By Jessica Herndon
This summer, we’re turning up the heat with a watchlist series dedicated to exploring some of the most irresistible dynamics in love and romance — straight from Sundance Institute films. From the dreamy thrill of best friends turning into lovers to the fiery sparks of battling enemies becoming flirtatious, the sweet deceit of fake relationships that lead to desire, and the undeniable intrigue of second-chance romances, we’re covering all your favorite romantic tropes. Think of it as the ultimate love story binge with a Sundance Institute twist!
What’s better than falling for someone who already knows all your quirks, secrets, and inside jokes? The beloved “friends to lovers” trope is the perfect blend of comfort and excitement, and films that capture that delicate shift from platonic to romantic continue to sweep us off our feet.
The transition from a comfortable, familiar friendship to a romantic relationship is marked by emotional depth, vulnerability, and, of course, that moment of realization when you see your friend in a new light. It taps into our collective yearning for a partner who truly understands us — someone who’s been by our side through thick and thin.
The drama of will-they-won’t-they and the undeniable chemistry that emerges between two people who have been friends for years make the emotional journey of this trope both irresistible and relatable. It’s a story of love that feels earned, making it all the more satisfying when that friendship blossoms into something deeper.
As summer kicks off, dive into the first installment of our “Summer of Love” series with these nine Sundance Institute–supported films below and toast to the romance that can blossom between besties. You’ve been warned that there are plenty of spoilers ahead!
Chasing Amy (1997 Sundance Film Festival)
In this bittersweet romantic comedy from Kevin Smith, Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams) challenges Holden’s (Ben Affleck) preconceived notions of love and sexuality. As Holden and Alyssa’s bond deepens, the line between friendship and romance shifts as they journey through self-discovery, acceptance, and jealousy. It’s not just Smith’s sharp humor that’s made this one a cult classic. It’s the undeniable chemistry between Holden and Alyssa that keeps it in heavy rotation.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994 Sundance Film Festival)
Charles (Hugh Grant) and Carrie (Andie MacDowell) are friends who share a complicated connection in Mike Newell’s charming classic. Throughout the titular four weddings and a funeral, their relationship slowly transforms from platonic to romantic as they navigate misunderstandings, timing, friendship, and the risks of letting someone in. While the blend of wit and heart in this film is incredible, Grant’s charm and awkwardness really make it memorable.
Juliet, Naked (2018 Sundance Film Festival)
In Jesse Peretz’s sweet and hilarious friendship to romance flick, Annie (Rose Byrne) feels stuck in her long-term relationship with her music-obsessed boyfriend (Chris O’Dowd). But when she forms an unlikely connection with Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke), a reclusive musician, an online friendship quickly turns into something more as Annie and Tucker’s bond deepens. Sure, this romantic comedy has its lighthearted moments, but the talented Byrne, Hawke, and O’Dowd give it notable emotional depth.
Love & Basketball (2000 Sundance Film Festival)
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Love & Basketball blurs the lines between friendship and romance as Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) transition from childhood besties to sweethearts. Passionate about hooping, the pair navigate the highs and lows of their respective careers as their bond slowly transforms into an undeniable attraction. Classic Black cinema, Love & Basketball gives us a striking example of an enduring love we want to root for.
Love Me (2024 Sundance Film Festival, Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize winner)
In this sweet and innovative sci-fi romance, Kristen Stewart embodies Me, a sentient buoy, and Steven Yeun is Iam, a satellite orbiting a post-human Earth. After humanity’s extinction, the two artificial intelligences connect online and fall for each other when they recreate the lives of a human couple through avatars. Andrew and Sam Zuchero’s film brings a new meaning to the term “epic love story,” as the romance in this one ends up spanning billions of years.
Lovesong (2016 Sundance Film Festival)
Lovesong is a tender and powerful story about the deepening emotional connection between two women, Sarah (Riley Keough) and Mindy (Jena Malone), who have been best friends since childhood. Delicately exploring the complexities of longing and connection, So Young Kim’s film follows Sarah and Mindy as they reconnect on a road trip, and their bond begins to shift into something more intimate. The delicate, quiet moments really define this film, making the emotional vulnerability between Sarah and Mindy feel intensely intimate.
Reality Bites (1994 Sundance Film Festival)
Ben Stiller’s Reality Bites is the quintessential Gen X romantic comedy, where friendship and romance collide in the lives of college grads facing the harsh realities of adulthood. At the center is Lelaina (Winona Ryder), whose friendship with her best friend, Troy (Ethan Hawke), gradually evolves into a passionate romance. In their early 20s when this film was made, Hawke and Ryder’s chemistry in this movie was electric, making Lelaina and Troy’s love story feel honest and real.
Sleeping With Other People (2015 Sundance Film Festival)
In Leslye Headland’s Sleeping With Other People, Jake (Jason Sudeikis) and Lainey (Alison Brie) reconnect at a sex addiction support group after a one-night stand in college. He’s now a womanizer, and she can’t stop cheating on boyfriends. Determined to help each other break their patterns, they vow to remain casual with one another. But their growing emotional intimacy and chemistry make the line between friendship and romance increasingly tricky to navigate. Sudeikis and Brie are two of the most talented comedic actors in the business, and they showcase their genius at delivering dry humor and heart in the film.
Skywalkers: A Love Story (2024 Sundance Film Festival)
Chronicling the daring journey of Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, Russian daredevils who scale the world’s tallest buildings without safety gear, Jeff Zimbalist and Maria Bukhonina’s documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story captures not only the pair’s shared passion for rooftopping and posting their feats on social but the evolution of their trust in each other and the love that grows from risk.
