As for the “I can fix him, no, I can really fix him (no, I can't)” mentality and the overwhelming trend toward situationships and online dating horror stories, maybe it's the romance movies. But we can't be mad about it either. Whether it's classics like “Breakfast at Tiffany's” or chaotic sci-fi love stories like “Lisa Frankenstein,” the rom-com genre has always existed to make us expect unrealistic dates and cheer us up after a terrible breakup.

Even for commitment-phobic train wrecks like myself, there is comfort in romantic comedy escapism.

No matter what life throws at us, the nostalgia of a film like “13 Going on 30” feels like a warm embrace. Whether you're looking for a girls' night out movie or a serotonin boost, here are some of the best rom-coms you can stream on Prime Video right now. You may not be able to fix him, but these leading ladies (and men) give us all hope.

Maybe I'm biased, but “Red, White & Royal Blue” may be the best romantic comedy of the decade. Not only are queer rom-coms scarce, but most LGBTQ+ representation in the media is filled with pessimistic stories centered around traumatic backstories and often tragic or unfulfilling endings. While “Love, Simon” helped pave the way for films like “Red, White & Royal Blue,” prime video has helped repair some of the less-than-ideal stories.

We all love the composition of enemies becoming lovers, especially when it is tinged with the forbidden romance that comes from the secret relationship between the prince of England and his eldest son. As interesting and fascinating as the film is, it is not without drama, nor is it without the homophobia one might expect from a film featuring a closeted prince.

Of course, on top of the wholesome, electrifying relationship between Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) and Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakar Perez), there is a political plot that drives the film. And hey, we get to live vicariously through a badass female president. Nice. What's more, both the film and the original book, written by Casey McQuiston, are directed by members of the queer community, adding to the authenticity as the creators tell their own stories.

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Long before Deep Blue Something's 1993 hit “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” Audrey Hepburn starred in one of the most beloved romance films of all time. even though it was released in 1961. Nevertheless, her portrayal of Holly Golightly is more of a feminist icon than any of the romantic-comedy protagonists of the past decade could ever dream of being. More than 60 years after its release, Breakfast at Tiffany's has stood the test of time without ever entering “this never really gets old” territory. I'm not saying it's perfect, of course, but it certainly stands out when compared to other films of its time.

The plot is a bit edgy for the time, with Tiffany working as an escort in hopes of finding an old rich man to marry and her neighbor Paul, a budding writer who finds a wealthy relationship to fund his lifestyle. In addition, the bulk of the film tackles Holly's childhood trauma and mental health, neatly wrapped up in a blue Tiffany's box. Not surprisingly, Paul and Holly are drawn to each other as their two-hour romance unfolds on screen.

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If you're a '90s kid like me, you probably got your first marketing lecture when you begged for Razzles after watching 13 Going on 30. But this movie is more than a lesson in product placement. While most of us would like to turn back the hands of the clock and return to our teenage years before rent and bills ruled our lives, Jenna Link, played by Jennifer Garner, can't wait to turn 30 (frivolous and prosperous).

Naturally, a swipe of magic dust ages her by 20 years, and Jenna learns the lesson that being popular doesn't mean anything and that she should have given the boy next door a chance instead of seeking a frivolous relationship with shallow, lowly high school royalty. Not only is the film filled with early 80's nostalgia, but the 80's vibe is realistic. But one of the best parts of the film is that watching it as a teen and watching it as an adult is such a different experience.

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There's a reason Jane Austen remains one of the most important female writers of all time: whether it's the early 1800s or 2024, people who don't date often make matches. There have been numerous film adaptations of Austen's “Emma,” but the 1996 and 2020 ones are generally the most lauded. The 1996 version, written and directed by Douglas McGrath, starred Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma and Jeremy Northam as Mr. Knightley.

Over the course of the film (and the novel), Emma is forced to step out of her wealthy outlook on life, settle entitlement issues, and consider others (and not just in a controlling, matchmaking sense). Emma is so busy taking charge of other people's love lives that she almost misses her own opportunities. But in the end, it is a rom-com.

In addition to its direct cinematic legacy, iconic films like Clueless would not exist without its influence. Nevertheless, while the age difference between Emma and George is incredibly problematic by today's standards, it is still an essential piece of Hollywood's zeitgeist.

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When your dating options suck, the only rational course of action is to resurrect a dead man and rebuild his body piece by piece in a tanning bed. Naturally. Up-and-coming horror icon Kathryn Newton breathes life into high school outcast Lisa, who takes teenage rebellion ten steps further and hides a zombie in her closet instead of a run-of-the-mill teenage boy. We've all been there. Accidental necromancy is very tricky.

Once Lisa realizes that her living, breathing dating pool options leave much to be desired, nameless undead creatures, bug-obsessed or otherwise, seem like the best option. The film may be set in the 80s, but its 2024 release was more than 20 years after “Edward Scissorhands,” the reigning youth fantasy/science fiction classic. As a result, the film overcomes the problems of the 90s film and offers an utterly chaotic cult teen rom-com updated for the next generation.

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