The Death of the Rom-Com and What It Says About Modern Dating

Romantic comedies used to be everywhere. Movies like When Harry Met Sally…, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and 10 Things I Hate About You weren’t just movies we watched on repeat; they were cultural touchstones. They showed us how people flirted, fought, made grand gestures, and ultimately fell in love. For many viewers, they served as an unofficial guide to dating.

But somewhere along the way, the rom-com started disappearing.

According to CNBC reporter Sarah Whitten, Hollywood released roughly 15 to 25 romantic comedies each year between 2004 and 2010. Since 2011, that number has fallen to fewer than 15 annually. A genre that once dominated multiplexes and sleepovers has steadily faded from the spotlight.

At first glance, that might not seem like a big deal. But it raises an interesting question: if rom-coms helped teach generations how to date, what happens when they disappear?

Producer and actress Reese Witherspoon thinks we’re already seeing the effects. During an appearance on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, she argued that younger audiences have fewer examples of healthy courtship because romantic comedies and romance-driven television shows are no longer as prevalent. Without those stories, she suggested, people lose opportunities to “imagine and visualize dating skills” and romantic relationships.

That idea might sound surprising, but the numbers suggest something bigger is happening in modern dating culture.

What does the decline of romantic comedies say about modern dating?

The decline of romantic comedies may reflect a broader shift in dating culture. While classic rom-coms celebrated vulnerability, courtship, and emotional risk-taking, modern dating increasingly emphasizes efficiency, algorithms, and emotional self-protection. Some experts argue that losing these cultural stories may contribute to growing dating app fatigue and declining confidence in dating.

The 2025 National Dating Landscape Survey, analyzed in the 2026 State of Our Unions report, surveyed more than 5,000 unmarried Americans ages 22 to 35. Only 31% described themselves as active daters, meaning they go on at least one date per month.

Even more striking, 74% of women and 64% of men said they either hadn’t dated at all or had only gone on a handful of dates in the previous year. When researchers asked why, the most common answers were financial concerns (52%), lack of confidence in dating skills (49%), and negative past experiences (48%). Overall, only about one in three young adults felt confident in their ability to date successfully.

Of course, the decline of romantic comedies isn’t solely responsible for this shift. It’s part of a much larger cultural change.

People simply consume entertainment differently now. According to S&P Global consumer survey data, the percentage of Americans who attend movies at least once a month dropped from 39% in 2019 to just 17% in 2025.

As moviegoing declines, younger audiences are spending more time on TikTok, YouTube, and other short-form platforms. And increasingly, that content doubles as dating education.

In fact, it also helps explain a growing phenomenon in modern relationships known as dating app fatigue. 

What Is Dating App Fatigue?

Dating app fatigue is the emotional exhaustion that can result from prolonged use of swipe-based dating platforms. Common symptoms include burnout, reduced motivation to date, frustration with endless swiping, and feeling disconnected from meaningful relationships.

The problem is that much of today’s dating content teaches a very different lesson than the classic rom-com. Instead of encouraging vulnerability, emotional honesty, and taking risks, many creators emphasize detachment, nonchalance, and the importance of never appearing too interested.

Compare that to iconic rom-com moments. Benjamin Barry in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days abandons the game he’s been playing because he realizes he genuinely wants love with Andie Anderson. Kat Stratford stands in front of her entire class in 10 Things I Hate About You and reads a deeply personal poem about her love for Patrick Verona. These moments resonate because they’re messy, sincere, and emotionally brave.

Today’s dating culture often rewards the opposite.

There’s also another factor: Hollywood itself has developed a complicated relationship with the rom-com.

For years, romantic comedies have been treated as less prestigious than other genres. Critics frequently dismiss them as formulaic, predictable, or lacking artistic depth. Meanwhile, darker dramas and morally ambiguous stories are more likely to be celebrated as sophisticated or awards-worthy.

As a result, the rom-com’s defining qualities—optimism, emotional sincerity, and happy endings—can feel almost unfashionable in modern entertainment. Studios often prioritize projects perceived as more serious, innovative, or prestigious, even though romantic comedies have historically proven their ability to connect with audiences and remain culturally relevant for decades.

The result is a culture where romance is increasingly framed as something to optimize, analyze, or avoid rather than something to actively pursue.

Can Stories Influence Dating Behavior?

Yes. Research in psychology and media studies suggests that stories help shape social expectations, communication habits, and relationship beliefs. Romantic comedies often modeled courtship, emotional vulnerability, and conflict resolution. While no movie can teach someone how to build a healthy relationship on its own, cultural stories can influence how people understand dating and romantic connection.

The growing interest in intentional dating may help explain why some newer platforms are moving away from swipe-first experiences. Services such as KNOWSBEST, which incorporates mothers and trusted mother figures into the matchmaking process, reflect a broader desire for trust, compatibility, and more meaningful introductions rather than endless browsing. Whether through family involvement, professional matchmaking, or community-based approaches, many singles appear to be searching for a more human way to connect. 

Maybe Reese Witherspoon is right. Maybe losing rom-coms means losing more than a movie genre. Maybe we’ve lost some of the stories that reminded us that love requires courage, vulnerability, and the willingness to risk looking foolish.

And in a dating culture increasingly built around algorithms, strategy, and emotional self-protection, those lessons may be more valuable than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are romantic comedies becoming less popular?

Romantic comedies have declined due to changes in audience preferences, streaming economics, and Hollywood's focus on larger franchise-driven productions. Industry analysts also point to changing cultural attitudes toward romance and relationships.

What is dating app fatigue?

Dating app fatigue refers to the exhaustion many users experience after prolonged use of dating apps. It often results from endless swiping, repetitive conversations, poor match quality, and a lack of meaningful connections.

Why do people feel burned out by dating apps?

Many singles report feeling overwhelmed by the volume of profiles, uncertainty around intentions, and difficulty forming genuine relationships. This can lead to dating burnout and lower confidence in the dating process.

What is intentional dating?

Intentional dating is an approach that prioritizes compatibility, relationship goals, and meaningful connection over casual browsing or short-term interactions.

Are people looking for alternatives to Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge?

Yes. Growing concerns around dating app fatigue have encouraged many singles to explore matchmaking services, compatibility-focused platforms, and relationship-first dating experiences.

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Writer’s Bio: Lexi Brandt is a Los Angeles–based writer covering modern dating culture, relationships, and entertainment. Drawing from a background in film and TV analysis, her work explores how media shapes the way younger generations navigate romance in an increasingly online world.