Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell put on beautiful performance – full of chemistry – in “Anyone But You.” (Photo by Sony Pictures)

Boomboxes outside windows, a hand in someone’s back pocket, love sonnets, and big gestures made old rom-coms popular. Recently, movies have catered to hookup culture and less-than-romantic storylines to fit into what modern society deems “romantic.” However, the film industry seemed to be returning to its whimsical roots with the 2023 romantic comedy “Anyone But You,” starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell.

“Anyone But You” premiered in December 2023 and earned roughly $215 million. The movie reimagines Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing,” following Benedick and Beatrice through their enemies-to-lovers arc, thanks to a few overheard conversations from their friends.

In “Anyone But You,” Bea and Ben spend an incredible night talking and getting to know each other, but a miscommunication causes a falling out, leading them to despise one another. The movie chronicles the evolution of their relationship as their friends attempt to set them up during a vacation in Australia. It’s a perfect mix of romance and comedy—exactly what hopeless romantics search for in a film.

Movies like “10 Things I Hate About You,” “13 Going on 30,” “50 First Dates,” and “500 Days of Summer” were the pinnacle of romance movies, especially in the early 2000s. However, viewers lost hope for good films when movies like “Fifty Shades of Grey,” “Tall Girl,” “The Kissing Booth,” and “He’s All That” were released.

The 2010s seemed to have produced some of the worst romance movies, but “Anyone But You” rekindles the butterflies, blushing, and nostalgic feeling viewers have longed for. The movie showcases true love, which is hard to find in most modern films that rely on hookup culture to create a romantic feel. Bea and Ben’s chemistry develops through meaningful dialogue rather than superficial encounters, creating a deeper and more authentic connection that resonates with audiences.

Every little detail in this movie was crafted with such care that it’s clear the director wanted to make a difference in the film industry—not just profit from views.

Screenwriters must connect with their romantic side and produce high-quality romance scripts like “Anyone But You.” The movie was funny, heartwarming, endearingly cliché, and overall one of the best romances to hit theaters in 2023.

Since its release, the promise of a rom-com resurgence has felt uncertain. Although “Anyone But You” captured hearts, subsequent feel-good movies like “We Live in Time” have been few and far between. Even Cosmo’s recent list of feel-good movies leans heavily on older classics, suggesting that modern offerings have not quite filled the void.

So, are viewers really experiencing a rom-com comeback? Or were the films “Anyone But You” and “We Live in Time” simply anomalies in a genre still searching for its footing?