Relatable rom-coms to Netflix when you’re facing a quarter-life crisis

Many of us have probably thought that by the age of 25, we’d have had our life all figured out. A stable job, a potential partner we could BTO with, and perhaps a bit more wisdom compared to our teenage years. But if the adults who have been at the game way longer are any indication, it seems that learning how to be a grown-up is a constant learning journey.

So if you are currently facing a quarter-life crisis, just sit back with a wine glass in one hand and relax with some of these relatable romantic-comedies on Netflix. Who knows, you might feel less bummed out after, and maybe even a little inspired.

1. The Holiday

Christmas might be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still watch The Holiday. A 2006 festive rom-com directed by Nancy Meyers, it pairs our classic girl crushes Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz with familiar male leads Black Jack and Jude Law.

Iris (Winslet) and Amanda (Diaz) are two women who live completely opposite lifestyles. The former is a journalist who lives in a quaint but cosy cottage in England, while the latter spends her days as a film-trailer producer with a lavish mansion in Los Angeles. But the two have one thing in common: relationship issues. When fate allows them to switch houses during the holiday season, love happens with the men in their new environments.

Whilst we can’t exactly pack our bags and jet off to a different country right now, this movie can shed some light on how maybe a change of surroundings can do us good.

2. He’s Just Not That Into You

This 2009 film directed by Ken Kwapis has a star-studded lineup consisting of Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Bradley Cooper and Ben Affleck, just to name a few. Need we say more?

He’s Just Not That Into You is set in Baltimore, and follows the romantic struggles of various characters. For Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin), she often wrongly interprets how her potential dates go, and spends a copious amount of time waiting for a text that never comes. With Beth (Aniston), her boyfriend Neil (Affleck) of seven years simply just does not want to get married. Janine (Jennifer Connelly) on the other hand faces a cheating husband, Ben (Cooper). Along with the addition of other interesting characters played by Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson and more, how will everyone’s lives pan out?

This movie sheds some harsh truths for us hopeless romantics, so be prepared for some ouch moments.

3. Bridesmaids

Ah, that time of your life when most of your girlfriends are beginning to get engaged one by one. Who can you call up for your spontaneous #beingsingleisgreat antics anymore? Bridesmaids, directed by Paul Feig and released in 2011, features a relatably hilarious cast of Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy and more.

After the crumble of Annie’s (Wiig) bakery business, her single-status has to now rise up to the challenge of being maid of honour to her best friend Lillian (Rudolph). Adding on to her already full plate is her empty bank account throughout the bridesmaids’ festivities, and of course, she meets all-too-perfect rival Helen (Byrne) who stands in the way of her uncontested friendship with the bride.

Whether or not you’ve been a bridesmaid, we’re sure this movie will show you both the horrifying and heartwarming moments of planning a wedding.

4. The Other Woman

While 2014 film The Other Woman — directed by Nick Cassavetes — has scored low ratings, don’t dismiss it just yet. Main female leads Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann showcase great on-screen chemistry, whilst the witty scenes will definitely make you laugh out loud. Plus, Nicki Minaj stars in the movie and we have to say: her acting chops aren’t bad.

Carly (Diaz) is a successful lawyer who is dating Mark (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), but secretly finds out that he is married. She breaks off the relationship, but somehow gets entangled into a complicated friendship with his wife (Mann). But wait, there’s more. It turns out that Mark is also romantically involved with another woman (Kate Upton), and so the trio form an alliance against the cheating husband.

While having a cheating spouse is no laughing matter, this movie shares the friendships formed and lessons learned in a light-hearted manner.

With all these great films available, it’s definitely time to grab a tub of Ben & Jerry’s and round up your girlfriends for a Netflix rom-com session.