Top 10 Rom-Com Quotes and the Screenwriters Who Wrote Them

Ahhh, romantic comedies … there's something for everyone in the rom-com genre. Some rom-coms are cheesy, some verge on serious, and some are downright swoon-worthy. Have you ever found yourself wondering about the screenwriters who write them? We often attribute famous quotes to actors and the characters they play, but behind those famous lines, a screenwriter deserves credit!

What writers are responsible for your favorite rom-com quotes? Keep reading as I list my top 10 romantic comedy quotes and the screenwriters who wrote them!

Notting Hill

"Notting Hill" is a rom-com about what happens when a celebrity falls in love with an average person. This iconic line is spoken by Julia Roberts' famous actress character to Hugh Grant's average bookstore owner character. "Notting Hill" was written by Richard Curtis, one of Britain's most successful comedy screenwriters. Curtis is well known for his rom-coms, having written some of the most famous films in the genre, including "Love Actually," "Bridget Jones's Diary," and "Four Weddings and a Funeral."

10 Things I Hate About You

A 1990s high school modernization of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," "10 Things I Hate About You" stars Heath Ledger, who plays a bad boy paid by a fellow student to date Julia Stiles' "shrewish" character. Written by Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith, this script is a great rom-com and a unique Shakespeare adaptation. The writing pair wrote "10 Things I Hate About You" by mailing pages back and forth to each other while living in separate cities. It was the first script they sold together. McCullah and Smith have worked together as a writing duo for some time now, having written "Legally Blonde," "Ella Enchanted," and "The House Bunny."

When Harry Met Sally

This quote comes from a wonderfully comedic moment in the film that I don't want to spoil! "When Harry Met Sally…" stars Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal as the titular characters we follow over the course of several chance meetings spanning 12 years. Written by Nora Ephron, this script has everything Ephron was known for as a celebrated screenwriter. It features her love of romantic comedy and strong female characters and demonstrates her clever wit. The daughter of two screenwriters, Ephron wrote numerous screenplays, stage plays, and novels and directed and produced films. Her other popular rom-coms include "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail."

Sweet Home Alabama

"Sweet Home Alabama" stars Reese Witherspoon as a successful fashion designer who must return home to Alabama to finalize her divorce from her ex-husband so that she can marry her fiancé. But is a divorce really what she wants? Written by C. Jay Cox, "Sweet Home Alabama" was a box office hit when it was released in 2002. Cox has continued writing rom-coms and penned the films "Later Days" and "New in Town."

Jerry Maguire

A sports dramedy rom-com written and directed by Cameron Crowe, "Jerry Maguire" stars Tom Cruise as a sports agent who has a crisis of conscience and almost loses it all. He strikes out on his own with only one client and the support of a single mother, played by Renee Zellweger, with whom he begins to fall in love. Cameron Crowe is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter. His other films include "Almost Famous," "Vanilla Sky," and "Elizabethtown."

The Big Sick

Written by Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani, "The Big Sick" is a film based on Gordon and Nanjiani's real-life romance and struggles as an interracial couple faced with the threat of serious illness. The film stars Nanjiani playing the character based on himself and Zoe Kazan as the character based on Gordon. The film was made with a $5 million budget and went on to make $56 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing independent films of 2017.

27 Dresses

Written by Aline Brosh McKenna, "27 Dresses" stars Katherine Heigl as a literal "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" character who has been a bridesmaid in 27 weddings. When her sister is set to marry the man she loves, she's forced to confront her feelings about love, weddings, and her own role in her unhappiness. McKenna's other writing credits include "The Devil Wears Prada," "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" (which she co-created with Rachel Bloom), and "Cruella."

Pretty Woman

Written by J.F. Lawton, "Pretty Woman" is the story of how a relationship develops between a Hollywood prostitute and a wealthy businessman. "Pretty Woman" began as a dark concept about the reality of life on the street, drugs, and prostitution. Remarkably, the film was smoothed into the sweet rom-com starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts that we know today. J.F. Lawton has gone on to write films in various genres, including action, thriller, and science fiction.

Silver Linings Playbook

Written and directed by David O. Russell, "Silver Linings Playbook" is based on Matthew Quick's bestselling novel. The film stars Bradley Cooper as a man with bipolar disorder who was recently released from a psychiatric hospital. He begins a dance partnership with Jennifer Lawrence's character, a young widow, all to be able to convince his wife to take him back. What he's not expecting is to fall in love with his dance partner. David O. Russell is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and director. His other works include "I Heart Huckabees," "The Fighter," and "American Hustle."

Juno

Written by Diablo Cody, this quirky rom-com stars Elliot Page and Michael Cera as teens forced to contend with an unplanned pregnancy. "Juno" won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Diablo Cody has gone on to see further success with films "Jennifer's Body," "Tully," and the Broadway musical "Jagged Little Pill."

Those are some of my top 10 favorite rom-com quotes! I hope this blog introduced you to some talented screenwriters behind them. Happy writing!