What are the worst romantic comedies ever?

rene Wed, Jul 8, 2009 at 09:37 PM EST

I love hookers-on-the-lam movies. Correction, I love tranny-hookers-on-the-lam-movies, i.e. League of Their Own.

rene Wed, Jul 8, 2009 at 09:31 PM EST

Twelve Monkeys... no, that was a musical, sorry

monix Wed, Jul 8, 2009 at 09:20 PM EST

am I the only one who actually enjoys crappy rom coms? I mean, I'll watch one, knowing its crappy, and feeling the suckiness all along, but still want to keep watching. It's like there's a cheese eating monster inside of me that just needs to gorge once in a while. My movie tastes are pretty varied, so its not as if I only watch cheese. But, dang, every once in a while I think "I don't care how many times I've seen this movie, I just need to see *that moment* again.

However, i will say that Maid of Honor was a snoozer for me.

lara Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 07:31 PM EST

have to say, two weeks notice, love actually, law of attraction, and made of honor are my all time favorite rom-com. Forces of nature was the worst movie and i mean the WORST rom-com i have ever had the misfortune to have ssen. horrible chemistry and totally contradictory ending. so unbelievable.

bonnylass Thu, May 8, 2008 at 04:17 PM EST

Just thought I'd point out that just because a movie has a female lead and some funny moments, doesn't mean it's necessarily a romantic comedy. Legally Blonde 2, or Hope Floats for example. Moulin Rouge? Not even close to a rom-com.

Ian Thu, May 8, 2008 at 10:40 AM EST

The romantic comedy genre is too easy for people to rag on just because so many people bristle at sentimentality. Frankly, I think most Richard Curtis screenplays get it unabashedly right. "Four Weddings...," "Notting Hill" and to a lesser degree, "Love Actually" have ace scripts and mostly stellar performances throughout.
As for Meg Ryan, "Addicted to Love" is fine, it's "I.Q." that deserves the mantle of worst offender from her resumé. "Sleepless in Seattle" and "When Harry Met Sally" are IMO untouchable, and there's definitely something redeeming in "French Kiss," "You've Got Mail," "Kate & Leopold" and "Joe Vs. the Volcano." I always try to cut her a break - we need good comedy actresses.

Stamb Thu, May 8, 2008 at 08:03 AM EST

Although I LURVE Buffy, Sarah Michelle Geller's Simply Irresitable with some sort of nonsensical magic element was truly awful. And while I agree with the poster who said Hope Floats was terrible, it made me sob in a way that I'm still embarrassed by. Also, Legally Blonde 2 is also one of the worst rom-com movies I've ever seen, and I was a big fan of the first one.

sisterfriend Wed, May 7, 2008 at 04:52 PM EST

It kinda bugs me that some of the movies I love have been so hated by others. Not sure what that says about me but ...

Also surprised that only ONE person mention "Hope Floats." I mean, come on! the title ALONE makes me wanna hurl!!!!! It always made me think of Pennywise in "It": "We all float down here!" Yah, that's gonna put me in a funny, cuddly mood!!!!!!

To Grace Wed, May 7, 2008 at 04:39 PM EST

Finally someone else who doesn't like "Moulin Rouge"! I am the only one in my family who can't stand it. I really hate Baz Luhrmann's showy camera/editing moves. It just shows that the movie is all style and no substance. It also doesn't help that I can't stand Nicole Kidman...why I haven't the foggiest, but I don't like her a bit.

Kelly Wed, May 7, 2008 at 04:10 PM EST

I must say most romantic comedies with Freddie Prinze Jr. have been TERRIBLE. There was the one about baseball he did with Jessica Biel, Summer Catch, and I remember walking out of that horrible romantic comedy he did, Boys and Girls. Soooooo bad!!

Dru Wed, May 7, 2008 at 03:47 PM EST

"Knocked Up." The only part of the movie I enjoyed was the end credits.
"Jersey Girl" was pretty awful too. Killing the wife is never a good was to start a romantic comedy, although when the wife is half of Bennifer, maybe that's a mercy killing.

