25 of the most swoon-worthy romance movies of all time
By Amy Kaplan
You’ve Got Mail
When You’ve Got Mail came out it was cutting edge, it was at a time when meeting people online was still taboo and dial-up was still a thing (google that if you don’t know what I’m talking about). Somehow though, it has withstood the test of time and is still considered to be one of the best rom-coms ever.
Struggling bookstore owner Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) hates Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), the owner of a corporate Foxbooks chain store that just moved in across the street and is slowly putting her local bookstore out of business. Little does she know, the man who she’s falling in love with online is the same man. Eventually, Joe learns her identity but keeps himself hidden. He now works to make her fall in love with the man in front of her, like she does the man behind the screen.
Also, note this is the second time a Hanks-Ryan movie has made the list, so can we all just agree that they have the best chemistry in all of Hollywood? They also starred together in Joe Versus The Volcano!
Something about this movie still strikes a chord with me, perhaps it’s the internet connection and the hopes of a happily-ever-after via a technological connection (something so rare these days) or maybe it’s feeling like seeing how love used to happen gives me the nostalgic feels. Maybe it’s the love of books (and both are bookstore owners), or maybe I am just a sap for these two — but whatever the reason, I ALWAYS watch this when I see it’s on TV.
Fun Fact: Meg Ryan didn’t own a computer prior to filming, she got her first during the making of the movie.
Release date: December 18, 1998