‘Finding Emily’ Emerges as One of 2026’s Best-Reviewed Rom-Coms

Romantic comedies have faced challenges at the box office in recent years, often failing to attract the audiences that once made the genre a weekend favorite. With streaming services taking over much of the demand, studios have become hesitant to invest in original rom-coms that lack a built-in franchise or star power.

The release of ‘Finding Emily’ marks a bold move by Working Title Films, the studio known for classics like ‘Love Actually’ and ‘Notting Hill.’ This British film tells the story of a lovesick musician who mistakenly receives the wrong number for his dream girl. He teams up with a determined psychology student to find her, igniting a campus-wide adventure that challenges both their hearts and aspirations.

So far, this gamble appears to be paying off. ‘Finding Emily’ has quickly become one of the best-reviewed romantic comedies of the year, boasting an impressive 87% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes from 46 critic reviews. Some reports even suggest it has set a record for review scores in the genre for 2026.

Directed by Alicia MacDonald and penned by Rachel Hirons, ‘Finding Emily’ embraces a classic rom-com formula while infusing it with a modern Gen Z perspective. Critics have highlighted the chemistry between leads Angourie Rice and Spike Fearn as a standout feature, noting how the film effectively balances sharp social commentary with heartfelt moments.

As the highest-rated romantic comedy of the year, ‘Finding Emily’ stands out among 2026’s top-reviewed films. The cast also features Minnie Driver, Cora Kirk, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Sadie Soverall, and Phil Wang, who contribute to the film’s vibrant campus environment.

Not all reviews have been entirely positive. Some critics pointed out that the film’s climactic romantic gesture doesn’t quite resonate as strongly as the rest of the narrative. However, most agree that the overall experience captivates audiences by the end, reminiscent of the classic rom-coms that inspired it.

‘Finding Emily’ first premiered in UK theaters in May, distributed by Universal Pictures, with backing from Focus Features and Working Title. The film has since made its way to U.S. theaters, carrying a PG-13 rating and a runtime of just under two hours.

On the audience side, the film’s Popcornmeter score is still developing, with fewer than 50 verified user ratings on Rotten Tomatoes so far. This is typical for a film that is still gaining traction and word-of-mouth, especially one that hasn’t had a massive marketing campaign.

Given its strong reviews and the reputable team behind it, ‘Finding Emily’ seems poised to become a sleeper hit for rom-com enthusiasts craving something fresh. Whether it can convert this critical acclaim into box office success remains to be seen, but early reception indicates that Working Title still knows how to create magic in this genre.

The film also cleverly plays with familiar tropes that long-time rom-com fans will recognize, while still carving out its unique voice. This blend of homage and innovation appears to be a significant reason why critics have responded so positively, even as the film adheres to a structure that audiences are familiar with.

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