- Help
- Google+
SAVE $80: As of July 9, you can get a pair of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) for just $169 at Amazon. That's a 32% discount, and their lowest price ever.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) $169.00 at AmazonWhether you want to enjoy music on the go, or need to take calls at a moment's notice, wireless earbuds are great to have. AirPods are unmistakably the most sought-after ones, and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) are Mashable's pick of the best AirPods for most people, especially with this their biggest discount ever over at Amazon right now.
As of July 9, you can get a pair of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) for $169 at Amazon as an early Prime Day deal. That's $80 off the list price of $249 and a discount of 32%. Plus, this is their lowest price on record. The earbuds are also on sale at the same price at Best Buy.
SEE ALSO: Get the M1 MacBook Air for an all-time low price of $649 at WalmartThe AirPods Pro are among the very best earbuds you can get, and with this pricing, they're an excellent value for the money. You'll get top-notch active noise cancellation to complement the impressive sound quality. Transparency Mode is useful in letting you stay tuned into your environment by letting in some outside noise. Spatial audio support also means you get a more immersive sound — all the easier to get lost in a great song or a soothing podcast.
In his review of the Apple AirPods Pro with USB-C, Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder called these earbuds a great buy for those looking for great noise cancellation and unique smart features. You also get a long battery life and a USB-C charging case. For those immersed in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro are a no-brainer.
This is the lowest price we've seen so far on the second generation AirPods Pro. If you've been considering new AirPods, now might be the time to jump on this deal.
Spotify is stepping up its podcast game with a new feature that lets listeners comment on episodes. This new interactive element, launching this week, is the Sweden-based company's attempt to increase retention and engagement amongst its listeners.
First reported by TechCrunch, the new feature will allow podcast hosts to like and respond to comments with complete control over which ones are displayed. Interactive features like polls and Q&As have already seen significant engagement, with 9 million listeners participating this year alone, an 80 percent increase from last year.
SEE ALSO: YouTube Music is testing an AI-powered ‘Ask for music any way you like’ featureBy adding comments, Spotify aims to strengthen creator communities, boost listener retention, and increase podcast consumption. This move places Spotify in direct competition with YouTube for creator-listener interaction. Following its foray into video podcasts — first tested in 2021 and expanded in 2022 — Spotify now boasts over 250,000 video podcasts.
TechCrunch notes that internal company data reveals that interactive listeners are four times more likely to return to a show within 30 days and listen to twice as many podcasts as non-engagers. Additionally, listeners have expressed a strong desire for more interaction, with over 70 percent wanting additional ways to connect with their favorite hosts.
The new commenting feature will be optional for now, allowing creators to manage it per episode. Creators can also approve comments, ensuring high-quality discussions.
Oura beat Samsung to the smart ring game by a couple of years — and it may have just beaten Samsung to the "smart ring with an AI health advisor" game by a day.
On its official blog, Oura announced that "Oura Advisor" is now available via its Oura Labs feature preview program in the company's app. Oura describes it as "your own personal wellness coach," seemingly functioning as a chatbot that can give you both short and long-term health advice. This is technically a beta test that you have to opt into, so it most likely will have some kinks to iron out at the start.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked July 2024: How to watch How does 'Oura Advisor' work?According to Oura, the Advisor feature has an onboarding program with some important customization features. You can choose between a few communication styles, as well as tell the Advisor when it's OK to send notifications. As for privacy, Oura said that personal health information for the Advisor is stored in the form of a "Memory" and can be deleted at any time.
Oura adding an AI chat bot to its app was predictable given that every company is doing that now, but the timing is noteworthy. Samsung is holding a Galaxy Unpacked livestream on Wednesday morning where pretty much everyone expects to hear more about the previously teased Galaxy Ring.
Samsung also announced a suite of AI features called "Galaxy AI" earlier this year, and the Galaxy Ring will almost certainly incorporate AI in some way.
We'll all find out together at 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
SAVE $30: The Ninja Creami ice cream-maker is on sale at Walmart for $169, marked down from the list price of $199. That's a 15% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami ice cream-maker $169.00 at WalmartName a better summer treat than ice cream. Hard to come up with one, right? But like everything else at the grocery store, ice cream is more expensive than it was just a few years ago. If you're looking to save on your summer treat budget without giving up your sweet tooth, Walmart has a great deal in store today.