But, the worst was "Life or Something Like It." It was beyond painful. It starred Angelina Jolie as a small town newscaster who gets warm and fuzzy over Edward Burns. Those two clearly hated each other.

Can you guys think of any other romantic comedies where the lead actors really didn't seem to like each other at all?

good call Bonnylass! Wed, May 7, 2008 at 03:01 PM EST

Last Kiss was horrible!!! Spoiler alert: No one wants to see a man cheat on his pregnant wife!!! You've Got Mail was bad too. And I thought I was the only one that didn't like Something Has to Give.

Anne Hedley Wed, May 7, 2008 at 02:55 PM EST

I love K & L when I feel low this film realy pcis me up and makes me hopeful and at athe same time yes I would most certainly go back in time to be with Leopold. Hugh Jackman has th etlaent to make you believe .how rare that is

Anne Hedley Wed, May 7, 2008 at 02:55 PM EST

I love K & L when I feel low this film realy pcis me up and makes me hopeful and at athe same time yes I would most certainly go back in time to be with Leopold. Hugh Jackman has th etlaent to make you believe .how rare that is

Anne Hedley Wed, May 7, 2008 at 02:55 PM EST

I love K & L when I feel low this film realy pcis me up and makes me hopeful and at athe same time yes I would most certainly go back in time to be with Leopold. Hugh Jackman has th etlaent to make you believe .how rare that is

Anne Hedley Wed, May 7, 2008 at 02:55 PM EST

I love K & L when I feel low this film realy pcis me up and makes me hopeful and at athe same time yes I would most certainly go back in time to be with Leopold. Hugh Jackman has th etlaent to make you believe .how rare that is

Grace Wed, May 7, 2008 at 02:50 PM EST

Let's not forget the overrated travesty known as Moulin Rouge. Ten minutes before the credits, when Nicole Kidman was coughing up blood backstage, my boyfriend (who was nauseous from the insane swooping shots) screamed at the screen, "JUST DIE ALREADY!"

GREAT LIST! Wed, May 7, 2008 at 02:47 PM EST

Forces of Nature is the worst movie of all time. I'm embarrassed to have sat through these bad movies also:
Pretty Woman
Love Actually
Notting Hill
She's All That
The Truth About Cats and Dogs

And Made Of Honor looks TERRIBLE and is obviously a ripoff.

gisel Wed, May 7, 2008 at 02:36 PM EST

i'm usually down for rom-coms, but for the life in me, i just cannot sit through 'pretty woman.' (i know, some people think it's a travesty). i've only watched it once without any pauses. and it was a terrible experience. i cringe just thinking about it.

texmex Wed, May 7, 2008 at 01:57 PM EST

I'm not sure if this has been done already but now we need a best-of rom-com list! Or at least a "guilty-pleasure" list for rom-coms.

I saw 27 Dresses this week and it was everything I expected it to be. However, it was completely overrated. The actress playing the sister was AWFUL. Seriously. Watch the scene of Heigl & her in the hardware store near the end. Horrible.

LC Wed, May 7, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

To SR....ok, i'll give you the Keanu Reeves thing...but the others are great! And it's all relative...and a matter of opinion and taste, or lack-there-of...

LC Wed, May 7, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

To SR....ok, i'll give you the Keanu Reeves thing...but the others are great! And it's all relative...and a matter of opinion and taste, or lack-there-of...

texmex Wed, May 7, 2008 at 01:41 PM EST

I agreed with most of your list, except for Two Weeks' Notice & Fools Rush In. I love both of those.

Good call on Must Love Dogs. It was such a let down, esp for such a great cast!

Wed, May 7, 2008 at 11:43 AM EST

I don't know--does License to Wed count as a romantic comedy? Ouch...please retire now, Robin Williams.

