5 Lesser-Known Romantic Comedies From the 90s You Might Have Forgotten

The 90s gave us iconic romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and 10 Things I Hate About You – movies that defined the genre.

But hidden among these classics are lesser-known gems that are equally witty, heartfelt, and memorable. These movies explore not just love, but also growing up, friendship, and the messy process of figuring out who you are.

1. Beautiful Girls, 1996

Pianist Willie returns to his snowy hometown for a high school reunion, where he reconnects with friends who are all stuck in various stages of life. Some cling to their teenage dreams, some fear growing up, and none of them have it all figured out.

Amid the existential chaos, Willie forms an unexpected bond with Marty, a teenager wise beyond her years.

Ted Demme's melancholic dramedy is the perfect winter film about lost souls searching for answers in laughter and shared memories.

2. Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, 1997

This eccentric comedy by David Mirkin follows two inseparable best friends, Romy and Michele, who live carefree in Los Angeles while obsessing over fashion and designing their own outfits.

When they learn about their upcoming high school reunion, they panic because they have no impressive careers or life achievements to brag about. Their solution? They invent fake success stories. The movie follows a hilarious and heartfelt journey about friendship and the absurd pressure to have it all.

3. Slums of Beverly Hills, 1998

Set in 1976, Tamara Jenkins' movie follows 15-year-old Vivian as she navigates adolescence in a chaotic Jewish family led by her single father.

In an effort to ensure that Vivian and her brothers attend a good school, the family moves between affordable apartments in Beverly Hills, always one step ahead of rent collectors. Amid this instability, Vivian grapples with puberty, identity, and the bittersweet chaos of growing up poor in a wealthy world.

4. The Truth About Cats & Dogs, 1996

In this romantic comedy by Michael Lehmann, Janeane Garofalo plays Abby Barnes, a witty yet insecure radio host who dispenses pet advice. When the charming photographer Brian calls her show, the two of them instantly connect.

However, Abby is afraid that she is not attractive enough, so she convinces her glamorous neighbor Noelle to impersonate her. The resulting love triangle explores self-worth and the masks we wear.

5. The Last Days of Disco, 1998

Set in early 1980s Manhattan, Whit Stillman's film follows two recent college graduates, quiet editor Alice and ambitious Charlotte, as they navigate adulthood, office politics, and the fading disco scene.

Their nights revolve around an exclusive club where they flirt, argue, and dream of bigger lives. This stylish, bittersweet film is an ode to youth, capturing the moment when disco – and the carefree era it represented – was slipping away.