why seeing her team up with George Clooney in the 2022 movie Ticket to Paradise was pure perfection, and we can't wait to see what she has planned next.
Rachael Leigh Cook
She's All That was once a staple when it came to movies we watched at sleepovers, and even now, it's still a fun watch. But if you loved Rachael Leigh Cook in that movie, you should also check out her recently released Netflix rom-com, A Tourist's Guide to Love.
Sandra Bullock
Oh, Sandy. There's no one on earth who could have starred in Miss Congeniality and played that role more convincing than Sandra Bullock — and we haven't even gotten started on how much we adored her starring opposite Ryan Reynolds in The Proposal. If you haven't caught the 2022 movie The Lost City, which also features Channing Tatum, you need to go directly to Paramount+, where it's currently streaming.
Reese Witherspoon
We're super excited about Reese Witherspoon filming Legally Blonde 3 — which has been in the works for years at this point — but in the meantime, she's making a comeback in other movies, too. You can see her (alongside Ashton Kutcher) in Netflix's Your Place or Mine, which is now streaming.
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Sarah Jessica Paker
Not only did Sarah Jessica Parker make a career of starring in rom-com movies like I Don't Know How She Does It, but you could say that Sex & the City is one big rom-com, too. And now, she's reprised her role as Carrie Bradshaw all over again, starring in And Just Like That, which returns for its second season this summer.
Nia Vardalos
After starring in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Nia Vardalos' place in rom-com history was forever sealed, and fans can catch her in the latest addition to the franchise this fall. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is on the way, hitting theaters in September 2023.
Leslie Mann
Leslie Mann will forever be one of our favorite rom-com sidekicks after seeing her shine in movies including Knocked Up and This Is 40. In 2022, she returned to star in The Bubble, a Netflix movie directed by her husband, Judd Apatow, about the cast and crew of a movie that has to stay quarantined while filming.
Meg Ryan
We often think of Meg Ryan as the OG rom-com queen, because honestly, just look at her résumé. Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally … she's in all the classics! And fortunately, she's coming back to star in What Happens Later with David Duchovny — her first film since 2015.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan disappeared on us for a while after releasing hits such as Mean Girls and Freaky Friday, but fortunately, she's back. Last winter, her holiday rom-com Falling for Christmas was released on Netflix, and her next movie for the streamer, Irish Wish, is on the way.
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Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway has starred in movies that fall into several different genres, but rom-com is definitely her strong suit — movies like The Devil Wears Prada, The Princess Diaries, and The Intern really say it all. Anne recently returned in the Amazon Prime rom-com Locked Down, which is now streaming.
Jennifer Aniston
She might be most famous for playing Rachel on Friends, but Jennifer Aniston also has a long list of rom-coms on her résumé, including The Break-Up and Picture Perfect. She recently starred in Murder Mystery 2 alongside Adam Sandler, and we can only hope she has another rom-com in the works.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore might be focusing most of her attention on her daytime talk show these days, but we hope she never loses sight of her rom-com career. After all, she did give us movies like The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, and Going the Distance. It sounds like she's already planning her comeback, though — she and Adam Sandler are working on another movie together, which is exactly what the world needs right now!
Katherine Heigl
Aside from her role in Grey's Anatomy, you probably also loved seeing Katherine Heigl in the rom-coms 27 Dresses, Knocked Up, and Life As We Know It. Soon, you'll get to see her in another movie like those: She and John Travolta are set to star in That's Amore.
Gabrielle Union
When we think of Gabrielle Union's past movies, the titles Bring It On and 10 Things I Hate About You immediately spring to mind. And don't worry — another is coming to add to the list. This year, she's starring in the Netflix rom-com The Perfect Find, which begins streaming June 14.
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