Grace Wed, May 7, 2008 at 11:42 AM EST

Two words: SWEET NOVEMBER. I saw it for free and still felt ripped off. The emotionless Keanu Reeves jumps into bed with the slumming Charlize Theron 30 seconds after meeting her, she makes him move in so she can break him of his materialistic ways, it's revealed that she has the proverbial terminal illness . . . and I began dry-heaving over a trash can. (See also: Autumn in New York.)

hpmh Wed, May 7, 2008 at 10:31 AM EST

I don't care if they're on the list or not, but I absolutely adored 2 Weeks Notice and The Wedding Date. But I'm also a big fan of Sandra Bullock and Debra Messing. I whole-heartedly agree Forces of Nature was awful, as was The Break Up. Where were the happy endings?? I watch romantic movies for the happy endings! Ugh!

dma69 Wed, May 7, 2008 at 10:30 AM EST

I wasn't sure if I should put Lucky You on the list, not because it wasn't good (it was very, very bad) but that it seemed to have a identity crisis. One minute it wanted to be a rom-com, the next minute it wanted to be a family drama, the next minute it wanted to be a Rounders-type poker film, but ultimately it failed at all of the genres it was trying to throw at us. Not to mention that Eric Bana is good-looking but soooo bland and boring, Drew Barrymore needs to stop doing the cutsey-kwirky schtick once and for all, Robert Downey Jr. was barely in this, Debra Messing and Jean Smart are barely used, the real poker pros (yes, I watch a lot of poker shows) were more like props that flesh-and-blood characters, and the only one that redeemed himself was Robert Duvall. Not a film to go all in with (no pun intended).

le Wed, May 7, 2008 at 10:27 AM EST

Fools Rush In is one of our all-time favorite romantic comedies. Love the music, love the story, love Matthew Perry, it's a classic. Other don't-deserve-to-be-on-list: every girl I know loves How To Lost a Guy in 10 Days - everyone! When these two movies come on, everyone slowly stops, sits down and watches till th end.
I liked Must Love Dogs and Maid in Manhattan also, they were ok, not bad. Failure to Launch, I found amusing. Little Black Book - we loved the ending - not everything ends up with the girl getting the guy, sometimes life has better stuff ready to roll. Ditto, The Break Up, very surprising, not formulaic, it is called a dramedy? Whatever, it was different.
Some of your choices, totally agree - a waste, waste of money...

jj11 Wed, May 7, 2008 at 10:23 AM EST

Oh and off subject, but why I hate the movie 9 months? Hugh Grant is a pychiatrist (which is a dcotor) and he has no idea that birth control isn't always effective and nothing about the human reproductive system/pregnancy.

Always drives me nuts. Boo to the writers.

Allison Wed, May 7, 2008 at 09:29 AM EST

What Women Want was a truly horiffic movie. Mel Gibson in nail polish? Helen Hunt in... anything? *shudder*

Lynny Wed, May 7, 2008 at 09:28 AM EST

Just saw the note on "The Family Stone"- that it was heartwarming. Until the end when it got all gooey, I hated EVERYONE except Luke Wilson's character. I felt just, ugh, watching it. I guess we all have different taste though.

Lynny Wed, May 7, 2008 at 09:25 AM EST

Seconded- "Love and Sex"- my friends and I LOVE that movie. I also hated The Runaway Bride.

Lynny Wed, May 7, 2008 at 09:25 AM EST

Seconded- "ove and Sex"- my friends and I LOVE that movie. I also hated The Runaway Bride.

jj11 Wed, May 7, 2008 at 09:23 AM EST

Here's a romantic comedy that I loved that i never hear of.

Love and Sex with Jon Favreau and Famke Jansen. I thought it was too funny and definetly original but nobody saw it!!

Em Wed, May 7, 2008 at 08:55 AM EST

Oh, and I forgot to mention You've Got Mail, which is one of my least-favorite movies EVER, not just my least-favorite romantic comedy.

Em Wed, May 7, 2008 at 08:50 AM EST

Oh, don't worry, I hated 27 Dresses too. I had several friends recommend it, so I actually paid ten bucks to go see it in theater. It was terrible!
I also hated Runaway Bride and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (glad to see the latter made the list)

GeeMoney Wed, May 7, 2008 at 08:19 AM EST

I can't believe that no one else HATED 27 Dresses! Please don't tell me that I'm the only one who thought it was bad (really, it was bad)!!!!!

yssys Tue, May 6, 2008 at 11:01 PM EST

I love Two Weeks Notice, Sandra and Hugh had a great chemistry and that's everything in a Rom-Com...that's why I didn't like Someone like You...

