We all know those romance book/movie tropes: the love triangle, the fake relationship, enemies to lovers, all of those sequences of events that keep popping up in your favorite romance movies. But do all of them really deserve that popularity? I thought it’d be fun to share all of my thoughts on the most popular romance movie tropes -- whether they deserve the hype or should be tossed in the garbage can. I’ll be rating each trope on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the worst thing I’ve ever seen and 10 being the best trope that ever graced the big screen. For each ranking, I’ll be taking into account two categories: realism (how realistic this trope is) and entertainment (how fun it is to watch/read this trope). Each category will get a rating from 1 to 5, 1 being the worst and 5 being the best. We’ll see which tropes come out on top and which tropes should take the backseat. Happy reading!
Disclaimer: I’m not trying to bash any books or movies that include these tropes. I’m also not trying to offend the authors, actors, writers, or directors in any way, and I’m aware of how much work it takes to write a book or produce a movie. I’m just trying to analyze these commonly seen tropes, and a book or movie having these tropes doesn’t mean that it’s a bad book or movie -- a lot of the works with these tropes are actually some of my personal favorites.
Love Triangle
Description: Two characters both like the same person (usually the main character), and that person has to figure out who to pick/be with.
Seen in: The Vampire Diaries, Twilight
Rating: 9/10 (4/5 for realism, 5/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: I actually really like this trope. It’s not all that unexpected for two people to like the same person, but I didn’t give it a full score for realism because these kinds of “you have to pick one” situations don’t pop up as much. I feel like multiple people may have feelings for the same person, but they’re not all that likely to voice those feelings. However, this trope is quite entertaining to watch and it’s a good idea for creators because they get greater audience involvement. Several years later, we’re still debating Team Damon vs. Team Stefan and Team Edward vs. Team Jacob. People are going to be much more invested in the book or movie because they want their favorite person in the love triangle to come out on top.
Enemies to Lovers
Description: Two characters dislike each other initially and then develop feelings for each other.
Seen in: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett, Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally, Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Rating: 8.5/10 (4/5 for realism, 4.5/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: Here's my thing with enemies to lovers: I've grown to like it SO much more since my unpopular opinions post because the thing about this trope is that it's either the best thing ever or the worst thing ever. A vast majority of the best books I've read recently are enemies to lovers and that's because the author gets it right. Recipe for success: hints that these people might not hate each other as much (so we ship them) and a *smooth transition* between hate and love. This trope really needs some good relationship development because otherwise, it doesn't work. Enemies to lovers only works with slow burn. Slow burn makes a smooth transition. So many YA fantasy + dystopian books have this trope and are my all-time favorite books because I barely even noticed that the enemies to lovers was happening because a strong friendship foundation was built first.
The thing that slightly turns me off from enemies to lovers is when it's not realistic. When these two people have hated each other since the beginning and actively act against the other, it’s very hard to believe that they’re harboring feelings for each other. If the transition from enemies to lovers is like flipping a switch, it may become quite confusing and unrealistic. I need relationship development, people.
Moral of the story: When enemies to lovers is done well, literal 10/10 and the best trope ever. If not, get it outta here.
Friends to Lovers
Description: Two characters are friends initially (whether that be best friends or old childhood buddies) and then either develop feelings for each other or admit that they have feelings for each other.
Seen in: The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen, If There’s No Tomorrow by Jennifer Armentrout
Rating: 9.5/10 (5/5 for realism, 4.5/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: This is my favorite trope. End of story. First, it’s by far the most realistic because when you’re friends, you obviously like each other’s personalities. I’ve seen this trope multiple times in my life because it’s so easy to encounter. I personally think it’s very entertaining, as these romances tend to be pure and sweet. All around good feels. I didn’t give it the full 5 for entertainment because sometimes these romances are a bit predictable.
Boy/Girl/Person Next Door
Description: Very similar to friends to lovers, but the two characters are neighbors (and usually friends) and subsequently develop feelings for each other or admit that they have feelings for each other.
