From ‘Bridget Jones’ to ‘Mamma Mia!’: The Best 2000s Rom-Com Franchises to Rewatch Today
Your favorite romantic comedies are still going strong—see which classics are returning!
Romantic comedies have been done since the dawn of the day, but there was a pivotal moment for the genre in the 1990s and early 2000s, as romance seemed to be the go-to film category for a significant chunk of time. From Notting Hill (1999) to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), some of your favorite rom-coms and romances are from this era.
But, as you might recall, some of your favorite romantic comedies spawned major film franchises that have continued on for years after their debut and remain beloved today. See which of your favorite movies have become huge film series and which are expecting titles in the future.
‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’
The film that spawned a four-movie series is 2001’s Bridget Jones’ Diary. Starring Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, the 32-year-old decides to take her life back, attempts to find love and starts keeping a diary. Bridget writes everything in her little book, from her own opinions to her experiences, meanwhile juggling her own relationships.
The first film was followed by the 2004 sequel, Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason, as well as the 2016 film, Bridget Jones’s Baby. A fourth movie is in the process of being made and set to release in 2025, titled Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
Watch Bridget Jones’ Diary on Max!
‘Mamma Mia!’
The Mamma Mia! franchise began in 2008 with Donna (Meryl Streep) preparing for her daughter Sophie’s (Amanda Seyfried) wedding in Greece, with the help of her two friends. But when Sophie discovers her mother’s old diary and finds three men that could potentially be her father, she invites them all to Greece to attend the wedding, leaving out the part that she might be the daughter of one of them.
The film turned into a franchise, with the sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, being released in 2018. The sequel follows a young Donna who embarks on a European adventure, where she meets Harry, Bill and Sam. In the present day, we see a pregnant Sophie dreaming of reuniting with her mother’s friends and old boyfriends. A third Mamma Mia! is also in the works.
Watch Mamma Mia! on Max!
‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’
The film franchise, which began in 2002, follows the Greek Portokalos family, who are all worried about Toula, an unmarried 30-year-old woman working at her parent’s restaurant. But when she meets and falls in love with Ian Miller, Toula worries that her family will not approve because he isn’t Greek.
Starring Nia Vardalos as Toula, Michael Constantine as Gus and John Corbett as Ian Miller, the wildly successful film eventually led to a sequel in 2016 and a third in 2023.
Watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding on Max!
‘Sex and the City’
Beginning with the 1998 dramedy series of the same name, Sex and the City eventually led to two films in 2008 and 2010, as well as the reboot series, And Just Like That…. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristen Davis, both series and films follow four women experiencing the trials and tribulations of the New York City dating scene. Sex and the City went on to become one of the most popular drama/comedy series of all time.
Watch Sex and the City on Max!
‘The Princess Diaries’
In The Princess Diaries (2001), Anne Hathaway stars as Mia Thermopolis, who discovers she is the heir to the crown of Genovia and a real-life princess. The awkward teen begins her journey to learn how to be a proper princess and eventually the future queen. Meanwhile, Mia falls for her best friend’s brother, Michael, resulting in all of the lovable romance tropes you adore in a film.
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) follows Mia post-college and living her princess duties, when she discovers she needs to find a husband before becoming queen and must marry within 30 days. Although she finds a man who seems perfect, her heart is drawn to Nicholas Devereaux (Chris Pine), one of her top suitors, who is more interested in the crown than her. He later realizes his love for Mia.
The Princess Diaries franchise is set to continue with a third film, which was recently announced, and is currently set to star Anne Hathaway. No other details are known yet, but it is very exciting for romance movie lovers.
Watch The Princess Diaries on Disney+!
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