28 of the most memorable rom-com boyfriends, from Noah Calhoun to Mark Darcy (2025)

The 24 best meet-cutes in rom-com history

Dr. Aaron Conners (Bill Hader) in Trainwreck (2015)

He’s a celebrated sports doctor who gets his dating advice from LeBron James and whose go-to surgery soundtrack is Billy Joel's “Uptown Girl.” What’s not to love?

Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez) and Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) in Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)

These two boyfriends are the perfect yin and yang. Alex (Taylor Zakhar Perez) — the U.S. president's (Uma Thurman) sharp-tongued and quick-witted son — wears his heart on his sleeve, while the reserved Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) lets his feelings shine through grand romantic gestures...like kissing Alex on New Year's Eve or sneaking them both into London's Victoria and Albert Museum after hours. —James Mercadante

Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell) in The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)

Awkward, inexperienced, and nerdy, Andy (Steve Carell) was memorable for some less-than-favorable reasons. While he struggled with women, the electronics worker was sweet enough to win over Trish (Catherine Keener).

Ben Barry (Matthew McConaughey) in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

In a particularly competitive relationship with Andie (Kate Hudson), advertising exec Ben — "Frost yourself!" — loves sports and is far too confident in his romantic abilities.

Charlie Young (Glen Powell) in Set It Up (2018)

Glen Powell can charm anyone in any role, but he's never been more magnetic or charismatic than Charlie Young — an executive assistant who partners with Harper (Zoey Deutch), a colleague from a neighboring company, to make their tyrannical bosses (Taye Diggs, Lucy Liu) fall for each other...only to catch feelings himself.

Plus, Charlie is the type of guy who will ditch a fancy-schmancy party just to split a pizza with you on the floor of his apartment. —J.M.

Darius Lovehall (Larenz Tate) in Love Jones (1997)

Persistent, suave, and artistic, Darius (Larenz Tate) works his way into Nina's (Nia Long) life. The poet won't stop until he gets the photographer to go out with him.

Dominic (Michael Ealy) in Think Like a Man (2012)

Hyped as "the dreamer," Dominic (Michael Ealy) works in a kitchen but has major culinary talents beyond his job. His good looks and charm may still be enough to get him in with Lauren (Taraji P. Henson).

Dre Ellis (Taye Diggs) in Brown Sugar (2002)

Successful record exec Dre (Taye Diggs) has everything going for him: a growing career, a gorgeous wife (Nicole Ari Parker), close friends, and killer good looks. Despite their best efforts to the contrary, however, Dre and his childhood friend, Sidney (Sanaa Lathan), start to examine their relationship.

Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) in Pretty Woman (1990)

Disregarding his relationship with a sex worker, Edward (Richard Gere) is a perfect gentleman — mannered, successful, and always in a well-cut suit. He finally puts love first when he falls for Vivian (Julia Roberts).

Graham Simpkins (Jude Law) in The Holiday (2006)

He moonlights as Mr. Napkin Head. He somehow remains smoldering while crying. And he delivers lines like, "I'm in love with you. I apologize for the blunt delivery, but as problematical as this fact may be, I am in love...with you. And I'm not feeling this because you're leaving, and not because it feels good to feel this way, which by the way, it does, or did before you went off like that. I can't figure out the mathematics of this, I just know I love you."

Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) in Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

The ultimate aging player, Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) begins by wooing twentysomething hottie Marin (Amanda Peet), but eventually finds himself connecting with Marin's gorgeous older mother, Erica (Diane Keaton).

Ian Miller (John Corbett) in My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Sweet, patient, and with a killer smile, Ian is a rom-com's dream. The teacher only gets dreamier as he woos Toula (Nia Vardalos).

Jack (Bill Pullman) in While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Lucy (Sandra Bullock) may have crushed on Peter (Peter Gallagher) for months, but she soon falls for his brother, Jack (Bill Pullman) — the smart, funny furniture maker who comes into Lucy's life as Peter spends time in the hospital.

Jack Taylor (George Clooney) in One Fine Day (1996)

It only takes one fine day for single father Jack to fall for Melanie (Michelle Pfeiffer). He may be disorganized and harried, but Jack is George Clooney, so he inevitably sweeps Melanie off her feet.

Jake Perry (Josh Lucas) in Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

A swoon-worthy Southern boy, Jake (Josh Lucas) fights to make himself impressive enough to win back his childhood love, Melanie (Reese Witherspoon).

Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) in You've Got Mail (1998)

Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) may come off as a cocky businessman with his mind only on the bottom line, but the Fox Books heir finally reveals himself to be kind, caring, and completely in love with independent bookstore owner Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan).

Josh Lucas (Paul Rudd) in Clueless (1995)

As one of the few people who Cher (Alicia Silverstone) can really be herself around — and the only one who can call her out on her own cluelessness — even Josh’s (Paul Rudd) pretentious intellectual posturing is charming. Who wouldn’t be totally butt-crazy in love with him?

Kumail Nanjiani (Kumail Nanjiani) in The Big Sick (2017)

Playing himself in the big-screen adaptation of his real-life romance with wife (and co-screenwriter) Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani’s devotion to his comatose girlfriend (Zoe Kazan) will break your heart and then make it whole again.

Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) in Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

A Mr. Darcy worthy of the romantic name, Mark (Colin Firth) is a quiet, strong businessman who holds a candle for Bridget (Renée Zellweger) despite the fact that she thinks they are enemies.

Matt Flamhaff (Mark Ruffalo) in 13 Going on 30 (2004)

Loyal, steadfast, and only better with age, Matt (Mark Ruffalo) is a childhood friend of Jenna's (Jennifer Garner), who finds himself back in her life years in the future.

Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) in The Notebook (2004)

He wants you forever, every day. If you're a bird, he's a bird. He'll even build you your dream home.

Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

He can't take his eyes off of you and he has the whole bad-boy thing going on. Throw in a dreamy Australian accent and Patrick (Heath Ledger) becomes every high schooler's dream.

Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) in To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

Gen Z gets their own Mark Ruffalo-style rom-com heartthrob in Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo), the charming popular jock who proves that being a walking green flag beats the usual bad boy shtick.

Even though it's initially part of their fake-dating scheme, Peter's series of sweet gestures for Lara Jean (Lana Condor) — from driving her and her sister to school every day to leaving thoughtful notes to trekking across town just to buy her favorite snacks — set a higher (and healthier) standard for love for its viewers. —J.M.

Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler) in The Wedding Singer (1998)

Fans meet Robbie (Adam Sandler) while he's in a relationship with Linda (Angela Featherstone), but the charming wedding singer soon finds himself falling for Julia (Drew Barrymore), a woman whose down-to-earth attitude and fun spirit more closely align with his own.

Ray Adams (LL Cool J) in Deliver Us From Eva (2003)

Only a man like Ray (LL Cool J) can win over a woman like Eva (Gabrielle Union). The smooth-talking player completes his assignment of taking Eva off of her family members' hands, only to fall for her.

Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) in (500) Days of Summer

Their mercurial love story may not have lasted forever, but romantic Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a perfect (500-day) match for cynical Summer (Zooey Deschanel). Bless his heart for completely misreading The Graduate.

Will Thacker (Hugh Grant) in Notting Hill (1999)

Professional rom-com boyfriend Hugh Grant plays Will Thacker, a regular guy living in Notting Hill who runs a bookstore. He meets movie star Anna (Julia Roberts) and finally accepts her request that he love her.