Seen in: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins, My Life Next Door by Huntleigh Fitzpatrick
Rating: 9/10 (4/5 for realism, 5/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: Since this trope is quite similar to friends to lovers, I’m also a big fan. I gave it a higher score on entertainment than the previous trope because I think the fact that the love interest is a neighbor adds a little bit of sparkle, if you know what I mean. It’s just an added factor that may make the story more interesting. However, that sparkle also means that there’s a bit less realism involved because I personally have not experienced or seen this in real life. It definitely seems possible, but I’ve never been all that close with my neighbors. The concept of falling madly in love with your neighbor sounds cool and definitely possible, but the likelihood of that happening is significantly smaller than catching feelings for your best friend.
Fake Relationship
Description: Two characters pretend to be in a relationship and then develop feelings for each other and get together for real.
Seen in: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Fake It Til You Break It by Jenn Nguyen
Rating: 7/10 (2/5 for realism, 5/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: As much as I love TATB and Fake It Til You Break It, this trope isn’t too realistic. Yes, of course it’s entertaining to watch people claim that they’re not going to get attached when they’re totally going to get attached. However, it’s very unlikely to happen in real life. Just imagine approaching someone and being like, “Hey, why don’t we fake date? It’s mutually beneficial.” I think that in real life, a situation like Lara Jean and Peter’s could have been solved with something that’s not a fake relationship, and the idea of a fake relationship wouldn’t be one of the first solutions that anyone thinks of. It all makes good cinema, though. Highly entertaining.
Airplane pic before the stuck together trope, get it?
Stuck Together
Description: Two characters are stuck together in an awkward situation (stuck in an elevator, stuck at an airport in a snowstorm, etc) and develop feelings for each other as a result.
Seen in: By Your Side by Kasie West, The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith
Rating: 6/10 (1/5 for realism, 5/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: First, imagine getting stuck in an elevator. Second, imagine getting stuck in an elevator with this really attractive other person and you immediately hit it off and fall in love. That doesn’t happen, man. As much as I want this stuff to happen in real life, the likelihood that you get stuck in an awkward situation with a hopelessly attractive other person is so incredibly low. That being said, it’s great to watch. The unique setting often enhances the story, and it’s something you can really easily fantasize about. But that’s the thing: it’s fantasy.
Forbidden Love
Description: Two characters fall in love but aren’t permitted to be together, whether that be because of socioeconomic status, rival groups or families, or other factors that involve other people not wanting them to be together.
Seen in: Romeo and Juliet, The Notebook
Rating: 8/10 (4/5 for realism, 4/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: I think this trope is fun to watch, and there’s usually a lot of fighting and arguing that may bring a lot of action. Some characters may be quite narrow-minded, though, so I don’t have a lot of love for them. I also feel like this trope is very applicable to real life, maybe not necessarily in the Romeo and Juliet family feud and running away sense, but in a more modern context. A contemporary version of forbidden love would be American Panda by Gloria Chao, in which the main character’s parents want her to marry someone Taiwanese like herself, but she likes a Japanese guy. The parents in American Panda are a bit harsh and traditional, but I do feel like that kind of cultural boundary is still in place in terms of dating and parental expectations. A lot of the time, two people want to be together, but other people in their lives disapprove. Basically, I’m not as big of a fan of the older version of forbidden love from before I was born, but I’m all for the more modern ones.
Opposites Attract
Description: Two characters who appear to be complete opposites develop feelings for each other.
Seen in: 10 Things I Hate About You, Grease
Rating: 7.5/10 (3.5/5 for realism, 3.5/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: This trope is an absolute classic. I love watching and reading anything with this trope in it, but I feel like sometimes it gets a bit cliche. It seems like it’s always the blonde, popular girl getting with the tall, dark, and mysterious guy who wears leather jackets and rides a motorcycle. Or maybe it's the brainiac starting a relationship with the star athlete. As overexaggerated as those books and movies may be, I think the concept of opposites attract is very much prevalent in real life. I feel like people often go for others who are unlike themselves, which is why this trope ranks so high for realism. The opposites in real life aren’t as obviously different as they’re portrayed in books/movies, but their contrasting qualities are definitely there. The best books/movies with this trope take on that more realistic factor, whether that be introvert/extrovert pairings or having different life aspirations. I would like to say, though, that when the relationship becomes just constant arguing and becomes toxic like that, it is not okay. It's not okay for any relationship, but I definitely see it more with this trope than with others.
