The Rom-Com Drought: Is it Affecting Our Love Lives?

Listen to the Podcast Short at: Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Published on November 15,  2025

Brad Peters, Chief Development Officer, Director, CEO of Speed Mingle

Has the Decline of Romantic Comedies Impacted Dating?

Once a ubiquitous presence in popular culture, the romantic comedy genre, often affectionately known as the “rom-com,” appears to be undergoing a significant decline. For many decades, these films and television shows served as a cultural touchstone, offering a sometimes fantastical, yet often deeply relatable, portrayal of dating, the intoxicating thrill of new love, and the intricate dance of relationships. They frequently set a perhaps unattainable, but nevertheless compelling, standard for what many came to believe was the ideal courtship. However, as the production and prevalence of these beloved films continue to diminish, a profound question arises: is the absence of a steady stream of rom-coms contributing to a noticeable and perhaps troubling shift in how single individuals approach the fundamental aspects of relationships and dating in the modern world?

Romantic comedies have always transcended mere entertainment. They have functioned as powerful cultural artifacts, subtly and overtly shaping perceptions of love, the nervous excitement of first dates, and the often-arduous pursuit of a compatible partner. From the charming serendipity of “meet-cutes” to the grand, often over-the-top, romantic gestures, these films provided a pervasive narrative blueprint. This blueprint influenced everything from the subtle art of flirting to the deeply ingrained expectations we hold for our romantic lives. “Movies often provide a script for how we understand social interactions,” explains Dr. Person, a distinguished sociologist specializing in media and relationships. “When a genre as influential as the rom-com fades from prominence, that script becomes less accessible, potentially leaving a significant void in how people conceptualize and navigate the complexities of dating.” This void, Dr. Person suggests, can lead to confusion, uncertainty, and a lack of shared understanding about the unwritten rules and societal norms of romance.

The Vanishing Act of the Rom-Com

Over the course of the past decade, the number of romantic comedies released both in mainstream theaters and across a multitude of streaming platforms has dwindled dramatically. While there are sporadic instances of breakout successes that capture public attention, the consistent, almost automatic, stream of new rom-coms that once reliably dominated the box office and television schedules is now largely a relic of the past. This noticeable shift can be attributed to a confluence of factors, including the evolving and diversifying tastes of contemporary audiences, a pronounced industry-wide focus on other genres that are perceived as more profitable or critically acclaimed, and perhaps a growing perception within the creative community of a lack of originality or fresh storytelling within the traditional rom-com framework. Studios may also be wary of investing in a genre that sometimes struggles to find a global audience compared to action blockbusters or superhero franchises.

A New Landscape for Singles

For single individuals, particularly those who came of age consuming a steady and often comforting diet of romantic comedies, the current dating landscape can feel profoundly disorienting. The meticulously curated, often highly idealized, scenarios presented in iconic films such as “When Harry Met Sally” or “Notting Hill” offered a comforting, if sometimes unrealistic, framework for navigating the inherent complexities of meeting new people and forming meaningful connections. These narratives, despite their occasional flights of fancy, provided a common language and a shared set of expectations. Without these widely understood cultural narratives, singles may increasingly find themselves without a clear, universally recognized cultural reference point, potentially leading to increased uncertainty, heightened anxiety, or even a sense of apathy towards the prospect of dating altogether. The absence of these lighthearted, hopeful narratives can make the often-vulnerable experience of seeking a partner feel even more daunting.

“It’s not that people are inherently incapable of forming successful relationships without the guidance or inspiration of movies,” acknowledges relationship therapist Person. “However, rom-coms often provided a vital sense of hope, optimism, and a much-needed lighthearted approach to what can frequently be a very vulnerable, emotionally taxing, and sometimes disappointing experience. Their ongoing absence might very well contribute to a more cynical, cautious, or even jaded view of dating among those actively seeking connection.” This caution can manifest as a reluctance to take risks, a heightened sense of skepticism about romantic intentions, or an unwillingness to invest emotionally without guaranteed outcomes.

The Rise of Reality and the Decline of Idealism

In stark contrast to the diminishing presence of scripted romantic comedies, reality dating shows and various forms of documentary-style explorations of relationships have experienced a significant surge in popularity and cultural traction. While these genres certainly offer a different, often more raw, kind of insight into the intricacies of human connection, they frequently emphasize the drama, the often-unflattering conflicts, and, at times, the superficiality inherent in modern dating. This often stands in stark contrast to the aspirational, heartwarming, and frequently idealized narratives that were the hallmark of traditional rom-coms. This pronounced cultural shift, from the comforting embrace of idealized romance to the often messy, unpredictable, and sometimes brutal reality portrayed on screen, might be profoundly influencing how singles approach potential partners. It could be making them more wary, more prone to cynicism, or perhaps less inclined to fully invest in the traditional “chase” or the grand romantic gestures once celebrated in film.

What’s Next for Love and Dating?

The future trajectory of dating in a world increasingly devoid of a consistent stream of new romantic comedies is still very much in flux, continuously unfolding and adapting. While the undeniable decline of this once-dominant genre may have indeed contributed to a less idealized, more grounded, and perhaps even more cynical view of love and relationships, it simultaneously opens a potentially exciting door for the emergence of more authentic, diverse, and representative portrayals of human connection. Perhaps this significant cultural shift actively encourages singles to forge their own unique paths, to define love and connection on their own intrinsic terms, rather than solely through the often-limiting lens of a meticulously crafted Hollywood script.

As the complex and ever-evolving dating landscape continues its transformation, it remains an open question whether a new, influential genre will eventually emerge to adequately fill the cultural and emotional void left by the disappearing rom-com. Alternatively, it is equally plausible that singles will simply continue to navigate the often-complex labyrinth of love and attraction with a fresh, unscripted, and perhaps more resilient perspective, drawing upon their own experiences and the increasingly diverse narratives found across other forms of media. The absence of the rom-com may, in the long run, foster a more individualistic and self-defined approach to romance.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! https://linktr.ee/21st_Century_Dating_Decoded

#DatingAdvice #RomComs #LoveLife #SingleLife #PodcastLife #Podcast #SpeedMingle #DatingDecoded #Romance #ModernLove