Red Flag Alert: 5 Old Rom-Coms Responsible for Your Unhealthy View of Love

Romantic comedies have long been a guilty pleasure for many movie fans. But while they provide laughs and heartwarming moments, these films often promote unrealistic expectations about love and relationships. And they especially shape the minds of younger people who may not have experienced love before watching the movie.

And while modern cinema has made progress in portraying love stories closer to reality, the old, often classic, rom-coms still serve as a reminder of how easy it is to create a rather convenient story to believe in. The old rom-coms found a way to justify different levels of toxicity, making it seem like "true love" could only come from games and suffering.

So here are 5 movies you probably saw once or twice in your teenage years that may be responsible for your twisted views on love.

1. When Harry Met Sally ( 1989)

This iconic film, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, is often cited as the quintessential romantic comedy. The central question it explores is whether men and women can truly be friends without romantic involvement. But while being really charming, When Harry Met Sally is just a bunch of red flags.

The movie goes deep into the lives and questionable choices of the main characters until they finally realize that they are each other's true love. The problem with this is the idea that love is a destiny that will eventually happen between the "right" people. And this gives the viewers false hope that all romantic struggles are part of a greater plan.

2. Pretty Woman (1990)

Pretty Woman may have made Julia Roberts a star, but it also established a dangerous fantasy about love and wealth. The movie tells the story of a businessman, played by Richard Gere, who falls in love with a sex worker, played by Julia Roberts. While the premise is classic in its rags-to-riches plot, it sends a damaging message that a woman's worth can be transformed and validated through a romantic relationship with a rich man.

“A rich man basically buying a woman and then continuing to buy her over and over is offensive. Julia Roberts’ character is a b*tch in the movie once she gets money. She seems to forget what it’s like to be looked down on and proceeds to throw her weight and money around,” Redditor Blanketyblank2003 said.

3. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Another supposedly feel-good movie about two people who are meant to be together (even though they never meet until the very end). The movie revolves around Tom Hanks' character, Sam, who is mourning the death of his wife. At the same time we meet Meg Ryan's character, Annie, who is engaged to someone else. However, when she hears Sam's story on the radio, she is convinced that they are meant to be together.

The movie glorifies the idea of "love at first sight," often ignoring the complexities of getting to know someone and forming a strong connection over time. It just gives viewers false hope that it's possible to build a lasting and healthy relationship with someone you don't really know.

4. The Princess Bride (1987)

We all love The Princess Bride for its humor and charming fantasy plot, but the movie is one of the brightest examples of cinema that romanticizes the idea of "true love" as an all-consuming force that requires sacrifice. The story revolves around the main characters overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles to be together.

Yes, you could say that it is made up as a fairy tale, hence all the extra stuff, but it still definitely creates unrealistic expectations about the trials and tribulations of real-life relationships. Love doesn't always have to be dramatic, really. And you don't always have to prove yourself through meaningless fights.

5. Roman Holiday (1953)

The one that started it all, right? This Audrey Hepburn romance is definitely an iconic movie, but it conveys such a painful idea that love is something that can be missed if you are not careful enough to keep it. The main characters of the movie are a princess and a journalist, and we learn from the beginning that their relationship, though genuine, is doomed.

Roman Holiday contributes to the myth that true love is rare, and that to keep the one you think you have finally found, you must act quickly or take bold, often reckless, actions. The truth is that such a mindset can easily lead to unhealthy desperation, making people feel that they must pursue a connection without considering the long-term consequences.