Love is back! Not that it ever went anywhere, but with all the things the world has gone through over the past five or so years, it’s no surprise that people are here for two people falling headfirst into that warm feeling we call love. A romantic comedy TV series is a great way to explore all the stages of courtship in a way a movie just can’t. From the meet-cute to the first date, to the big “I love you,” all the way to “I do” – rom-com TV shows have it all! That’s the expectation, at least, for Netflix’s newest addition to the genre: “Nobody Wants This,” debuting on Thursday, Sept. 26. The series follows an agnostic sex podcaster (Kristin Bell) and a newly single rabbi (Adam Brody) who fall in love despite all of the obvious personal and culture differences. So to celebrate a resurgence of rom-coms, I am running through my top seven romantic comedy TV shows currently available on streaming right now.
Top 7 Rom-Com TV Shows On Streaming Right Now:
No. 7: Starstruck (2021) | Max
Imagine falling in love with a movie star… That’s exactly what happens in “Starstruck,” a lovely rom-com from New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo that just dropped all six episodes of season three on Max. The series follows Jessie (played by Matafeo), a millennial from New Zealand living in London, who has a one-night stand with Tom (Nikesh Patel), only to discover that he’s a famous movie star. The show explores the always-awkward, hilarious, and heartwarming development of their relationship as they try to figure out how (and if) this is ever going to work.
If there’s a “sleeper hit” on this list, it’s “Starstruck.” It doesn’t get the big-time marketing that American rom-coms do, and its leads are relatively unknown in the U.S., but if you give this show a chance, it will melt your heart and make you laugh for hours at a time. Created by and starring Rose Matafeo, along with Nikesh Patel as Tom, “Starstruck” holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Starstruck
A drunken New Year’s Eve hook-up becomes far more complicated for Jessie when she discovers her one night stand is actually a film star.
No. 6: Younger (2015) | Paramount+
“Younger” follows Liza Miller, a 40-year-old recently divorced woman who pretends to be 26 to help her re-enter the forever-young publishing industry. As she climbs the career ladder, she desperately tries to keep her real age a secret from her job, and the younger and older men she dates along the way. Set against the fast-paced world of New York’s publishing industry — the perfect setting for a rom-com — “Younger” is a smart, comedic exploration of the idea that you’re never too old to start again.
Created by Darren Star, “Younger” stars Sutton Foster, Hilary Duff, and Nico Tortorella while rocking a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Younger
Liza Miller, a suddenly single stay-at-home mother, tries to get back into the working world, only to find it’s nearly impossible to start at the bottom at 40-year old. When a chance encounter convinces her she looks younger than she is, Liza tries to pass herself off as 26 and lands a job as an assistant at Empirical Press. Now she just has to make sure no one finds out the secret only she and her best friend Maggie share.
No. 5: Ramy (2019) | Hulu
It’s not easy being a young Muslim man in America, and few TV shows explore that point of view. “Ramy” is one of them, but it’s also funny, heartwarming, and smart. “Ramy” is the story of Ramy Hassan, a first-generation Egyptian-American who struggles to reconcile his Muslim faith with the madness of modern life. Set in New Jersey, the show follows Ramy as he tries to find love, make his family proud, and discover meaning in his religion (and his life) — all at the same time.
Created by and starring Ramy Youssef, who garnered an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 2020, “Ramy” holds an impressive 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Ramy
Ramy, the son of Egyptian immigrants, is on a spiritually conflicting journey in his New Jersey neighborhood, pulled between his Muslim community that thinks life is a constant test, his millennial friends who think life is full of endless possibilities, and a God who’s always watching.
No. 4: Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2024) | Prime Video
Now, this one isn’t a traditional rom-com TV series, but maybe that’s what makes it so special. Based on the hit 2005 film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” is an action/spy series with the spine of a love story.
Donald Glover and Maya Erskine star as John and Jane Smith, two strangers turned spies who are paired in an arranged marriage as cover for their dangerous missions. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, with each episode tracking their relationship’s development. The first episode is called “First Date,” the second “Second Date,” the third “First Vacation” and so on. From kisses to spy missions, the show masterfully blends undercover work with the ups and downs of married life, making it one fun ride. So much so that the series was renewed for a second season just three months after it aired.
Created by Donald Glover, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” stars Glover and Maya Erskine, and has a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Meet the Smiths: two lonely strangers, John and Jane, who have given up their lives and identities to be thrown together as partners – both in espionage and in marriage.
No. 3: Love (2016) | Netflix
One thing you can always expect from Judd Apatow is an honest depiction of the human experience, warts and all. That’s what you’ll get in the rom-com TV series, “Love.” The show tells the story of Mickey, a rebellious radio producer, and Gus, a good-natured film tutor, as they stumble through the awkward, messy, and funny aspects of a modern relationship in Los Angeles. “Love” captures the unfiltered reality of dating, where personal baggage and bad habits become part of what you love about the other person.
Created by Judd Apatow, Lesley Arfin, and Paul Rust, “Love” stars Gillian Jacobs and Paul Rust, while boasting a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Love
Rebellious Mickey and good-natured Gus navigate the thrills and agonies of modern relationships.
No. 2: Never Have I Ever (2020) | Netflix
Mindy Kaling has been a hit machine for a decade, and her exploration of the life and many loves of an Indian-American teenager in “Never Have I Ever” is no exception. The show follows high-schooler Devi Vishwakumar over four years (and four seasons), who’s on a mission to improve her social standing while balancing her culture, family, and ever-changing love life. The series is a heartfelt and hilarious look at the struggles of adolescence, filled with romantic mishaps, moving friendships, and personal growth. The casting is perfect, led by Ramakrishnan, with Jaren Lewison and Darren Barnet shining as the love interests. If you’re looking for hard laughs AND love, this is the show for you.
“Never Have I Ever” was created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, and stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Darren Barnet, and Jaren Lewison. It has a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Never Have I Ever
After a traumatic year, all an Indian-American teen wants is to go from pariah to popular — but friends, family and feeling won’t make it easy on her.
No. 1: Emily in Paris (2020) | Netflix
Fresh off its Season 4 release in September, “Emily in Paris” takes the No. 1 spot on the list - and for good reason. It’s got everything you want from a rom-com TV show: a glamorous location, stunning fashion pieces, along with plenty of laughs and romance along the way.
The series follows Emily Cooper, a young marketing executive who relocates to Paris for work and finds herself juggling new friendships, workplace issues, and romantic entanglements. The city of Paris functions as a character in and of itself. The fashion, food, and iconic Parisian locations are showcased in nearly every scene, making for a visual feast. At the same time, the city serves as the fish-out-of-water environment that creates many of Emily’s work and romantic predicaments that carry the show. If you’re looking for an easy-watching, feel-good romantic comedy show, “Emily in Paris” is a great choice.
Created by Darren Star, “Emily in Paris” stars Lily Collins as Emily, alongside Ashley Park and Lucas Bravo. It carries a 63% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Emily in Paris
When ambitious Chicago marketing exec Emily unexpectedly lands her dream job in Paris, she embraces a new life as she juggles work, friends and romance.