The Most Popular Rom-Com Actors

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, we check out the most popular rom-com actors and their movies you should be watching this Valentines Day.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and while roses and chocolates are always appreciated, what truly sets the mood for a romantic evening? Why, a good old-fashioned rom-com, of course! But with countless actors and movies to choose from, where do you even begin? Fear not, lovebirds and movie buffs! This post is your cinematic cupid, guiding you through the enchanting world of rom-coms and highlighting the most beloved actors and their must-watch movies for your Valentine’s Day celebration.

So, grab your popcorn, cuddle up with your loved one (or indulge in a solo self-love session!), and get ready to be swept away by the magic of rom-coms. From timeless classics to hidden gems, this guide is your ticket to an unforgettable Valentine’s Day filled with laughter, romance, and the power of a good rom-com. Let’s celebrate love, one charming movie at a time!

The Most Popular Rom-Com Actors

Research, conducted by experts at Venture Smarter, examined the social media profiles of 121 of the most notable romantic comedy actors. An influencer marketing calculator was used to establish which star is the most influential on social media and how much they can earn per sponsored post.   

Rank	Leading Actor	Per sponsored post (£)
1	Jennifer Lopez	428,200
2	Justin Timberlake	163,000
3	Leonardo DiCaprio	145,500
4	Ryan Reynolds	124,500
5	Chris Pratt	115,100
6	Jennifer Aniston	114,000
7	Anne Hathaway	86,800
8	Reese Witherspoon	83,100
9	Emilia Clarke	79,500
10	Hilary Duff	76,400

Jennifer Lopez

The data revealed that Jennifer Lopez is the most popular rom-com actor. JLo, as she is most famously known, has 253.5 million followers on Instagram and can earn up to a staggering £428,200 per sponsored post.

Jennifer Lopez has built a career on captivating audiences with her undeniable talent and charm, and her filmography boasts several beloved rom-coms perfect for a lighthearted and fun Valentine’s Day celebration. Here’s a quick peek into some of her must-watch rom-com roles:

• The Wedding Planner (2001): Lopez plays a workaholic wedding planner who falls for a charming groom-to-be, played by Matthew McConaughey. This classic rom-com offers heartfelt emotions, humor, and a satisfying happily ever after.
• Maid in Manhattan (2002): This Cinderella-inspired story sees Lopez as a single mom and hotel maid who falls for a wealthy politician, played by Ralph Fiennes. Expect charming encounters, social class differences, and a touch of fantasy.
• Monster-in-Law (2005): A hilarious blend of rom-com and family drama, starring Lopez alongside Jane Fonda as her soon-to-be mother-in-law who disapproves of their relationship. Get ready for laughs, witty banter, and a heartwarming resolution.
• The Back-up Plan (2010): Lopez plays a single woman determined to get pregnant but finds love unexpectedly just as she embarks on solo motherhood. This relatable story explores modern love, family dynamics, and overcoming challenges.
• Marry Me (2022): Inspired by current-day trends, Lopez plays a pop star who impulsively marries a stranger (Owen Wilson) during a concert after her fiancé betrays her. This lighthearted story explores unexpected connections, fame, and finding love in unconventional ways.
• Shotgun Wedding (2023): This action-comedy rom-com features Lopez and Josh Duhamel as a couple whose island destination wedding is hijacked by pirates. Packed with humor, adventure, and unexpected twists, it’s a fun and vibrant choice.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake is the second most followed rom-com actor, with an earning potential of up to £163,000 per post.

While Justin Timberlake might be known for his singing and dancing prowess, he’s also carved a niche in the world of rom-coms, offering movies that blend humor, charm, and heartwarming stories. Here’s a sneak peek into some of his must-watch romantic comedies for your Valentine’s Day movie marathon:

• Model Behavior (2000): Timberlake’s acting debut sees him paired with the iconic Maggie Lawson in a teen rom-com filled with high school drama, mistaken identities, and a journey of self-discovery. Get ready for some nostalgic 90s vibes and lighthearted fun.
• Friends with Benefits (2011): Starring alongside Mila Kunis, this film explores the complexities of a “no strings attached” relationship that develops feelings despite its initial agreement. Expect witty banter, emotional depth, and a realistic portrayal of modern love.
• In Time (2011): This sci-fi romance throws a twist on the genre, set in a world where time is currency. Timberlake plays a young man who steals time from a wealthy man to spend with a beautiful woman (Amanda Seyfried), sparking questions about social inequality and true love’s value.
• The Social Network (2010): Not quite your typical rom-com, this biopic showcases Timberlake’s dramatic chops as Sean Parker, co-founder of Facebook. While not an explicit love story, his portrayal of ambition, friendship, and sacrifice adds a different flavor to your viewing experience.
• Palmer (2020): This poignant film features Timberlake as a former convict trying to rebuild his life and reconnect with his estranged daughter. It explores themes of second chances, family bonds, and finding love in unexpected places.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Taking the bronze is Leonardo DiCaprio. Environmentalist DiCaprio has the ability to earn up to £145,500 per post and has 62.2 million followers. 

