Bromantic comedies

“Jerry Maguire” (1996)

The story: A sports agent (Tom Cruise) saves his soul via his commitment to a struggling client (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and to the widowed single mother (Renée Zellweger) who remains loyally at his side.

Bromance rating: 7. Consider the catchphrases: The aggressive "show me the money!" has demonstrated stronger staying power than the dewy "you complete me."

Was it successful?: Much like "Bull Durham," "Jerry" situates romance within the world of pro sports and pulls it off nearly as effortlessly. Front-porch kisses scored to Bruce Springsteen ballads bring some groans, but the realistic glimpse behind the sports-industry curtain makes up for it in excitement. With "Say Anything" and "Singles" also on his resumé, writer-director Cameron Crowe knows how to deliver guy-friendly romcoms.