The teen rom-com [1] is a major movie staple. Who doesn't feel a little sappy watching young, hopeful characters struggling to figure out love for the first time? Netflix is home to plenty of teen romantic comedies [2], and although their library of originals [3] definitely has some instant modern classics, there's more to watch than just the newest titles. From buzzy new movies to old-school classics, from ensemble comedies to LGBTQ+ rom-coms and more, there's something for everyone here [4]. Ahead, we've rounded up more than a dozen of our picks for the best teen rom-coms on Netflix, packed with lots of humour and swoony romance. No matter how old you are, we guarantee these titles will put a smile on your face!
Alex Strangelove
It's a staple of coming-of-age comedies everywhere: a high school senior makes plans to lose his virginity to his girlfriend. His whole perspective on love, sex, and his own identity flips, however, when he meets a handsome, charming stranger and begins developing feelings for him.
Watch Alex Strangelove on Netflix. [5]
Be Somebody
A teen pop superstar is getting fed up with the demands of his tour and his overbearing stage mother. Frustrated, he impulsively runs away, meeting a small-town girl who shows him a different way of life and helps him to figure out what he really wants out of his life and career.
Watch Be Somebody on Netflix. [6]
Candy Jar
Two teenagers — one working class girl, one wealthy and privileged boy — find themselves caught up with each other in a debate team rivalry. As they both fight to get into the colleges of their dreams, they start to realise that they might have more in common than they first thought.
Watch Candy Jar on Netflix. [7]
The Kissing Booth
A shy girl gets to kiss the guy of her dreams when she runs the kissing booth [8] at the school fair. The only problem? He's her best friend's brother and strictly off-limits, meaning they have to keep their burgeoning romance a total secret.
Watch The Kissing Booth on Netflix. [9]
The Last Summer
It's the summer before college, and a group of newly-graduated teenagers are trying to make the most of the last few months they have together. The more they try to reassure each other that things will stay the same, the more they come to realise that their lives — and loves — are going to change no matter what.
Watch The Last Summer on Netflix. [10]
Let It Snow
Based on a young adult book, this ensemble rom-com is like a low-stakes Love Actually for teens. When a group of teens get stranded in an unfamiliar town during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, several different love stories blossom and intersect across that single day.
Watch Let It Snow on Netflix. [11]
The Perfect Date
Desperate for money to pay for college, a high school senior comes up with a business plan: offering himself as a "perfect date" to different functions. Things go sideways, though, when he meets a girl he thinks he might want to date for real, even if it's far from perfect.
Watch The Perfect Date on Netflix. [12]
Sierra Burgess Is a Loser
It's one of several twists on the Cyrano de Bergerac story that's been around for ages. An unpopular band geek agrees to help out a popular girl by texting the guy she likes for her. Unfortunately, Sierra has a crush on him too, and things get messy when he seems to reciprocate "her" feelings, not knowing the truth about her identity.
Watch Sierra Burgess Is a Loser on Netflix. [13]
SPF-18
A teenage girl tries to make the most of her time with her longtime crush-turned boyfriend at a beach house one summer. When a country star hiding out from the public crosses their paths, everyone's hearts are suddenly and unexpectedly on the line.
Watch SPF-18 on Netflix. [14]
Tall Girl
Jodi has always been the tallest girl in school, leading to some major insecurities and a frustrating love life. When she falls for a handsome exchange student, she suddenly finds herself at the centre of an unexpected love triangle, forcing her to realise some things about herself that she'd never thought about before.
Watch Tall Girl on Netflix. [15]
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
When Lara Jean's secret love letters get out, she's terrified of the fallout. Enter Peter Kavinsky, one of the accidental recipients, who proposes a deal: a fake relationship to make his ex jealous and hide the truth about her letters. Of course, real feelings soon emerge, making everything much more complicated than either of them planned.
Watch To All the Boys I've Loved Before on Netflix. [16]
To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You
Lara Jean has finally entered a real relationship, but that doesn't mean her romantic troubles are over. When John Ambrose McClaren, the last remaining recipient of her letters, shows up at the same volunteer opportunity she's working, she has to decide if the spark between them is enough to upend her relationship for.
Watch To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You on Netflix. [17]
Can't Hardly Wait
With graduation approaching, an entire senior class gathers at a wealthy classmate's home for one final, epic party. Over the course of the night, several different romances start, stop, and struggle as everyone tries to figure out what they regret and what — and who — they still want.
Watch Can't Hardly Wait on Netflix. [18]
The Half of It
Ellie has a lucrative side hustle writing papers for her classmates, but when a popular jock approaches her for help, he has a different assignment: writing love notes to win over the prettiest girl in school. As Ellie slowly develops a friendship with him, she also realises that she has feelings for the same girl he does. It's one part rom-com, one part coming-of-age tale.
Watch The Half of It on Netflix. [19]