SR Tue, May 6, 2008 at 10:03 PM EST

To LC - I don't care if Something's Gotta Give won awards. It doesn't mean it was a good movie. Keanu Reeves was a co-star. Enough said.

Nee Nee Tue, May 6, 2008 at 09:55 PM EST

I would agree with most of the suggestions here except Return to Me and Love Actually. These are two of my faves. How anyone could hate Return to Me is beyond me. It made me actually like David Duchovny. And Love Actually, while over-the-top, really just went there, which made it quite wonderful. People who say they hated it, can't appreciate the fact that the makers just went all out, regardless of how ridiculous some of the story lines were. I could have, personally, done with out the naked simulations, but I can just watch the edited version on TBS.
I couldn't possibly pick my least favorite romcom; I can just say that Failure to Launch is definitely one of my most hated. Seriously, no chemistry at all!

stephanie Tue, May 6, 2008 at 09:49 PM EST

sandy-- bonnie hunt makes the movie for me. the one scene where they think the fat guy by the pool is damon bradley and she looks at him and purrs-- I lose it every time.

and whoever mentioned pretty woman? AMEN. what a terrible movie. in fact I hate every movie with julia roberts. so HA! I win.

I wonder if anyone remembers at the stroke of midnight/if the shoe fits with jennifer grey and rob lowe? again, terrible plot-- she's a lowly shoe designer in paris and when a witch fixes her prized shoes she becomes prudence, the face of salvatore's new line. it's so bad and I watch it every time it's on. sue me

Nix Tue, May 6, 2008 at 09:27 PM EST

What's really bad is when a movie obviously was pitched/specc'ed as something else -- a coming-of-age sports drama set in a real-life proving ground, say; or an ambitious young woman with a Machiavellian mentor in the manipulative world of a major influential women's talk show -- and they get turned into rom-coms, particularly "There's Something About Mary" clones with lots of weeping in panties and body fluid humor. (I am referring to "Summer Catch" and "Little Black Book", of course. I would not doubt that "Kate & Leopold" was supposed to be a scifi/fantasy drama when originally written.)

Pamela Tue, May 6, 2008 at 09:19 PM EST

No-one seems to have mentioned this one: Raising Helen, with Kate Hudson. It could have been half-way decent: it had the dependable Joan Cusack, and John Corbett was the lurve interest. But no.

Actually, I think we can banish bad rom-coms - from at least the near future - if we can just get Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock, Kate Hudson, Matthew McConnaughey, Drew Barrymore, Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller and JLo to agree to never make one again.

And I second what anonymous's posting (at around 5.29pm) said - the Fever Pitch (UK version) with Colin Firth is very good.

pirate Tue, May 6, 2008 at 09:15 PM EST

Worst romantic comedies are the ones that include Matthew McConnaughey...enough said

LC Tue, May 6, 2008 at 09:08 PM EST

Wow, Something's Gotta Give won some awards didn't it? Unlike some of the others! Nicholson and Keaton were great in that movie....what movie did you see? LOL

bonnylass Tue, May 6, 2008 at 08:12 PM EST

ABR: ever heard of Annie Hall?

Rae Rae Tue, May 6, 2008 at 08:10 PM EST

Before this I believed that I was a huge fan of the romantic comedies, but after thinking about it I came up with quite a hefty list for some horrible ones, including:
Failure to Launch (despite how much I love SJP)
Because I Said So
Kate & Leopold
Elizabethtown
Along Came Polly
Lucky You
The Mexican
Playing By Heart
Intolerable Cruelty
License to Wed
Down with Love
Mickey Blue Eyes
Shut Up and Kiss Me
Pumpkin
The Heartbreak Kid
...and Dr. T & the Women (the worst of them all, in my humble opinion. it was beyond painful to watch)

I do have to defend "How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days," though, I happen to enjoy that one.

digott Tue, May 6, 2008 at 07:54 PM EST

Jill, 4W and F is a good movie, but fails as a rom-com. Other than physical appearance, there was no reason for Grant to fall for MacDowell. I found her character extremely unlikeable.

