Do Romantic Comedies have a Place in Theatres Anymore?

Have you noticed that every new romantic comedy is either on Netflix, Prime Video, or another one of the hundreds of streaming services? 

Some films that come to mind are People We Meet on Vacation. A book adaptation about two friends who go on vacation every year and find themselves slowly falling in love. It stars Tom Blyth and Emily Bader. 

This was a romcom highly anticipated by fans of the book, and I’m sure many people would have shown up to the cinema to support the film. Films such as The Map that Leads to You and My Oxford Year, were other recent romcoms sent straight to streaming.

Some of the most iconic romcoms: When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, and 13 Going On 30, all well-loved classics, premiered in theatres and did well at the box office. So why is it so rare nowadays to see romcoms in the theatres, and have they been relegated to straight-to-streaming films?

This likely has to do with the fact that people aren’t showing up for romcoms like they used to; they’re far more likely to watch one at home than to travel to the cinema to watch what’s often deemed a “less-than” genre. 

There’s no shortage of high-stakes action, heart-stopping horror, and career-making biopics playing in theatres. These are popular genres, and for good reason. They’ve produced some great films, and they’re exciting to watch in the cinema. Perhaps people feel romcoms are more laidback films, meant to be enjoyed curled up on the couch while occasionally scrolling on TikTok. 

As an avid romcom fan, I feel a bit sad at the possibility that such a beloved genre would fade into the background until it eventually disappears from theatres completely. 

While most romcoms are finding a home in streaming, there are still a few exceptions. Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal released in June of 2025. It made over $100 million at the box office with a budget of $20 million. 

This tells me that the demand is there; people are so used to Netflix romcoms that they’re intrigued by the release of one in theatres. 

It’s not all bleak; one upcoming romcom I’d love to highlight is You, Me, & Tuscany, starring Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page. Spending the summer in Tuscany, Anna finds herself staying in a stranger’s villa. When caught, she lies that she’s the fiancée of the owner, which becomes complicated once she falls for his cousin. The film releases on April 10, 2026.

The film features a trope reminiscent of While You Were Sleeping, and I’m so glad it’s getting a theatrical release. The official trailer currently has 16 million views, so I’m confident that others are also excited about this change. This film doing well would send the message that romcoms are alive and thriving, and still have a place at the box office with the big dogs.