The 1970s reshaped the romantic comedy. The decade moved away from glossy studio fantasies and embraced something more grounded, adult, and emotionally honest. Relationships became messier, characters became more vulnerable, and comedy leaned into realism rather than fairy tale charm. The result was a wave of romcoms that felt smarter, sharper, and more human than anything that came before.
Here are the best romantic comedies of the 1970s that still resonate today.
Annie Hall (1977)
Woody Allen and Diane Keaton reinvented the romcom with a film that felt intimate, neurotic, and unpredictable. Its non linear structure, fourth wall breaks, and bittersweet ending made it one of the most influential romantic comedies ever released. It won Best Picture and helped redefine the genre for the modern era.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
The Goodbye Girl (1977)
Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason star in Neil Simon’s story of a struggling single mother forced to share her apartment with an eccentric actor. Their bickering slow burn romance is warm, funny, and grounded in real vulnerability. Dreyfuss won an Oscar for his performance.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Harold and Maude (1971)
A darkly comic cult classic about a young man obsessed with death who falls for a free spirited seventy nine year old woman. Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon turn a potentially outrageous premise into something heartfelt and strangely uplifting. It remains one of the boldest love stories of the decade.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
What’s Up, Doc (1972)
Peter Bogdanovich delivers a throwback screwball comedy with Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neal. Full of fast talk, mistaken identities, and escalating chaos, it captures the energy of 1930s classics but with a 70s sense of irreverence. It is one of the funniest films of the decade.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
A Touch of Class (1973)
George Segal and Glenda Jackson star in this story of an affair that starts as a fling and turns into something deeper. Jackson won an Oscar for her performance, and the film’s blend of wit, adult themes, and emotional honesty helped define 70s romcom sensibilities.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold digitally.
Love Story (1970)
While more drama than comedy, its cultural impact makes it impossible to ignore. Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw’s doomed romance became a phenomenon and introduced one of cinema’s most quoted lines. It shaped how Hollywood approached sentimental love stories for the entire decade.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Sleeper (1973)
A futuristic romantic farce set centuries ahead, starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton as mismatched rebels in a totalitarian world. It mixes slapstick and satire with an unexpectedly sweet romantic thread, especially in its final scenes.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Silver Streak (1976)
A comedy thriller where romance and hijinks unfold aboard a train. Gene Wilder and Jill Clayburgh make the romance believable, and the chemistry between Wilder and Richard Pryor adds extra spark. It is a playful blend of genres that still works.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Foul Play (1978)
Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn fall into a mystery involving assassins, albinos, and a runaway plot to kill the Pope. Their easy chemistry makes the romantic thread work even as the film leans heavily on action and comedy.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Manhattan (1979)
A controversial but iconic film that blends romance, neurosis, and stunning black and white photography. Woody Allen, Mariel Hemingway, and Diane Keaton navigate complicated relationships across New York’s artistic circles. Its tone and cultural impact remain key to understanding 70s romance on screen.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Why 1970s RomComs Still Matter
The 1970s pushed the romantic comedy into the real world. Characters were flawed, endings were not guaranteed, and love was treated as both joyful and complicated. The decade showed that romcoms could be smart, stylish, and emotionally grounded without losing their sense of humor. The films of this era paved the way for the character-driven romances of the 80s and 90s.
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