How Period Romance Has Sunk Its Claws Into Gen Z

By Kit Hornbrook

For a long time it seemed as if period romances tended were steadily marketed towards women in their 30s and older. We can all picture those bodice rippers with greased up men in armor or a billowing silk shirt lining the bookshelves. That’s not to say that all there was but was usually the first thing to come to mind for most people. 

However over the past two decades their seems to have been a bit of a shift towards appealing to a younger audience. Now why is it my generation is so drawn to this genre of movies? From my experience it’s a hard time to be a hopeless romantic. 

With the rise of being ‘nonchalant’ and causal relationships, a lot of us struggle to see where we fit in. 

When talking with my friend Eddy and her partner Kodi they shared one of the reasons they are drawn to this particular genre is that sense of “love in today’s society and feeling out of place in that way, as well as that feeling of escapism.” 

Well people may not always see certain parts of modern society reflected in these movies and shows, but those base feelings of infatuation, passion, and eventually love really have not changed as the decades pass. Finding yourself swept up in a love story so achingly familiar it transcends time, now who wouldn’t be hooked?

I think for a lot of us it started with Pride and Prejudice (2005), watching Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy pine for each other for 2 hours in the idyllic English countryside. I remember watching it for the first time on my white childhood couch completely entranced, I was hooked from that moment on. I think in today’s day and age of online dating and hookup culture, especially in the post-covid era, it’s easy to find yourself longing for a romantic escape. 

My friend Piper shared that she loves how “period romance’s specifically tend to romanticize the time period they fall in as well,” as opposed to historical non-fiction or similar genres. While some may prefer the more accurate historical films that get into the nitty-gritty aspects of life in that time. I find with the romance genre it’s lot easier to paint a more glamorized view, and while there are times a more accurate lens is necessary, I find a lot of women and people who don’t regularly see themselves reflected in our history books don’t mind a bit of fantasy painting us into these romanticized tales. 

Another great more recent example is Bridgerton (2020), it thrived during quarantine and never really lost that popularity. Based off the book series of the same name, it brought something period romance had greatly been lacking; diversity. For a long time people used the excuse of something being set in the past to only cast straight sized white people, and seeing a devotion from that in the genre was incredibly refreshing and long overdue. 

Though the show definitely has some of its own issues its rise in popularity brought with it a resurgence in period pieces and historical romances. Romance doesn’t always have to be a showy in your face thing in media. 

In fact, one of the most romantic scenes in my opinion comes again from the 2005 adaption of Pride and Prejudice. It happens when Mr. Bingly is trailing after Jane, entirely transfixed on her and he can’t help but reach a hand out longingly and run it through the ribbon on the back of her dress. 

Through out the movie they make it so clear that Mr. Bingly absolutely adores Jane, so much so Mr. Darcy worries Jane doesn’t return his affections in full; he is mistaken of course. Well I think Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy get plenty of rightful praise for their tension and enemies to lovers storyline. I will always have a special soft spot for Jane’s and Mr. Bingly’s adorable romance, even if there is a bit of miscommunication along the way. 

Another one of my all time favorites is Ever After (1998), the movie itself is absolutely gorgeous, from the wistful setting, to the beautifully crafted costumes, and lastly the blossoming romance between Danielle played by Drew Barrymore and Prince Henry by Dougray Scott in this Cinderella retelling. 

Both times Prince Henry meets Danielle he is captivated by her strength of will. Though in their first meeting more the strength of her throw after pelting him with some apples. He however does not recognize her the during their second meeting, but is smitten with her none the less after witnessing her argue for the release of a childhood servant of her’s and friend Maurice and lecture him on philosophy.

 Ever After (1998) is simply a movie you have to experience for yourself. It is an absolute masterpiece in my opinion so I won’t to spoil too much, so I encourage any readers who haven’t seen it yet please do! 

