Happy Valentine’s Day, Stage 32 Community!

Romantic comedies have always held a special place in cinema. From the golden era of When Harry Met Sally and Pretty Woman to modern hits like Crazy Rich Asians and Palm Springs, the rom-com genre has evolved to reflect the changing dynamics of love, relationships, and storytelling.

But what makes a romantic comedy successful in today’s market? How have audience expectations shifted over the years? And most importantly, how can screenwriters craft compelling, modern rom-coms that resonate with today’s viewers while honoring the genre’s timeless appeal?

Let’s take a closer look at how romantic comedies have evolved, what today’s audiences expect, and how you can craft a rom-com that sells.

10 of the Most Popular Romantic Comedies of the Last 10 Years

Over the past decade (2015-2025), the romantic comedy genre has seen a resurgence, with several films achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success across theatrical releases and streaming platforms. Here are ten of the most popular romantic comedies from this period:

1) Crazy Rich Asians (2018): This groundbreaking film follows Rachel Chu as she discovers her boyfriend is part of Singapore's elite. It became the highest-grossing romantic comedy in a decade, earning over $174 million domestically.

2) The Big Sick (2017): Based on a true story, it portrays the cross-cultural relationship between Kumail and Emily, navigating family expectations and health crises. The film was both a critical and commercial success.

3) Set It Up (2018): A Netflix original where two overworked assistants scheme to set up their demanding bosses, leading to unexpected romantic entanglements. The film was praised for revitalizing the rom-com genre on streaming platforms. This one is a personal favorite of mine. It's the kind of movie that I love to watch a few times a year when I want easy viewing that never fails to make me smile.

4) To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018): This charming Netflix film follows Lara Jean, whose secret love letters are accidentally sent to her crushes, leading to romantic escapades. It became a cultural phenomenon and spawned successful sequels. Our own Karen "Kay" Ross recently did a full script breakdown of this fantastic film during a Writer's Room Live Webcast that is now available on-demand. You can view the full broadcast HERE.

5) Always Be My Maybe (2019): Childhood friends reconnect years later, exploring the possibility of romance amidst personal and professional challenges. The film was lauded for its humor and representation.

6) Palm Springs (2020): A unique twist on the rom-com genre, two wedding guests find themselves stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day repeatedly. The film received critical acclaim for its inventive storytelling.

7) Love, Simon (2018): A heartfelt story about a high school student grappling with his sexual identity and a secret online romance. It was celebrated for its inclusive narrative and box office success. The film was so popular that it led to a television series spinoff that successfully ran for 3 seasons on Hulu titled, Love, Victor!

8) Long Shot (2019): A journalist reunites with his former babysitter, now a presidential candidate, leading to an unexpected romance. The film was praised for its chemistry between leads and modern take on the genre.

9) The Half of It (2020): A modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, a shy student helps a jock write love letters to a girl they both secretly love. The film was acclaimed for its fresh perspective and storytelling.

10) Ticket to Paradise (2022): Reuniting iconic actors, this film follows a divorced couple teaming up to stop their daughter's wedding, rekindling old feelings along the way. It was a box office hit, appealing to fans of classic rom-com dynamics.

What Makes Today’s Romantic Comedies Successful?

Over the past decade, romantic comedies have made a comeback, both in theaters and on streaming platforms. But modern rom-coms have taken a fresh approach that distinguishes them from their predecessors. What elements do these films share?

Authenticity and Relatability Over Fairytale Fantasies

Then: Rom-coms of the '90s often featured larger-than-life love stories with high-concept premises such as runaway brides, mistaken identities, and meet-cutes that felt plucked from a fantasy.

Now: Modern rom-coms ground their characters in realism. Films like Set It Up and Always Be My Maybe showcase relatable relationship struggles: overworking, reconnecting with old flames, and balancing love with personal ambitions.

Expanding Representation and Cultural Specificity

Then: Many rom-coms followed the same formula: straight, white, upper-middle-class protagonists in Western settings. The majority of classic rom-coms followed a predictable formula with white, heterosexual protagonists. Few films in the genre spotlighted characters of different races, sexual orientations, or cultural backgrounds.

