SyraQureshi

This summer, love is everywhere on the big screen. Alongside major releases like “The Drama,” theaters and streaming services are filling up with romantic comedies and love stories, marking what some are calling a comeback for the genre.

Romantic comedies have gone from being difficult to find, to suddenly appearing everywhere. A growing number of romantic movies have been released this summer, including “Wuthering Heights.”

A fan favorite movie this summer was “The Odyssey.”  Junior Jillian McKee found that this movie “was intense and strong, but the love in it really showed through Odysseus and Penelope being there for each other.” She said that although you wouldn’t think of this as a typical romance movie, “the love in it was super clear.”

The sudden upward trend of romantic movies comes at a time when relationships are increasingly shaped by technology. Texting, Snapchat and Instagram make it easier to communicate, but they can also make relationships feel less personal. Young people still want love and companionship, even as modern dating has become more complicated.

Senior Gracie Andresen said her favorite movie she saw in theaters this summer was “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” She believes that seeing movies in the theater is “more fun because it lets you be with people in a community.” 

Even movies that aren’t traditional romances, such as “Spider-Man,” rely heavily on relationships. Friendship, loyalty and connection remain important parts of the stories audiences are choosing to watch this summer.

Together, movies like these show that the appeal of romance is not necessarily about finding a perfect relationship. It can also be about watching characters struggle with love, trust and connection in other ways, too. 

 At Marian, connection can look different from what is shown on a movie screen. Meaningful friendships can come from sitting together at lunch, helping someone through a difficult day or simply making someone feel included. Small moments can become memories that are inspired by the desire to show love in many different ways.

“I see love in friendships at Marian,” Andresen said. She has noticed that this reflects the love she often sees in pop culture and movies. 

In a summer when romantic comedies and romance films are making a noticeable comeback, audiences may be drawn to stories that let them experience relationships in ways that feel bigger, messier and more dramatic than everyday life.

Maybe that is what makes this a “Summer of Love.” After years of communicating through screens, audiences are drawn to movies that remind them of something simple: people still want to feel connected. Whether that connection comes from a superhero movie, a romantic comedy or a night at the theater with friends, this summer’s movies are proving that love is still a story people want to watch.

What was your favorite summer movie? Was it a romance?
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