ABR - The American President is one of my all time favorite rom coms and it was made well past 1959.

ABR Tue, May 6, 2008 at 07:30 PM EST

Here's a question: Have there been any GOOD romantic comedies made since 1959? I vote No.

Jill Tue, May 6, 2008 at 07:03 PM EST

digott!! Four Weddings and a Funeral is a great movie. I'll respect your right to an opinion, but seriously?! Love that movie.

As for The Family Stone, I wouldn't say it's a rom com by a long shot.

I think the main thing with cheesy rom coms is whether you have paid good money to see them. Most (not ALL) of the ones mentioned by commenters I am fine with catching on TNT while I'm cleaning on the weekend, but if I'd paid $12 I would be squirming in my seat.

lisa Tue, May 6, 2008 at 07:01 PM EST

OK don't dog my movie PS is one of the best films that came out at Christmas anyone that doesn't get this movie is a complete moron and has no taste but since when did any of you movie critics get a movie right this movie was very good and the cast was perfect!!!!!! YOU GUYS THAT SAY IT WAS THE WORST ARE COMPLETE IDIOTS!!!!

SH Tue, May 6, 2008 at 06:41 PM EST

I enjoyed "Me, Myself and Irene", "Nine Months" and "Fools Rush In" even thought they are piles of junk!

digott Tue, May 6, 2008 at 05:53 PM EST

Ones not yet mentioned but surely qualified for the list - Green Card w Gerard Depardieu and Andie MacDowell. Four Weddings and a Funeral. Hope Floats w Bullock and Harry Connick Jr. And the one I most wanted to love but ended up disliking, Down With Love starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan MacGregor.

Tue, May 6, 2008 at 05:29 PM EST

I feel the need to point out that there a) Fever Pitch with Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore was actually the fourth production of a Nick Honrby book and b) there is another version of "Fever Pitch" that came out in 1997 with Colin Firth (one of the kings of romantic comedies). It's actually really good. I'd hate to see people pass it up because they think it's the 2004 version. You guys should do some research.

mr x23 Tue, May 6, 2008 at 04:52 PM EST

i dont get the hate for "the family stone" it is pretty funny and very heartwarming to me
hate the wedding singer but i like 50 first dates

mr x23 Tue, May 6, 2008 at 04:52 PM EST

i dont get the hate for "the family stone" it is pretty funny and very heartwarming to me
hate the wedding singer but i like 50 first dates

mr x23 Tue, May 6, 2008 at 04:52 PM EST

i dont get the hate for "the family stone" it is pretty funny and very heartwarming to me
hate the wedding singer but i like 50 first dates

Snsetlbaze Tue, May 6, 2008 at 04:36 PM EST

I can proudly say that I have not seen most of the movies on EW's list or mentioned on the message board (Sleepless in Seattle, Love Actually and unfortunately Pretty Woman and You've Got Mail are among the few exceptions). I am female and generally think this genere is a waste of time and money. Most are neither romantic or a comedy. If I can get them at the library for free and nothing else interesting is in, I may watch but I won't rent them or go to the theaters to watch them most of the time unless I am outvoted by my girlfriends who always want to go to them. Thankfully, those few times, the movies have broken.

Sweet Tue, May 6, 2008 at 04:30 PM EST

In Failure to Launch when that lizard started laughing at the end, I got up and left.

bonnylass Tue, May 6, 2008 at 04:29 PM EST

I'm glad we're all in agreement about the Family Stone, even if it's not really a rom-com. It's so craptacular it needs a category all its own. And I'd add Last Kiss to this category of hatefully bad movies too.