Love At First Sight
Description: Two characters fall in love at first sight (or one falls in love with the other at first sight) -- the first time they see the other, they’re smitten.
Seen in: West Side Story, (500) Days of Summer
Rating: 4/10 (1/5 for realism, 3/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: I haven’t watched either of the movies that I mentioned above, but I know that they’re loved by many. However, I have my issues with this trope. No matter how gorgeous the other person is, you can’t fall in love with someone within two seconds of seeing them. You can be attracted at first sight, but love at first sight is more than a bit far-fetched. I feel like love at first sight is often combined with other tropes, such as how Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story have the forbidden love trope. As a result, the entertainment factor in those movies is higher because there’s more action. However, this trope by itself is weaker in terms of entertainment value. If the whole connection between the characters is based on that “I saw you and I knew” feeling, then I don’t think their connection is that strong or appealing.
Added this video as a tribute to an Alex, Approximately moment
Online Relationship
Description: Two characters meet online (usually under aliases) and develop feelings for each other -- this is often coupled with the two characters meeting in person and developing feelings for each other in real life.
Seen in: Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett, Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Rating: 6.5/10 (3.5/5 for realism, 3/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: Let’s give an example, as I feel like this is a bit confusing. In Alex, Approximately, Bailey and Porter meet in an online chat forum. Bailey uses the alias of Mink and Porter uses the alias of Alex, so they don’t know who the other is in real life. They become good Internet friends. Coincidentally, Bailey then moves to Porter’s city (literally from Washington DC to this tiny town in California) and they happen to work at the same summer job. Bailey and Porter become really close in real life, but Bailey doesn’t know Porter is Alex and Porter doesn’t know Bailey is Mink. Chaos and confusion ensue.
Let’s be honest, this is so Gen Z. Books with this trope usually end with me screaming at the characters. One of them always finds out the identity of their online friend and hides that they know (it’s like *if* Bailey found out that Porter is Alex and didn’t tell him that she was Mink). Just tell the people the truth. Thank you. But, I love seeing the banter between the two people in their text conversations, and they also usually develop a friends-to-lovers type relationship in real life, which is always very sweet. However, the usual hiding of the truth is a bit irritating. As for the realism factor, I think it’s moderate. It’s definitely easy to become friends with someone online and feel close to them even if you’re only talking through a screen. Where this trope falls away from reality is the small probability that this happens in real life. First, you have to make an online friend. Then, you have to move to their city and meet them in real life. Finally, you have to develop deep relationships with both of them and basically have *reciprocated* feelings for both of them. What are the chances?
Royalty/Celebrities
Description: Two characters develop feelings for each other, but one is a celebrity/famous person.
Seen in: Prince Charming by Rachel Hawkins, Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Rating: 5/10 (1/5 for realism, 4/5 for entertainment)
Reasoning: Explanation for the realism score: there is absolutely no way I would ever be able to date Timothee Chalamet (even if I wasn’t a minor). The concept of me (a regular gal) dating some high-profile celebrity or royal person is completely fantastical. People like Zendaya aren’t on Tinder. I haven’t read or watched too many things with this trope in it, but I gave it a good rating for the entertainment factor because of how much I enjoyed Prince Charming and Red, White, and Royal Blue. I loved both of these books and absolutely fell in love with the characters, but the problems they were facing are not the problems your average joe does.
Final Ranking:
Friends to Lovers (9.5/10)
Love Triangle (9/10)
Person Next Door (9/10)
Enemies to Lovers (8.5/10)
Forbidden Love (8/10)
Opposites Attract (7.5/10)
Fake Relationship (7/10)
Online Relationship (6.5/10)
Stuck Together (6/10)
Royalty/Celebrities (5/10)
Love At First Sight (4/10)
Final Thoughts:
Friends to lovers reigns supreme
Enemies to lovers and I are in a slow-burn enemies to lovers relationship because I literally love this trope more and more with every passing day AHHHH
I like realistic things
Probability really gotta play me like that and make my romance novel fantasies not come true
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