Movies To Watch If You Loved Marry Me
With rom-coms having a very sparse presence in theaters these days, "Marry Me" seems like a gem from a long-forgotten past. Starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson, the Kat Coiro-directed movie tells the story of a pop star (Lopez) who, after finding out her equally famous fiancé (Maluma) cheated on her, picks a random fan (Wilson) from the crowd to get hitched with. And in true rom-com fashion, the fan just happens to be an adorable math teacher Lopez's character slowly begins to fall in love with. Ultimately, this results in the kind of nostalgic, romantic goodness many viewers have been craving.
Yet after watching "Marry Me," it would totally make sense to wanna check out some movies with a similar vibe. And so, to quench your thirst for romance, pop music, and other fuzzy cinematic things, here's a list of some movies that will check off all those boxes and more. Plus, if you're looking for films that also happen to star the two lead stars of "Marry Me", this list has got you covered on that front, as well.
Without further ado, let's take a look at some gems you should watch to keep the "Marry Me" vibes going.
Music and Lyrics
When it comes to romantic comedies that feature pop music at their center, very few are as captivating (and adorable) as "Music and Lyrics." Starring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore as the lovable leads, the movie follows down-on-his-luck pop star Alex Fletcher (Grant) and his attempt to write a hit song for a pop diva. Yet it isn't until Alex meets plant caretaker/aspiring songwriter Sophie (Barrymore) that he finds his perfect songwriting partner. And while much of the movie follows the two as they come up with said ballad, viewers also get to see their path to romantic bliss.
Obviously, it makes sense why "Music and Lyrics" must be included on this list. Not only does "Marry Me" seem like the perfect double feature pairing with this beloved 2007 flick, but they also share a lot of similar comedic beats and commentary on the pop music industry. From Lopez's Kat Valdez having a similar aesthetic to "Music and Lyrics'" Cora (played by Haley Bennett) to Drew Barrymore's Sophie being just as adorably awkward as Owen Wilson's character Charlie, these movies are a match made in weekend marathon heaven.
Maid in Manhattan
With the release of "Marry Me," it seems all that anyone can talk about is how Jennifer Lopez is the reigning queen of the rom-com genre. And while that is a statement very much up for debate, Lopez does have quite a few romantic comedies within her filmography. One of them is "Maid in Manhattan," an early 2000's Cinderella-inspired tale about a maid (Lopez) who accidentally meets a charming politician (Ralph Fiennes) at the hotel she works at, which of course results in the two falling in love. And while such a premise seems straight out of some very unromantic news headlines, the movie presents this concept in a sweet, sugary package.
Sure, some could argue that "Maid in Manhattan" hasn't aged well. Yet what makes it a great pairing with "Marry Me" is the silly charm it contains. From the iconic sassy dialog to the beautiful chemistry between Fiennes and his leading lady to the magical New York City setting, it's hard not to find something cute about this movie. Plus, it features a ridiculous amount of unnecessary dance sequences, a killer Nora Jones-filled soundtrack, and Bob Hoskins as the hotel's head butler. What more could you want?
Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping
One of the interesting elements of "Marry Me" is its commentary on pop star culture. Yet arguably, the movie that dives into the subject best is considered a slept-on comic gem — "Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping." Starring SNL/Lonely Island alums Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer, the movie details the fictional life of pop singer Conner Friel (Samberg) in a mockumentary format. From his public hijinks to his equally ridiculous selection of songs (including such "hits" as "Mona Lisa" and "I'm So Humble"), the movie goes out of its way to show every aspect of Conner's crazy life.
From its over-the-top presentation of the music industry to its incredible selection of celebrity cameos, there's no denying that "Pop Star" is quite the comedic ride. Yet underneath all its ridiculous on-screen scenarios, this mockumentary has some genuinely sweet moments. In particular, its finale perfectly sums up why Samberg and his Lonely Island crew are geniuses at their craft. Overall, if you're looking for an insane laugh-fest after "Marry Me" (that also features one of its co-stars, Sarah Silverman), then you're in for a treat.
