Celebrated Romantic Comedies in the Public Domain That You Can Watch Right Now + Bonus Film
- Liz Publika
- Aug 16, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 4
by Liz Publika
His Girl Friday (1940)
Directed by Howard Hawks
Starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell
Featuring Ralph Bellamy and Gene Lockhart
His Girl Friday is classic screwball comedy, but at its core it’s a story about two people who just can’t quit each other. Walter Burns (Cary Grant) is a fast-talking newspaper editor facing a genuine crisis: his ace reporter and ex-wife, Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell), is engaged to a nice, steady fellow and is planning to leave the newsroom — and him — forever. When an irresistible scoop comes along, Walter sees his opening not just to beat the story, but to win Hildy back. What follows is a hilarious barrage of schemes, overlapping dialogue, and newsroom chaos as Hildy is pulled back into the madness she once loved. Beneath the jokes and the speed, the film asks whether love is about comfort or chaos — and whether two people who argue like this might secretly belong together.
Cyrano de Bergerac (1950)
Directed by Michael Gordon
Starring José Ferrer, Mala Powers, William Prince
Cyrano de Bergerac is a romance wrapped in poetry and heartbreak. In seventeenth-century Paris, the fiercely witty and brave Cyrano (José Ferrer) carries a secret that haunts him: he’s madly in love with his beautiful cousin Roxane (Mala Powers), but he’s convinced his famously large nose makes him unworthy of her affection. When Roxane confesses she loves another man — the handsome but awkward Christian (William Prince) — Cyrano doesn’t turn away. Instead, he pours his heart into the words Christian lacks, crafting the love letters that sweep Roxane off her feet. What begins as loyal friendship becomes a tragic, layered romance where beauty, courage, and language collide. As war and loss reshape their lives, the truth of who Roxane has loved all along gradually unfolds, turning this tale of unspoken passion and self-sacrifice into one of the most enduring love stories in cinema
Charade (1963)
Directed by Stanley Donen
Starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn
Featuring Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, Dominique Minot, Ned Glass, and Jacques Marin
Charade pairs Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn in a romance that feels like a classic Parisian caper with a heartbeat. Regina Lampert (Hepburn) is just trying to divorce her husband and enjoy life in the Alps when a charming stranger (Grant) sweeps into her world — and then into a dangerous mystery involving her late husband’s hidden fortune. As they dodge thugs, chase clues across scenic Paris, and try to stay alive, something unexpected happens: the sparks between them start to burn. Neither knows quite who the other is — he keeps changing names, and she keeps letting her guard down — but their playful banter and chemistry give every twist a jolt of electric fun. Behind the laughter and peril, a romance unfolds that’s equal parts witty and sincere. Charade delivers thrills, laughs, and a love story you’ll remember long after the last twist.
Bonus Film: Sita Sings the Blues (2008)
Written, directed, produced and animated by American artist Nina Paley.
Sita Sings the Blues turns an ancient love story into something wildly fresh and deeply personal. At its heart is the timeless bond between Sita and Rama from the Ramayana — their deep devotion, separation, betrayal, and ultimately Sita’s resilience — all brought to life with vibrant animation and 1920s blues songs that echo her feelings. Parallel to that mythic romance is animator Nina Paley’s own modern love story: her relationship’s breakdown mirrors the pain and longing of Sita’s journey, weaving myth and autobiography into a single emotional thread. Three playful shadow puppets chime in with commentary, adding humor even as the themes cut deep. As Sita sings of love lost and love yearned for, the film becomes both an epic tale and a universal story about what it means to love, lose, and find strength in your own voice.
Note* The content is available via Fair Use. Cover image for the article is of Gods Brahma, Agni and Shiva attest to Sita's purity while Rama looks on in shock. Still from Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley.