With the holiday, year-end push to release movies, and all the new romantic comedies coming out, the genre feels like the highlight of 2018. However, people forget to appreciate the classic rom-coms from the late 1900s and early 2000s when the genre was born. Rom-com lovers must add these top five throwbacks to their next watchlist.

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Overboard: Viewers probably recognize the new movie Overboard, released in 2018, starring Anna Faris, however, only a certain number of people know that the story plot actually came from the very first Overboard movie, made all the way back in 1987. The film presents the story of a selfish, wealthy woman, Joanna Stayton (Goldie Hawn), who falls off her yacht to later deal with a diagnoses with amnesia.  Dean Proffitt (Kurt Russell), a poor carpenter who works for Joanna, then sees an opportunity to teach her a lesson for mistreating him by claiming her as his wife. After spending time doing housework for Dean and his family, Joanna soon finds herself more and more fond of him. The storyline shows how two people from two completely different sides of the universe can come together, something commonly found in several movie plots, even today.

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When Harry Met Sally: A popular romantic comedy film, written by Nora Ephron and produced by Rob Reiner, about a classic, platonic relationships premiered on July 12, 1989. As a common theme of so many other rom-coms, this movie also questions if friends of opposite genders can actually stay as friends and nothing more. The main characters, Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) first met after their college graduation where Sally gave Harry a ride to New York and they enjoyed a friendly conversation with each other. However, after the car ride, neither of them expected to ever bump into each other again ten years later. After several years, as both Harry and Sally struggle through their several relationships, they end up falling in love with each other.

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10 Things I Hate About You: 10 Things I hate About You presents a 1999 teen romantic comedy that will bring the audience a handful of cries and laughs. When the new kid at school, Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), develops a crush on the pretty and popular Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik), everything turns messy. Bianca’s father refuses to let her date anyone until her sister Kat, an unsocial outcast, finds a date. Cameron, however, will do anything to earn a date with Bianca, even if that means pushing through all the troubles of setting Kat up with another student while denying that Bianca holds an interest in someone else. As the movie continues, Bianca realizes how charming of a personality Cameron possesses and soon ends up falling in love with him.

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How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: One of the most popular 2003 classical rom-coms, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days tells the story of a writer named Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) who researches and writes an article on “how to lose a guy in 10 days.” Meanwhile, an advertising executive named Ben Barry (Matthew McConaughey) made a bet with his boss that if he could persuade any girl the co-workers choose to fall in love with him, he would earn a promotion at his company. When Ben and Andie meet with two completely different goals in mind, they face the struggles of constantly arguing against each other but soon, they both end up falling in love. This romantic comedy definitely brings the audience a heartwarming reaction to such a beautiful and well-written romance.

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Just Friends: Released in November 2005, this movie tells a classic love story between two best friends. The story revolves around another idealistic platonic plot where  an unpopular high school student, Chris Brander, played by the famous actor Ryan Reynolds, falls in love with his best friend, Jamie Palamino, played by Amy Smart. After Jamie friendzones Chris, he leaves town in humiliation, but he returns ten years later as a rich and famous hockey player. Coming back to his hometown makes Chris realize how much he still loves his best friend, so he decides to try and redo his past to earn Amy’s heart.

These movies attract a large variety of audiences, making them enjoyable for families and friends. With a twist of unconditional love and humor, these five films provide the entertainment deemed perfect for rom-com fans.