On a rainy Sunday afternoon in the midst of gloom and assignments, my friend and I decided to make the short trip to Regal L.A. Live to catch a screening of “Anyone But You” (2023). Two hours and a box full of Reese’s Pieces and NERDS Gummy Clusters later, we were skipping through the theater with Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” playing on loop in our heads. Two weeks later, I still reminisce about the movie as I listen to its soundtrack on my way to class. “Anyone But You” is a testament to the power and appeal that romantic comedies have.

Based on Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Anyone But You” follows Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell) in an enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating journey during their visit to sunny Australia for Bea’s sister’s wedding. Despite the predictability of the movie and its tropey nature, it does not fail to make audiences laugh and pays homage to romantic comedies of the past such as “Clueless” (1995), “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999) and “She’s the Man” (2006).

While the popularity of rom-coms in theaters seems to have diminished, it is no secret that they provide an escape in a positive, light-hearted manner that allows people to forget their problems and immerse themselves in a feel-good movie for a couple of hours. Bringing back the classic rom-com experience in theaters might just be exactly what we need to supply us with a much needed respite in stressful times. While one can find a plethora of romantic comedies on Netflix and other streaming platforms, the experience of watching them in a theater on a big screen is unparalleled. 

Now, romantic comedies might not have the most jaw-dropping CGI or the most twisted plotlines that comment on current issues around the world (those movies are also incredible, don’t get me wrong), but that does not take away from their power to provide an equally captivating experience for an audience. While people may mock you for being interested in these movies, there is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying them. After all, what’s so wrong about watching two people fall in love while making us laugh? 

The judgment that surrounds romantic-comedy lovers, chalking up these viewers to being silly and cringey, needs to stop. Aside from being extremely enjoyable, research shows that they can actually be very beneficial to us. A meet-cute, banter and the eventual falling in love seen in these movies actually releases oxytocin and dopamine — aka the happy hormones. This occurs because the brain feels as if you are in love. An increase in endorphins and a decrease in blood pressure occurs through the laughter that results from the jokes. And that’s not all; romantic comedies can also be advantageous for those in relationships. A study published in 2019 in Communications Studies notes that people who tended to watch more romance-centric films and TV shows reported the highest “relationship satisfaction.”

I personally do believe in the power of rom-coms; they are perfect for a get-together with friends where you can be both entertained and inspired. Coming back from winter break  to an environment that can be conducive to anxiety may even call for a trip to the theaters with friends to relieve some of that stress. I can attest that surrounding yourself with laughter and a feel-good movie in the form of a classic rom-com is the perfect remedy. 

One can argue that the physical health advantages of watching these movies, coupled with the social benefits, are just some of the reasons that we need to bring these movies back. If, after reading this article, you are in the mood to watch one, “Anyone But You” is only a 10-minute drive away.