Eric Friedmann Tue, May 6, 2008 at 04:03 PM EST

Electable, here's some song titles that haven't been used yet:

"I Hate Myself For Loving You" (Joan Jett)
"Who's Crying Now?" (Journey)
"Calling Doctor Love" (Kiss)
"Love Stinks" (J.Geils Band)
"Hold on My Heart" (Genesis)
"Waiting For a Girl Like You" (Foreigner)
"Love the One You're With" (Stephen Stills)
"Owner of a Lonely Heart" (Yes)
"Some Girls" (Rolling Stones)
"Jungle Love" (Steve Miller Band)
"Wonderful Tonight" (Eric Clapton)
"Don't You Forget About Me" (Simple Minds)
"Love Bites" (Def Leppard)
"Along Comes a Woman" (Chicago)
"Love Walks In" (Van Halen)
"Is This Love?" (Whitesnake)
"You Give Love a Bad Name" (Bon Jovi)
"Touch Me" (The Doors)
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Queen)
"More Than a Feeling" (Boston)
"Heat of the Moment" (Asia)
"She's Gone" (Hall & Oates)
"Hello, It's Me" (Todd Rundgren)
"Still...You Turn Me On" (Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
"Sunshine of Your Love (Cream)
"Strange Kind of Woman" (Deep Purple)
"Stay With Me" (Rod Stewart)

Charley Tue, May 6, 2008 at 04:00 PM EST

There was an AWFUL rom-com with Debra Winger and Billy Crystal called "Forget Paris" that was released mid-90s. They tried to mimic the bickering style Crystal had with Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally" and it just came across as nasty and annoying. The two had ZERO chemistry and the movie was tedious to sit through. And the joke about Billy being a basketball ref got old after the second camera shot of him staring nose to stomach of some NBA player. Ugh.

Sandy Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:57 PM EST

Nice pull with 'Only You', Stephanie! That's a guilty pleasure flick for me too (love the clothes, Bonnie Hunt and RDJr.) but it's ultimately a guilty pleasure for me because the plot lumbers along and Marissa Tomei is just too annoying to ever want to root for. In fact, I root for RDJr. to wake up and figure out what a catch Bonnie Hunt is!

shawshank Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:57 PM EST

To Ag: How. Dare. You. "Return to Me" is the best romantic comedy ever. That's not hyperbole. It's fact. Seriously, everybody, I can not think of a movie more underrated than this. It is so good. Bonnie Hunt needs to make more movies. I can't believe your complaint is that it is far-fetched- it's a movie! And a darn charming one at that! SO GOOD!

Next up, I am loving all the loathing here for "The Family Stone". I like to call it "The Family Hypocrites". And it is also interesting to see the amount of abashed love for "Fools Rush In". Its not great by any stretch of the word, but it doesn't deserve to be on a worst of list. Please give its spot to "A Guy Thing". Hopefully, the reason why nobody has mentioned this absolutely terrible movie yet is because everyone else was wise enough to avoid it. What can I say? My brother rented it and it was just sitting on top of the TV! How I wish I had never touched its unholiness. shudder.

chardonna Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:47 PM EST

Did you people really see these movies, or are you just hating because on paper they look like cookie cutter rom-coms?

Electable Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:33 PM EST

My fellow Americans, it is time we end this national nightmare of giving rom-coms titles borrowed from popular songs. I'm looking at you, "One Fine Day", "Fools Rush In", "Sweet Home Alabama", "Pretty Woman", "Addicted to Love", "What a Girl Wants" etc etc etc...

Sam Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:22 PM EST

I'm also disturbed that I've literally seen every movie mentioned. Apparently I have no standards.

Danielle Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:10 PM EST

I didn't realize "Bounce" was marketed at a rom-com, I thought it was an indie drama from Don Roos. It had some funny moments in it, but I definitely wouldn't lump it in the rom-com genre.
And to whomever knocked "Return To Me", how can you not love a Bonnie Hunt comedy? I thought the actors were great and the writing was terrific. Not the most plausible premise, but that's why it's a movie.

Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:09 PM EST

Tom Hanks + Meg Ryan should = Gold, however, Joe vs. the Volcano definitely was not. You've Got Mail was like Shakespeare next to this.

Sarah Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:08 PM EST

Lisa, Must Love Dogs wasn't mentioned because it was already one of the EW staff picks. Didn't you actually read the above post?

