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Real-life weddings are pure cinematic gold. They’ve got everything: eye-catching looks, long-held traditions, laughter, kisses, dances, and tears. With so much dramatic potential, it’s no wonder that Hollywood loves a wedding. Lucky for the romantics among us—or those simply fascinated with all things weddings—there are plenty of wedding movies to satisfy your cravings.
Whether you’re getting ready to walk down the aisle yourself, or merely in the mood for a good love story, wedding movies are here to transport you to a world of “I do’s” (if all goes as planned, that is). Here, we’ve curated a collection of the best wedding movies ever, from rom-com favorites to moody period dramas, to old classics, quirky indie films, and more.
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
A Golden Age classic by George Cukor, The Philadelphia Story stars Katharine Hepburn as Tracy Lord, a wealthy socialite preparing for her high-society wedding. Things go awry when her ex-husband, the fantastically named C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) shows up with a charming undercover reporter (James Stewart) and photographer (Ruth Hussey) who have been assigned to cover the wedding. Cue the hijinks—and a star-studded love triangle.
Steel Magnolias (1989)
It’s easy to forget that Steel Magnolias—one of the great dramedies of the 1980s—kicks off with the preparations for a big ol’ Southern wedding. That’s where we first meet the film’s firecracker women: There’s mother of the bride-to-be, M’Lynn (Sally Field); hair stylist Truvy (Dolly Parton); beauty assistant Annelle (Daryl Hannah); town grouch Oiser (Shirley McLaine); Oiser’s bestie, Clairee (Olympia Dukakis); and, of course, the “blush and bashful” bride herself, Shelby (Julia Roberts). But even without that all-star cast and their unforgettable one-liners, Steel Magnolias would be worth a watch for its over-the-top wedding. Think: a red velvet armadillo cake, outrageous guests, and a cotton-candy-pink color palette.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
As the title suggests, this film is set over the course of four weddings and a funeral—and the many hiccups, hilarities, and heartbreaks that occur therein, especially between Hugh Grant’s Charles and Andie MacDowell’s Carrie. It’s the first film Grant made with director Richard Curtis (later works would include Notting Hill and Bridget Jones’s Diary), and the one that made him a household name. To this day, it’s considered one of the best British films of all time.
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
Julia Roberts’s Jules has a pact with her best friend Michael (Dermot Mulroney): if they are both unmarried by 28, they will marry each other. Three weeks before Jules’s 28th birthday, she gets a phone call that he’s engaged—and to a college student (played by Cameron Diaz), no less. In a fit of fury, Jules flies out to Chicago to break them up.
The Wedding Singer (1998)
Back in the day, Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler) was the hottest wedding singer around—that is, until his own wedding day turned into a major letdown. In an emotional slump, he meets Drew Barrymore’s Julia, who’s unfortunately engaged to the worst guy imaginable. Will the wedding singer finally find love? Sandler and Barrymore’s iconic matchup is enough to make this film a must-watch.
Runaway Bride (1999)
A spiritual successor to Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, and director Gerry Marshall reunited for 1999’s Runaway Bride. Roberts plays Maggie Carpenter, the titular bride, who gains a reputation for leaving grooms at the altar. As she prepares to marry her new fiancé (Christopher Meloni), a journalist (Gere) comes to town looking for the story behind Maggie s habit. As he digs into the truth behind the gossip, he discovers there’s much more to her than he thought.
Monsoon Wedding (2001)
In Mira Nair’s 2001 ensemble comedy-drama, members of the large Verma family come together from all around the world for the New Delhi wedding of Aditi (Vasundhara Das), to Hemant (Parvin Dabas), in an arranged marriage. As preparations get underway for the large, multi-day affair, a tale of chaos, dancing, traditions, secrets, and complex family dynamics unfolds.
The Wedding Planner (2001)
Meet Mary Fiore (Jennifer Lopez), the wedding planner creating romance for everyone but herself. (You know what they say: “Those who can’t wed, plan.”) But on one fateful day, Mary’s heel gets stuck in a grate, only for her to be swept off her feet by a swoon-worthy pediatric surgeon, Steve Edison (Matthew McConaughey). The catch? He’s about to say “I do” to Fran, the very bridezilla Mary is planning a fairytale wedding for. It’s giving 27 Dresses meets The Parent Trap, with a touch of My Best Friend’s Wedding.
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
For Sweet Home Alabama’s Melanie Carmichael (Reese Witherspoon), everything seems perfect. She’s the hottest up-and-coming fashion designer in New York, and her handsome politician boyfriend Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey) has just proposed. The catch? Melanie can’t marry him until she sorts out some things in her Alabama hometown. She returns for the first time in years, and as is tradition, she must choose between her childhood love and her new life.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Toula Portokalos’s (Nia Vardalos) parents want her to marry a Greek man—but instead, she falls in love with John Corbett’s Ian Miller. A comedic portrayal of cultural differences and the blending of families, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a delight for anyone to watch—but especially those lovers with a different cultural background or heritage than their partner.
Wedding Crashers (2005)
Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) and John (Owen Wilson), two D.C.-area wedding crashers (and professional divorce mediators), have set their sights on the nuptials of the secretary of the treasury’s daughter, Gloria (Isla Fisher). Little do they know, they’ll end up falling for Gloria and her bridesmaid Claire (Rachel McAdams).