Selena
Considered Jennifer Lopez's breakout hit, "Selena" still remains an iconic piece of '90s pop culture. Based on the life and death of beloved singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the film follows her rise to stardom from a very young age up through her untimely end. And while much of the movie focuses on some of the typical biopic dramatic beats, this Gregory Nava-directed project beautifully represents a significant time in music history. It shows how great of an impact Selena left on not just her fans but the world as a whole.
From Jennifer Lopez's fantastic lead performance as the iconic Tejano vocalist to the wonderfully staged concert moments, "Selena" hits on all cinematic cylinders. But the best part is how it chooses to focus on Selena's family just as much as the title character. This allows for the excellent supporting cast, including the incredible Edward James Olmos as Selena's dad, to shine throughout its 127-minute runtime. Ultimately, if you want to understand how Jennifer Lopez became the superstar she is today, "Selena" is a great place to start.
That Thing You Do
When it comes to musical comedies with a romantic touch, none of them get quite as charming as "That Thing You Do." The directorial debut of American's dad, Tom Hanks, "That Thing You Do" follows the evolution of a one-hit-wonder '60s rock band. From their small town start to their big-time conclusion, the movie perfectly balances the highs and lows of stardom with a strong dose of nostalgia, heart, and laughs. Plus, it has a soundtrack as charming as the movie itself.
But what makes "That Thing You Do" a choice for this list is its earnest nature, something that is shared with "Marry Me" in every way possible. Both films focus equally on the fantasy of the musician lifestyle while also showing it isn't all it's cracked up to be. Yet neither movie punishes its characters for believing in their dreams coming true, nor its audience for admiring the fairy tale on display. Plus, both films feature genuine and sweet romances at their center, with characters that take their time developing their happily-ever-after on a friendship basis, first and foremost — and that is a lovely thing to see.
Sing Street
If you're looking for a filmmaker that wears his heart on his sleeve, look no further than the filmography of director John Carney. Every one of his movies speaks to the magic of love and the enchanting qualities of music. And perhaps the movie that best describes this is his teen-focused movie, "Sing Street." The film centers on an adolescent boy named Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) living in 1980's Dublin. As Conor tries to deal with his parent's divorce, he forms a school rock band. Along the way, Conor bonds with his brother, meets the girl of his dreams, and discovers what he needs to be happy.
On paper, "Sing Street" sounds like your typical coming-of-age story. Yet the aspect that sets it apart is not only its well-crafted narrative, but its soundtrack. Each piece (written by Gary Clark, along with John Carney, Ken, and Carl Papenfus) perfectly illustrates various poignant points of the story. This is similar to how many of the songs in "Marry Me" evoke specific moments of the character's emotional changes. Plus, the romance at the center of "Sing Street" is as heartfelt as any teenage love story gets. So if you're looking for a good cry, along with some warm and fuzzy emotions, take a detour down "Sing Street."
Midnight in Paris
When it comes to Owen Wilson's romantic filmography, none of them get quite as aesthetically pleasing as "Midnight in Paris." The film (directed by Woody Allen) follows the adventures of screenwriter Gil Pender (Wilson) who is obsessed with 1920's-era Paris. While frustrated with his relationship with his self-absorbed fiancee (played by Rachel McAdams), Gil walks the streets of Paris and finds himself temporarily time traveling back to his favorite period in history, where he meets his pop culture heroes and discovers the qualities he truly wants in both his life and his romantic prospects.
While it is understandable to be turned off by anything involving Woody Allen, especially in light of the various allegations against him, "Midnight in Paris" has a lot of charming qualities, ones that completely rest on the shoulders of Owen Wilson's talents. Without Wilson's unique portrayal, Gil could have been an incredibly frustrating individual to watch. But Owen makes Gil a likable vessel for audiences to see through; he's a protagonist worth rooting for, as he clearly deserves better than his current circumstances. And that, along with so many other elements, is what makes "Midnight in Paris" a true rom-com gem.
