Only a select few actresses are synonymous with the romantic comedy film genre – and Julia Roberts is certainly one of them.

From his foray into the genre in 1988’s beloved film Mystical pizzain which a young Roberts plays a teenage pizza waitress desperate to find her way after graduating high school, in her latest romantic comedy Ticket to paradise opposite George ClooneyRoberts has made a career out of giving moviegoers all the feels.

“People sometimes misinterpret the amount of time that has passed that I haven’t done a romantic comedy because I didn’t want to do one,” Roberts said. The New York Times in an interview in 2022, while discussing her 20-year gap with the genre.

“If I had read something that I thought was that Notting Hill writing level or My best friend’s wedding crazy level of fun, I would do it,” she continued, before adding that the only reason she signed on to star in Ticket to paradise That’s because his longtime friend Clooney was also involved in the project.

“Lo and behold, George felt like it only worked with me,” she explained at the time. “Somehow we both managed to do it, and here we go…I’m living my acting dreams.”

While it’s easy to assume that the breadth and depth of Roberts’ work in romantic comedies would make ranking some of his most memorable films impossible, Us every week did the dirty work and created the definitive ranking of the Top 10 iconic Rom Com Queen films:

10. “Mother’s Day”

The 2016 film features an all-star cast including Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Kate Hudson And Timothy Olyphant. In the film, which follows three generations as they prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day, Roberts plays a career-driven QVC-type host who gives up her daughter to adopt her. Throughout the film, mother and daughter come to terms with what adoption, parenthood, and a day meant to celebrate mothers really mean.

Although no one, including Roberts’ performance, was Oscar-worthy, the film gave rom-com fans what they wanted: lots of love stories between partners, siblings, mothers, daughters, fathers and sons, showcasing the complexities of family life. and parenthood.

9. “Valentine’s Day”

The 2010 film directed by Garry MaréchalI walked like this Mother’s Day could run. With another cast including the likes of Aniston, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Biel, Ben Affleck, Jamie Foxx, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, Jessica Alba, Emma Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Patrick Dempsey, Eric Dane, Kathy Bates, Topher Grace, Queen Latifah and, if you can believe it, even more, the romantic comedy follows several storylines that take place during Valentine’s Day.

Roberts plays an active-duty U.S. Army captain who hasn’t been home in over 11 months. For Valentine’s Day, she braves a 14-hour flight to spend the evening with her one true love: her son.

The film wins Mother’s Day because, well, it came first, and because it’s great to see a mother-son relationship honored on a day usually dedicated to romantic love.

8. “America’s Sweethearts”

This 2001 film, directed by Joe Rothstars Roberts, Billy Crystal (who also co-wrote the film), John Cusack And Catherine Zeta Joneswhile also featuring supporting actors Hank Azaria, Stanley Tucci, Seth Green, Alan Arkin And Christopher Walken.

In the film, Kiki Harrison, played by Roberts, is her famous sister’s personal assistant. Perpetually living in her brother’s shadow, Kiki falls head over heels for her sister’s ex – at one point, the former couple were considered, you guessed it, America’s Sweethearts. Kiki tries to show him the truth about his egocentric sister in an attempt to convince him.

What can I say, this movie has it all: a toxic sibling relationship, a problematic love triangle, and Hollywood drama. The jokes haven’t aged very well, to be clear, and it’s still mind-boggling that Roberts played more of a supporting role at a high point in his career.

7. “The Mexican”

This 2001 film is part romantic comedy, part action, and definitely off the beaten path. With Roberts, the late James Gandolfini, Brad Pitt, Gene Hackman and more, the action-packed film features some truly steamy moments between Pitt and Roberts, showcasing their undeniable chemistry.

Because the film doesn’t follow the typical romantic comedy playbook, but instead showcases Roberts’ acting range, We gives it a higher place on the list despite it being perhaps one of his lesser known films.

6. “Ticket to Paradise”

No list of Julia Roberts romantic comedies is complete without a collaboration with her longtime friend Clooney. This 2022 film features the best friends, who play a bitter, divorced couple who are forced to get along for the sake of their daughter (played by Kaitlyn Dever) after getting engaged while on vacation. Surprise surprise, both men begin to enjoy each other’s company (again), and hilarity ensues.

Clooney and Roberts have chemistry for a reason, and every time they share a screen, viewers are sure to enjoy a fun, flirty film that doesn’t try to reinvent the romantic comedy wheel but instead highlights worth the best parts of the genre.

5. “Runaway Bride”

A soundtrack featuring The Chicks, a Roberts and Richard Geré reunion on screen, and a main female character who is afraid of commitment? Sign. We. Up. This 1999 classic and box office hit arguably solidified Roberts as the queen of the romantic comedy, giving fans everything they want in a feel-good romantic film.

For the uninitiated, Roberts plays Maggie Carpenter, who has a history of falling in love only to leave her fiancé at the altar. Gere’s character, a journalist who writes a story about the so-called runaway bride, ends up falling for Maggie, leaving fans wondering: Will she show up again?

The movie is fun, the chemistry between Roberts and Gere is as flirtatious and palpable as ever, and Roberts herself plays a presumably neurotic character who, like the poor bastards she can’t bring herself to marry, you just can’t not stop you from falling in love. with.

4. “Mystical Pizza”

This 1988 film gave Roberts her breakout role as Daisy Arujo, a carefree small-town girl working at a pizzeria who enjoys getting the attention of the boys in her neighborhood until she falls in love unceremoniously from a rich man.

Look, there wouldn’t be Pretty woman, Erin Brockovich, Notting Hill (insert your favorite Roberts film here) without Mystical Pizza. The film is delightful in that it truly draws inspiration from the ’80s romantic comedy genre, and looking back, viewers can see how Roberts became one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars.

3. “Pretty Woman”

What’s not to love about this classic 1990 film? From his memorable lines like: “You’re late. You are beautiful. You are forgiven” and “You work on commission, don’t you?” Big mistake. Big. Huge,” thanks to the on-screen chemistry between Roberts and Gere, Pretty Woman was an instant hit and cultural powerhouse that has certainly stood the test of time as one of the most successful romantic comedy films. most emblematic to date.

Roberts plays adorable and eccentric sex worker Vivian Ward, who ends up entertaining mega-rich businessman Edward Lewis (Gere) after getting lost and needing directions. Despite their differences, the couple fall in love during the week Edward pays Vivian to be his escort.

2. “Notting Hill”

It only took one sentence to change cinematic history: “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.” » This 1999 film, written by the icon Richard Curtis, is the quintessential romantic comedy and arguably one of the most memorable films of Roberts’ career.

Featured alongside Hugh GrantRoberts plays film star Anna Scott who meets and falls in love with a London bookstore owner (Grant). Although very different – ​​a quintessential romantic com trope – they fall in love and try to make their fickle romance work. Grant and Roberts’ chemistry was electric – one of the reasons why this film is one of the most iconic romantic comedies of all time.

1. “My Best Friend’s Wedding”

Let’s be real: any of these three best films could easily be placed in the top spot, they’re all that good. The reason this 1997 classic is number one in our book is because, ultimately, Roberts’ character doesn’t understand the guy (played by Dermot Mulroney), instead of watching him ride off into the sunset with his fiancée, played by an always endearing Cameron Diaz. We love a good ending that doesn’t follow the normal rom-com playbook. Hello everyone, best friend, my love!