Rom-com, also spelled as romcom, is a short form often used to mean 'romantic comedy'. This is identified as a subgenre of comedy and slice-of-life fiction. Romcom usually focuses on optimistic and humorous plot lines centered around romantic ideas and presented in a cheerful manner. It is because such presentation is used to create a positive, optimistic and happy narrative.

Romantic comedy, rather than being a single new genre, is classified as a film with two genres: a certain genre of comedy films as well as of romance films. Also, romantic comedy films may contain elements of screwball comedies.

Audrey Hepburn starrer Roman Holiday (1953), Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) and Sabrina (1954), Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr starrer An Affair to Remember (1957), Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobrigida starrer Come September (1961), Marilyn Monroe starrer Seven Year Itch (1955), and Kathryn Grayson starrer Seven Sweethearts (1942) are some of the most notable romcoms of the early days. Julia Roberts starrer Pretty Woman (1990), Notting Hill (1999), My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) and Runaway Bride (1999) are some of the most cherished romcoms of recent time. Other films that are often listed among the best romcoms of all time include Amélie (2001), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), While You Were Sleeping (1995), You've Got Mail (1998), Serendipity (2001), As Good as It Gets (1997), When Harry Met Sally... (1989), Love Actually (2003), Never Been Kissed (1999), Legally Blonde (2001), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), 50 First Dates (2004), It's Complicated (2009) and Bridget Jones's Diary (2001).