Shouting Out the Best Romantic Movie Tropes of All Time in Honour of “Regretting You”

They may be cheesy but who can resist a good enemies to lovers? 🍿

In anticipation of the new romantic drama Regretting You, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel with the same name, we wanted to give a shout out to all the best tropes in our fav romance movies.

Starring Mckenna Grace, Mason Thames, Allison Williams and Dave Franco, this star-studded flick is sure to bring the laughs and the almost-cringe romantic moments we all know and love.

Regretting You follows Morgan Grant and her daughter, Clara after a devastating accident which reveals a shocking betrayal.

This leads them to explore what's left behind as they confront family secrets, redefine love, and rediscover each other.

The beauty makeover.

We all know it – the scene when the nerdy girl takes off her glasses and she’s actually been beautiful the whole time!

While this one may bring the cringe since glasses and apparently bad style are definitely not the most important characteristics a person can have, everyone loves a good before and after montage.

Luckily, these makeovers often reveal who’s superficial and who’s actually there for the main character.

Like in The Princess Diaries, after we see Mia (Anne Hathaway) get a ton of attention from everyone in school.

The cool guy suddenly wants her, and every popular girl is jealous. But as it turns out, the guy for her was the one who never judged her for her looks, Michael (Robert Schwartzman).

Catch it in: She’s All That, Miss Congeniality, The Princess Diaries, Crazy Stupid Love, Clueless

Enemies to lovers.

How could we not talk about one of the most used tropes of all time?

The oh-so enticing enemies to lovers. Seen in pretty much every Netflix romance movie, this trope is both hilarious and endearing to watch.

Whether it’s to win a bet like in She’s The Man, writing a magazine article in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or finding yourself in high school and being okay with who you are like in The DUFF, there’s no denying this trope will have us sat in front of our screens with the popcorn ready.

Catch it in: When Harry Met Sally, Letters to Juliet, 10 Things I Hate About You, Pride & Prejudice

The fake dating scheme.

I can’t even lie – this is a personal favourite of mine. It’s the perfect combo of the friends to lovers trope and the enemies to lovers trope.

It’s also so fun to see how these scams are pulled off and watching as two characters fall slowly in love with each other, without even realising it.

Normally, it’s a fake relationship between two people from different “worlds” to help each other out.

The chaos that ensues is both hilarious and sweet. I’m yet to meet anyone who’s actually tried it (this trope is probably best left to the movies, anyways).

Catch it in: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Pretty Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Holidate, Just Go With It

Forbidden love.

Forbidden fruit is often the most tempting and such is the case with any romantic movies with this trope.

Something about not being able to be with someone because of society, family or personal boundaries is so mesmerising to watch.

Some of the best and most iconic romance movies have come out of this trope. No matter how many times I’ve watched them, I’ll still watch these flicks over and over again.

Catch it in: Titanic, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Romeo and Juliet, Dirty Dancing, Brokeback Mountain

Second chance romance.

Ah, the second chance romance. These stories often feature a shared history, past heartache, and the potential for renewed love and that oh so sweet happily ever after.

This trope can be really beautiful and explore more than just romance.

Movies like this are all about establishing connection and knowing that even if the relationship failed once before, the effort to try again makes it even more compelling.

Catch it in: The Notebook, Letters to Juliet, 13 Going on 30, The Parent Trap, 50 First Dates, Crazy Stupid Love

Your next date night movie is sorted. Watch Regretting You in theatres on 23 October, starring Mckenna Grace, Mason Thames, Allison Williams and Dave Franco.

Plus, save on movie tickets with our exclusive deal for HOYTS and get student-priced tickets.