Now: Today’s rom-coms reflect a much wider range of experiences, offering love stories that break past outdated molds. Movies like Crazy Rich Asians celebrate cultural specificity, Love, Simon brought LGBTQ+ representation to mainstream rom-coms, and The Half of It offered a nuanced, coming-of-age queer love story with an Asian lead.

The Blurring of Genre Lines

Then: Classic rom-coms rarely strayed outside their formula. The story was predictable: meet-cute, tension, grand romantic gesture, happily ever after.

Now: Rom-coms increasingly blend with other genres: Palm Springs (sci-fi/time loop), The Big Sick (dramedy/true story), and Long Shot (political satire) offer fresh perspectives and expand audience appeal.

Stronger Female Leads and Gender Role Reversals

Then: Many 90s rom-coms revolved around a woman finding love as the ultimate prize (Runaway Bride, My Best Friend’s Wedding).

Now: Modern rom-com heroines are often career-driven, emotionally complex, and aren’t waiting to be saved. Films like The Idea of You and The Hating Game flip the script, giving women agency and realistic character arcs.

Streaming and the New Market for Rom-Coms

Then: The best romantic comedies of the '90s and 2000s thrived in theaters, relying on box office success and star power to draw audiences. The rise of superhero films, action blockbusters, and tent-pole franchise features eventually pushed rom-coms out of theaters as they could rarely compete at the box office.

Now: Streaming services have become the primary home for rom-coms, giving them a massive revival. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have led the charge with hits like Set It Up (2018) and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018), proving that the genre still has a strong audience in the digital age and that rom-coms can thrive without a box office release.

How Romantic Comedies Have Changed Over Time

Romantic comedies have come a long way from the glossy, high-concept love stories of the '90s and early 2000s. While the core of the genre; humor, romance, and emotional connection remains the same, today's rom-coms have adapted to reflect modern relationships, diverse perspectives, and evolving audience expectations.

Glossy, Idealized Love Stories vs. Grounded, Real-World Relationship Dynamics

Then: Classic rom-coms like Notting Hill (1999) and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) often featured highly romanticized versions of love. These stories leaned into fairy tale elements: falling for a prince (The Prince & Me), a millionaire (Pretty Woman), or a famous celebrity (Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!).

Now: Modern romantic comedies embrace a more grounded, relatable take on relationships. Films like The Big Sick (2017) and Someone Great (2019) reflect the ups and downs of dating in today’s world, showing the emotional messiness, cultural differences, and personal growth that come with love.

Meet-Cutes & Grand Romantic Gestures vs. Slow-Burn Romance & Personal Growth Arcs

Then: The classic rom-com structure often relied on exaggerated meet-cutes (bumping into each other at a bookstore, spilling coffee on a stranger, fake dating schemes). Grand romantic gestures—think running through an airport at the last minute or a heartfelt public declaration were used to seal the happy ending.

Now: While meet-cutes still exist, contemporary rom-coms tend to focus on deeper emotional connections and slower relationship development. Palm Springs (2020) and The Idea of You (2024) prioritize the journey of the characters as individuals before they fully commit to love.

Happy Endings with Weddings vs. Ambiguous or Realistic Endings

Then: Weddings and picture-perfect happy endings were the norm in older rom-coms (Runaway Bride, My Best Friend’s Wedding), reinforcing the idea that marriage was the ultimate goal.

Now: Many modern rom-coms allow for more open-ended conclusions, reflecting the uncertainty of real-life relationships. Films like La La Land (2016) and Someone Great (2019) highlight personal growth and self-discovery rather than solely focusing on a romantic resolution.

Comedy as a Punchline Driver vs. Comedy Woven into Organic Conversations

Then: Older romantic comedies leaned heavily on slapstick humor and punchline-driven jokes. The comedic elements were often exaggerated, sometimes at the expense of emotional depth.

