Love is in the air, or at least it’s on our screens, and it seems every state in the U.S. has its own favorite. From the Golden State’s passion for romantic work relationships to the Empire State’s love for singles tackling love in the big city, Americans have pretty diverse tastes in rom-coms. Let’s take a look at 21 states and their favorite rom-coms, according to data from Likewise.
Texas – Notting Hill
In Texas, where everything is bigger, their love for Notting Hill is just as huge. Texans can’t get enough of this beautiful tale, where a famous actress falls for a regular bookstore owner. It’s the ultimate dream, proving that love knows no bounds, not even between a star and an average Joe.
Tennessee – Love Actually
Love Actually is the perfect example of just how crazy love can be. Set in London during the Christmas period, the film shows a number of romantic situations, from the Prime Minister falling for a member of his household staff to a writer finding peace and new love in the south of France. No wonder it’s a beloved classic in Tennessee!
California – The Proposal
California is a state that’s always up for a bit of rebellion, and it seems that the residents just love The Proposal’s take on power dynamics. In this flick, a boss needs her assistant to keep her job while also dealing with a fake engagement. This hits just right in a state that celebrates the unexpected and celebrates stories of unusual unions.
Florida – 10 Things I Hate About You
In Florida, the weather often flicks between sun-drenched days and sudden thunderstorms. And just like the weather, Floridians love the rocky but ultimately sunny-hearted love story of 10 Things I Hate About You. It’s all about the storm before the calm, the bickering before the kissing. Floridians totally get that you have to weather a little rain to enjoy the sunshine!
New York – Bridget Jones’s Diary
New Yorkers see a bit of themselves in Bridget Jones, stumbling through the dating world with a mix of optimism and disaster. In a city where anything can happen, from coincidental meetings to cringe-worthy dating disasters, Bridget’s journey feels hilariously familiar. It has that kind of self-reflection that happens in the least expected moments.
Indiana – Pretty Woman
In Pretty Woman, we meet Vivian Ward, a spirited Hollywood prostitute who finds her life transformed after meeting Edward Lewis, a wealthy businessman. It’s a modern Cinderella tale that even features a transformation of wardrobes and hearts. Perhaps Indianans can relate to that.
Illinois – Love Actually
For those braving Illinois winters, Love Actually is the cinematic version of a warm blanket and a cup of cocoa. The movie’s collection of love stories is a comforting escape from the chill. It blends laughter, tears, and warmth in just the right way! Love Actually is a holiday favorite that proves love’s warmth can outdo even the coldest of seasons.
Pennsylvania – Notting Hill
Like Texas, Pennsylvanians have a soft spot for the quaint and quirky love story of Notting Hill. Extraordinary tales of love aren’t just for the history books – you can find them in the most ordinary places! There’s a real charm to a bookshop romance, which, in a state where history and the present come together, the people just love.
Ohio – 10 Things I Hate About You
For Ohioans, the appeal of 10 Things I Hate About You comes from how it shows just how unexpected love can be. They fell in love with the film’s mix of humor and heart and the characters’ journey from hatred to affection. It’s a movie that’s the perfect example of how the most surprising things in life are often the things we never saw coming.
Georgia – 10 Things I Hate About You
Similarly, Georgians, known for their hospitality and warmth, find a reflection of their own sunny spirits in 10 Things I Hate About You. The movie captures the essence of Georgia’s enthusiastic community. It’s a tale that shows that, beneath every scowl, there’s the potential for connection and understanding.
Connecticut – The Holiday
The Holiday features Cameron Diaz as Amanda, a movie trailer producer from Los Angeles, and Kate Winslet as Iris, a newspaper columnist from England, who swap homes to escape their heartbreak. It’s clearly something Connecticutians and plenty of other people enjoyed. The film made over $205 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo!
Maryland – Love Actually
Americans really seem to love Love Actually! But they’re not the only ones – the film grossed approximately $248.3 million worldwide against a budget of just $40 million! Even the soundtrack did well, as it was certified Gold in the United States for sales of over 500,000. Clearly, Maryland isn’t alone in its love for this flick.
North Carolina – Notting Hill
For North Carolinians, Notting Hill is a reminder of the state’s belief in simple joys. The story of an everyday man and a celebrity finding love amid the ordinary is something that these people can certainly relate to. After all, this is a state where both the mountains and the sea remind people that magic can happen in the most unexpected settings.
Michigan – Pretty Woman
Michigan has a history of reinvention and resilience, and they see that in Pretty Woman. The story of unexpected second chances and the breaking down of social barriers is something that Michiganders can relate to. They know a thing or two about coming back stronger! Pretty Woman shows that sometimes, the road less traveled is paved with the promise of a new beginning.
New Jersey – Bridget Jones’s Diary
Like its big sister, New Jersey also loves the story of Bridget Jones’s Diary. New Jerseyans, with their straightforwardness and resilience, can totally relate to the uncensored stories of Bridget’s life. If you’ve ever laughed off a bad date or shown up to a party in the wrong clothes but owned it completely, then this is the movie for you.
Wisconsin – 10 Things I Hate About You
Did you know that 10 Things I Hate About You is actually a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew”? Well, now you do! We wonder if many Wisconsians know this fact, too, or if they just love the storyline about Cameron, Bianca Stratford, and Kat. Maybe they just can’t resist Heath Ledger.
Missouri – When Harry Met Sally
When Harry Met Sally shows how the relationship between two New Yorkers, Harry Burns and Sally Albright, evolves over 12 years as they face the complexities of friendship and love. But perhaps the most famous part of the film is the question it asks—can men and women ever just be friends? It seems that Missourians are keen to figure that one out!
Virginia – Love Actually
Virginians are surrounded by stories of the past and a mix of cultures. For them, Love Actually is a great reminder of how love is blind. The film is a collection of connected stories that are very similar to Virginia’s own history. Like the bridges across the James River, love is a force that connects and uplifts.
Washington – 10 Things I Hate About You
In Washington, they love 10 Things I Hate About You. It’s not clear exactly why, but maybe it’s because the movie shows how romance can blossom even among the grey drizzle. Washington’s definitely got plenty of that! Love, just like Washington’s lush landscapes, can survive in all conditions.
Arizona – When Harry Met Sally
It’s no surprise that Arizonans love When Harry Met Sally. After all, the way the relationships in the movie mature over time is very similar to how the environment in the Arizona desert changes, from the vibrant hues of daylight to the serene beauty of sunset. The film is proof of how both patience and growth are essential ingredients in nature and relationships.
Massachusetts – Notting Hill
Like in a lot of other states, there’s a lot of love for Notting Hill in Massachusetts. Maybe they love how unexpected the love story is, or maybe it’s the beautiful blend of fairy-tale romance with real-world charm. Either way, it’s a film that encourages Massachusetts viewers to find magic in their everyday lives.
