Jennifer Lopez probably can’t save the rom-com all by herself, but she’s willing to try. Genre is a hot topic in Hollywood. It seems like the only things that can reach a theater are superhero sequels, horror films, biopics, and the occasional sci-fi epic. Many have pointed out the gradual downfall of romantic comedies, but the concept is far from dead. J.Lo brought Marry Me to the big screen in 2022, but the pandemic savagely weakened its financial impact. It’s massive on streaming services, which appears to be where it belonged.
Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson Bring Back Rom-Coms with Marry Me on Netflix
Marry Me has a refreshingly bizarre premise for a moderately big-budget rom-com, with Jennifer Lopez on the poster. Lopez stars as a version of herself. Latin pop star Kat Valdez is a beloved musician with a long history of success, but the tabloids exclusively focus on her rocky marriages. Valdez is engaged to Bastian, her fellow performer, with whom she has a hit song entitled “Marry Me.” Owen Wilson’s Charlie, a divorced math teacher and single dad, reluctantly attends Kat’s concert for his daughter. Bastian gets caught cheating on Kat, immediately prompting a social media firestorm. Meanwhile, Charlie briefly holds his friend’s “Marry Me” sign. Heartbroken and spiteful, Kat calls Charlie on stage and marries him on the spot. You can probably guess the rest. Their worlds clash, but they discover a genuine connection. They fall in love, but forces threaten to drag them apart. It’s all pretty straightforward.
Marry Me made $50.5 million on a $23 million budget. That’s enough to cover production and marketing costs, potentially making the film a very minor success. Indiewire reports a $70 million breakeven point, suggesting a considerable loss, but that’s unconfirmed. Either way, it’s safe to say Marry Me would have made a lot more money if it hadn’t come out in 2022. The project suffered two delays, pushing it back a year in total. It also dropped simultaneously on Peacock and in theaters. It quickly became the most-streamed day-and-date title on Peacock. The film may have made more money if it didn’t immediately launch on the streaming service, but it also could have skipped theaters. Its current massive success on Netflix worldwide suggests a more comfortable relationship with at-home viewing than with theaters. It’s not especially impressive, but Lopez has done worse.
Marry Me claimed at least one accolade in its theatrical run. It was the first romantic comedy to win the Valentine’s Day box office since 2014. The holiday has hosted dozens of subversive gags, from superhero action movies to gritty horror films, but actual romance is oddly scarce. Jennifer Lopez managed to get Valentine’s Day audiences to show up for a rom-com. That doesn’t sound like a challenge, but it’s evidently harder than it looks.
