If you’ve scrolled through TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen clips of 13 Going on 30, Legally Blonde, or How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days—usually with someone commenting, “They just don’t make movies like this anymore.” It’s official: Gen Z is having a full-on love affair with 2000s rom-coms. Despite growing up in the era of superhero sagas and dystopian dramas, this generation is swooning over the charming, sometimes cheesy, always feel-good world of early 2000s romantic comedies. But why the sudden obsession with a genre that peaked before many of them could even walk?
The Comfort of Simpler Times
In an age of constant digital noise, global chaos, and overly complex plots, something is soothing about the predictability of a rom-com. 2000s romantic comedies offer a comforting escape. You know the formula: girl meets boy, they hate each other, something ridiculous happens, and suddenly they’re kissing in the rain. For Gen Z—who are often described as the most anxious generation—these movies feel like a warm, pastel-coloured blanket. They offer emotional clarity in a world where most things are complicated.
The Allure of Y2K Aesthetics
Let’s be real—2000s fashion and aesthetics are making a massive comeback, and rom-coms from that era are pure goldmines of iconic Y2K style. From the low-rise jeans and velour tracksuits to the chunky flip phones and glittery lip gloss, everything about these films screams early-aughts perfection. Movies like Clueless and Mean Girls (yes, still technically on the rom-com spectrum) are practically Pinterest boards in motion. Gen Z is all about curating vibes, and nothing delivers better than a montage set to a Natasha Bedingfield song with a closet full of Juicy Couture.
Relatable Yet Aspirational Characters
2000s rom-com heroines had jobs in fashion magazines, lived in perfectly decorated New York apartments, and somehow managed to spill coffee on a cute guy every other scene. While that’s not exactly realistic, the characters still felt more grounded than today’s CGI-laden superheroes. Gen Z sees these protagonists as flawed, funny, and fabulous in a way that feels both relatable and aspirational. Whether it’s Elle Woods proving she’s more than just a pretty face or Jenna Rink wishing she was “thirty, flirty, and thriving,” these characters resonate deeply.
A Break from Cynicism
Modern film and TV often lean into irony and gritty realism. While that has its place, there’s a growing hunger for content that’s just… nice. 2000s rom-coms didn’t try to be too clever or dark—they were unapologetically earnest. Love was the goal, and happy endings weren’t considered a cliché, but a promise. Gen Z, often bombarded with bad news and online drama, is reaching back to an era when love stories were simple and sweet, and characters made grand romantic gestures instead of sending vague direct messages.
Social Media Revived the Genre
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have given new life to old movies. A single fan edit or meme can catapult a forgotten rom-com back into the spotlight. Gen Z is discovering these films through curated clips and sharing them with a whole new level of enthusiasm. It’s not just nostalgia—they’re remixing and reimagining these movies through a modern lens, giving them new cultural relevaGen Z’s obsession with 2000s rom-coms is about more than just fashion or aesthetics. It’s about finding joy in stories that are light-hearted, hopeful, and deeply human. These movies remind us that love can be silly and surprising and that sometimes the best kind of drama is the kind that ends with a kiss and a killer pop song. In a world that often feels overwhelming, it’s no surprise that Gen Z is looking backward for a little cinematic comfort—and finding it in the charming chaos of 2000s rom-coms.