Reese Witherspoon's 10 Best Rom-Coms, According To IMDb
From Legally Blonde to Sweet Home Alabama, Reese Witherspoon is known for her fun, endearing performances in some delightful romantic comedies.
More than 20 years after its release, Reese Witherspoon's iconic role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde is still as popular as ever. Kerry Washington, her Little Fires Everywhere co-star, even recreated the memorable Legally Blonde pool scene in celebration of Witherspoon's recent 46th birthday (via People). This demonstrates not only the film's staying power but Witherspoon's continued popularity among fans and colleagues alike.
Not only is Witherspoon incredibly likable but she also lights up the screen anytime she appears. Frequently starring in romantic comedies, she has made her mark on the genre with a variety of unique roles. From a gold-digging English woman to a southern clothing designer, Witherspoon has shown role after role why she is a two-time Oscar winner. With two romantic comedies starring Witherspoon set to release on Netflix later this year, fans are excited to see how her latest work will rank among her best rom-coms, according to IMDb.
10 How Do You Know - 5.4 (2010)
Reese Witherspoon plays a recently cut professional softball player in How Do You Know. As she attempts to put her life back together and figure out what she wants in a relationship, her character Lisa begins dating two men: a flashy baseball player, Matty, and failed businessman George.
This film has a star-studded cast, however, the storyline is hardly engaging and there is little romantic spark in either relationship. Witherspoon's character is self-centered, which makes it difficult for audiences to cheer for her. Despite the lack of romance, there are some incredibly funny moments in the movie including a colorful variety of Paul Rudd's unscripted moments.
9 Four Christmases - 5.7 (2008)
Brad and Kate are a long-time couple that is content to keep the status quo of their relationship. Planning to travel to Fiji for Christmas, their trip is unexpectedly canceled and the couple spends Christmas visiting each of their divorced parents. The chaotic trip starts to reshape how Kate sees her family and what she wants out of life.
Although not one of the best holiday rom-coms, Witherspoon's character is highly relatable and has great chemistry with Vince Vaughn, despite Decider reporting that the pair clashed behind the scenes. Witherspoon also had the opportunity to flex her improv skills in this movie and her fun performance makes the film stand out in her filmography.
8 Home Again (2017) - 5.8
In Home Again, recently divorced Alice is looking for a night on the town to celebrate her 40th birthday. While out, she meets a group of three guy friends, Harry, George, and Teddy who are aspiring filmmakers and need a place to stay. Alice begins a relationship with Harry until her husband returns making their unconventional living situation complicated.
One of the rare romance movies where an older woman dates a younger man, Home Again explores the dynamics of age differences in a relationship. This movie also provides a refreshing opportunity to see a woman figure her life out and realize that she needs to rely on herself to put her life back together.
7 Vanity Fair (2004) - 6.2
Vanity Fair is the story of Becky Sharp, a young woman with a poor past who aspires to join the upper classes of 19th century England. Through a series of marriages and romantic relationships, Becky works her way through English society leaving a trail of heartache in her wake.
Witherspoon does an incredible job portraying a character who is both selfish and charming. One of her best period pieces, this movie gives Witherspoon the most sumptuous costumes of her career as well as the opportunity to don a British accent.
6 Sweet Home Alabama (2002) - 6.2
In Sweet Home Alabama, Reese Witherspoon plays Melanie, a fashion designer who has moved to New York and become engaged to an up-and-coming politician. However, before getting married, she needs to return home to Alabama to finalize her divorce from her high school sweetheart.
Witherspoon's southern accent is on full display in this movie and she receives two swoon-worthy proposals, which are worth tuning in for alone. As the name suggests, Sweet Home Alabama is a treat for viewers who love films set in the American south, as well as being a sweet rom-com with an endearing central character.
5 This Means War (2012) - 6.3
Reese Witherspoon plays Lauren, a woman who inadvertently begins dating two best friends at the same time in This Means War. Apart from the fact that they are friends, she is also unaware that they are CIA operatives secretly engaged in a battle to win her over. Hiding cameras, staging operations, and fighting organized crime on the side, the two men go to great lengths.
Witherspoon makes a convincing bachelorette and she keeps viewers guessing who she will pick until the very end of the movie. This Means War combines the best elements of rom-com and action movies and provides a nice change of pace to Witherspoon's list of credits.
4 Legally Blonde (2001) - 6.4
Elle Woods is one of Reese Witherspoon's most iconic characters. In Legally Blonde, Elle decides to apply to Harvard Law to win back her ex-boyfriend. Unexpectedly, she discovers that she is actually really good at the subject. With her perfumed resume, bedazzled pens, and bend and snap moves, she takes Harvard Law by storm and wins a climactic court case.
Legally Blonde is a modern classic that is based on a book and a true story. It is a cultural touchstone due to the visual iconography of the movie's fashion, playful storyline, and powerful message to stay true to yourself. It is also the movie that essentially elevated Witherspoon's career to a whole new level of stardom.
3 Penelope (2006) - 6.7
In the movie Penelope, Reese Witherspoon plays Annie who becomes the heroine's first true friend. Although Witherspoon's role is small, her character provides Penelope with inspiration to take life into her own hands. By removing Penelope's scarf in public, she inadvertently reveals her identity to the world which then shows Penelope that she has widespread fans and support.
This is one of the first films that Reese Witherspoon fully produced. She worked for four years to make the movie happen and was heavily involved in scriptwriting, casting, filming, and editing. Now with 32 credits as a producer, this film gave her significant experience that helped to add a new job title to her career.
2 Just Like Heaven (2005) - 6.7
After falling into a coma, Dr. Elizabeth Masterson's apartment is leased by David, a recently widowed architect. In a twist on the traditional meet-cute, David is surprised to see Elizabeth's ghost in the apartment. As he helps Elizabeth find her body and remember her past, the two fall in love, and in a fairy tale ending, he breaks her out of her coma with true love's kiss.
One of the most iconic quotes from any Reese Witherspoon character, "You think if you could ever really touch me, I might wake up from all of this" is in this movie. This whimsical rom-com is comforting with its predictable and warm storyline. Although not as funny as other movies on this list, the deep connection between the lead characters and the fairy tale ending gives this movie high scores.
1 The Importance Of Being Earnest (2002) - 6.8
The Importance of Being Earnest is the story of Jack Worthing, a wealthy country estate owner who is the guardian of Cecily Cardew, played by Reese Witherspoon. He frequently rushes off to London to save a troublesome fictitious brother Earnest. In reality, he escapes to London under the alias Earnest to date a woman named Gwendolyn. Her cousin Algernon also adopts the pseudonym when he visits Jack's country estate, meets Cecily, and falls in love. Now there are two Earnests and everyone is confused!
This movie is a hilarious whirlwind and Reese Witherspoon's sweet and naive character is an excellent addition to the chaos. She adds whimsy and a delightful charm that helps to translate Oscar Wilde's famous play to the big screen. It is unusual for a period movie to double as a rom-com, however, the talent of the actors, the pacing of the dialogue, and clever one-liners make this movie unique, leading it to be Witherspoon's highest-rated rom-com on IMDb.