"If you’re tuned into literally any social media right now, you’ve likely seen Glen Powell, well, everywhere. While some of us have been on the Glen Powell hype train since way back in his Spy Kids days, his recent status as America’s favorite heartthrob stems from his new movie Twisters. Sure, we all love a fun summer blockbuster, but what is all of this trending fascination truly about? As lovers of nostalgic rom-com movies, we can only assume it’s because he reminds us so much of our favorite male rom-com leads from the 2000s (*cough cough* Matthew McConaughey).
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It’s been a while since a leading man has captured the girlies’ hearts in such a big way, and the world was more than ready for a new Hollywood heartthrob to take over our screens, make us laugh, and play alongside our favorite lead actresses. Suffice it to say that we here at The Everygirl are seriously feeling that Glenergy. The only problem is there are only so many times we can rewatch the same Glen Powell interview clips before people start asking questions. To tide us over until his next blockbuster, we rounded up a list of rom-com movies with leads who are also as charming as they are funny (the true magic of Glen Powell if you ask us). Grab some popcorn, curl up on the couch, and get ready for the perfect swoon-worthy rom-com rotation.
1. Set It Up
Of course, we have to start the list off strong with a Glen Powell movie. If you haven’t seen ‘Set It Up’ yet, know that this Netflix original movie was criminally underrated when it first came out. ‘Set It Up’ stars Powell alongside Zoey Deutch, as two overworked assistants in NYC who decide that setting up their bosses with each other will make their lives easier at work. What they don’t expect (but of course, we do) is for them to find romance between themselves.
2. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Early 2000s Matthew McConaughey? Say less. Our favorite heartthrob leads alongside Kate Hudson in ‘How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days,’ where McConaughey’s character makes a bet that he can make any woman fall in love with him. Enter Kate Hudson as Andie Anderson, a journalist who is writing a piece about how to get a guy to dump you in 10 days. The two unknowingly make each other their targets. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?
3. Anyone but You
Another more recent Glen Powell movie, ‘Anyone But You’ features the actor alongside ‘Euphoria’ star Sydney Sweeney. Ben and Bea, who had a one-night tryst that ended badly in the past, end up pretending to be a couple at a destination wedding to satisfy their parents and dupe Ben’s ex-girlfriend. Regardless of what you think of the fake co-star romance marketing tactics Powell and Sweeney used for this movie, you can’t deny that it’s a great one. Once again, rom-coms prove to us the enemies-to-lovers trope really never gets old.
4. 27 Dresses
Another star player in genuinely funny 2000s romcom heartthrobs has to be James Marsden, who is most recognizable for his role in ’27 Dresses’ alongside Katherine Heigl. Heigl’s character, Jane, a hopeless romantic, meets Kevin Doyle, a reporter with absolutely cynical views on marriage. Jane has been a bridesmaid 27 times—never a bride. When Kevin learns of this, he decides to write about her for the weddings section… all while Jane’s sister is planning her wedding with the man that Jane has been in love with for years.
5. 13 Going on 30
A 2000s leading man we never see enough recognition of is a young Mark Ruffalo. With Jennifer Garner by his side in the iconic ’13 going on 30,’ Jenna wakes up one day to find her 13-year-old self suddenly aged to 30. As she experiences her adult life, she begins to understand and regret her wish to grow up so quickly, especially when she finds out that she had cut off her childhood best friend, Matty. The two finally reunite as they work to turn things around for Jenna, both for her 13-year-old and 30-year-old selves.
6. Crazy, Stupid, Love
If you’re looking for a 2000s rom-com with an all-star cast, look no further. ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’ stars Ryan Gosling and Steve Carrell on one divorced dad’s journey through middle-aged love, and the love stories that surround him. ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’ is a rom-com with emphasis on the “com” because Ryan Gosling’s playboy-turned-lover boy attitude in this movie is truly hysterical and 10/10 Glen Powell-esque.
7. Life as We Know It
We know this is a Glen Powell story, but while we’re at it, justice for Katherine Heigl, rom-com princess of the early 2000s. In ‘Life As We Know It,’ Heigl stars alongside the hilarious Josh Duhamel as Holly and Eric. The two characters, who share a Goddaughter, Sophie, are forced to come together as guardians when Sophie’s parents die in a car crash. While sharing custody, the two are constantly at odds—but will their bickering over how Sophie should be raised transform into chemistry?
8. Jerry Maguire
Oh, how we adore a young Tom Cruise. In ‘Jerry Maguire,’ Tom Cruise plays a sports agent who wakes up one day and decides he wants to start his own agency. The only administrative support he has is from a single mother, Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger). Jerry and Dorothy help each other through the trials and tribulations of the sports industry and building a client roster, and as they work together, their romance takes some truly wild twists and turns.
9. Always Be My Maybe
From young childhood love, to estranged, to an ultimate reunion, Randall Park plays alongside Ali Wong in ‘Always Be My Maybe.’ Sasha and Marcus had a falling out after their high school romance took a turn for the worse. When they meet again years later, the sparks are still there, but their lives couldn’t be any more different. This heartwarming film brings the two back together in a mess of emotions and laughter.
10. Love & Basketball
OK, so maybe ‘Love & Basketball’ isn’t technically a comedy, but as one of the most iconic romances from the early 2000s, we had to include it. Plus, the chemistry between Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan in this movie is truly swoon-worthy, so it really does have the Glenergy. When Monica and Quincy meet as kids, they both aspire to play professional basketball, just like Quincy’s dad. Over the years, the two grapple with both their relationships to their careers and their relationships to each other.
11. 10 Things I Hate About You
We couldn’t call this a true rom-com roundup without including ’10 Things I Hate About You.’ Yes, young Heath Ledger in this movie is far edgier than Glen Powell will ever be, but the comedic relief that Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt provide in this movie makes it have serious Powell vibes. With the perfect mix of witty remarks and one liners, this movie makes for an entertaining rewatch every time.
12. Booksmart
‘Booksmart’ proves that a rom-com doesn’t need to have a leading man to still have Glenergy. This coming of age film stars Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever as high school overachievers who haven’t done a thing out of place their whole school career. But the night before their graduation, they realize their achievements don’t necessarily make up for the experiences they never had. So, they decide to cram four years of those experiences into one night that is a wild and hilarious ride, entertaining from start to finish.