Meanwhile, kings have evolved from dark, handsome, and stylish men like Cary Grant to nerds like Tom Hanks to the goofy, free-spirited, and blond Matthew McConaughey. Over time, queens have fluctuated between blonds and brunettes-princesses like Audrey Hepburn and bombshells like Marilyn Monroe-and type-A career women like Meg Ryan. And while this need has remained throughout the history of the genre, the definition of a rom-com king or queen has evolved along with the genre. Romantic comedies require a specific type of performer: leads with infallible charisma, mind-blowing good looks, natural comedic timing, and believable romantic chemistry with their costars. But after nearly 90 years, one thing has remained the same: The romantic comedy does not work without capable leads. Many things have come and gone: the working woman who is single because she cares too much about her job, creepy signs, declarations of love in the airport. The romantic comedy has changed significantly since the dawn of the genre in Old Hollywood, evolving from clever stories that win Oscars to mediocre, clichéd comedies obsessed with heterosexual norms to fresh and modern updates on familiar formulas.
Head to the top of the Empire State Building, order what she’s having, and join us as we dig into everything the rom-com has had to offer over the years. Thankfully, The Ringer hereby dubs this week Rom-Com Week, a celebration of one of the most delightful, captivating genres in film. When you find the theme week you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.