If there’s one thing we know for sure about Hollywood it’s that no matter what film you make or who you are, somebody somewhere will try to steal your
idea and implement it in their film! The question is, will they steal your idea or will you steal theirs? In many ways, “The Favourite” is a story that could
easily be ripped from the headlines. Set in a London that feels more like a character from a Jane Austen novel, Emma Thompson’s new film is based on the true events that took place in
December, 1800 when Queen Elizabeth II (played by Emma Thompson) was in a playful mood and decided to play a prank on one of her courtiers. She had the
prankster (played by a then up-and-coming actor named Lord Cornwallis) arrested and interrogated for two days before realizing what she had done. The man was later cleared of
any wrongdoing but Elizabeth didn’t mince words, saying “It is the height of rudeness to play tricks on people.” The Queen then had the
good judgment to issue him a formal apology and invited him to court for the rest of the year.

Not so very long ago this film would’ve been considered impossible. After all, who among us has not dreamed of being in a romantic movie or TV show? Perhaps wishing for a prince charming to come along and save the day? But times change and so do our
dreams. Over the last decade or so, we’ve seen many of our favorite romantic movie and TV shows turn into massive successes, many of which are now considered classics.

Why Do People Still Care About Romances?

It’s a question we’ve been asking ourselves as we’ve been watching the ups and downs of a few romances in particular. Take a look:

Once Upon a Time In Hollywood

If you thought Netflix’s “Once Upon a Time In Hollywood” was perfect, well, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The nine-part series not only pulls off the vintage Hollywood romance, but does it with such precision and charm that it feels like a brand new story. The series is full of cameos from the golden era of Hollywood — including Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, James Garner, and more — and it even brings in a few real-life characters from that era, like Lana Turner and Isobel Lennox-Garcia.

But it’s more than just nostalgia for viewers of this series. While many of the films and TV shows the characters watch in bed are comedic or light-hearted in nature, “Upon a Time In Hollywood” deals with some pretty heavy topics, like mental health and addiction. It’s not quite as sugar-coated as it could be, choosing to show the darker side of Tinseltown in a way that feels relevant today.

The Princess Bride

Speaking of relevance, one of the most romantic movies ever made also happens to be one of the greatest comedies of all time. With a story that was first published in 1973, William Goldman’s “The Princess Bride” remains as fresh as ever, especially since it was one of the first major films to be made after the events of 9/11. While it might not be a household name, it’s definitely a film that’s always been in the back of our minds as we’ve watched the later seasons of “Game of Thrones” unfold. We’re not alone, either, as the Princess Bride was recently selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as one of the greatest films ever made.

The movie is set in a time when traditional fairy tales were becoming less and less popular and when brides were really becoming something else entirely. With bright colors and gold accents, writer-director William Goldman’s adaptation of the classic book gives the story an incredible charm. Among its many amazing qualities, “The Princess Bride” is proof that sometimes less is more. Its visuals are simple yet effective, and the laughs are genuinely belly-aching. The fact that it’s so good is almost criminal. Almost.

Legends Of Tomorrow

Comic-Book lovers will enjoy the upcoming series “Legends of Tomorrow,” which premieres on January 15th on the CW. This one’s a bit of a head-scratcher, as it takes place in a world where aliens have become a part of our everyday lives. But this doesn’t take away from how romantic it is. In fact, many of the story lines are centered around love. So, while it doesn’t necessarily fit the romantic comedy trope exactly, it’s not hard to see how viewers could still apply their own feelings to the storylines. We’re talking about aliens here, so it might be hard to convince yourselves that this is entirely possible. But maybe it’s not all that far-fetched. After all, who knows — maybe one day Hollywood will give you a story about aliens dating humans and it will be accepted as completely normal.

Sense8

We couldn’t talk about great romantic movies without mentioning the hit series “Sense8.” This year Netflix will launch a new chapter of the Wachowski siblings’ cyberpunk series, bringing the story of eight individuals scattered around the world linked by their minds. It sounds complicated, but for the most part the Netflix presentation is as efficient as it is stylish, featuring a diverse group of characters that viewers can’t help but cheer for. Besides, the way the eight heroes and heroines are connected is quite a romantic twist on the conventional format.

The story begins with a prologue set in the not-too-distant future, where a deadly virus has swept the world, leaving many people partially or fully blind. It’s this virus that brings together a scattered group of individuals who are linked by their sense of touch as they navigate the world as sight-impaired. While they don’t necessarily fall in love per se, the connection between the characters and the way their emotions are evoked is what makes the show so compelling — it’s definitely worth a watch if you’re looking for something fresh and romantic.

What’s Next?

So, what will 2019 have in store for us? We can’t make any predictions, but one thing is sure. Ever since the dawn of time, stories have been a source of solace and inspiration for those who create them and those who enjoy them. No matter the time or the place, the desire to tell a meaningful, relatable, and sometimes even heart-wrenching story never goes out of fashion.