2018 has been an awesome year for movies. Specifically, 2018 has seen the revival of the romantic comedy genre. The key factor for all of these movies? The classic romantic comedy trope that reduces women to “male-obsessed beings” is long gone. The leading female (or male) has motivations other than finding their one true love throughout the movie. The stakes are higher than they’ve been before; audiences want fulfillment for their fantasies with a side of drama *cue the DUN DUN DUUN*. Here are five movies that helped define a new standard for the beloved rom-com:
Love, Simon– Based on Becky Albertalli’s book Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, this is the first major Hollywood movie that focuses on a gay teenage romance. The movie follows Simon Spier (Nick Robinson), a closeted gay high school boy who has fallen in love with an anonymous classmate he has met online. However, conflict ensues when a blackmailer threatens to out Simon to his entire high school. What stuck with me the most was the close bond Simon had with his parents throughout the film (I may or may not have teared up a bit in the movie theater during a scene between Simon and his mother, played by Jennifer Garner).
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again– A romantic comedy AND a movie musical? Count me in! Round two of the ABBA sing-along sensation serves as a sequel and a prequel. We flashback to a young Donna (played by Lily James), and discover how she meets Sophie’s (Amanda Seyfried) three charismatic fathers, Harry, Sam and Bill, on her way to finding her place in the world. Meanwhile, in the present day, Sophie is preparing for the grand reopening of her mother’s hotel, while simultaneously juggling relationship troubles with her husband, Sky (Dominic Cooper). The Mamma Mia! movies prove that singing and dancing it out solves all your problems in life.
Set It Up– Not going to lie, the opening sequence of this Netflix movie was a frightening glimpse into a possible post-college future. However, you can’t help but root for Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell), two overworked assistants who come up with a plan to get their demanding bosses to date to get some much needed free time for themselves. Deutch is endearing as Harper, who dreams of becoming a successful sports journalist like her boss (played by Lucy Liu), but fears that she sucks at writing because she has no time to flesh out an article idea. Bonus: Charlie’s roommate, Duncan (played by Pete Davidson), provides his hilarious opinions, much to Charlie’s dismay
Crazy Rich Asians– The first Hollywood film in 25 years to feature a majority Asian cast, the movie has grossed over $50 million domestically so far, not to mention that it’s certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on the novel by Kevin Kwan, the story follows NYU professors Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and her boyfriend Nick Young (the dreamy Henry Golding), as they travel to Singapore for his best friend’s wedding. However, Nick doesn’t prepare Rachel for the target she will have on her back when she arrives on Nick’s arm, as he hails from one of the country’s wealthiest families. Wu makes a fierce leading lady, Gemma Chan’s elegance as Nick’s cousin Astrid captivates the audience, and Awkwafina’s ad-libs are comedic gold. A sequel is already in the works.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before– Another win for Asian representation in movies! Based on author Jenny Han’s trilogy of the same name, Lana Condor plays Laura Jean Song Covey, whose private love letters get sent to her five crushes, and one of them just so happens to be her older sister’s boyfriend, Josh (Israel Broussard). To convince Josh that she’s no longer in love with him, Laura starts fake dating popular boy Peter Kavinsky (played by Noah Centineo) another one of her crushes that received a letter (there were five love letters in total). The inseparable bond between the three Covey sisters (the older played by Janel Parrish and the younger played by Anna Cathcart) is the driving force behind this lovable Netflix movie. If there’s one thing that I learned after watching this movie, it’s that everyone deserves a love like Laura Jean and Peter’s.