Kate Hudson Reveals The Secret Recipe to Making a Good Romantic Comedy

Hollywood needs a master class in romantic comedies and the rom-com queen herself, Kate Hudson, low-key agrees. Appearing on Hot Ones, the actress argued that the genre has been “dumbed down” in recent years — so much so, that the crux of its downfall is ironically the thing we all originally fell in love with: the storytelling.

On the topic of romantic comedies, Hudson reasoned that one of the best hallmarks of a great rom-com is “an actually good story.”

“I think sometimes people think rom-coms are all about the meet-cute,” she told host Sean Evans.

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While that is certainly part of the recipe, Hudson explained it’s just one of many key ingredients. “A great rom-com is about meeting love, discovering love, falling in love, love falling apart, and then how you come back together. That’s a very traditional rom-com structure.”

Hudson went on to describe “the most classic” films in this genre, such as Something Borrowed and 27 Dresses, as “a wish-fulfillment,” noting how they’re “supposed to make you feel fuzzy, and then stay with you forever.”

Good romantic comedies have a cult following because of the way they make you feel, Hudson emphasized. However, “just because they’re supposed to feel bright, doesn’t mean they need to look bright,” she added.

“A lot of times, I think, again, I think the genre gets kind of dumbed down because they think they know,” she said in reference to what filmmakers think viewers want nowadays. But in reality, modern-day rom-coms tend to underdeliver and it’s a giant flop.

At this point, New York University should just hire her to teach the filmmakers of tomorrow how to make a good rom-com, the actress quipped.

“That’s the class I’m going to be [teaching] at NYU film school when I’m 75. I’ll be the professor of rom-coms,” Hudson laughed.

The early to mid aughts was a pinnacle time for rom-coms. From Reese Witherspoon to Ryan Gosling and Cameron Diaz to Matthew McConaughey, the genre was filled with talented heartthrobs, and heartfelt storylines. They just don’t make them like that anymore.

In case you ever find yourself in a rom-com drought, here are some of HelloGiggles’ favorite rom-coms that have proven to be just as good the second, third, and twentieth time around.

• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days 
• 27 Dresses 
• Bride Wars 
• He’s Just Not That Into You
• The Proposal 
• Something Borrowed 
• Love Actually 
• My Best Friend’s Girl
• Fool’s Gold
• Just Friends 
• Sweet Home Alabama 
• The Notebook
• Knocked Up 
• Something’s Gotta Give 
• Along Came Polly 
• The Wedding Date 
• The Ugly Truth
• 13 Going On 30
• The Wedding Planner
• The Switch
• Rumor Has It
• Friends With Benefits