Valentina Palomino, SUNY Old Westbury
Everyone knows the genre peaked in the early 2000s, but will it ever be able to return to its former glory?
Everyone knows the genre peaked in the early 2000s, but will it ever be able to return to its former glory?
Olivia Moosey, DePaul University
Billy Eichner’s new gay rom-com just came out in theaters. It’s the best movie of the 21st century and a must-watch!
Billy Eichner’s new gay rom-com just came out in theaters. It’s the best movie of the 21st century and a must-watch!
Megan Garcia, Arizona State University
The platform’s genre-defying show chaotically serves up entertainment.
The platform’s genre-defying show chaotically serves up entertainment.
Morgan Thomas, Wayne State University
The Netflix original uses its talented cast and beautiful Italian setting to enchant its viewers.
The Netflix original uses its talented cast and beautiful Italian setting to enchant its viewers.
Megan Garcia, Arizona State University
The swoon-worthy trope, in which two characters pretend to date, is seen in a lot of the platform’s romance films.
The swoon-worthy trope, in which two characters pretend to date, is seen in a lot of the platform’s romance films.
Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez, Florida Atlantic University
With their creative premises and unorthodox executions, these romantic comedies revitalize the genre for a broader audience.
With their creative premises and unorthodox executions, these romantic comedies revitalize the genre for a broader audience.
Emma Watts, University of Arizona
Callie Rosenzweig, University of Chicago
Danielle Kuzel, Florida State University
The new Netflix film questions the common family expectation of being in a relationship, but it falls into the very cliche it attempts to critique.
The new Netflix film questions the common family expectation of being in a relationship, but it falls into the very cliche it attempts to critique.
Since late 2017, many of the streaming platform’s releases have included romantic comedies, signaling an industry-wide shift back toward the genre.
Since late 2017, many of the streaming platform’s releases have included romantic comedies, signaling an industry-wide shift back toward the genre.
Julia Greene, Columbia College Chicago
Beth O’Leary’s debut novel, which features a very unusual living arrangement, makes the case for the genre as possessing real emotional depth.
Beth O’Leary’s debut novel, which features a very unusual living arrangement, makes the case for the genre as possessing real emotional depth.
Madalyn Watson, Baylor University
Breakups are hard. These five films will make crying, self-reflection and moving on easier than a tub of ice cream can.
Breakups are hard. These five films will make crying, self-reflection and moving on easier than a tub of ice cream can.
Katherine Brand, University of Michigan
Protagonists Mae and George must learn to navigate their evolving romance while dealing with insecurities about sexuality and addiction.
Protagonists Mae and George must learn to navigate their evolving romance while dealing with insecurities about sexuality and addiction.
Strong lead performances from Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae make up for the weaknesses in this rom-com murder caper’s script.
Strong lead performances from Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae make up for the weaknesses in this rom-com murder caper’s script.
This rom-com does nothing to renovate the category, and that’s okay.
Megan Mehta, University of Illinois at Chicago
It pretends it’s not a rom-com, but it sure acts like one.
It pretends it’s not a rom-com, but it sure acts like one.
Halle Parris, University of Missouri – Kansas City
If you’re cliché averse though, rom-coms should be off-limits already.
If you’re cliché averse though, rom-coms should be off-limits already.
Gabbi Calabrese, Arkansas Tech University
Not trying to shame anyone who enjoyed ‘The Kissing Booth,’ but I would like to help you refine your rom-com palate.
Not trying to shame anyone who enjoyed ‘The Kissing Booth,’ but I would like to help you refine your rom-com palate.
Danielle Richardson, Florida State University
Featuring a male protagonist who is more controlling than cute and unrealistic friendship rules, ‘The Kissing Booth’ misses its mark.
Featuring a male protagonist who is more controlling than cute and unrealistic friendship rules, ‘The Kissing Booth’ misses its mark.
Emily Craig, University of North Alabama
What’s better than a regular rom-com? Matthew McConaughey comedies, of course! All his films ooze with that natural charm he brings to the screen.
What’s better than a regular rom-com? Matthew McConaughey comedies, of course! All his films ooze with that natural charm he brings to the screen.
Bethany Knickerbocker, Emerson College
If any of its tropes have finally started to wear thin (two complete opposites discovering they complete each other??), check out one of these slightly less traditional spins on the rom-com genre.
If any of its tropes have finally started to wear thin (two complete opposites discovering they complete each other??), check out one of these slightly less traditional spins on the rom-com genre.