Love is in the air (and the movie screens.) As we dive into the heart of 2024, romantic comedy enthusiasts have been treated well this past year to a variety of films with some A-list actors and actresses like Sydney Sweeney and Zac Efron. In the early 2000s, rom-coms were all the rage with instant classics like 10 Things I Hate About You or She’s the Man. In 2024, we often look back at these with a nostalgic feeling, but it appears the movie industry is stepping up its game yet again in terms of the rom-com genre.
This year’s lineup of rom-coms offers something for everyone. Join L’OFFICIEL in breaking down some major rom-coms to add to your watch list this year.
Anyone But You
Easily one of the biggest hits so far this year has been Anyone But You, featuring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell. Portraying exes thrust together at an Australian destination wedding, they begin to masquerade as a couple in a classic rom-com twist. Drawing inspiration from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, the film adds a modern twist with Gen Z humor.
The Idea of You
Adapted from what was once a fan fiction about none other than Harry Styles, The Idea of You follows Solène (played by Anne Hathaway), a single mother in her forties, as she embarks on a surprising love affair with Hayes Campbell (portrayed by Nicholas Galitzine), the frontman of August Moon, the world’s most popular boy band. It’s steamy, romantic, dramatic, yet still has the charm of a rom-com.
Upgraded
Ana (Camila Mendes) is an ambitious intern with aspirations in the art world, determined to make an impression on her demanding boss, Claire (Marisa Tomei). A chance encounter in first class during a work trip introduces her to the charming Will (Archie Renaux), who mistakenly believes Ana is her boss. This white lie sets in motion a series of glamorous events, romance, and career opportunities for Ana.
Música
Rudy Mancuso’s Música is a coming-of-age tale centered on an aspiring creator with synesthesia. Set against the backdrop of Newark, New Jersey, the story delves into themes of love, family, and cultural identity as the protagonist grapples with an uncertain future.
Lisa Frankenstein
Diablo Cody’s latest creation follows the story of a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush—who just so happens to be a corpse. Through a series of darkly comedic events, including his unexpected resurrection, the duo sets off on a murderous quest in search of love, happiness, and a few absent body parts.
Which Brings Me To You
Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff headline as Jane and Will, a pair of romantically disillusioned individuals who share an instant connection at a friend’s wedding. Following an encounter in the coatroom, they find themselves spending the next 24 hours together, exchanging raw confessions of their pasts, all while daring to hope that this fling could blossom into something genuine.
It Ends With Us
Get ready for the much-anticipated big-screen version of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, It Ends With Us, arriving in theaters this summer. Featuring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in lead roles, the movie delves into the story of Lily Bloom, a young woman from Boston, who falls head over heels for neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. However, as their relationship unfolds, things and people from her past come back around. So make sure you mark your calendars for June 21, 2024.
A Family Affair
A Family Affair features Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King in a captivating portrayal of a tangled love triangle involving a young woman, her mother, and her employer. Originally slated for release in November 2023, Netflix will now release it sometime this year, so be on the lookout.
