The 50 Best R-rated Rom-Coms of the Past 50 Years

This unhinged rom-com from the mind of director Emir Kusturica is about a low-level Roma criminal who tries to pay a debt by marrying off his adolescent son in an arranged marriage with his partner’s sister – but neither son nor sister are happy about the nuptials. The film enjoys a 95% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, equaling the highest of any movie on our list.

One of the newer entries on our list is this Norwegian dramedy, which follows the life and loves of an aimless young woman (Renate Reinsve) in Oslo over the course of four years. Joachim Trier directed and co-wrote the movie – part of his Oslo trilogy. It was nominated for two Oscars.

Emily V. Gordon and her husband, comedian Kumail Nanjiani, drew upon their own experiences when co-writing this romantic comedy about culture clash. Nanjiani played a Pakistani stand-up comic who develops a bond with the wary parents (Ray Romano and Holly Hunter) of his comatose American girlfriend.

“Manhattan” is a Woody Allen valentine dedicated to his favorite city, featuring people as socially dysfunctional and neurotic as the characters he always plays. In this film, Allen portrays a divorced television writer who is falling in love with his best friend’s mistress (Diane Keaton – Allen’s real-life ex-girlfriend). The music of George Gershwin is featured.

Mixing comedy with whimsy, “Amélie” tops our list of the best R-rated rom-coms. The French movie’s title character (Audrey Tautou), an unassuming waitress with an innocent’s worldview, benignly orchestrates the lives of those around her and metes out her own brand of justice. In the course of her efforts to help others, she finds love.