27 Dresses (2008)
Katherine Heigl’s Jane has been a bridesmaid 27 times—a fact that’s never especially bothered her until she’s asked to be in her sister’s wedding…to the man Jane secretly loves. Observing it all? James Marsden as Kevin, a famous wedding reporter—because no rom-com is truly complete without a prying journalist.
Sex and the City (2008)
New York’s sexiest (and most neurotic) writer is finally getting hitched to her Mr. Big! The proposal—in the sort of Upper East Side penthouse that dreams are made of, with an even dreamier shoe closet—is pretty romantic, and initially, the wedding is set to be just as sweet: a simple courthouse wedding with a no-name cream suit. But because this is Carrie Bradshaw, the ceremony eventually balloons into a soirée at the New York Public Library, complete with a Vivienne Westwood gown and dramatic bird headpiece. We all know what happens next.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) doesn’t know who her father is—so she invites the three men it could be to her wedding on a picturesque Greek island to find out. There’s no Oscar for “most fun film to watch,” but if there were, Mamma Mia! would have likely taken the top prize. It’s based off a musical with songs by ABBA, after all!
Bride Wars (2009)
Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Liv (Kate Hudson) are best friends—that is, until they both accidentally set their weddings for June 9, at the famed Plaza Hotel. When they both also refuse to reschedule, sabotage ensues. (Blue hair dye is involved.)
The Hangover (2009)
Chances are, even if you haven’t seen The Hangover, you’ve had it quoted to you endlessly. There’s a reason for that: the Todd Phillips-directed film, starring A-list names like Bradley Cooper and Ken Jeong, is a master class in both comedic acting and writing. (Case in point: Zach Galifianakis’s “wolfpack” monologue.) A quick plot summary? A group of friends—plus the bride’s loner brother—head to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. They don’t remember a thing the next morning… including where they left the groom. With 48 hours to go before the wedding, they must find him before his fiancée finds out.
I Love You, Man (2009)
A production featuring Paul Rudd and/or Jason Segel almost always promises a quirky bromance, and this love story has that and more. Real estate agent Peter Klaven (Rudd) has just proposed to his fiancée, Zooey (Rashida Jones), but can’t possibly prepare for his wedding without having a best man. Through a series of bro dates, he establishes an odd but sweet friendship with investor Sydney Fife (Segel).
Melancholia (2011)
Far from another romantic comedy, the deeply dark Melancholia centers on Justine, a woman rethinking her life as a rogue planet hurtles toward the earth on her wedding day. Many consider the critically acclaimed film one of director Lars von Trier’s best, anchored by a brilliant performance from lead actress Kirsten Dunst. (Also of note: The film’s wonderful use of Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.)
Bridesmaids (2011)
This Academy-Award nominated comedy centers on Annie, a down-on-her-luck baker who is asked to be the maid of honor for her friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph). The problem? One of Lillian’s other friends, Helen (Rose Byrne), thinks she should have gotten the nod. Both a hilarious skewering of bridal culture and a poignant portrayal of friendship, Bridesmaids is star Kristen Wiig’s finest (and funniest) work.
Bachelorette (2012)
Fully a dramedy, Bachelorette follows the drunken escapades of Regan (Kirsten Dunst), Gena (Lizzy Caplan), and Katie (Isla Fisher) in the lead-up to their friend’s wedding (Rebel Wilson). “Friends,” however, might not be the right term here: the quartet’s relationship is defined by jealousy, pity, and feelings of both superiority and inferiority. The result? A film that will make you cringe as much as laugh.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) accompanies her boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to Singapore for his best friend’s wedding. There, she discovers that Nick comes from one of country’s most affluent families. As Rachel navigates Singapore’s high society, she finds herself also having to prove her worthiness to Nick’s disapproving mother, Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh).
Palm Springs (2020)
Sunny Palm Springs is the idyllic backdrop for a dreamy desert wedding—or so it seems. When guests Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Miloti) first meet at Sarah’s sister’s wedding, there’s an instant attraction—especially after Nyles saves Sarah from giving a disastrous maid-of-honor speech. But when things take a trippy turn during their initial make-out, they are suddenly doomed to relive the same day over and again, Groundhog Day-style. As Nyles puts it: “It’s one of those infinite time-loop situations you might have heard about.” Sound wild? It is—and also great, off-beat fun. This isn’t your average wedding rom-com.
Father of the Bride (2022)
The Shyer-Meyers version, starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton, is obviously a classic (to say nothing of the 1950 original, with Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, and Elizabeth Taylor), but the 2022 remake is truly one-of-a-kind. Billy Herrera (Andy García) is just like any father grappling with the idea of marrying off his daughter Sofia (Adria Arjona), a recent law school graduate engaged to another grad, Adan (Diego Boneta). But despite his reservations about their plans to move to Mexico and work for a non-profit, Billy is dead-set on throwing them the best Cuban American wedding that he can muster—and keeping his eventual divorce from Sofia’s mother, Ingrid (Gloria Estefan), a secret until after the wedding.