5 Films Similar to "Irish Wish" but Better

5 Films Similar to "Irish Wish" but Better

The seasonal romantic comedy "Irish Wish" is the latest Netflix film to top the streaming service's most-watched list. While "Irish Wish" has clearly captured the interest of Netflix users, the critical reception has been (to put it kindly) lackluster.

The film stars Lindsay Lohan as Maddy, a woman who travels to Ireland for the wedding of her best friend and what she believes to be the love of her life, Paul (Alexander Vlahos). The day before the ceremony, however, Maddy awakens to the strange realization that she is to marry Paul. At first it seems like a dream, but soon she realizes that her soul mate is someone else.

"Irish Wish" currently has a poor 34% on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience rating of 44%, which is not much of an improvement. It has been accused of relying on genre clichés and slapstick jokes. It is almost certainly a Netflix movie that can be skipped over without guilt, especially since there are already plenty of watchable romantic comedies with magical twists and turns. So here are five films that are like "An Irish Wish," but better.

"Irish Wish" is not the first time Lindsay Lohan has played a character who awakens to a strange new reality; in this 2003 remake of the 1976 Jodie Foster classic, Lohan plays rebellious teen Anna Coleman. She magically switches bodies with her overbearing mother Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) after a heated argument the night before. Forced to live each other's lives and trying to find a way to get back together, Anna and Tess experience firsthand what it's like to walk in each other's shoes and perhaps bond a bit.

"Freaky Friday" is a comedy favorite for a reason. It was Lohan's first feature film after her breakout role in "The Parent Trap" (aside from a few TV movies), and it showcases her admirable comedic chops. In addition, she deftly portrays the legendary Jamie Lee Curtis, and the numerous scenes in which the two engage in humorous mother-daughter bickering are quite entertaining. Although the plot is conventional, "Freak Friday" has a good message, and the Disney film has set Lohan on the path to superstar status.

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There have been several films that mix time travel and romance, but none have been as successful as "About Time." This irrepressibly charming British comedy-drama is the perfect cozy movie when you need a feel-good movie, and while the stakes are decidedly low, it's packed with lovable characters, good-natured comedy, and a third act that will make you shed a tear. It's the perfect combination for a must-see romantic comedy.

In "About Time," Tim (Domohl Gleeson), a seemingly ordinary man, learns on his 21st birthday that all the men in his family have the ability to time travel and return to any moment in their lives. Tim vows to use his ability not to win the lottery or do evil deeds, but to find the love of his life, secure in the knowledge that he can always redo a disastrous date or awkward encounter. He soon meets Mary (Rachel McAdams) and tries to win her heart. This delightful film also stars Bill Nighy, Margot Robbie, and Vanessa Kirby.

Buy or Rent on Amazon

A good romantic comedy is all about the on-screen chemistry between the two leads. Samberg in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and Milioti in "How I Met Your Mother," both actors who excel in sitcoms.

Set in sunny Palm Springs, this Hulu original rom-com begins with Sarah (Milioti) attending her sister's wedding, but rather than rejoice in her sibling's joy, Sarah is quite depressed until she meets the carefree Niles (Samberg). After a series of strange events, including crossbows and magic caves, Sarah finds herself trapped in a time loop that repeats the same day over and over again. Palm Springs is a high-concept comedy with a few fun twists sprinkled in to keep the fun going."

Watch on Hulu

One of the most acclaimed and celebrated anime films of the past decade, "Your Name" is a heartwarming romantic fantasy focusing on two high school students, Tachibana Taki and Miyamizu Mitsuha, who have a special bond. They live in different worlds, but one day, their bodies suddenly switch places. Through this inexplicable phenomenon, the two become very close as they communicate in writing, and eventually decide to meet in person.

"What is your name? For starters, it boasts gorgeous animation with several screensaver-worthy scenes. It also has two very lovable main characters (the Japanese and English voice actors do an excellent job, so take your pick based on personal preference). Without spoiling anything, I will say that the ending of "Your Name" is one of my favorite in romance movies and is guaranteed to make you shed happy tears.

Watch it on Crunchyroll

Another rom-com of the time-loop variety, "A Tiny Map of Perfection" stars Kathryn Newton and Kyle Allen as two teenagers who have the same day over and over again. But for Mark (Allen), it is just a way of life, as he has developed a perfect routine for mindlessly spending this endless day. But when he meets Margaret (Newton), a mysterious girl who is also stuck in a loop, his way of thinking changes forever.

What "A Tiny Map of Perfection" lacks in originality, it more than makes up for with engaging performances from its two young leads and several emotionally charged scenes that add depth to the prime video original. Kathryn Newtown is the real ace of the film, but her chemistry with Allen is so great that you quickly grow fond of the film's two central characters and become emotionally invested in their respective predicaments and their joint attempts to get out of the loop.

Watch on Prime Video

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