I recently found myself procrastinating this article on a Wednesday night at 8 pm. Every possible topic or starting point escaped me. I figured that sitting on my bed staring at the ceiling wasn’t doing me any good, so I turned on my favorite tried-and-true rom-com, 10 Things I Hate About You.
I had recently watched this movie with a group of girls one Friday night; it was the first movie we could easily agree upon as a group of freshman girls that didn’t know all too much about each other. I remember, after the movie was agreed upon by all ten girls, the girl who suggested the movie stated: “everyone likes a good rom-com.”
Why do we like rom-coms? I often see it as a form of escapism. In fact, I turned to a rom-com to escape doing my homework or writing an article. However, I feel as though rom-coms offer more than that: they provide significant stress relief. So many people make fun of Hallmark movies with the same predictable plot and overused jokes. However, Hallmark movies provide such a peaceful environment for Friday nights. There’s always one misunderstanding at the end of the movie, but you’re not stressed because the main couple always makes up. As much as I love a good slasher film, it’s nothing like watching a horror movie.
Without trying to make this article a mantra about hope, this uplifting attitude is so important. People need a reason to keep moving forward sometimes. They need to see people overcoming challenges and reaching their goals. Rom-coms combine this aspect with humor, making for a bonding experience where people can come together and laugh.
I have seen a lot of movies and TV shows come out recently that combine this formulaic story with real, sometimes heavier issues. Voicemails for Isabelle came out this past summer. It not only showcased a beautiful romantic relationship, but it also presented a beautiful bond between sisters. It continuously displayed this beautiful journey of personal and professional growth, while exhibiting the difficulties of loss. The People We Meet On Vacation, also a 2026 release, deals with some more common challenges, such as burnout. The main character Poppy uses her job as a travel writer to run away from her past, and that takes a toll on her. Off Campus gets classified as a romance series, but it’s definitely gone viral over the spring and summer. It really employs a light-hearted college set to unpack very heavy topics. The show is also just a lot of fun! For those who have seen the show, I will be dressing up as Allie in her J. Lo costume from Episode 2 for Halloween this year!
If you haven’t seen these movies/series yet, go watch them!
While I always have to go back to the real-world after about an hour and a half, these stories tend to add a little light to my day. We may not always like this type of formulaic story, but we certainly need it to remind us that sometimes, life really can be that simple. Sometimes, everything does work out, just like in the movies.