While Leonardo DiCaprio is known for his more dramatic roles, he’s also dipped his toes into the rom-com world, delivering movies that showcase his charisma and charm within heartwarming and playful storylines. Here’s a quick peek into some of his must-watch romantic comedies for your Valentine’s Day celebration:

• What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993): Though not purely a rom-com, this coming-of-age story features a young DiCaprio in a supporting role as a developmentally disabled boy. While not the main romance, his innocent and endearing portrayal creates a sweet and memorable element.
• Romeo + Juliet (1996): This modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tells the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet with DiCaprio captivating audiences as the passionate Romeo. While not ending happily ever after, it’s a timeless tale of love and loss.
• Catch Me If You Can (2002): This lighthearted adventure sees DiCaprio play a charming con artist who outsmarts the FBI, starring alongside Tom Hanks. While not a traditional rom-com, the film features humorous interactions between the two leads and a feel-good atmosphere.
• Something Borrowed (2011): DiCaprio takes a supporting role in this romantic comedy featuring Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin entangled in a love triangle. His character adds humor and unexpected twists to the storyline.
• The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): While not your typical rom-com, this film showcases DiCaprio’s acting range as a stockbroker consumed by greed and excess. His character’s relationship with his wife showcases the complexities of love amidst temptation and personal struggles.
• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019): This Tarantino film features DiCaprio alongside Brad Pitt, exploring the fading glory of Hollywood actors in the late 60s. While not explicitly a romance, it has heartwarming moments of friendship and camaraderie.

Ryan Reynolds

The Wrexham football club co-owner and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds is fourth. The Canadian-American actor has the capacity to make up to £124,500 per post and has 50.8 million followers. His romantic filmography includes The Proposal (2009) and Definitely, Maybe (2008). 

Chris Pratt

Rounding out the top five is Jurassic World star, Chris Pratt. Before becoming an action hero in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Pratt starred in rom-coms such as Bride Wars (2009) and What’s Your Number (2011). Pratt’s Instagram following is 45.9 million and he could make up to £115,100 for each sponsored post. 

Jennifer Aniston

Friends icon Jennifer Aniston ranks sixth, earning up £114,000 per sponsored post on social media. She has the largest following of the Friends cast, with 45.3 million followers. As well as Friends, Aniston has gained worldwide recognition for her roles in many movies, including the loved up films He’s Just Not That Into You (2009) and The Break-Up (2006). 

Anne Hathaway

In seventh place is Oscar, Bafta, and Golden Globe winning actor, Anne Hathaway. The talented actor has starred in some iconic rom-coms: The Princess Diaries (2001), Ella Enchanted (2004), and Love & Other Drugs (2010), to name a few. Hathaway has 31.8 million followers and can earn up to £86,800 for a single Instagram post. 

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon is in eighth place, with the potential to earn up to £83,100 per sponsored post thanks to her 30 million followers. It was Witherspoon’s most famous rom-com role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (2001) that marked the turning point in her career and made her a household name across the globe. Since then, she has gone on to win multiple awards and has acted in more love-filled comedies, such as This Means War (2012) and Your Place or Mine (2023). 

Emilia Clarke

In the penultimate position is Emilia Clarke, who has the capacity to make up to £79,500 per social media post and has a strong following of 28.3 million. The Game of Thrones star has also made quite a name for herself in the rom-com world, starring in hit movies like Me Before You (2016) and Last Christmas (2019). 

Hilary Duff

With 26.9 million followers, rounding off the top ten is Hilary Duff. Duff rose to prominence as a Disney teen idol playing the title role of Lizzie McGuire in the Disney comedy series of the same name. The 36-year-old Texan was a noughties teen rom-com star, playing the lead in A Cinderella Story (2004) and The Perfect Man (2005). Even though her movie career has decelerated in recent times, Duff still has the potential to earn up to £76,400 for a single social media post.

Rom-Coms

Rom-coms, with their endearing and relatable narratives, possess a unique ability to catapult an actor’s career to new heights, such as The Princess Diaries for Anne Hathaway and Legally Blonde for Reese Witherspoon. A standout performance in a well-received romantic comedy showcases an actor’s versatility and draws attention to their talent and charm.

While some actors may feel that they will be typecast once they have performed in a rom-com style movie, these findings suggest the opposite. Most actors on the list have had varied and highly successful careers, with several of them even having won some of the most prestigious accolades an actor can achieve. This stands to show that the loved-up genre is not to be underestimated and brushed off as mere entertainment, but to be regarded as a valuable movie category.

-A spokesperson for Venture Smarter

Methodology:

The study gathered a list of 121 actors who have starred in at least one rom-com film.  

The sponsored post earning potential and engagement rate figures were then compiled for each actor to create a ranking from most marketable to least marketable.  

The information was sourced from https://inzpire.me/instagram-pricing-calculator, which uses real Instagram data based on real collaborations with influencers to calculate a user’s performance.    

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