10 Near-Perfect Romantic Comedy Shows
Looking for a romantic comedy that will actually make you laugh? Most rom-com shows promise a fun night in, then leave you with a flat cast and a plot you have already seen twenty times.
This ranking gives you ten romantic comedy shows that are worth your time. Each one mixes real laughs with a love story that keeps you hooked from one episode to the next.
We chose these shows by asking a few simple questions. Are the jokes actually funny? Do the couples have chemistry? Does the story keep moving, even when the romance is messy? A show that scores well on all three earns a higher spot, no matter how big its budget was.
You will find a mix of styles here. Some shows are sitcoms with a big ensemble cast. Others are single-camera comedies built around one person's love life. A few are dramedies that switch between tears and laughter in the same scene. Pick the style that matches your mood, or start at the top and work your way down.
Each entry explains the premise first, so you know who the characters are and what the show is about. Then we explain why it sits in its position and who it suits best. We also note where to watch, with a clear warning when we could not confirm the current listing.
Romantic comedies have a special job. They need to make you laugh and make you care, often in the same scene. When a show gets the balance right, you finish an episode smiling and already thinking about the next one. When it gets the balance wrong, the jokes feel forced and the romance feels like a chore.
That is why we looked closely at how each show handles its couple. We asked whether the characters grow over time, whether their romance has real obstacles, and whether the comedy still works after the first season. Some shows here are big ensemble sitcoms, others are tight two-person stories, and a few sit somewhere in between. Each one has its own strengths, so the list covers a wide range of moods and viewing habits.
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10. Jane the Virgin
Jane Gloriana Villanueva is a devout young Venezuelan-American woman who has promised to stay a virgin until she marries. Her plan falls apart when a doctor accidentally artificially inseminates her during a routine checkup.
Suddenly Jane has to deal with an unplanned pregnancy, a family that has opinions about everything, and a love life she never expected. The series is built like a Latin American telenovela, so it uses a narrator, dramatic twists and soap-style cliffhangers to tell a story about faith, family and choice.
Why it ranks here: It sits at number ten because it has the most ambitious format on this list, but its comedy can be uneven when the twists pile up. The show earns its place with a strong lead and real emotional stakes. It falls behind the nine titles above it because its romance is often pushed aside by plot devices.
Why fans and critics value it: Critics often praise its self-aware take on telenovela tropes, and fans value Gina Rodriguez's performance as the heart of the series. Its mix of soap and sitcom made it one of the most distinctive comedies of its time.
Who should watch: Viewers who enjoy big plot twists, family comedy and a romance that stays playful.
Where to watch: In the UK, all five series are available on ITVX, according to Wikipedia. Streaming status in the US was not confirmed for this article, so check your region before you watch.
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9. The Lovers
The Lovers follows Janet, a foul-mouthed supermarket worker in Belfast, and Seamus, an urbane political broadcaster from London. Their first meeting is a mess. Seamus tumbles over the garden wall into Janet's yard, and the two clash immediately.
Despite the friction, they feel unexpectedly drawn to each other. The problem is that Seamus already has a celebrity girlfriend, and Janet has a life that is very different from his. The show is only six episodes long, so the romance has to move quickly.
Why it ranks here: It sits at number nine because it has a sharp premise and a warm, witty lead pair, but the short run means it cannot build as much emotional history as the shows above it. It beats the bottom entries because the chemistry feels real and the setup is clear from the start.
Why fans and critics value it: Critics often point to the sharp class contrast between the two leads and the grounded, Belfast-set humour. Fans enjoy the way the show makes a big romance feel personal rather than glossy.
Who should watch: Viewers who like short, sharp romantic comedies with a clear will-they-won't-they tension.
Where to watch: Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK, according to the Sky listing we checked. It is not on Netflix, and it is not available in the US through the sources we found.
8. How I Met Your Mother
In 2030, Ted Mosby tells his children the story of how he met their mother. The story begins in 2005, when Ted, a 27-year-old architect in Manhattan, starts looking for a soul mate after his best friends Marshall and Lily get engaged.
