Movies

Here's how much it would cost to live in 6 classic rom-coms

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Published on February 14, 2019 10:00AM EST

How much do we love romantic comedies? Let us count the ways dollars.

The genre provides the epitome of wish fulfillment — the hunky love interests, the heart-fluttering proclamations, the over-the-top romantic gestures — and that extends to the characters’ lifestyles as much as it does to their love lives. It seems that beyond a meet-cute and a quirky-yet-supportive best friend, the best ways to signal to the audience that they are indeed watching a rom-com are with an aspirational career, a nice apartment, and a killer wardrobe.

Of course, some rom-coms are more aspirational than others: The jet-setting of Crazy Rich Asians is on a far grander scale than Ben Barry’s motorcycle in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that a motorcycle is a very expensive piece of machinery that, combined with the presumed mortgage on his bachelor-pad loft, isn’t necessarily accessible to the average New Yorker.

So what are we to do about this trope? We’re going to do math, of course. Ahead, we break down the lifestyles of our favorite rom-com characters — and yes, these are in 2019 prices, because we’re not professional economists.

Crazy Rich Asians

The emerald ring: You know, that ring. The one that, in real life, comes from the personal collection of Michelle Yeoh. It’s a custom design that’s nearly impossible to price, but estimations put it at $45,000.

Peik Lin’s 2018 Audi R8 Spyder: The price of cruising around Singapore — and keeping a bevy of party dresses in the front trunk — runs approximately $175,000.

Rachel’s blue Marchesa gown: Don’t let yourself get caught up in one of Awkwafina’s makeover montages, because you’ll wind up owing $1,095.

Getaway to a private island in Indonesia: Araminta’s bachelorette party isn’t your average pre-wedding celebration, but we’re guessing she covered the $3,000/person.

The Sarkies Suite at the Raffles Hotel: Why stay with your boyfriend’s family when you could stay in the best suite at Singapore’s most storied hotel for $7,500/night?

Two first-class tickets from New York to Singapore: $21,000.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Chinese crested dog: Krull the Warrior King doesn’t come cheap. $1,000, give or take, depending on the breeder. (We’re guessing the tinkle king didn’t come from a shelter, unfortunately.)

Fake therapist: 300 fake dollars (or whatever Andie promised Michelle in exchange for her fake services).

Yellow dress: Priceless. Okay, kidding — Andie obviously pulled it from the fashion closet at Composure, but you could also travel back in time to 2004 and purchase the knockoff from Caché for about $150.

Knicks tickets: $300. Add about $10 more for the regular Coke and the Diet Coke.

Love fern: $50, assuming she didn’t just steal it from a kooky neighbor.

The Holiday

Amanda’s house: The real-life version of the elaborate L.A. mansion (which is actually in San Marino, Calif.) recently sold for $12 million. It pays to cut trailers.

First-class tickets from Los Angeles to London: $7,500. It might seem like a lot, but Amanda’s travel budget is seemingly pennies compared to her mortgage.

Iris’ house: A quaint Surrey cottage for the low, low price of… $900,000.

My Best Friend’s Wedding

Box seats at the White Sox game: $130,000 for the season. Sure, Kimmy’s family basically owns Comiskey Park, but let’s just pretend they paid cash for the “bachelor party.”

Chicago River tour: $50/person. Kimmy says if you love someone, you say it.

Jules’ giant cell phone: $900. Yes, in 1997 only rich people had mobile devices. (Maybe all the free food helps make up for it.)

Room at the Drake Hotel: Jules paid $250 per night to smoke in the hallway outside her hotel room.

Wedding flowers: Eyeballing it, at least $100,000. It’s not science, we just know there were flowers everywhere at Kimmy and Michael’s many nuptial events.

13 Going on 30

Jenna’s Fifth Avenue apartment: It’s easy to see why Jenna Rink woke up in that palatial abode with an instant panic attack: That kind of New York City real estate would easily run her $5 million (or $10,000 per month to rent).

A closet full of Manolos: $995 per pair.

One Gucci purse: $1,800. We’re pretty sure Jenna’s got more than one in there — maybe the advertisers at Poise are really generous.

Matt’s West Village apartment (complete with outdoor space in New York): Easily $5,000/month. For a struggling photographer, it seems fitting to add.

Bridesmaids

First-class flight from Milwaukee to Las Vegas: $1,500. Unless Helen knows the owner.

Economy flight from Milwaukee to Las Vegas: $400, but way more if you take on whatever Annie’s bail fee was.

Purebred golden retriever puppy: $1,000 per dog, multiplied by however many dogs Megan actually went home with (#AdoptDontShop).

Fritz Bernaise bridesmaid dress: $800, but way more if you count the dry cleaning bill they sure owe Belle en Blanc.

Couture French wedding dress: At least $10,000. Helen better know the owner.

For more Untold Stories from your favorite rom-coms, pick up the new double issue of Entertainment Weekly on stands now, or buy it here. Don’t forget to subscribe to EW for more exclusive interviews and photos — and follow #LoveEWstyle on Twitter and Instagram.

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