As of July 9, the Ninja Creami ice cream-maker is on sale for $169, marked down from the list price of $199. That's a 15% discount, or a savings of $30.
SEE ALSO: Beat the summer heat with up to $150 off bladeless fans at Amazon and Best BuyWith this TikTok-favorite at-home ice cream-maker, you can mix up classic flavors and also have the freedom to come up with your own specialties — the sky's the limit. The machine turns frozen bases into ice cream, sorbets, milkshakes, and lite ice creams with one touch. There's also a button to add mix-ins once your creation is almost complete, so you can toss in candy, cookies, or nuts as you desire and give your treat the perfect texture.
The Ninja Creami means you can try your hand at popular recipes like two-ingredient mango sorbet, or recreate a McDonald's McFlurry at home. This model comes with two pint containers and lids, so you can always store a finished product in the freezer.
When it's time to clean up, the pints, lids, and Ninja Creami blade are safe to put on the top rack of the dishwasher.
If you've been hoping to get more creative this summer with home-made treats, the Ninja Creami means you'll soon be an ice-cream making expert. Thanks to the sale price at Walmart, the Creami can arrive at your doorstep for just $169.
Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal have many things in common. Most notably, they're sharing screen time in the upcoming epic, Gladiator II. They also share names that begin with "P" and end with "scal." And, of course, they're two men who never fail to get the internet talking.
Today is no exception. When the trailer for Ridley Scott's long-awaited Gladiator sequel hit the internet, it sparked many spicy reactions, thanks to performances from Mescal, Pascal, and scene-stealer Denzel Washington.
SEE ALSO: Everyone is thirsty for Pedro Pascal. Has the internet gone too far this time?And for good reason. This trailer has everything: It depicts Roman decadence, Washington at the top of his game, A Quiet Place Day One's Joseph Quinn and Thelma's Fred Hechinger on freak mode...and the most thigh-in-motion since Luca Guadagnino's Challengers.
X / Twitter users quickly posted stills and gifs from the trailer in an appropriately excited fashion.
One Pascal fan captioned a collage of images of the Last of Us actor in the trailer, "pedro pascal in gladiator 2 is the hottest a man has ever or will ever look." A Mescal lover countered, "im rly not going to survive this movie." Meanwhile, a Washington aficionado wrote, "The lesson is actually that there is no one — no one — like Denzel."
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedOthers noted Pascal's costuming. One said, "HE GOT THAT SHIT ON."
Tweet may have been deletedJokes about Mescal also rolled in, with someone making a Hunger Games reference due to him wielding a bow and arrow. They wrote, "welcome back Katniss Everdeen." Another said, "paul mescal practiced running for this" — a nod to an unverified internet joke that Mescal runs away from his dates.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedNeedless to say, this is many people's new Roman Empire.
SAVE $150: As of July 9, get a pair of Apple AirPods Max headphones for just $399 at Amazon. That's 27% off their usual price of $549 and their lowest price yet.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods Max $399.00 at AmazonIf you've been coveting a pair of Apple's most expensive headphones, the AirPods Max, for some time, you've likely had your eye on their sale price. Long have they reigned as the priciest status symbol an Apple audio fan could imagine. But that's all changed as of today, as you can get one of the best pre-Prime Day deals on offer from Amazon on a pair of your very own Apple cans.
As of July 9, you can get the AirPods Max for just $399 at Amazon, marking their lowest price ever. That's 27% off their normal price of $549 and a discount of $150. Put simply, this is the time to buy the AirPods Max if you're going to do it.
SEE ALSO: The 7 best headphones for 2024 that are worth checking out this Prime DayMashable's Brenda Stolyar awarded the headphones a 4.25 in her review, praising them for their "excellent" noise cancellation and "stylish design," but lamented that they have no power button, they're uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and they are, of course, very expensive.
But when it comes to audio, they're fantastic, according to Mashable's Alex Perry, who praised them for making you feel like you're "immersed within whatever you're listening to" thanks to their spatial audio support. They may have a few minor issues that could frustrate some, but if you've been waiting for a price drop to snag the AirPods Max, snag this Amazon deal now.