Notting Hill
When the "Marry Me" trailer dropped, many wondered if it was a remake of the beloved rom-com "Notting Hill." And while it turns out that "Marry Me" was instead based on a graphic novel by Bobby Crosby, the similarities the concept has with that 1999 film is pretty easy to see. Hugh Grant plays William Thacker, a bookstore owner. One day, Hollywood starlet Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) bumps into William, leading to a disastrous coffee spill. And as one can expect in a movie such as this, the two slowly begin to see each other as something more romantic.
While it's easy to make obvious comparisons between the two movies, Roger Michell's "Notting Hill" definitely has a more understated vibe than "Marry Me." From Anna's more down-to-earth aesthetic presentation to the cozy vibes of the film's London setting, this film definitely has a more humble quality to it. That isn't to say "Marry Me" isn't relatable in its own odd way, but there's something about "Notting Hill" that feels closer to real-life than pure fantasy. And when paired with the amazing chemistry of Hugh and Roberts, is among the many reasons why this late-'90s gem is considered a classic amongst rom-com fans.
Shall We Dance?
Considered one of the more underrated Jennifer Lopez movies, "Shall We Dance?" deserves a lot more love than it gets. An English adaptation of the 1996 Japanese film of the same name, the movie follows a lawyer named John Clark (played by Richard Gere) who sees a beautiful dancer (Lopez) in the window of a dance studio. He then decides to secretly take ballroom dancing lessons, mainly because he's captivated by his beautiful teacher. This, of course, leads his wife (Susan Sarandon) and others to wonder why the introverted lawyer seems to have such a sudden change in his personality.
While it has its awkward moments (especially when compared to its original Japanese counterpart), the English version of "Shall We Dance?" has a lot of good qualities at its center, one of which is a mature performance from Lopez, which more than proves that she can be calculated, understated, and down-to-earth when given a chance. And when combined with delightful performances from supporting players like Stanley Tucci and one of the most romantic finales ever (set to Peter Gabriel's cover of "The Book of Love"), it's clear that "Shall We Dance?" needs your rom-com attention.
A Star is Born (2018)
Easily the saddest movie on this list, if ever there were a story that captured the more realistic version of "Marry Me," "A Star is Born" is undoubtedly it. And while there are countless incredible versions of this tale to choose from, it is the most recent 2018 remake, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, that seems the most fitting. The story is a simple one: a down-on-his-luck music superstar (Cooper) falls in love with a typical yet talented girl (Gaga), which causes her stardom to rise. And while the love between the two is genuine, life and the public test the strength of their relationship in some intense ways.
With an incredible soundtrack of new songs, along with excellent musical and acting performances by the film's two leads, this version of "a Star is Born" still remains a significant piece of filmmaking on many levels. Yet the best aspect of it (aside from its Academy Award-winning song, "Shallow") is the chemistry between Gaga and Cooper. You immediately get the attraction between these two and feel their love (and other emotions) pour through every scene. Add that to Cooper's brilliant direction, it's simply hard not to take your eyes off of it – frame after frame.
The Wedding Singer
On the much sillier side of musician-themed romances is the '80s-era set "The Wedding Singer." Starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, the movie centers on Robbie Hart (Sandler), the lead singer of a wedding cover band, who gets stood up at his own wedding. As time passes and various scenarios play out, Robbie finds himself falling for his waitress co-worker, Julia Sullivan (Barrymore). Yet as "luck" would have it, Julia is engaged to be married, resulting in some iconic rom-com hijinks.
Arguably the best of the Sandler and Barrymore movies, "The Wedding Singer" stands as a shining example of how to make a rom-com equally hilarious and romantic all at once. It also is one of the rare Adam Sandler movies that doesn't go too overboard in its humor, which is probably why it continues to stand the test of time. It's also easy to see why the iconic duo would continue to work together in the years that followed, because their chemistry is genuinely adorable (and fascinating). Overall, it's easy to see why this '80s homage is still a fan favorite so many years later.
Bed of Roses
Regarding metropolitan-set romance movies, "Bed of Roses" is definitely among the underrated ones. Co-starring Mary Stuart Masterson and Christian Slater, the film centers on Lisa Walker (Masterson), a lawyer who, as a child, was adopted by an unloving family. Years later, Lisa becomes consumed by grief when she finds out her guardian has passed away. But when a florist, Lewis (Slater), sees Lisa crying at her window, he feels compelled to send her flowers. Leading to Lisa receiving the kind of love she's always deserved.
With its calm '90s pop soundtrack, beautiful floral vibes, and sentimental sequences, "Bed of Roses" (while flawed) is one of those rom-coms that checks all the right boxes. Yet the best aspect is the chemistry between the unlikely pair of Lisa and Lewis. Slater and Masterson do a fantastic job of playing into the awkward elements of their relationship, especially when it comes to Lisa's lack of confidence in believing someone could love her. Plus, how can you go wrong with a movie where Pamela Adlon plays the quirky best friend? The answer is that you can't.
13 Going on 30
Like "Marry Me," the best romance stories are set in New York City — and the most outlandish they are, the better.
That's why "13 Going on 30" had to make this list. This beloved romantic comedy focuses on Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen), a 13-year-old misfit living in the '80s. After a terrible birthday party, she wishes she could be 30, and — through movie magic — she becomes her glamorous 30-year-old self (played incredibly by Jennifer Garner.) Yet as Jenna begins to realize how incredible her life has become, the "big-time magazine editor" begins to notice everything she's missing ... including her best friend and possible love, Matt (Marc Ruffalo.)
While it has some awkward elements, "13 Going on 30" is the perfect blend of sugary sweetness and genuine emotion. Because while the movie focuses on the magical life Jenna now leads, the script doesn't shy away from showing her awful choices along the way. That sort of believable poignancy is to be appreciated. Also worth noting: Garner and Ruffalo have some genuinely magical chemistry on-screen that is precious from beginning to end. Overall, if you're looking for a rom-com that'll make you want Razzle gum while dancing in your pajamas, "13 Going on 30" is the one.
Begin Again
If you love New York City movies about the music industry, then "Begin Again" will likely check all of your boxes. Much like "Marry Me," this John Carney directed flick comments on the media world, along with why people love songs in the first place. The movie focuses on a down-on-his-luck record label executive, Dan (Marc Ruffalo), who one night discovers a musician, Greta (Kiera Knightley), playing at a club. After Dan is inspired by her work, the two pair up to record Greta's first album. And as the album progresses, these two struggling people change their lives for the better.
Much like a lot of John Carney's work, "Begin Again" takes some delightfully unexpected turns; just when you think you know where the movie is headed, it transforms into something even more enjoyable. Yet it is its primary cast's performances that make the film memorable (Along with its unique music sequences, especially one that involves Ruffalo and Knightley sharing an iPod). And when paired with an incredibly catchy soundtrack, it's near impossible not to fall in love with "Begin Again" for the cinematic magic within it.
Down with Love
Some of the best rom-coms have a unique aesthetic, but none are as committed to their visual presentation as the underrated gem "Down with Love." Directed by Peyton Reed, this '60s-set flick tells the story of a magazine columnist, Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor), as he tries to take down best-selling feminist author Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger.) His way of doing so? Trying to get her to fall in love with the man he is pretending to be. Yet as the story unfolds, it seems these two fascinating individuals have many secrets to uncover, leading to a multitude of many twists and turns.
With its wonderfully articulated homages to classic cinema (along with the hilarious acting choices from its entire cast), "Down with Love" is a movie that wears its love for nostalgia on its cinematic sleeve. Like "Marry Me," isn't ashamed of evoking the vibes of 2000's era rom-coms, and "Down with Love" also showcases real admiration for the films of the '50s and '60s. So if you're on the hunt for a movie that is as wacky as it is sweet, then this treasure of a film deserves your attention.