Few genres make audiences feel as good as a romantic comedy, and the best rom-coms of the last 5 years offer a variety of stories that deftly bring as many swoons as they do laughs. The genre remains as popular as ever, and the best romantic comedies that have come out in the last five years have told some of the most original stories so far. The rom-coms of today feature more diverse casts and often flip traditional romance conventions.

While romantic comedies are known for their tropes, some modern and recent rom-coms are trying different and creative setups while their characters are more representative of Millennials, Gen Z, and younger audiences. Modern rom-com characters still live fantastical lives filled with meet-cutes and deus ex machina moments while also reckoning with more serious themes like not being successful at work, being rejected, and being single after a long relationship. The best...