Period romances just have a way of enchanting the viewer and sweeping them up into the story they are telling. Well I don’t think Gen Z is the first generation to have a fondness for them, I do think the genre will only continue to grow over the next couple of years as companies see how much our generation seems to be captivated by these stories.For a long time it seemed as if period romances tended were steadily marketed towards

women in their 30s and older. We can all picture those bodice rippers with greased up men in

armor or a billowing silk shirt lining the bookshelves. That’s not to say that all there was but was usually the first thing to come to mind for most people. 

However over the past two decades their seems to have been a bit of a shift towards appealing to a younger audience. Now why is it my generation is so drawn to this genre of movies? From my experience it’s a hard time to be a hopeless romantic. 

With the rise of being ‘nonchalant’ and causal relationships, a lot of us struggle to see where we fit in. 

When talking with my friend Eddy and her partner Kodi they shared one of the reasons they are drawn to this particular genre is that sense of “love in today’s society and feeling out of place in that way, as well as that feeling of escapism.” 

Well people may not always see certain parts of modern society reflected in these movies and shows, but those base feelings of infatuation, passion, and eventually love really have not changed as the decades pass. Finding yourself swept up in a love story so achingly familiar it transcends time, now who wouldn’t be hooked?

I think for a lot of us it started with Pride and Prejudice (2005), watching Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy pine for each other for 2 hours in the idyllic English countryside. I remember watching it for the first time on my white childhood couch completely entranced, I was hooked from that moment on. I think in today’s day and age of online dating and hookup culture, especially in the post-covid era, it’s easy to find yourself longing for a romantic escape. 

My friend Piper shared that she loves how “period romance’s specifically tend to romanticize the time period they fall in as well,” as opposed to historical non-fiction or similar genres. While some may prefer the more accurate historical films that get into the nitty-gritty aspects of life in that time. I find with the romance genre it’s lot easier to paint a more glamorized view, and while there are times a more accurate lens is necessary, I find a lot of women and people who don’t regularly see themselves reflected in our history books don’t mind a bit of fantasy painting us into these romanticized tales. 

Another great more recent example is Bridgerton (2020), it thrived during quarantine and never really lost that popularity. Based off the book series of the same name, it brought something period romance had greatly been lacking; diversity. For a long time people used the excuse of something being set in the past to only cast straight sized white people, and seeing a devotion from that in the genre was incredibly refreshing and long overdue. 

Though the show definitely has some of its own issues its rise in popularity brought with it a resurgence in period pieces and historical romances. Romance doesn’t always have to be a showy in your face thing in media. 

In fact, one of the most romantic scenes in my opinion comes again from the 2005 adaption of Pride and Prejudice. It happens when Mr. Bingly is trailing after Jane, entirely transfixed on her and he can’t help but reach a hand out longingly and run it through the ribbon on the back of her dress. 

Through out the movie they make it so clear that Mr. Bingly absolutely adores Jane, so much so Mr. Darcy worries Jane doesn’t return his affections in full; he is mistaken of course. Well I think Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy get plenty of rightful praise for their tension and enemies to lovers storyline. I will always have a special soft spot for Jane’s and Mr. Bingly’s adorable romance, even if there is a bit of miscommunication along the way. 

Another one of my all time favorites is Ever After (1998), the movie itself is absolutely gorgeous, from the wistful setting, to the beautifully crafted costumes, and lastly the blossoming romance between Danielle played by Drew Barrymore and Prince Henry by Dougray Scott in this Cinderella retelling. 

Both times Prince Henry meets Danielle he is captivated by her strength of will. Though in their first meeting more the strength of her throw after pelting him with some apples. He however does not recognize her the during their second meeting, but is smitten with her none the less after witnessing her argue for the release of a childhood servant of her’s and friend Maurice and lecture him on philosophy.

 Ever After (1998) is simply a movie you have to experience for yourself. It is an absolute masterpiece in my opinion so I won’t to spoil too much, so I encourage any readers who haven’t seen it yet please do! 

Period romances just have a way of enchanting the viewer and sweeping them up into the story they are telling. Well I don’t think Gen Z is the first generation to have a fondness for them, I do think the genre will only continue to grow over the next couple of years as companies see how much our generation seems to be captivated by these stories.