Roman Holiday

Roman Holiday is currently streaming in Australia on BINGE and Paramount Plus, and in the US on YouTube TV and Kanopy, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 2,293 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Watch it for Audrey Hepburn — stay for everyone else around them. Available now on BINGE — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

There is a reason Roman Holiday keeps coming up in conversation. The jokes in Roman Holiday land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Overwhelmed by her suffocating schedule, touring European princess Ann takes off for a night while in Rome. When a sedative she took from her doctor kicks in, however, she falls asleep on a park bench and is found by an American reporter, Joe Bradley, who takes her back to his apartment for safety. At work the next morning, Joe finds out Ann's regal identity and bets his editor he can get exclusive interview with her, but romance soon gets in the way. Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck lead a cast that never overplays a joke. It was released in 1953. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Roman Holiday holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Roman Holiday is a strong candidate. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Audrey Hepburn is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.