SAVE $60: As of July 9, get a pair of Apple AirPods (2nd generation) are on sale for just $69 at Amazon. That's 47% off their usual MSRP of $129 and an all-time low price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods (2nd Gen) $69.00 at AmazonLooking for a new pair of earbuds, but don't want to spend too much? You might be surprised to hear this, but a pair of Apple AirPods would make a great option right now, as they're going for an all-time low price at Amazon ahead of Prime Day 2024.
As of July 9, you can get Apple AirPods (2nd gen) for just $69 (nice), which is $60 off their normal price of $129. That's a discount of 47% and the lowest price we've seen yet, beating their previous low of $80 in June. If you've yet to grab a pair for yourself, now's the time to do so, as they likely won't go much lower (if at all) than this.
SEE ALSO: The 7 best headphones for 2024 that are worth checking out this Prime DayThese AirPods debuted in 2019, and they're currently the base model when it comes to Apple's lineup of audio products. They serve up to five hours of battery life per charge as well as excellent sound, but if you're looking for noise cancellation, you'll want to opt for a pair of AirPods Pro instead. They do, however, support Siri for hands-free calling and other controls, so you can get things done without worrying about fiddling with your phone.
This low price means these AirPods likely won't stick around for long. So if you're interested in grabbing a pair for yourself, it's probably in your best interest to get them fast.
Sonny Angel — Gen Z's collectible "emotional support" doll of choice — will grace phone cases in a new collection from Casetify dropping later this month.
Inspired by the cheeky cherubs' best-selling "Harvest" series, the collection will include cases and accessories like a Sonny Angel phone charm and metal heart phone strap. Products will retail for $52 USD and up.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S24 phone cases: 10 of the best available already The Sonny Angel x Casetify collection includes mirror cases and a themed charm accessory. Credit: Dreams, IncThe cheeky cherubs were spoofed on SNL in May and were a popular Halloween costume in 2023. Rare Angels are now selling for hundreds of dollars online.
Some of the Sonny Angel obsession is fueled by the brand's "blind box" packaging which obscures the identity of each Angel until the figurine is fully unwrapped. In that spirit, Casetify will be selling blind boxes containing a random "Harvest Heart Series" phone case and a matching Sonny Angel "Harvest 'Hipper'" accessory. The Blind Box will retail for $100 USD will be available to U.S. customers while supplies last.
Products can be pre-ordered now on Casetify's website and will be available for purchase on July 19.
On July 27, 2024, Casetify will also be hosting an in-person shopping pop-up called the Sonny Angel Farm at 6420 E Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach California. More info is available at Casetify.com.
SAVE $350: As of July 9, the 13-inch MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $649 at Walmart. That's $50 cheaper than the previous lowest price of $699.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $649.99 at WalmartApple's MacBook Air is Mashable's pick for the best laptop for most people, so it's a trusted choice if you're looking to upgrade. The M1 MacBook Air may be a bit older, but it's still got plenty of power and is a great option for those looking for a laptop on a budget — especially for the all-time low price you can get today at Walmart.
As of July 9, you can get the 13-inch MacBook Air (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) at Walmart for just $649, down from $699. This $649 deal is the lowest price we've seen on this model, giving a $50 discount compared to its price on Best Buy. The deal pricing (part of Walmart Deals, Walmart's Prime Day-competing sale going on now) is available across all three colors: Gold, Silver, and Space Gray.
SEE ALSO: The 5 best laptops under $500 that are actually worth buyingWalmart started offering the M1 MacBook Air for the first time earlier this year, soon after the new M3 MacBook Air launched. The M1 MacBook Air is a couple of generations old, but this 2020 model with a 13.3-inch Liquid Retina screen still packs quite a punch. It comes in a slim design combined with ample processing power, and it's very portable as well, with a low-profile body and a weight of just 2.8 pounds.
The M1 is Apple's first chip for MacBooks, and it performs better than most previous Intel chips used in MacBooks of yore, and consumes little battery — this model promises up to 18 hours of use on a single charge. The version on discount is an 8GB RAM model, which will get the job done unless you have a very heavy workflow.
If you need a great laptop on a budget, especially for the day-to-day Zoom meetings and working through documents and sheets, this MacBook Air is the laptop to get right now. It offers great value for money, especially at this new low price. MacBook deals generally run out quickly, so you may want to snag this one while it's available.
