'Maintenance Required' And 5 Other New Romantic Comedies You Can't Miss

Starring Simone Ashley, Picture This (2025) shines entirely because of what the Bridgerton (2020) actress brings to the role with her careful characterization and relatable journey. Directed by Prarthana Mohan and written by Nikita Lalwani, Picture This is a second chance story that also centers around our main character going on numerous dates to find the one because her family insists on it. (The most unrealistic part of this film is that it's somehow trying to convince us men aren't banging on Pia's door wanting to date her when Simone Ashley is a literal goddess who'd make a trash bag look like couture. But I digress.)  

More than anything, the film is a stunning display of South Asian customs that beautifully signals to Hollywood that these are the type of diverse stories viewers want more of. The explorations of weddings, different beliefs, and a career-driven woman getting the guy in the end? Yes, please. Perfect for viewers who love wedding-centered films, but Picture This is also an absolute must-watch to bear witness to Ashley's comedic chops.

While Celine Song's acclaimed Past Lives (2023) is a bit more melancholic, her latest gem, Materialists (2025), hits every romantic comedy beat and makes it feel like a classic. It artfully tackles frustrating tropes, like the love triangle, but still manages to make it feel nuanced and refreshing, ensuring that even those who aren't a fan can easily find themselves invested in the story. Starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, it's especially perfect for viewers who loved the author's debut. Song does an excellent job of delivering a timely and well-executed screenplay, while the actors bring the characters to life in deeply layered performances that ensure they'll be memorable long after the credits roll. 

Materialists is a true rom-com through and through, with bonus points for its New York setting and detailed exploration of various romantic relationships throughout the narrative, as Lucy's job is quite literally that of a matchmaker. Her job touches on relatable flashes of the real world that are both familiar yet surprisingly refreshing. The movie effectively tackles much in its almost two-hour time frame, all while allowing the three main characters to remain in the driver's seat of the plot.

Based on the romance novel titled Birding With Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb, Hallmark's Adventures in Love & Birding (2025) is the kind of gorgeous healing-after-divorce romantic comedy we don't see often. It follows Rachel Boston's Celeste and Andrew Walker's John in a fake dating and bird watching competition that eventually leads to a sweet and memorable romantic relationship. While the book is steamier than what the network typically delivers on-screen, the film still hits every significant beat while also giving viewers tons of precious moments to cling to. Brushing hands, holding gazes, and plenty of endearing classic romantic comedy staples make the film feel well-rounded and delightfully delectable to watch.

It bears noting that Hallmark is pretty good at bringing romantic relationships with characters in their 40s to our screens, so that alone is one of the network's undeniable strengths and a rarity elsewhere that deserves to be celebrated. In addition, there are so many Hallmark films produced throughout the year that it can be hard for viewers to keep up. Still, if there's one non-Christmas Hallmark romance that's a must-watch, it's Adventures in Love & Birding. 

If you've seen The Shop Around the Corner (1940), then you've seen You've Got Mail (1998), and if you've seen You've Got Mail, then you've also seen Maintenance Required. But most romance fans aren't out here continuously rewatching these movies (or reading similar books) for groundbreaking originality, but rather because they're the perfect form of wholesome escapism. And really, because even while story beats are technically the same, the character journeys somehow still feel relatable and cozy. They hit the mark every time. 

Starring Madelaine Petsch and Jacob Scipio, Maintenance Required tells a familiar story with a different setting and ultimately shines because of the leading performance. Here, Charlie isn't a small bookshop owner, but rather a mechanic, which adds an enticing showcase in a career that women aren't always seen in on-screen. Alongside the two of them, Madison Bailey, Katy O Brian, Matteo Lane, and Jim Gaffigan also provide great moments of levity that make the film a true romantic comedy. The chemistry between Petsch and Scipio makes the relationship between Charlie and Beau delightful and hot, delivering tension that's sizzling on all fronts. Bonus points for an exceptional soundtrack that manages to make each scene memorable and twice as charming.   

Coming later this year on November 26, the well-received romantic comedy that garnered favorable Rotten Tomatoes reviews from critics at TIFF is bound to be an undeniable hit. With cast members like Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, and Miles Teller, there's no denying that, if nothing else, the on-screen chemistry between the actors will make Eternity (2025) an entertaining exploration of life after death and the different types of love people have in their lifetimes. 

The trailers look entertaining, and in an interesting pattern, the film also seems to be doing its fair share of taking on the love triangle with a unique lens. If this is the routine in 2025, then we welcome it with open arms because it certainly can be done when the character work takes priority. And judging by the trailers, Eternity seems to focus intently on its characters. 

Based on the bestselling novel by Emily Henry, People We Meet on Vacation (2026) is bound to become a romantic comedy staple. Henry's writing is beloved throughout the romance community, and with each of her books getting an adaptation of some kind, the world is in for a treat. While book fans know what to expect, even those unfamiliar with the story can be sure that it'll be exceptional, solely because of Emily Bader and Tom Blyth cast as the leads, Poppy and Alex. The story will follow two best friends throughout the span of a few years as they take one vacation after another while continuing to vehemently deny that they're in love with one another.

As actors, Bader and Blyth both have such incredible range that simply casting the two of them is a tremendous win for Netflix. Beyond this point, every teaser showcases character traits that are so accurate to their book counterparts that it's already got fan expectations through the roof. Henry has also noted that she's taken great inspiration from When Harry Met Sally (1989), so fans of the beloved late-'80s rom-com are in for an undeniable modern-day treat.