Mar 87 min read

10 Unforgettable Meet-Cutes in Romantic Comedy History: Love at First Sight on Screen

Updated: Aug 12

By Joao Nsita

10 Unforgettable Meet-Cutes in Romantic Comedy History

Romantic comedies have a special place in our hearts, offering a delightful escape from reality and reminding us of the magic of falling in love. One of the most iconic moments in any rom-com is the meet-cute, where the two main characters encounter each other for the first time, often in a charming, humorous, or serendipitous way. These scenes set the stage for the blossoming romance that will unfold throughout the film, and the best meet-cutes have a way of staying with us long after the credits roll.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at 10 of the most unforgettable meet-cutes in romantic comedy history, exploring what makes each one so special and why they continue to captivate audiences years after their release.

1. Notting Hill (1999) - A Charming Collision

In this classic rom-com, bookshop owner Will Thacker (Hugh Grant) literally runs into movie star Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) on a sidewalk corner, spilling his orange juice all over her. In a chivalrous gesture, he invites her to his nearby apartment to clean up, setting the stage for their unlikely romance. This meet-cute is perfect in its simplicity, showcasing the charm and chemistry between the two leads and hinting at the obstacles they'll face as they navigate their feelings for each other.

2. Serendipity (2001) - A Fateful Encounter

During the holiday rush at Bloomingdale's in Manhattan, Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) both reach for the same pair of black cashmere gloves, sparking an instant connection. This meet-cute is all about the magic of chance encounters and the idea that fate can bring two people together in the most unexpected ways. As Jonathan and Sara spend the evening together, they can't help but wonder if their meeting was more than just a coincidence.

Buy or Rent Serendipity On Amazon

3. (500) Days of Summer (2009) - Love at First Sight (and Sound)

When Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) first lays eyes on Summer (Zooey Deschanel) in their office elevator, he's instantly smitten. But it's when Summer starts singing along to the music playing on his headphones that he knows he's found someone special. This meet-cute perfectly captures the excitement and nervousness of encountering someone who just might be your soulmate, and the way a shared moment of connection can change everything.

Buy or Rent (500) Days of Summer on Amazon

4. When Harry Met Sally (1989) - A Road Trip to Remember

College graduates Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) first meet when they share a car ride from Chicago to New York, engaging in a lively debate about whether men and women can ever truly be friends without sex getting in the way. This iconic meet-cute sets the stage for their tumultuous friendship and eventual romance, as they continue to bump into each other over the years and grapple with their growing feelings for one another.

Buy or Rent When Harry Met Sally on Amazon

5. The Wedding Planner (2001) - Rescued by a Dumpster

In a classic damsel-in-distress moment, wedding planner Mary Fiore (Jennifer Lopez) gets her heel stuck in a manhole cover just as a runaway dumpster barrels down the street towards her. Enter Dr. Steve Edison (Matthew McConaughey), who heroically pushes her out of harm's way, and a rom-com legend is born. While the meet-cute itself is a bit over-the-top, it perfectly sets up the film's central conflict: Mary falling for the groom of one of her clients.

Buy or Rent The Wedding Planner on Amazon

6. The Big Sick (2017) - Heckling for Love

Stand-up comedian Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani) first meets grad student Emily (Zoe Kazan) when she playfully heckles him during one of his sets. After the show, he confronts her about the heckling, sparking a flirtatious exchange that leads to their first date. This meet-cute is refreshingly modern and authentic, capturing the awkwardness and excitement of two people who are instantly drawn to each other, despite their differences.

Buy or Rent The Big Sick on Amazon

7. Bridesmaids (2011) - A Traffic Stop to Remember

When down-on-her-luck Annie (Kristen Wiig) is pulled over for erratic driving, she doesn't expect to find herself charmed by the handsome police officer, Rhodes (Chris O'Dowd). Despite her drunken antics and attempts to flirt her way out of a ticket, Rhodes remains patient and even amused by her behavior. This meet-cute is a perfect example of how even the most embarrassing moments can lead to unexpected connections and the beginnings of a beautiful relationship.

