Is 2025 the year when romcoms finally got emotional intelligence right?

Romcoms are evolving, and honestly, it’s about time.

Gone are the days when a grand airport chase could magically fix months of bad behaviour. Today’s audience wants more than cute banter and a dramatic kiss in the rain. We want characters who actually talk through their issues, hold space for each other’s feelings, and don’t treat therapy like a punchline. And 2025’s slate of romance stories seemed to finally lean into that energy.

These films and shows are rewriting the rules of love on screen by making emotional intelligence the heart of the story. It’s not just about falling in love anymore; it’s about understanding yourself, respecting boundaries, and navigating modern relationships without losing your sanity. The result? Stories that feel real, relatable, and deeply comforting, especially in a world where texting someone back counts as a love language.

Here are some of the best titles leading the charge.

Nobody Wants This

Sharp, funny, and painfully real, this show, which returned with its second season this year, blends millennial cynicism with Gen Z emotional clarity. The protagonists, both middle-aged, know what they don’t want, but learning what they do want becomes their emotional journey. The show nails the vibe of modern dating: therapy jargon, boundary-setting, soft breakups, and still delivers a cute, comforting happily-ever-after.

Materialists

This romcom dives into the world of ambition, luxury, and relationships built under pressure, but with surprising emotional depth. Instead of painting ambition as toxic, it explores how two people can grow individually without drifting apart. It's take on conflict is less screaming, and more “can we talk about what you actually meant?” A rare romcom where self-awareness is as attractive as the leads.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Our favourite chaotic queen returns—older, wiser, and a lot more self-aware this time. While the humour and awkward charm are still intact, Jones' emotional growth shines through in the way she handles grief, parenting, and new-age dating. Instead of stumbling through life with zero filters, she is now learning to be vulnerable in healthier ways. It’s still Jones, but with a much softer, more emotionally conscious lens.

Love Untangled

This one leans into the idea that adult relationships are messy, but not impossible. The characters here actually sit down and talk, and work through jealousy, career pressures, and miscommunication with maturity. Their chemistry feels more grounded because the story focuses on small acts of care and honesty rather than unrealistic fairytale moments.

Aap Jaisa Koi

Bollywood finally gave us a romance where emotional intelligence was the real hero. Instead of dramatic misunderstandings and storming out of rooms, the leads actually listen to each other. There is cultural nuance, slow-burn chemistry, and conversations that feel like you are eavesdropping on real people figuring out life and love in modern India. It’s tender, sweet, and refreshingly grown-up.

Honestly, if this is the future of romcoms, we are here for it! Emotional intelligence isn’t just a trend, it’s becoming the new love language on screen. And honestly? It makes happily-ever-afters feel a lot more believable.

Lead image: IMDb

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