Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon has been successful in the movie industry since the '90s, and today she is not only known as one of the nicest actresses — but she was also the richest actress of 2021. While Witherspoon has starred in numerous genres over the years, some of her rom-coms have become cult classics.
Today, we're taking a look at which of Reese Witherspoon's rom-coms made the most at the box office — from Legally Blonde to Sweet Home Alabama, keep on scrolling to find out!
10 'The Importance Of Being Earnest' — Box Office: $17.2 Million
Kicking the list off is the 2002 romantic comedy-drama The Importance of Being Earnest. In it, Reese Witherspoon plays Cecily Cardew, and she stars alongside Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Judi Dench, and Tom Wilkinson. The movie is based on the classic 1895 comedy of manners The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde — and it currently holds a 6.8 rating on IMDb. The Importance of Being Earnest was made on a budget of $15 million, and it ended up grossing $17.2 million. While a nineteenth century play may not fit your typical definition of a rom-com, this film definitely has plenty of comedy and romance.
9 'Penelope' — Box Office: $21.2 Million
Next on the list is the 2006 fantasy romantic comedy Penelope in which Reese Witherspoon plays Annie. Besides Witherspoon, the movie also stars Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Peter Dinklage, and Richard E. Grant. Penelope tells the story of a girl who is born with the nose of a pig — and it currently has a 6.7 rating on IMDb. The movie got made on a budget of $15 million, and it ended up grossing $21.2 million at the box office. Witherspoon is not the star of this film, but she plays a key supporting role.
8 'Home Again' — Box Office: $37.3 Million
Let's move on to the 2017 rom-com Home Again which tells the story of a 40-year-old single mother who lives with three young aspiring filmmakers in Los Angeles.
In the movie, Reese Witherspoon plays Alice Kinney, and she stars alongside Jon Rudnitsky, Pico Alexander, Lake Bell, Reid Scott, and Nat Wolff. Home Again — which holds a 5.8 rating on IMDb — was made on a budget of $15 million, and it ended up earning $37.3 million at the box office.
7 'How Do You Know' — Box Office: $48.7 Million
The 2010 rom-com How Do You Know in which Reese Witherspoon plays Lisa Jorgenson is next. Apart from Witherspoon, the movie also stars Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, Jack Nicholson, and Kathryn Hahn. How Do You Know follows a softball player who finds herself in the middle of a love triangle — and it currently holds a 5.4 rating on IMDb. The movie got made on a budget of $120 million, but it ended up earning only $48.7 million at the box office.
6 'Just Like Heaven' — Box Office: $102.8 Million
Next on the list is the 2005 fantasy rom-com Just like Heaven. In it, Reese Witherspoon plays Dr. Elizabeth Masterson, and she stars opposite Mark Ruffalo. The movie is based on the 1999 French novel If Only It Were True by Marc Levy — and it currently has a 6.7 rating on IMDb. Just like Heaven was made on a budget of $58 million, and it ended up grossing $102.8 million at the box office.
5 'Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde' — Box Office: $124.9 Million
Opening up the top five on today's list is the 2003 rom-com Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde which is the sequel to the 2001 movie Legally Blonde. In it, Witherspoon portrays Elle Woods, and she stars alongside Sally Field, Regina King, Jennifer Coolidge, Bruce McGill, and Luke Wilson. The movie currently holds a 4.8 rating on IMDb. It was made on a budget of $45 million, and it ended up grossing $124.9 million at the box office.
4 'Legally Blonde' — Box Office: $141.8 Million
Let's move on to the 2001 rom-com Legally Blonde which is based on Amanda Brown's novel of the same name. As previously mentioned, Witherspoon plays Elle Woods in it — and the movie currently holds a 6.4 rating on IMDb.
Legally Blonde was made on a budget of $18 million, and it ended up grossing $141.8 million at the box office.
3 'This Means War' — Box Office: $156.5 Million
Opening up the top three on today's list is the 2012 romantic spy comedy This Means War in which Reese Witherspoon plays Lauren Scott. Apart from Witherspoon, the movie also stars Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, and Til Schweiger. The movie follows two CIA agents who discover that they are dating the same woman — and it currently has a 6.3 rating on IMDb. This Means War got made on a budget of $65 million, and it ended up making $156.5 million at the box office.
2 'Four Christmases' — Box Office: $163.7 Million
The runner-up on today's list is the 2008 Christmas rom-com Four Christmases. In it, Reese Witherspoon plays Kate Kinkaid, and she stars alongside Vince Vaughn, Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, and Tim McGraw. The movie follows a couple as they visit all four of their divorced parents for Christmas — and it currently has a 5.7 rating on IMDb. Four Christmases got made on a budget of $80 million, and it ended up earning $163.7 million at the box office.
1 'Sweet Home Alabama' — Box Office: $180.6 Million
And finally, wrapping the list up at spot number one is the 2002 rom-com Sweet Home Alabama in which WIthersppon — who made a fortune from her role — portrays Melanie Carmichael/Smooter. Besides the actress, the movie also stars Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Fred Ward, Mary Kay Place, and Jean Smart. The movie follows a woman who lives in New York City as she is returning home to Alabama to divorce her husband. Currently, it has a 6.2 rating on IMDb. Sweet Home Alabama was made on a budget of $30 million, and it ended up earning $180.6 million at the box office making it Reese Witherspoon's most profitable rom-com so far!
