Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell's Netflix Rom-Com 'Anyone But You' Becomes Surprise Hit

The Netflix romantic comedy 'Anyone But You' starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell has become a surprise box office success, grossing $219 million worldwide since its release in December 2023. The film, which is loosely based on William Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing', follows the story of Bea and Ben, two ex-flames who reconnect at a destination wedding in Australia.

Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, 'Anyone But You' resonated with audiences, particularly younger viewers. The undeniable on-screen chemistry between Sweeney and Powell was a major draw, with the two actors deliberately playing up their flirtatious interactions during the film's promotion. Rumors of a potential off-screen romance between the co-stars circulated, fueling speculation and interest in the movie.

Sweeney, who also served as an executive producer on the film through her production company Fifty-Fifty Films, was heavily involved in the marketing strategy. She constantly provided ideas to the Sony marketing and distribution teams, keeping them "awake at night" with her suggestions. The persistent affair rumors, which Sweeney and Powell did not deny, helped boost the film's appeal.

During her hosting gig on 'Saturday Night Live', Sweeney jokingly addressed the romance rumors, with Powell appearing in the audience and in a later sketch. However, Sweeney later clarified that she was engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Jonathan Davino, and the rumors were not true. Both actors have acknowledged the strategic use of the rumored romance to promote the film.

'Anyone But You' gained momentum through word-of-mouth and a viral TikTok trend around the use of the Natasha Bedingfield song 'Unwritten' in the film. The movie's success is attributed to the effective marketing campaign that played into the audience's desire for a real-life romance between the co-stars, as well as the throwback-filled soundtrack and classic romantic comedy tropes.

Why this matters: The success of 'Anyone But You' suggests a potential renaissance for the romantic comedy genre, which has struggled in recent years. The film's performance demonstrates that audiences still crave feel-good, escapist entertainment, particularly when bolstered by clever marketing and the star power of up-and-coming actors like Sweeney and Powell.

'Anyone But You' is currently the 10th highest-grossing domestic release of 2024 and is available to stream on Netflix. Sweeney and Powell have expressed interest in collaborating on another project, though it remains unclear if it will be a sequel or an unrelated romantic comedy. Meanwhile, Powell has upcoming roles in Netflix's 'Hit Man' and the film 'Twisters', while Sweeney recently appeared in the horror film 'Immaculate'.

Key Takeaways

• Netflix rom-com 'Anyone But You' grossed $219M worldwide since Dec 2023 release.
• Sweeney and Powell's on-screen chemistry and rumored off-screen romance boosted appeal.
• Sweeney's marketing ideas and viral TikTok trend contributed to the film's success.
• The film's success suggests a potential renaissance for the romantic comedy genre.
• Sweeney and Powell expressed interest in collaborating on another project.