Now: The humor in today’s rom-coms tends to be more conversational and character-driven. Erin Foster’s Netflix series Nobody Wants This (2024) exemplifies this trend, with its humor emerging naturally from relatable situations and dialogue rather than structured punchlines. RB shared more details about this in a recent Coffee & Content Blog, which you can find HERE.

So What Have We Learned & How Can Screenwriters Adapt to These Trends?

For writers developing their own romantic comedies, here are a few key takeaways:

Make Your Love Story Feel Authentic

Audiences today want love stories that feel real. Over-the-top romantic gestures still have their place, but modern audiences connect with flaws, struggles, and real-world challenges. Ask yourself:

• What makes this love story believable?
• What personal growth do the characters undergo, beyond just finding love?
• How does your romance reflect today’s dating culture (e.g., dating apps, long-distance relationships, career struggles)?

Give Your Audience Complex, Multi-Dimensional Leads

The best rom-coms don’t just focus on romance they develop fully fleshed-out characters. Your protagonists should:

• Have their own ambitions and arcs that extend beyond the relationship.
• Challenge each other emotionally, not just serve as a romantic foil.
• Break stereotypes! (e.g., The Idea of You reverses the older man/younger woman trope.)

Consider Fresh Perspectives and Representation

The most successful modern rom-coms find fresh angles. Consider:

• A unique cultural perspective (Crazy Rich Asians)
• LGBTQ+ representation (Love, Simon, The Half of It)
• An unexpected setting or genre hybrid (Palm Springs, The Big Sick)

Keep the Humor Natural and Conversational

While traditional rom-coms often relied on situational comedy and slapstick, today’s audiences respond to humor that feels organic. Think about:

• Conversational comedy: Dialogue-driven humor (e.g., Erin Foster’s Nobody Wants This).
• Situational humor: Let characters find themselves in awkward, hilarious, yet relatable scenarios.

Adapt to the Changing Market

If you’re writing a rom-com today:

• Consider writing a lower-budget film that could sell well to a streamer.
• Make your script feel binge-worthy as though it could even translate into a series.
• Study what romantic comedies platforms are currently buying and producing.

Why the Genre is Thriving Again

Romantic comedies are evolving in exciting ways, proving that audiences still crave love stories, just with a modern twist. As long as filmmakers and screenwriters continue to innovate and reflect real-world relationships, rom-coms will remain a beloved and profitable genre.

If you’re working on a romantic comedy, take inspiration from these trends, embrace the evolution of love stories, and most importantly, have fun with it! The best rom-coms aren’t just about romance; they’re about connection, self-discovery, and, of course, a little laughter along the way.

Final Thoughts & Today's Exclusive Writer's Room AMA Event!

For screenwriters looking to break into the genre, understanding these changes is crucial. The key to a great rom-com isn’t just about following old formulas, it’s about finding the balance between timeless romance and modern relatability.

Resistance to change and a lack of interest in what modern audiences care about won’t help a writer succeed or make progress toward the sale they’re looking for. The industry is evolving, and today’s audiences crave stories that feel relevant, authentic, and emotionally resonant. Ignoring these shifts means missing out on opportunities to connect with both viewers and decision-makers.

So whether you’re writing a classic love story or an innovative take on relationships, remember: the heart of a rom-com will always be about capturing the magic of human connection. Those who embrace the evolution of the genre and understand today’s market will be the ones shaping the future of romantic comedies.

If you have more questions about how to navigate these modern approaches to romantic comedies, Stage 32 is hosting an exclusive Ask Me Anything Event in the Writer's Room Lounge ALL DAY TODAY! Screenwriter and Producer, Ayanna Anene, who specializes in female-driven, family, rom-com, and faith-based movies and TV shows, is hosting this all-day event focused on answering YOUR questions about "Writing A Strong Rom-Com For Today's Audience".

So be sure to click HERE and seize this opportunity to interact with Ayanna directly and get all of your specific questions answered!

If you're not already a member, you can get your first month of The Writer's Room for FREE by clicking HERE!

What’s Your Favorite Romantic Comedy of the Last 10 Years? Drop a comment below and let’s celebrate love, storytelling, and the ever-evolving rom-com genre!

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