His search is complicated by his best friend Barney, a womanizing charmer, and it leads him to Robin, an ambitious reporter he falls for quickly. The show keeps returning to the same question: is the mother a key part of the story, or a moment that only makes sense in hindsight?
Why it ranks here: It sits at number eight because its structure and cast are strong, but the central mystery of the mother is teased for so long that it can feel frustrating. It beats the shows below it because the friendships are warm and the jokes land more often than they miss, but it trails the top seven because its romance is less consistent.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans often praise the group chemistry and the running gags. Many viewers still rewatch it for Barney's storylines and the shows' sentimental ending.
Who should watch: Viewers who love a group-of-friends sitcom with a strong sense of nostalgia.
Where to watch: We could not confirm the current streaming listing for this article. The Wikipedia page we checked says season one was available to buy on US iTunes at one point. Check your region's listings before you watch.
7. Love Life
Love Life is an anthology romantic comedy created by Sam Boyd and starring Anna Kendrick. Each season follows one central character through their romantic life, from their first love to their last, and how the people they date shape who they become.
Season one centres on Darby Carter, a young woman whose relationships reveal as much about her as about the people she dates. Season two follows Marcus Watkins, and the show keeps its focus on the emotional pattern behind each romance rather than one long love story.
Why it ranks here: It sits at number seven because the format is original and the writing can be very sharp, but the anthology structure means there is no single couple to root for. It ranks above the bottom four because its dialogue is smart and its characters feel real, yet it trails the shows above it because the story resets each season.
Why fans and critics value it: Critics often praise its honest, sometimes uncomfortable take on modern dating. Fans value its character-driven approach and the strong early performances from Anna Kendrick and Zoë Chao.
Who should watch: Viewers who enjoy grounded, dialogue-driven romance and anthology formats.
Where to watch: The Wikipedia page we checked says Netflix released the series in August 2025 and that it was due to leave Netflix on 4 February 2026. Check the current listing in your region, because this may have changed.
6. Sex and the City
Sex and the City follows four friends navigating dating and life in New York City. Carrie Bradshaw is a newspaper columnist who narrates each episode through her inner monologue and her weekly column, which the show is based on.
Her friends are Samantha, a public relations executive who is not interested in settling down, Charlotte, an art dealer who wants the perfect marriage, and Miranda, a lawyer who is practical about love. Together they test their ideas about romance, sex and friendship, while Carrie's relationship with Mr Big drives much of the drama.
Why it ranks here: It sits at number six because it changed the way television talked about dating, and its four leads are still memorable. It falls below the top five because some storylines age poorly, and its humour can feel repetitive in later seasons. It still beats the shows below it because the friendships carry real emotional weight.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans often praise the chemistry between the four leads and the fashion-led style. Critics have noted how the show tackled frank conversations about sex and relationships at a time when few shows did.
Who should watch: Viewers who like friendship-first comedy and romances with a strong city setting.
Where to watch: HBO Max carries the full series in the US, according to Wikipedia. The show was also released on Netflix on 1 April 2024, so check your region's current listing before you plan to watch.
Why These Romances Work
The best romantic comedies on this list share one clear pattern. The couple has a reason to be together and a reason to fail. A show can have great jokes, but without that tension the romance feels like filler. The strongest entries make you want the leads to get together, even while they are making mistakes.
Ensemble shows like Sex and the City, Friends and New Girl build the romance around a group. Two-hander comedies like Jane the Virgin and Starstruck put the love story at the centre. Both approaches work, as long as the jokes and the emotion keep pace with each other.
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5. Colin From Accounts
Colin From Accounts follows two imperfect people who are tied together by a strange and very messy situation. The show begins with a car accident that injures a stray dog and leaves two strangers with a large vet bill.
Gordon and Ashley are the central pair. Gordon, played by Patrick Brammall, and Ashley, played by Harriet Dyer, are not an obvious match, and their awkward partnership forces both of them to face their own faults. The series was created by Brammall and Dyer, and it has a loose, very Australian comic style.
Why it ranks here: It sits at number five because its premise is one of the most unusual on this list and its leads have sharp chemistry. It falls short of the top four because the series is short and some plot points feel slight. It still beats the bottom five because its comedy is consistent and the central relationship has a clear emotional arc.