Lisa Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:06 PM EST

I'm chock full of hate for that movie "Must Love Dogs." I like Christopher Plummer and John Cusack, so I thought it would be a winner. I stopped watching it about half way through. I got really tired of hearing a character referred to as condom guy. I scanned this list and didn't see anyone else mention it -- I'm jealous. Clearly that means everyone else was smart enough to run the other way!

NineDaves Tue, May 6, 2008 at 03:03 PM EST

sorry sr. i have to disagree with you there. something's gotta give and the upside of anger were great movies. you can't put them in the same league as any of these movies mentioned here.

EP Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:56 PM EST

"Someone Like You" with Hugh Jackman and Ashley Judd. Yikes...

Sam Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:47 PM EST

Anything starring Sandra Bulluck is terrible but especially Forces of Nature. Also, I agree Bounce, which was marketed as a romantic comedy, but was like the most depressing movie ever.

stephanie Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:44 PM EST

aw I really liked fever pitch!

Josh Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:40 PM EST

I completely agree: P.S. I Love You was godawful.

The sad thing is it didn't have to be. My wife and I read the book before we saw the movie, and it was actually very sweet.

The movie eliminated half the characters, added new ones, completely changed the personalities of others and placed it in a setting that destroys a lot of what was great about the original story.

Okay, rant over...

ag Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:39 PM EST

What? No "Return To Me"? Seriously. Seriously?! First of all, it has Duchovny, who is the most wooden actor of all time (and I say this with love, XF is my fav tv show evah). But then you add the plot twist that his new girlfriend gets his dead wife's heart in a transplant?! C'MON! One of the biggest turds ever greenlit.

luvhoney Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:21 PM EST

Love me some Hugh Jackman, hate me some 'Kate and Leopold'.

Eric Friedmann Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:19 PM EST

Except for WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, I generally don't care for many romantic comedies. I mean, the formula never changes and the girl involved always has either a best friend who's a complete kook, or gay. As a heterosexual male, I'd rather just see a straight forward love story.

Cathy Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:17 PM EST

You guys are crazy! What in the world kind of movies do you like? PS I LOVE you was a great story!!! Boo to you!

Erik Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:09 PM EST

Gigli, by far. I usually like the "So Bad They're Great!" movies such as From Justin to Kelly, Glitter, and Showgirls, but this had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. The plot borrowed heavily from the much-better Chasing Amy, and the random violence didn't mesh well at all with the "cutesy" scenes. Was it really necessary to show the fish eating human remains in between Ben and J. Lo's flat attempts at banter? Why did I rent this movie willingly and make it through the whole two hours?

LisaM Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:06 PM EST

Jerry Maguire. It got nominated for Best Picture, so I was expecting great things. But it was so soapy, so overdone, yet so sure it was good.

dma69 Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:05 PM EST

Man, there werea really a lot of bad rom-coms over the past ten years or so. The list is a good one. Yes, there were a few that could've been there, but all in all I agree with the list.

I have some that are just as bad:

A Cinderella Story
What A Girl Wants
Material Girls
Sydney White
You, Me and Dupree
Fool's Gold
Failure To Launch
Rumor Has It
Fever Pitch
The Perfect Man

Jennifer Tue, May 6, 2008 at 02:01 PM EST

Ooh, I forgot about "Sweet Home Alabama." SHE PICKS THE WRONG GUY AT THE END!

Julia Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:57 PM EST

I couldn't believe Bounce didn't make the list- both Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow have been in some real stinkers, but this might be the worst one for both of them!

I'm personally a big fan of Kate and Leopold, but logic rarely intrudes on my feelings about Hugh Jackman films. I've even rented Someone Like You AND watched the whole thing. Now that's love.

SR Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:51 PM EST

Something's Gotta Give - Nothing is funny about the amount of skin displayed by Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Even less humorous is the fact that the audience is suppposed to believe that young women would prefer to be with a senior citizen.
The Upside of Anger - My husband and I watched a coat of paint dry during this winner. A romantic comedy that is less about the romance and more about a dysfunctional family. The few laughs failed miserably and the film came off as mean-spirited and depressing.

Stephanie T. Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:47 PM EST

Woo! goes on my list of bad romantic comedies.

