Professional Fangirl- Katelyn Benschoter

For years, I have called myself a rom-com hater. But within the past few years, that seemingly has changed; my eyes have been opened to the world of good rom-coms. I am predicting right now that 2026 will be the year of the rom-com. It is only around twenty days into the year, and the year already has so much hope. This weekend, I watched People We Meet on Vacation and was pleasantly surprised by it. I was not expecting much from a romance book adaptation streaming on Netflix. That being said, it was beautifully shot, had great pacing, and I cared about the characters. And looking to the year ahead, there are many more anticipated rom-com films such as The Drama and Wuthering Heights. Let’s dig into the first big rom-com of the year, why rom-coms declined in popularity, and why they are back. 

People We Meet on Vacation dropped on January 9th, 2026, but has been long anticipated by fans of author Emily Henry. The film is based on her bestselling book from 2021, and it has a solid fan base. This means a lot of people have been watching the film, but it does not guarantee that it is good. That being said,  I mentioned before that I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. I am currently obsessed with Poppy’s character and the song “Forever Your Girl” by Paula Abdul because of the film. Seriously, I can not escape this film on my social media. This film is a quintessential rom-com. There is a good balance of character building and also the classic cheesy, predictable moments of a classic rom-com. My biggest complaint with rom-coms is the lack of depth the characters tend to have. I find that if I can not attach to a character or want to root for them, nothing else matters. Of course, when one chooses to watch a rom-com, you expect a kiss in the rain and a cheesy song that ties the characters together. But all of these aspects can become very unenjoyable if the characters fall flat. Circling back to People We Meet on Vacation, all of the characters are very vivid and confident in who they are. It is very easy to find a character you resonate with, which is a big reason why I enjoyed it. The natural arc of a rom-com has a point at which the love interests get torn apart, and then inevitably get back together. This can also be a place where the plot is often lost if it is not done correctly. But in this film, the love interests, Poppy and Alex, get torn apart because of a classic right person at the wrong time. Poppy wants to travel the world, and Alex wants to settle down. This idea can be applicable to many situations and is something that frequently happens, my point being this film finds the right balance between relatability, character building, and the classic rom-com elements. It has made me want to watch more rom-coms and have a more optimistic look at films similar to this one.

Now, if rom-coms are back, when did they go away? Well, with the rise of technology and new wants from the consumer, action and fantasy films became the ones in demand. Films like Avatar, Avengers, etc. These films were seemingly more impressive and began to capture audiences more. Which led to these films making more money and more films similar being made. This is not to say that rom-coms suddenly stopped being made, but they simply were not something the audience got that excited about. They became those films you see playing at your local theater that you have not heard anyone talking about. The films with empty theaters. But things are changing, especially with the new world of streaming. Rom-coms really are the perfect films for a girl’s night or for a sick day. Therefore, it makes sense that these films are doing better with streaming platforms dominating the market. That is not the only reason I hypothesize that rom-coms are suddenly in the public eye again. I think the need for rom-coms stems from the fact that the world is currently a place filled with immense amounts of uncertainty and happenings that weigh heavily on us. And regardless of whether you like rom-coms or not, you can agree that a key aspect of the genre is predictability. There is a clear structure to what the film must have to make sense as a rom-com. If the ending is not happy, it suddenly becomes a drama. Or if it is more of an ensemble film than focusing on two characters, it becomes just a comedy. My point being a rom-com is predictable. Predictability and certainty are some of the most comforting things a human can have. So between the grind culture in America and the unpredictable political happenings, rom-coms stay the same. We know they will give us a laugh, maybe a cry, and a great ending. 

The world needs rom-coms more now than ever. I predict 2026 will be the year of the rom-com. Spread the word, because rom-coms are back. If People We Meet on Vacation is any indicator of the rom-coms in the year ahead, it is going to be great. Life can get crazy, so turn on a rom-com. Maybe you think you are too good for a rom-com and are bored at the idea of a predictable plot. I was once like you, but I promise rom-coms can be enjoyable, especially when you need to escape from the chaos we call life. It is the year of the rom-com, so whether you like it or not, you might as well embrace it!