Watching older romantic comedies can be dangerous.

A sofa, some chocolate, and a romantic comedy—that's a great way to spend an evening. But be careful. Some classics have been mercilessly overtaken by the zeitgeist. A lot has changed, especially in matters of love—in the understanding of romance as well as in the role of women.

One example: "Pretty Woman." When the film was released in Germany in July 1990, audiences were thrilled, and Julia Roberts, alongside Richard Gere, became a global star. But does the film still hold up 35 years later? And how have other rom-coms aged?

Wealthy businessman Edward spends a lot of money on a business trip to Beverly Hills to buy the companionship of the pretty prostitute Vivian. To avoid embarrassing him, he lets her shop in luxury boutiques at his expense and teaches her proper behavior.

"Don't fidget," he repeatedly admonishes her. Thirty-five years ago, the romance with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts was considered highly romantic. But from today's perspective, many things are hard to bear.

"Pretty Woman" portrays women as naive creatures who need to be taught and, to a certain extent, educated by the wise, fatherly man. After all, he has a reputation to lose if he appears in public with her. And while he wants to advance in his career, women's fulfillment lies in beautiful clothes and finding true love.

Conclusion: Despite good acting, it has aged poorly (available on Disney+).

An iconic scene comes from the 1989 romance. Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) have been best friends since their student days. When real feelings come into play after many years, things get complicated. In the aforementioned film sequence, they are sitting in a restaurant, and Sally skillfully fakes an orgasm, which prompts a woman at the next table to make a special order to the waiter: "I want exactly what she had!"

"When Harry Met Sally" is still a wonderful film that tackles a difficult question with ease: Can men and women even be friends without sex? The dialogue is pointed and entertaining, as is the outstanding interplay between Ryan and Crystal, Hollywood's dream couple at the time.

Conclusion: Ideal for an entertaining and romantic evening (Prime Video with Premium subscription, paid on YouTube, Google Play and Apple TV+).

The film "10 Things I Hate About You" is a blend of coming-of-age comedy, romance, and high school drama, based on William Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew." Bianca is the most admired beauty at school. But her father has a strict rule: She's not allowed to go to parties until her older sister Kat has a boyfriend. So Bianca tries to set her sister up—a difficult task, since Kat has no interest in romance and prefers reading Sylvia Plath.

More than 25 years after its theatrical release (1999), the rom-com starring Julia Stiles ("Hustlers") and Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("Glass Onion") remains entertaining. Heath Ledger plays the outsider Patrick Verona, who agrees to seduce Kat – for a fee. This is one of the film's flaws. Although Kat makes it clear that she doesn't want anything to do with him, Patrick keeps trying.

On the positive side, however, he adheres to the boundaries set by Kat and respects her desire not to bend to societal expectations. Incidentally, it was Ledger's first major film role at the beginning of his short career, culminating in his brilliant portrayal of the Joker in "Batman: The Dark Knight."

Conclusion: Suitable for all those looking for witty and well-acted entertainment - and who want to experience the young Heath Ledger, who died unexpectedly in 2008 (available on Disney+).

Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are the dream couple in the rom-com "Sleepless in Seattle." After his mother's death, young Jonah goes on a radio show to find a new wife for his father Sam. So that his father won't be so sad, as the little boy claims. Many listeners are drawn to this—but none more so than journalist Annie.

Even though she's currently planning her wedding to Walter, the fate of father and son touches her in a special way. Could she meet Sam—for an interview?

"Sleepless in Seattle" from 1993 is a heartfelt comedy that's still a good watch. It deliberately takes aim at clichés – highly emotional women who constantly burst into tears. Or men who think they know everything better. Mansplainers, we're calling them these days.

Conclusion: A heartwarming story with plenty to laugh about and a beautiful view from the Empire State Building in New York. And importantly: Have tissues handy! (Available on Magenta TV)

From the perspective of some filmmakers, women are very one-sided creatures. Their greatest goal: to find the man of their dreams. Like in the film "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." Kate Hudson plays journalist Andie, who receives a new assignment from her boss: to snare a guy and then scare him off again within 10 days. She chooses Benjamin (Matthew McConaughey), who gets involved with her, but only to win a bet.

Even when it was released in 2003, the comedy was considered rather shallow. From today's perspective, some of it is downright annoying. For example, the women here always blame themselves when things don't work out with men. Too clingy, too emotional, too possessive, too available—it's a long list of things a woman can do wrong in love, thus scaring off her lover so much that he flees. A partnership on equal terms looks different.

Conclusion: Not necessarily worth watching, unless you want to study an image of women that was already dusty 20 years ago (available on Disney+).

Today, Hugh Grant is known as Oompa-Loompa in the fairytale film "Wonka" or as the grizzled ex-lover in "Bridget Jones." But around 25 years ago, the actor was considered a heartthrob. His specialty: a puppy-dog look with a cutely furrowed brow. The Brit could be admired in this role, among other roles, in the 1999 romance "Notting Hill" as the owner of a travel bookshop in London. He lived a quiet life until one day superstar Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) shows up in the shop and turns William's life upside down. Anna and William develop feelings for each other. But does love stand a chance when one is a bookseller and the other a world-famous actress?

The comedy scores with witty dialogue, a fast-paced story, and endearingly quirky characters. It even features a famous movie quote when Anna confesses her feelings to William: "Don't forget, I'm just a girl standing in front of a boy and asking him to love her."

Conclusion: Perfect for indulging in romantic feelings and dreaming of an escape from everyday life to the colorful district of Notting Hill (available on Prime Video).

"Four Weddings and a Funeral" is the epitome of a rom-com. Charles (Hugh Grant) and Carrie (Andie MacDowell) meet at a wedding. After a night together, they part ways. They meet again at three more weddings and a funeral. But while flirting, kissing, and marriages are going on all around them, their love seems to have no chance.

The 1994 film is a captivating celebration of love in all its facets, with wordplay, situational comedy, romance, and a touch of melancholy. And with a wonderful ensemble cast including Kristin Scott Thomas, John Hannah, and "Mr. Bean" Rowan Atkinson.

At the end, MacDowell and Grant kiss in the pouring rain, and Carrie, completely wet, asks Charlie, "Is it still raining? I hadn't noticed." For some, this is one of the most romantic scenes in film history; for others, it's the worst line of dialogue of all time.

Conclusion: After many years, still the best film entertainment (in the Prime Video program).