Buy or Rent Bridesmaids on Amazon

8. Sleepless in Seattle (1993) - Destiny Atop the Empire State Building

While Sam (Tom Hanks) and Annie (Meg Ryan) don't actually meet face-to-face until the final scene of the film, their long-distance connection throughout the story makes their eventual encounter all the more poignant. Inspired by the classic film "An Affair to Remember," the two agree to meet atop the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day, leading to a heart-warming moment of recognition and the promise of a future together.

Buy or Rent Sleepless in Seattle on Amazon

9. Hitch (2005) - The Ultimate Wingman

As a professional "date doctor," Hitch (Will Smith) prides himself on his ability to help men win over the women of their dreams. But when he sets his sights on the beautiful and cynical gossip columnist Sara (Eva Mendes), he finds himself tongue-tied and flustered. In a clever reversal of the typical meet-cute, Hitch initially approaches Sara by pretending to be her boyfriend to ward off an unwanted suitor, only to discover that she's more than a match for his smooth-talking ways.

Buy or Rent Hitch on Amazon

10. Something's Gotta Give (2003) - An Unlikely Caretaker

When successful playwright Erica (Diane Keaton) meets her daughter's much older boyfriend, the womanizing Harry (Jack Nicholson), she's less than impressed. But when Harry suffers a heart attack at her Hamptons beach house, Erica finds herself reluctantly caring for him as he recovers. This unconventional meet-cute sets the stage for a poignant and hilarious exploration of love, aging, and second chances, as Erica and Harry gradually let down their guards and discover a deep connection.

Buy or Rent Something's Gotta Give on Amazon

The magic of these meet-cutes lies in their ability to capture the essence of falling in love: the excitement, the nervousness, the sense that anything is possible. Whether it's a chance encounter on a crowded street, a shared moment of laughter, or even an argument that sparks an undeniable chemistry, these scenes remind us that love can find us in the most unexpected places and ways.

Moreover, the best meet-cutes often serve as a microcosm of the entire film, encapsulating the central themes, conflicts, and dynamics that will play out over the course of the story. In Notting Hill, for example, the spilled orange juice and Anna's visit to Will's apartment foreshadow the class differences and media scrutiny that will threaten their budding romance. Similarly, in When Harry Met Sally, the characters' initial debate about friendship and sex lays the groundwork for their tumultuous relationship and the question of whether they can ever truly be just friends.

Beyond their narrative significance, meet-cutes also hold a special place in our hearts because they tap into our deepest desires and fantasies about love. They offer a glimpse of a world where serendipity is real, where a single moment can change the course of our lives, and where even the most unlikely pairings can find their way to each other. In a genre that is often criticized for being predictable or formulaic, the meet-cute stands out as a moment of pure, unadulterated magic, reminding us of the transformative power of human connection.

As audiences, we can't help but be drawn to these scenes, rooting for the characters to overcome their initial awkwardness or misunderstandings and hoping that their chance encounter will blossom into something more. We see ourselves in these moments, remembering our own experiences of meeting someone special for the first time or fantasizing about the possibilities that lie ahead.

In many ways, the enduring appeal of the meet-cute is a testament to the enduring appeal of love itself. No matter how many times we've seen these scenes play out on screen, they never fail to make our hearts skip a beat or bring a smile to our faces. They remind us that, even in a world that can often feel harsh or unforgiving, there is still room for magic, for serendipity, and for the kind of love that can change everything.

So the next time you find yourself watching a romantic comedy, pay close attention to the meet-cute. Savor the chemistry between the characters, the clever dialogue, and the sense of possibility that hangs in the air. And remember that, while these scenes may be fictional, the feelings they evoke are very real. They speak to the hopeless romantic in all of us, the part that wants to believe in love at first sight, in destiny, and in the idea that our soulmate might be just around the corner, waiting for a chance encounter that will change both of our lives forever.

In the end, that's what the best meet-cutes do: they make us believe in love again. They remind us that, no matter how jaded or cynical we may feel, there is always room for surprise, for connection, and for the kind of love that can make even the most ordinary moments feel extraordinary. And in a world that can often feel uncertain or unpredictable, that's a message we could all use a little more of.

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