Published: May 21, 2024 | Last Updated: July 4, 2026
What is a meet-cute? Definition & Meaning
A ‘meet cute’ is a common plot device in romantic comedy. It involves two characters who meet in a charming, unusual, or amusing manner and begin a romantic relationship. The moment plays a key role in building the chemistry and initial connection between characters and sets the tone for their relationship throughout the story.
The Anatomy of the Meet Cute Scene
A ‘meet cute’ scene often involves misunderstandings, accidents, or coincidences that unite the characters.
It shows the characters’ quirkiness and attraction toward each other from the moment they meet. Because of this, a meet-cute scene sets the stage for a rom-com relationship by showing that the characters are attracted to each other, although none of them look perfect.
This also makes the characters more relatable because – let’s face it – we all have our faults and have sometimes felt nervous, shy, and quirky. No one can relate to photoshopped models.
Examples of Meet Cute Movie Scenes
In When Harry Met Sally (1989), Harry and Sally share a car ride from Chicago to New York, discussing relationships and compatibility. This initial interaction sets the stage for their friendship and eventual romance.
In Notting Hill (1999), the ‘meet cute’ occurs when a famous actress, Anna Scott, and a humble bookstore owner, William Thacker, collide in a small London bookshop. Their awkward yet endearing first encounter lays the groundwork for their unlikely romance.
Then, there’s this scene from The Holiday (2006), where Iris meets Arthur Abbott, Amanda’s elderly neighbor. Abbott is an Oscar-winning screenwriter from the Golden Age of Hollywood who explains what a ‘meet cute’ scene is. The Holiday is about Iris and Amanda, two women from different continents who swap homes for the holidays. Their unexpected new surroundings lead to ‘meet cute’ moments with local men, initiating romantic developments that drive the plot forward.
Summing Up
The ‘meet cute’ began in classic Hollywood cinema and is still common today. It creates a memorable, captivating, and often humorous starting point for romantic narratives.
It is a relatable way to portray human beings because it shows all our small “flaws,” which, in the end, are what make us interesting.
Meet Cute FAQ
What is a meet cute?
The charming, often quirky scene in a romantic story where the two love interests first meet, usually in an amusing or memorable way.
What are examples of meet cutes?
Bumping into each other and dropping papers, arguing over the last item in a shop, or being seated next to a stranger on a delayed flight.
Why are meet cutes used in rom-coms?
They introduce the couple, spark chemistry, and set the relationship’s tone — the moment audiences root for from the start.
What makes a good meet cute?
Specificity and character: the situation should reveal who these people are and create friction or spark, not just put them in the same place.
Where does the term “meet cute” come from?
From classic Hollywood screenwriting, describing a contrived but charming first encounter engineered to be cute.
