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'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' (2003) -

Kate Hudson plays a relationship and dating columnist with an assignment to get a guy to fall for her and then dump her in just 10 days. The guy, an ad exec played by Matthew McConaughey, is trying to win a similar bet, creating a hilarious and charming rom-com.

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'No Reservations' (2007) -

Catherine Zeta-Jones plays a famous chef who starts a feud with her new sous-chef, played by Aaron Eckhart, and in true rom-com spirit they both start falling for each other.

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'Bridget Jones' Diary' (2001) -

This rom-com classic stars Renée Zellweger, a 32-year-old Londoner, who writes a diary that focuses on the things she wishes to happen in her life. Suddenly, she is faced with two love interests, played by Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. The movie resulted in a franchise with two sequels, 'Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason' (2004) and 'Bridget Jones's Baby' (2016).

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'Along Came Polly' (2004) -

This film brings together rom-com favorites Ben Still and Jennifer Aniston. The story follows Stiller’s character, who finds his life taking a turn when he falls in love with his former classmate, played by Aniston. It all becomes tricky for him when his former wife comes back to reconcile with him.

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'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' (2002) -

Nia Vadalos starred in and wrote this hilarious film, which explores what it’s like for a non-Greek to marry into a traditional Greek family.

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'The Proposal' (2009) -

Sandra Bullock plays a New York-based publishing executive who finds out her visa application is denied, risking her to return to Canada. She then 'forces' her assistant, played by Ryan Reynolds, to propose to her, so she can stay in the US. The question is: will real love spark?

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'Shall We Dance?' (2004) -

A bored and overworked lawyer, played by Richard Gere, decides to join a ballroom class, led by Jennifer Lopez. While Gere’s character has found a new passion in life, his wife, played by Susan Sarandon, grows suspicious of his absence.

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'Legally Blonde' (2001) -

This one is an all-time favorite, starring Reese Witherspoon. She plays Elle Woods, a sorority girl whose boyfriend leaves her for another, seemingly more intellectual woman. She then works hard to get accepted into Harvard Law School, in the hopes to win her ex back, but realizes that she doesn't need him to be successful.

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'Guess Who' (2005) -

Ashton Kutcher and Zoe Saldana play a newly-engaged couple visiting Saldana’s character's family for the first time. The engagement is not the only surprise for the family...

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'The Sweetest Thing' (2002) -

Cameron Diaz plays a serial dater who vows to give up dating after several bad flings. However, after tagging along with her friends to a club, she bumps into the potential man of her dreams.

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'13 Going on 30' (2004) -

Starring Jennifer Garner, this comedic gem follows a 13-year-old girl who dreams of turning 30 and being popular. Her wish comes true when she one day wakes up 17 years later as her future self.

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'Made of Honor' (2008) -

Patrick Dempsey plays a guy who casually dates and avoids commitment. It isn't until his best friend, played by Michelle Monaghan, is about to get married that he realizes that he's in love with her. When he's asked to be part of the bridal party, he begins to do everything he can to stop the wedding.

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'Down With Love' (2003) -

Staring Renée Zellweger as a feminist writer in 1962, she avoids serious relationships and writes a best-selling book about why love isn't worth it. Ewan McGregor plays a writer who hates her message, and plans to make a fraud out of her by making her fall in love with him. One can only imagine what happens next.

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'Princess Diaries' (2001) -

Anne Hathaway plays the iconic Mia Thermopolis, an ordinary teen who finds out her grandmother, played by Julie Andrews, is the queen of a fictional province, Genovia, making her a princess. And, of course, she has a handsome love interest.

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'Wedding Crashers' (2005) -

Two womanizing best friends, played by Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, are in the business of crashing weddings to meet women. However, at one wedding, things take a turn when Wilson’s characters falls for an engaged woman, played by Rachel McAdams.

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'Maid in Manhattan' (2002) -

A Senatorial candidate, played by Ralph Fiennes, falls for a hotel maid, Jennifer Lopez, while thinking she is a socialite. Will there still be sparks when the truth comes out?

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'Fever Pitch' (2005) -

Rom-com darling Drew Barrymore plays the girlfriend of Jimmy Fallon's character, a teacher obsessed with baseball. Realizing that they’re polar opposites, Barrymore's character starts doubting the relationship.

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'A Lot Like Love' (2005) -

Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet's characters meet on a plane and have undeniable chemistry. Over a few years, they keep meeting each other, but can't seem to get it together. Will this be a love that works out?

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'Deliver Us From Eva' (2001) -

Inspired by Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew,' LL Cool J's character is hired to seduce the 'cold-hearted' character Gabrielle Union brings to life. The problem is he actually falls in love with her!

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'Just Like Heaven' (2005) -

In this film, Mark Ruffalo plays a recently widowed architect who moves into a new apartment. The twist with this rom-com? He begins being haunted by a ghost, played by Reese Witherspoon, who can't remember much of her life. She's convinced she's alive, and Ruffalo starts falling for her.

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'Just My Luck' (2006) -

Lindsay Lohan plays Ashley, the luckiest woman in the world who has everything, from friends to a busy social life. However, after she kisses Jake, played by Chris Pine, her good fortune turns to the worst luck. She then tries to get her luck back, but starts falling for Jake.

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'Just Friends' (2005) -

We all love a classic glow-up story, and this one starring Ryan Reynolds does not disappoint. Reynolds plays Chris Brander, an unpopular high-school kid who’s in love with his best friend, a girl played by Amy Smart. When she 'friend zones,' he takes the rejection as fuel for improving his life. Years later he returns home, and they meet up again, making one wonder if she will look at him differently this time.

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'The Last Kiss' (2006) -

This film is about four friends who are turning 30 and freaking out about it. Zach Braff plays a guy who is having a tough time dealing with adulthood and being a father. He ends up confiding to another woman, played by Rachel Bilson.

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'Catch and Release' (2006) -

This movie tells the story of a woman, played by Jennifer Garner, who attends the funeral of her fiancé on the day they were supposed to get married. While dealing with the loss of her love, she becomes close to one of his best friends.

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'Good Luck Chuck' (2007) -

Dane Cook stars, alongside Jessica Alba, as a dentist with no luck when it comes to love. Every woman he breaks up with immediately meets their soul mate, and he becomes known for this. When he meets Alba's character, he tries to find a way to break the curse.

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'Bride Wars' (2009) -

This movie brings together Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway, two childhood besties who become enemies when their dream weddings are accidentally scheduled on the same exact day and place.

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'License to Wed' (2007) -

A recently engaged couple, played by John Krasinski and Mandy Moore, are trying to plan their dream wedding, but the reverend, played by Robin Williams, makes them go through his tough marriage prep course. This hilarious situation makes the couple question if they’re really meant for each other.

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'What a Girl Wants' (2003) -

Amanda Bynes plays an American teen who grows up with her single mom in New York City. Her biggest dream is to meet her dad, the prime minister of England, who doesn't know she exists. She ends up booking a one-way ticket to London, and meets two men: her father, and also a British love interest.

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'What Happens in Vegas' (2008) -

This wild rom-com features Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz, two strangers who totally black out, get married and then win a US$3 million jackpot on a slot machine. They quickly realize that they're incompatible, but try to make it work so they can split the money.

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'The Heartbreak Kid' (2007) -

Ben Stiller plays a man who quickly marries a fling, played by Malin Akerman. The rushed marriage ends up being a huge mistake. Meanwhile, he also falls in love with another woman. 

Sources: (Cosmopolitan) (KCM)

See also: Romantic movies from cinema's Golden Age 

© NL Beeld