Stephanie T. Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:45 PM EST

LMAO, Nathan. So true!

Taylor Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:43 PM EST

I don't consider Family Stone a rom-com but that won't deter me from joining in on the hate. Awful, scholocky, manipulative family "dramedy" and I couldn't wait for it to be over. In fact, I didn't. I left about 3/4 through. Note to writers/producers: People dropping food on themselves and collapsing into laughter on the kitchen floor isn't funny. Like ever.

Kati Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:43 PM EST

You include Fools Rush In, a mediocre film sure, but saved from total crumminess by the charms of its leads, and don't slam Kate & Leopold, a truly terrible film... also, y'all, lay off You've Got Mail. It's a fantasy, and it's not even the worst Meg Ryan-Tom Hanks film (hello, camp-tastic Joe versus The Volcano). It's a fantasy, and it's adorable.

Julia W Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:33 PM EST

Oh, what about "You've Got Mail"? There's no sense of romance. I'm supposed to believe that Meg Ryan's character would still fall for a guy who ran her out of business, mocked her openly, and stood her up on a date? Puh-leeze!

Laura Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:32 PM EST

I agree with everyone else - I can't believe you left "Failure to Launch" off of the list. That movie is terrible from beginning to end. It's far worse than "Fools Rush In", which actually had heart, in my opinion. "Failure to Launch", on the other hand, is completely shallow.

coco Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:31 PM EST

Monster in law. love you micheal vartan, but theres no excuse for that sorry excuse for a film.
oh, and i'm surprised no one's mention the lance bass film on the line. sooooo lame. oh well atleast i saw it on tv and didnt pay to see it.

Julia M Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:30 PM EST

I say any rom com starring Sandra Bullock. Love Potion #9 anyone? Bleech, any time I see her on screen I wonder why anyone would bother spending time with her, never mind fall in love!

Kevin Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:29 PM EST

Boo-hiss to you EW! Addicted to Love was quite the enjoyable little movie. Sure they are both nuts, but it's that insanity that makes it both funny and romantic. And Meg Ryan has NEVER looked hotter.

NineDaves Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:26 PM EST

my god, why hasn't anyone mentioned SWEET NOVEMBER!?!? if i hadn't been reviewing it at the time for my newpaper, i would have walked out. painful! i can't remember if she dies in the end, but i do remember that i wanted to kill myself multiple times throughout.

TeeJay Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:23 PM EST

I like Gabby Union, but she's been in some real stinkers:
Two Can Play That Game
The Brothers
Deliver Us From Eva
Daddy's Little Girl
She's a cute actress, but she's either B!tchy and uptight, or so wholesome she's unbelievable.

Let's not leave out that Vivica Fox Gem
Booty Call!
Breakin' All the Rule

Cranky Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:22 PM EST

"Sweet Home Alabama" is a triple-crown offender. A)Pervasive country-fried Southern accents/wacky Southern relatives/ sweet Southern childhood friend who is --le gasp!-- gay. B) That faux-McConaughey guy who can't act his way out of a damp paper bag and C)Ritzy fiance who gets summarily ditched at the altar and walks away without so much as a whimper. Grow a set, McDreamy! Oh and that last scene on the 'beach' in the 'thunderstorm' looks ridiculous. Soundstage much? Ahh...felt good to get that off my chest!

Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:22 PM EST

"Sweet Home Alabama" is a triple-crown offender. A)Pervasive country-fried Southern accents/wacky Southern relatives/ sweet Southern childhood friend who is --le gasp!-- gay. B) That faux-McConaughey guy who can't act his way out of a damp paper bag and C)Ritzy fiance who gets summarily ditched at the altar and walks away without so much as a whimper. Grow a set, McDreamy! Oh and that last scene on the 'beach' in the 'thunderstorm' looks ridiculous. Soundstage much? Ahh...felt good to get that off my chest!

Sam Tue, May 6, 2008 at 01:21 PM EST

I can't believe you guys included "Me, Myself and Irene" but did not include the awful companion piece "Shallow Hal." There wasn't anything about that movie that wasn't awful.