The exceedingly popular genre of romantic comedy has prevailed throughout the extent of cinematic history and even dates back to Ancient Greece and the earliest forms of storytelling. The foundations of a romantic comedy in film are fairly simple, easy to understand, and typically center around a likable cast. The genre keeps itself aligned with a series of tropes that are typically expected to work themselves out at the end, concluding on a satisfactory note. In most instances, meet-cutes are rewarded with an ending that’s destined to happen.
The popularity of romantic comedies doesn’t just root from the law of demand. There’s a bit more that contributes to the increase in rom-coms flooding movie theaters and streaming services. The interest in the prominent genre goes beyond the clichés that are attached to it, even if they become predictable. The love for romantic comedies goes beyond both romance and comedy. Indeed, here's why romantic comedies are so popular.
Romantic Comedies Inspire Love, Not Just Romance
The couple at the center of any romantic comedy is deemed to earn the most attention, but not all romantic comedies are fueled by the power of romantic love alone. The genre forks off when diving into the mechanics of other relationships that main characters may encounter; they don't keep themselves solely involved with their significant other. Romantic comedies keep the romantic aspect at the crux of the film without having to limit themselves to just that. There's often some sort of affection for family, friends, or camaraderie between colleagues that serves as a reminder that platonic love is just as valuable as a romantic attraction. Romantic comedies celebrate the love for those around us, serving as a reminder that a partner does not determine the extent of personal value. They comment on how different levels are relationships are perceived and how truly invaluable they all can be.
They Trigger a Release of Oxytocin
Oxytocin is more commonly recognized as the "love hormone," and is naturally produced more highly in biologically female individuals than male. The hormone can be found in correlation with the budding stages of romantic attraction, and be vicariously felt by the audience as the on-screen romance unfolds. Oxytocin can contribute to the popularity of romantic comedies because of its association with positive relationship memories and its connection to "happy hormones." Dopamine and serotonin are in relation to oxytocin, and the pleasantries felt while watching romantic comedies elicit these neurotransmitter signals. Romantic comedies are more closely related to the responses of each, meaning that when they are viewed, the body is rewarded by these feelings. Oxytocin is linked to success in romantic relationships because of its promotion of empathy and understanding. In some instances, there is sympathy for the characters in romantic comedies and there is the tendency to apply emotional responses taken from media to other aspects of everyday life.
It’s a Watchable, Stress-Free Genre
The romantic comedy genre is considerably far more relaxed in comparison to its more intense competing genres. There is no gripping feeling of visceral fear found in a horror movie, or the pulse-pounding action that thrums through stories of adventure. The absence of an overly-complicated origin story in the romantic comedy genre is what contributes to the palatability of the subset. Plotlines are fairly mainstreamed and direct. They explain themselves with clear, uninterrupted narratives, and are easy to digest. They don't ask for audiences to research the who's-who before settling down to watch a movie. Romantic comedies offer a stress-free viewing experience that is crafted to be enjoyed with good company. The genre brings people together for an easy watch, where the content of the film isn't exactly mindless, but cannot be viewed as cerebral. Being so easy to watch, and being able to apply to a variety of psychographics, make romantic comedies such an agreeable genre in movies. Perhaps not the most compelling pieces of media, they are nevertheless entertaining.
Rom-Coms Are a Healthy Mix of Realism & Hollywood Magic
Romantic comedies feature regular people in regular circumstances. They appeal to the idea of everyday life without having to stretch for engaging, realistic stories to tell. The interwoven tales of living in the mundane are touched by the power of Hollywood magic, where meet-cutes find themselves transforming into public declarations of love for all to know. The absenteeism of subtlety adds that trademark in movie making, leaving the most unnoticed details to be caught by a well-trained eye. The commonplace approach to romantic comedies grounds it in reality. The dramatics of Hollywood elevate the simplest of situations into a protagonist finding their lifelong partner. Romantic comedies find themselves in relatable settings surrounded by relatable. The achievement of finding that "happily ever after" may resonate with some, though may come across as unrealistic to others. The balance between the desire for a happy ending and the challenges to finding it results in the popularity of the romantic comedy.