Dear February, oh people adore you. The month of love, the month of laughter, the month of romance. Every year, many who love Valentine’s Day wait patiently for you to come around again and share your warmth with people all over the world; exemplifying the importance of love. Although, what better way to get a glimpse of love than to watch Rom-coms all month long?
Rom-coms serve an important role, other than showing people the unbelievable highs and lows of a relationship, but also by teaching us viewers the importance of kindness, honesty, self-character, and respect. Therefore, here are the top five pg-13 rom-coms that are sure to make you laugh and possibly cry at the same time.
27 Dresses
After serving as a bridesmaid 27 times, Jane Nichols wrestles with the idea of standing by her sister’s side as her sibling marries the man she’s secretly in love with. Forced to keep her unrequited love a secret, Nichols spends her time running around town to fulfill her sister’s bridal wishes, trying to distract herself from the upsetting situation before her. Throughout the wedding process—picking the best linen, choosing the best appetizers for the reception—Nichols meets a handsome young reporter, Kevin Doyle, who’s fascinated by her unusual story. Doyle writes for the wedding column in the newspaper and is known to pen some of the most beautiful and heartfelt articles about marriage. However, he himself is not so fond of the idea of “’till death do us part” and only sees Jane as his way out of the bridal beat.
For teenagers, Jane’s story of always putting others first is something we can relate to. We’ve all been in situations where we do things for others, even if it makes us unhappy or holds us back. High school can be full of pressure to fit in, be liked, or live up to other people’s expectations. Jane’s journey teaches us that it’s okay to say no, to take care of ourselves, and that real love comes when we stop losing ourselves for the sake of others.
She’s the Man
After Viola’s high school team is cut, she asks her boyfriend, who happens to be the captain of the boys’ soccer team, if she can try out for the boys’ team. Shockingly, he is dumbfounded by her request and refuses, believing she isn’t good enough. An infuriated Viola begins to hatch a plan when she learns her twin brother is transferring to a new all-boys prep school. She disguises herself as a boy and takes her brother’s place, determined to try out for the boys’ soccer team and beat her old high school team in the annual rivalry game.
Viola’s determination to break the gender barrier speaks to the rebellious, ambitious side of many teens who feel restricted by societal expectations. High school is full of pressures to fit into boxes based on your gender, interests, or even personality. Viola teaches us that we’re not defined by those boxes. If you want to play soccer or code or join the debate club, do it! The movie sends a powerful message to teens that they should follow their passions and forge their own paths, regardless of stereotypes.
A Cinderella Story
Sam, a teenager living in the San Fernando Valley, is forced to work as a janitor and dishwasher at her cruel stepmother’s diner after her father dies in an earthquake. After a cell-phone mix-up, Sam begins to message and email an anonymous boy who goes by the alias ‘Nomad’. They agree to meet at a school dance, but when Sam finds out that her pen pal is none other than Austin Ames, the cutest boy in school, she panics and tries to keep her true identity a secret.
Sam’s journey resonates deeply with teenagers who struggle with self-worth and the desire to be seen for who they truly are. It’s so easy for high schoolers to get caught up in their social status—who’s popular, who’s not—and to feel like they need to conform in order to be loved or valued. But like Sam, we need to learn that our worth isn’t tied to what others think of us or how much money we have. Real love comes from being authentic, not from hiding behind a mask or pretending to be someone else.
10 Things I Hate About You
Kat Stratford is gorgeous, intelligent, and quite rude to most of her fellow teens, leading her to repel all boys. At the same time, her younger sister is not allowed to have a boyfriend until Kat herself gets one. This sets up a chain of events in which Kat is set up for a romantic adventure. Eventually, Kat crosses paths with handsome new student Patrick Verona. For the first time ever, Kat may let her guard down enough to fall for the effortlessly charming Patrick.
This one hits home for anyone who’s been through high school and dealt with trust issues. Kat’s hesitation to trust love is something we can all relate to, especially if we’ve been hurt before. The movie teaches us that being honest—about our feelings or just being ourselves—is really important. As teens, it’s hard to open up and be vulnerable, but the film reminds us that honesty matters, not just in romantic relationships, but in friendships too.
She’s All That
High school hotshot Zack Siler is envied by all his peers. But his popularity declines abruptly when his cheerleader girlfriend, Taylor, leaves him for a sleazy reality-TV star. Desperate to revive his fading reputation, Siler agrees to a seemingly impossible challenge: he has six weeks to gain the trust of a nerdy outcast, Laney Boggs, and help her become the school’s next prom queen.
This film speaks to the insecurities we face in high school, where image can seem like everything. Zack starts out seeing Laney as just another way to restore his social standing, but over time, he realizes that the real connection comes from understanding and appreciating someone for who they truly are. This is a lesson that many teens can relate to—sometimes, we get caught up in how things look on the outside, only to realize that true connection is about kindness, respect, and genuinely seeing the person beyond the surface.