Why fans and critics value it: Critics and fans often praise the lead pair and the show's quirky, low-key humour. Its ability to make a strange setup feel warm is a big part of its appeal.
Who should watch: Viewers who enjoy odd-couple comedy and short, character-driven series.
Where to watch: Binge and Foxtel in Australia, BBC iPlayer in the UK and TVNZ+ in New Zealand, according to TechRadar. In the US and Canada, no streaming service had rights at the time of that article, so check your region before you watch.
4. New Girl
Jess, played by Zooey Deschanel, is an offbeat teacher who moves into a Los Angeles loft after a relationship ends. She shares the space with three single men, Nick, Schmidt and Winston, and her best friend Cece often appears too.
The first season follows Jess's romances, including her relationships with Paul and Russell, along with Nick's relationship with Caroline. The show was created by Elizabeth Meriwether and aired on Fox, and it grew from a quirky premise into a warm, funny ensemble.
Why it ranks here: It sits at number four because its ensemble is one of the most lovable on the list and its jokes land consistently. It falls below the top three because its romantic storylines can feel scattered, and the show's tone changes more than once. It still beats the bottom six because it is funnier and warmer than most sitcoms of its era.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans often praise Zooey Deschanel's comic timing and the group's chemistry. Critics have noted how the show balanced silly comedy with real friendship.
Who should watch: Viewers who like quirky, ensemble sitcoms with a big heart.
Where to watch: We could not confirm a current streaming listing for this article, so check your region's Netflix, Hulu or other listings before you watch.
3. Starstruck
Starstruck begins with one drunken hook-up on New Year's Eve between Jessie, a Kiwi expat living in London, and a hotshot movie star. She has no idea who he is at first, and the morning after is awkward for both of them.
The show follows Jessie and Tom through a turbulent relationship that keeps shifting between friendship and romance. Rose Matafeo plays Jessie and co-writes the series with Alice Snedden, and Nikesh Patel plays Tom. The comedy comes from Jessie's dry, honest voice and her attempts to build a life in a city that never quite feels like home.
Why it ranks here: It sits at number three because its lead performances and writing are some of the sharpest on the list. It falls just short of the top two because the story sometimes sets up the romance and then pulls away from it. It beats the shows below it because its jokes are rooted in character rather than set-ups.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans often praise Rose Matafeo's writing and the awkward, real chemistry between the leads. Critics have noted its honest look at dating in a big city.
Who should watch: Viewers who like smart, slightly awkward comedy with a grounded romance.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer in the UK, according to the CinemaBlend guide we checked. In the US, the same guide lists Max, so check your region for the current listing.
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2. Friends
Friends follows six friends in their twenties and early thirties who live in Manhattan. Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross share their careers, romances and everyday life across ten seasons.
The show was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and aired on NBC from 1994 to 2004. The ensemble format gave all six leads comparable prominence, and the group's bond becomes a kind of chosen family as the years pass.
Why it ranks here: It sits at number two because it is still the benchmark for ensemble comedy, and its six leads are all strong. It is not number one because its romance is less focused than the top pick, and some jokes age poorly. It beats the rest of the list because its humour is consistent across ten seasons and its friendships feel lived-in.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans often praise the sharp writing, the memorable catchphrases and the way the leads share the spotlight. Its place in pop culture is one reason many viewers still rewatch it.
Who should watch: Viewers who love long-running ensemble comedies and a strong group of friends.
Where to watch: HBO Max in the US, according to Wikipedia. The page we checked does not confirm the UK listing, so check your region before you watch.
Some of the best episodes are holiday specials.
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1. Nobody Wants This
Joanne is a sharp, funny podcaster who talks about sex and relationships for a living, yet she keeps making poor choices in her own love life. Noah is a rabbi with a complicated family and a faith he takes seriously. They meet at a dinner party, hit it off immediately, and realise they come from very different worlds.
Joanne is not Jewish and is not sure she wants to convert, and Noah's community and family have strong views about what his life should look like. Every step forward brings a new obstacle, from awkward family gatherings to questions about what each of them is willing to give up. Kristen Bell and Adam Brody star as the leads.
