If you couldn’t get enough of the sizzling chemistry and witty banter between Lucy and Josh in The Hating Game, you’re in luck. The enemies-to-lovers trope is a popular one in romantic comedies, serving up plenty of delicious tension, hilarious hijinks, and heartfelt moments. Here are 15 of the best movies like The Hating Game that will give you all the feels.
1. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
One of the most iconic enemies-to-lovers tales of all time, Jane Austen’s classic novel has been adapted many times for both the big and small screen. But the 2005 film version starring Keira Knightley as the spirited Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as the haughty Mr. Darcy is a sumptuous treat for the eyes and heart.
Watching the pair spar verbally as they slowly fall for each other is immensely satisfying. The English countryside never looked so romantic as it does here, with Lizzy and Darcy finally realizing how perfectly matched they are despite their initial prejudices. It’s a story that never gets old.
2. The Proposal (2009)
The Proposal puts a fresh spin on the fake relationship trope, with Sandra Bullock starring as icy book editor Margaret who ropes her long-suffering assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) into pretending to be her fiancé so she can avoid deportation back to Canada.
Watching Margaret and Andrew bicker their way through a trip to his hometown in Alaska to meet his family is a riot. Reynolds and Bullock have fantastic comedic chemistry. But of course, real feelings start to develop amidst the charade. Margaret starts to thaw and Andrew sees a different side to his demanding boss. It all builds to a sweet and funny resolution.
3. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, this 90s teen classic stars Julia Stiles as the sharp-tongued Kat and Heath Ledger as the mysterious Patrick, who is paid to woo her so that Kat’s sister Bianca can start dating.
Kat and Patrick’s initial antagonism is palpable, with so much witty verbal sparring. But as they are forced to spend time together, real affection grows. Watching Patrick slowly break down Kat’s walls is both funny and moving. And that poem scene at the end – pure rom-com gold. The film launched Stiles and Ledger to stardom and it’s easy to see why.
4. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks play rival bookstore owners who unknowingly fall in love with each other over email in this absolutely charming enemies-to-lovers story. While Joe’s (Hanks) big Fox Books threatens to put Kathleen’s (Ryan) little Shop Around the Corner out of business, they connect online without realizing who the other is.
The dramatic irony is delicious as the viewer watches them bicker in person while growing closer and closer over email. While the technology may be dated now, the story holds up due to the endearing performances and Nora Ephron’s warm, witty script. That moment of realization at the end is pure magic.
5. The Ugly Truth (2009)
A hopelessly single and romantically challenged TV producer (Katherine Heigl) is forced to work with a crass, chauvinistic TV personality (Gerard Butler) in this raunchy battle-of-the-sexes comedy.
Abby can’t stand Mike’s crude theories about what men and women really want. But she agrees to let him help her land the “perfect man” to prove him wrong. Of course, spending so much time together leads to an unexpected attraction. Butler and Heigl have sizzling chemistry and the script is packed with laugh-out-loud moments. It’s a fun, sexy romp.
6. Two Weeks Notice (2002)
Sandra Bullock is at her rom-com best in this charming flick about a dedicated lawyer who becomes fed up with her wealthy, immature client (Hugh Grant). Despite Lucy’s best efforts, George is helplessly dependent on her, even as he takes her for granted.
When Lucy decides to quit, George tries to win her back, leading to a sweet reversal of their dynamic. Grant and Bullock sparkle together, with Grant’s caddish charm playing off Bullock’s exasperated warmth perfectly. It’s a delightful, feel-good film that proves why these two are rom-com royalty.
7. Life As We Know It (2010)
Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel star as two singles who can’t stand each other but are forced to come together and live under one roof to raise their goddaughter after their mutual best friends pass away.
Watching Holly and Messer struggle through their grief while adjusting to instant parenthood and each other is both heartwarming and hilarious. Heigl and Duhamel have an easy, combative chemistry that slowly evolves into a deep bond over the course of the film. It’s a sweet story about finding love and family in unexpected places.
8. The Hating Game (2021)
Of course, we have to talk about the movie that inspired this list. Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell are perfect as the rival coworkers who can’t stand each other but also can’t deny their intense attraction in this adaptation of Sally Thorne’s bestselling novel.
Watching Lucy and Josh’s bickering turn to sizzling glances and stolen kisses in the elevator is a true delight. Hale and Stowell have off-the-charts chemistry and the script is packed with witty exchanges. The Hating Game gets the enemies-to-lovers trope oh so right.
9. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
While this opulent romantic comedy is more about a fish-out-of-water than true enemies, watching Rachel (Constance Wu) win over her boyfriend Nick’s (Henry Golding) disapproving mother Eleanor (a regal Michelle Yeoh) is still extremely satisfying.
As Rachel struggles to fit into Nick’s crazy rich world, Eleanor makes it clear she doesn’t think the American-born Chinese economics professor is good enough for her son. But of course, Rachel’s smarts, determination and genuine love for Nick eventually melt Eleanor’s icy demeanor. With its stunning visuals, memorable characters and poignant insights into Asian culture, Crazy Rich Asians is a feast for the eyes and heart.
10. The Lovebirds (2020)
Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae star as a couple on the verge of breaking up when they accidentally get embroiled in a bizarre murder mystery in this hilarious action rom-com from the director of The Big Sick.
Watching Jibran and Leilani bicker their way through one ridiculous situation after another is endlessly entertaining. Nanjiani and Rae’s rapid-fire back-and-forth is comedy gold. But of course, going through so much craziness together also reignites their spark. The Lovebirds is a wild, sidesplitting ride that still squeezes in some romantic moments.
11. Set It Up (2018)
Two overworked assistants (Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell) conspire to set up their demanding bosses (Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs) in this charming Netflix original.
Harper and Charlie may start out as reluctant allies, but their matchmaking scheme leads to them spending a lot of time together and surprise, surprise – falling for each other. Deutch and Powell have adorable chemistry and the script is full of rom-com callbacks and tropes. Plus Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs are a joy to watch in their own enemies-to-lovers storyline. Set It Up is a feel-good delight.
12. The Proposal (1993)
No, not the Sandra Bullock/Ryan Reynolds one. This early 90s rom-com stars Jennifer Aniston in one of her first film roles opposite Scott Speedman as an artist who falls for the spoiled daughter of his benefactor.
Watching the free-spirited Ike humanize the uptight Margaret is very satisfying. Aniston and Speedman have a nice, easy rapport and while the film is a bit dated, it’s still a charming, low-key romance. The Proposal may have been eclipsed by the bigger budget 2009 film of the same name, but it’s worth a watch for rom-com completists.
13. Leap Year (2010)
Amy Adams is her usual lovable self as a woman who travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day, only to find herself relying on a surly but handsome local innkeeper (Matthew Goode) when everything goes wrong.
Watching Anna and Declan bicker and fight their obvious attraction while trekking across the lush Irish countryside is a treat. Adams and Goode have lovely chemistry and while the story is predictable, it’s the scenic journey that matters here. Leap Year is sweet, escapist fun with a fairytale quality.
14. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009)
Matthew McConaughey is in prime rom-com form as a womanizing photographer who is visited by the ghosts of his past girlfriends on the eve of his brother’s wedding in this A Christmas Carol-inspired tale.
Jennifer Garner co-stars as Connor’s childhood friend Jenny, who has always carried a torch for him. Watching Connor revisit his romantic history with the ghosts makes him realize what he had in Jenny all along. McConaughey and Garner are an appealing pair and while the story follows a familiar formula, it’s a fun, feel-good ride with some genuine laughs and heart.
15. Warm Bodies (2013)
Bear with me on this one. While a zombie rom-com seems like an odd choice for this list, the love story between Nicholas Hoult’s corpse-like R and Teresa Palmer’s human Julie hits a lot of the same beats as other enemies-to-lovers tales.
As R starts to regain his humanity through his connection with Julie, the pair have to overcome the disapproval of both the human and zombie communities. It’s a fresh, funny take on Romeo & Juliet with some real pathos and a sweet message about the redemptive power of love. Hoult and Palmer sell the unlikely romance beautifully.
So there you have it – 15 enemies-to-lovers movies that will give you the same butterflies and belly laughs as The Hating Game. From Regency England to zombie-infested dystopias, these films prove that opposites really do attract and there’s nothing more satisfying than watching two people fall in love despite their differences.
Whether you’re in the mood for witty banter, heartfelt confessions, or just some good old-fashioned sexual tension, these films have got you covered. So grab some popcorn (and maybe a fan to cool yourself off during those steamy scenes), and get ready to swoon, laugh, and believe in the power of love to conquer all. Even if it starts with a little hate.
