Rom Com Revival

Graphics by Anika Dua

In the past year, rom coms have begun to flourish on the big screen once again. Anyone But You has been taking center stage recently, especially since lead actors Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell have been promoting the movie with spicy interviews.

But hasn’t it been a while since rom coms gained traction like Anyone But You? 

Rom coms became consistent in box-offices starting in the 1930s and 40s, where they were more comical and less romantic in light of The Great Depression and WWII. In the 1950s, Audrey Hepburn rose to stardom by becoming the staple rom com actress, playing the stunning lead role in cult classic romances like Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday. 

In the 90s and early 2000s, rom coms became very popular in Hollywood. Modern clichés and cheesy soundtracks became the defining characteristics of a good rom com, as we see in fan favorites like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and 10 Things I Hate About You. These movies are so iconic that when someone mentions a “rom com” today, we immediately recall 90s classics.

However, there was a drop off in production and popularity after the 2010s, as the Marvel franchise and other superhero films drew a consistent audience. 

But last year, there were eight new superhero movies in theaters and on streaming platforms, compared to 36 new rom coms. Definitely a change of pace, we think.

Rom coms are generally quicker and cheaper to make compared to superhero films, but they require strong leading actors who have undeniable chemistry - which brings us back to Anyone But You. 

Released on December 22, 2023, Anyone But You had a relatively slow start at the box office. But social media drew attention to the film, and now it’s earned $151 million world-wide on a $25 million budget (wow). 

Anyone But You is a good old enemies to lovers trope with a bit of comedy on the side, and it’s loosely based off Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” Critics originally gave the movie mixed reviews, but faithful audiences have gone time and time again to watch the highs and lows of the main characters’ Ben and Bea’s romance in the land down under. 

As a rom com, Anyone But You showcases grand gestures of love that are generally less prominent in today’s movie landscape and daily life, which may explain why the genre was so unpopular for so long.

In a world of hookup culture and dating apps, it often seems that real love isn’t the priority, while in rom coms, love is essentially the whole point. 

Maybe the world is finally ready to return to a time of romantic gestures and the comedy and sincerity of genuinely falling in love, which Anyone But You encapsulates. 

If the world is looking for a rom com revival, Anyone But You may have kick-started the movement. 

As rom coms shift back into the focus of the movie industry, it’s important that they encompass inclusive storylines and all types of romantic and relationships to remain relatable to everyone who may watch them (and maybe pull a little inspo from Shakespeare, too).