Why it ranks here: Nobody Wants This takes the top spot because it does the most with the romantic comedy format. Its two leads have strong chemistry, its jokes are sharp, and its story is grounded in real questions about faith, family and compromise. Compared with Friends and Starstruck, it has a more focused romance and a clearer emotional payoff in every season. Its weakness is that some supporting storylines feel slower than the central couple, but the show still delivers the most satisfying romantic comedy experience on this list.
Why fans and critics value it: Fans enjoy the easy chemistry between Kristen Bell and Adam Brody and the honest way the show handles faith instead of brushing it aside. Viewers who want a romance with real-life friction often point to it as a favourite.
Who should watch: Fans of modern, dialogue-driven rom-coms and viewers who want a romance that deals with real-life complications.
Where to watch: Netflix. Season 2 premiered on 23 October 2025, and press reports say the series has been renewed for a third season. Check Netflix for the latest listing in your region.
How to Choose Your Next Romantic Comedy
Start with your mood. If you want something warm and cosy, try Friends, New Girl or Starstruck. If you want something sharper and more grounded, try Nobody Wants This or Love Life. If you want a short watch, The Lovers and Colin From Accounts are both easy to finish in a weekend.
Next, check where the show is available before you commit. Streaming libraries change often, and several titles on this list have moved between services more than once. Use the listing in your country, and if a show is not available, look at the other picks on this list.
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Final Thoughts
Looking back at this list, the best romantic comedies share a simple secret. They make you care about the people in the story, and they keep the jokes coming while the romance develops. Nobody Wants This, Friends and Starstruck all do this well, each in a different way.
Different viewers will get different things from this list. If you want a big ensemble, start with Friends or New Girl. If you want a sharp couple at the centre, start with Starstruck or Nobody Wants This. If you want something short and strange, Colin From Accounts is a good choice.
Nobody Wants This wins the top spot because it balances laughs, chemistry and real-life stakes better than any other show here. It is the one most likely to make you want to start the next episode straight away.
Now it's your turn. Which of these shows is your favourite, and would you rank them differently? Tell us in the comments if you think we missed a romantic comedy that deserves a place.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best romantic comedy show on this list?
Nobody Wants This is our top pick. It combines sharp dialogue, strong chemistry between Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, and a story that treats faith and family with real care. It is a good choice if you want a romance that feels grounded, not just cute.
Which romantic comedy is easiest to binge?
The Lovers and Colin From Accounts are both short, so you can finish either in a weekend. Starstruck is another good pick, because its episodes are quick and the story moves forward with every one.
Is Friends a romantic comedy?
Friends is an ensemble sitcom with a strong romantic thread running through all ten seasons. Its romances are a big part of the story, but the show is really about the friendship between six people in New York.
What should I watch after Nobody Wants This?
If you enjoyed its mix of humour and real emotion, try Starstruck or Love Life. Both have a similar balance of comedy and romance, and both are built around characters who make messy choices.
Which romantic comedy is the most unusual?
Colin From Accounts is the most unusual pick on this list. Its premise starts with a car accident and a stray dog, which sets up an odd-couple romance that is warm, awkward and very funny.
Is How I Met Your Mother still worth watching?
Yes, if you enjoy a group-of-friends sitcom with a strong sense of nostalgia. The jokes and friendships are a big part of its appeal, although the central mystery can feel frustrating for some viewers.
Is Sex and the City on Netflix?
The show is on HBO Max in the US, according to the source we checked. Netflix released the series on 1 April 2024, so check your region's current listing, because availability changes often.
Is Love Life still on Netflix?
The source we checked says Love Life was due to leave Netflix on 4 February 2026. Check the current listing in your region, because it may have moved again.
Where can I watch Starstruck?
The source we checked says BBC iPlayer in the UK, and Max in the US. Check your region for the current listing before you plan your watch.
Which romantic comedy is the best for a first date?
Starstruck and Nobody Wants This are good picks, because both are funny enough to start a conversation and romantic enough to set the mood. Choose the one you are both likely to enjoy.
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