11 Rom-Coms That Action Stars Appeared In (2025)

Some actors are pigeon-holed into one particular genre: they always appear in action flicks, for example, horror movies, or slapstick comedies. But the most versatile actors try their hands at different genres.

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And while there's a steady stream of actors who have made a living from being the go-tos for rom-coms, a few action superstars have also appeared in romantic comedies. And some appearances have even come after the A-listers made their names as huge action stars. With that said, here are 11 rom-coms that starred some of the biggest names in action films.

Jerry Maguire: Tom Cruise (1996)

While Tom Cruise remains one of the most bankable action stars in Hollywood, who appears in films like the Mission Impossibleand Jack Reacher franchises, even famously doinf many of his own stunts, he has also gone the rom-com route from time to time.

His most notable rom-com was, of course, the romantic comedy-drama sports film Jerry Maguire about a sports agent who decides to go out on his own, with only one major client signing on with him. But the love story with another small client is the heart of the film, which eared five Academy award nominations, including one win.

Love, Actually: Liam Neeson (2003)

Most people know Neeson as the actor who plays that character with a "special set of skills" in the Taken films. And that role helped make him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.

But before those films, and before Neeson was considered a badass action star, he appeared in a Christmas-themed rom-com called Love, Actually that featured an ensemble cast and told a series of intertwining stories about love. He played a widowed father trying to raise his preteen stepson, helping him through his first school crush.

Blind Date: Bruce Willis (1987)

Bruce Willis is one of the first action movie starsthat might come to mind if someone were to ask you to name a few, thanks to his leading role in the Die Hard films. John McClane was a fearless New York City police detective who took down the bad guys like no one else.

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But long before that, he starred in a rom-com alongside Kim Basinger about a man who goes on a blind date with his sister-in-law's cousin. The date, however, turns into a disaster, fueled by the woman's ex stalking them all night. The film was universally panned by critics yet did well at the box office.

This Means War: Tom Hardy

Hardy has sworn in interviews never to do another romantic comedy again after filming this movie, which he said was a "miserable experience."

He went from playing Bane in The Dark Knight Rises and roles in mind-bending films like Inception to trying something out of his regular wheelhouse. He played a spy in this movie, vying for the affections of Reese Witherspoon's characteragainst another man, played by Chris Pine.

What Women Want: Mel Gibson (2000)

Gibson has starred in such high-action movies as Braveheart, Mad Max, and Lethal Weapon. But he took a turn to rom-coms with this romantic fantasy comedy about a chauvinistic advertising executive whose an expert at selling products to men. But when he's thrown a curveball and tasked with figuring out how to sell some new products to women, he's completely out of his element.

Queue the perfectly timed accident that magically gives him the power to hear womens' thoughts, and finally see how negatively he is perceived by women as well as learn of their insecurities and true feelings. He begins a journey towards repairing not only his reputation but also the relationship with his teenage daughter.See AlsoTop 25 Action Movies

Working Girl: Sigourney Weaver (1988)

While this film marked the breakthrough role for rom-com queen Melanie Griffith, it also stars Sigourney Weaver as a stockbroker who steals Griffith's character's ideas, fueling her to transform herself into a powerful working woman. Weaver was nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role.

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But of course, the actor is also well-known for her starring role as Ellen Ripley in the Alien films, one of the first high-action movies to feature a woman as the lead.

Trainwreck: John Cena (2015)

Cena got his start as a professional wrestler but has since transitioned to film. And while his big, burly persona in the ring has led to him snagging plenty of macho roles in films like The Marine, Bumblebee, and 12 Rounds, he has also taken on roles that show his comedic chops.

And he even appeared in this rom-com, which was written by and stars Amy Schumer as a promiscuous, free-spirited woman who finds herself navigating her first-ever serious relationship and all of the life changes that come with it. Cena plays her character's boyfriend, and many called him the funniest part of the film.

A Good Year: Russell Crowe (2006)

While Crowe has starred in his share of dramaslike A Beautiful Mind, his most notable roles are as an action star in films like Gladiator,Cinderella Man, and 3:10 to Yuma.

But right at the height of his career, he decided to try his hand at a rom-com with this flick, which is loosely based on the 2004 novel of the same name by Peter Mayle. He stars as Max Skinner, an arrogant workaholic living in London who returns to his uncle's vineyard estate in France following his death. And while his intent is to sell the property that was left to him, he ends up finding love and re-evaluating his life.

Moonstruck: Nicolas Cage (1987)

Cage has starred in a long list of action films, like Face/Off, Con Air, and National Treasure. But before he became an action star, he appeared in romantic films like Moonstruck.

The film stars Cher as a woman who ends up falling in love with her fiance's brother, who is played by Cage. The movie received six Academy Award nominations.

Always Be My Maybe: Keanu Reeves (2019)

One of the biggest action stars around, Reeves has starred in some of the biggest action franchises like The Matrix and John Wick. While he has appeared in movies of every genre, from comedies to dramas, as well, one of his most surprising appearances was in a recent rom-com.

He stars as himself, the love interest of main character Sasha who is really in love with her childhood best friend. While he's only in a small part of Always Be My Maybe, many were surprised he took on the cameo-style role.

My Super Ex-Girlfriend: Uma Thurman (2006)

Another early female action star, Thurman starred in the Kill Bill films as a seriously skilled fighter who embarks on a mission to take down a team of assassins. Her performance secured her position as one of the most respected female action stars around.

Interestingly, after the release of the Kill Bill movies, she took a break from kicking butt to appear in this superhero romantic comedy-drama. It's about a man who falls for a seemingly shy woman (Thurman) after he stops someone from stealing her purse. But he later discovers that she is actually a superhero with special powers.

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