Top 10 Contemporary Rom-Com Ensembles
3. He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
In the late 2000s, the trend of putting as many famous faces into a rom-com as possible became a thing, and much of that was thanks to the unheralded success of He’s Just Not That Into You (2009). This Ken Kwapis-directed venture beats out its closely linked ensemble rom-com brethren Valentine’s Day (which starred just about everyone including Taylor Swift) to this spot on the list for that very reason.
Starring a leading cast of height-of-their-powers actresses Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Aniston, He’s Just Not That Into You also fanned the growing star power of Scarlett Johansson and Bradley Cooper to offer a film which had a little bit of everything for everyone. Even late rom-com phase Ben Affleck got a look in!
Cast: Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Connelly, Justin Long, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Kevin Connolly, Kris Kristofferson, Marc Silverstein, Busy Phillipps
4. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Combining a mix of up-and-coming talent with experienced and hugely respected professionals, John M. Chu’s Crazy Rich Asians was one of 2018’s most universally beloved surprise hits.
To make sure this particular rom-com grabbed the attention of casual cinema goers, the cast was stacked to the brim with recognisable and on-trend faces including Awkwafina (Ocean’s 8), Gemma Chan (Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them; Mary Queen of Scots) and Constance Wu, with Malaysian born Michelle Yeoh being perhaps the pick of the bunch as the talent for all ages, the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Sunshine actress upping the film’s classy ensemble tenfold to make it one of the most tantalising of the decade.
Cast: Awkwafina, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Constance Wu, Harry Shum Jr., Michelle Yeoh, Ken Jeong, Sonoya Mizuno
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5. Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Speaking of crazy…
Crazy, Stupid, Love. put together such a cast of Oscar-nominees that the casting is almost Oscar-worthy within itself. Julianne Moore, who was by this point already a 4-time Oscar nominee, was joined by the multi-award winning Steve Carell on the cusp of his dramatic breakthrough, the now 2-time Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling, Oscar winner and 2-time nominee Emma Stone, Oscar winner Marisa Tomei, 3-time Golden Globe nominee Kevin Bacon and even award-winning musician Josh Groban.
If ever there was a cast to sell you on a film, this would be it.
Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Analeigh Tipton, Kevin Bacon, Josh Groban, Joey King, John Carroll Lynch