We're just a week out from Prime Day and the deals are ramping up. We're already seeing massive price drops and record-lows on devices from Amazon itself, as well as other top brands like JBL, Shark, and Sony.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on July 9. Be sure to check back tomorrow for a brand-new list of deals. Happy shopping!
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at AmazonIn celebration of the upcoming Prime Day shopping event, Amazon released — and dropped the price on — a brand-new device dubbed the Echo Spot. Designed to sit atop your nightstand and serve as a sleek, smart alarm clock, the Spot will help you wake up and wind down. While it doesn't have an integrated camera, it does allow you to see time, weather, song titles, and more at a glance and control your smart devices with your voice. Priced at $79.99, Prime members can score this deal ahead of Prime Day for only $44.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet productivity bundle (64GB) $224.99 at AmazonAmazon's closest iPad competitor, the Fire Max 11 tablet, is down to a new low price at Amazon as part of a productivity bundle deal. The 64GB tablet comes with a keyboard case and a stylus and is down to $224.99 (reg. $354.97). The Fire Max 11 is our favorite budget tablet, thanks to its crisp 11-inch display (the biggest Fire tablet to date), 8MP cameras that support 1080p video, upgraded octa-core processor, and WiFi 6 compatibility. Its 14-hour battery life is also a major selling point. Even bundled together with the stylus and case it's still fraction of the cost of a new iPad.
Read our full review of the Fire Max 11 tablet.
Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune 230NC TWS earbuds $44.95 at Amazon"Only a handful of affordable noise-cancelling true wireless earphones are worth your attention, but you can add JBL’s Tune 230NC earbuds to that list," our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) wrote in their review. If you're looking for earbuds on a budget that actually sound good and cancel surrounding noise, it's going to be hard to beat the JBL Tune 230NC TWS buds at their current sale price of $44.95 (reg. $99.95). That's their lowest price since last Prime Day, when they dropped down to $39.95.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRSXB13 Extra Bass Bluetooth speaker $34.99 at AmazonWant to blast your favorite summer jams on the go? Snag this Sony Bluetooth speaker at a record-low price at Amazon. The SRSXB13 is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, yet delivers booming bass and a sound diffusion processor to expand your tunes far and wide. It's also waterproof and dustproof and lasts for up to 16 hours on a single charge, making it a solid companion for hiking, biking, camping, and other outdoor adventures. It's regularly $59.99, but you can snag it ahead of Prime Day for only $34.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark SpeedStyle $159.99 at AmazonLast, but certainly not least, we have the Shark SpeedStyle on sale for just $159.99 ahead of Prime Day. That's a savings of 20% and a match for its lowest price on record at Amazon. It's been out less than a year, but has already made a name for itself as another Dyson Supersonic dupe that gives you salon-quality blowouts without heat damage. It offers four heat and three airflow settings and a handful of attachments for customization. This particular model is designed for curly hair and includes the DefrizzFast Diffuser, QuickSmooth Brush, and RapidGloss Finisher.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
At WWDC 2024, Apple unveiled a new era of AI. But the company announced other significant changes, too — like new design options for iOS 18.
Amongst these is the ability to personalize more specifically, giving iPhone users the chance to decide how they want their home screen to appear. This means everything from a new dark mode ("Dark Look") and the option to customize each app with different colors.
SEE ALSO: iOS 18: How to lock and hide your iPhone appsIf you're looking to color code each tile, here's how to do it. First make sure your Apple device is backed up. To get the software update, iOS 18 is now available for download in developer beta. The update is compatible with a slew of iPhones, all the way back to iPhone 11.
How to tint your apps with iOS 18 Total TimeStep 1: Hold down on an app on your home screen.
Step 2: Click the "Edit" button in the top left corner.
Step 3: Select "Customize."
Step 4: A pop-up at the bottom screen will provide options.
You'll have four options: Automatic, Dark, Light, or Tinted.
Step 5: Select "Tinted."
Step 6: Play around with the colors.
Using the color bar, you can select the specific shade you want your apps to take.
Step 7: Tap on the screen to save your tint of choice.
And you're done! There's plenty more to do with iOS — these wild features for starters.
SAVE $35: Amazon Prime members can grab the brand new Amazon Echo Spot for just $44.99, down from the list price of $79.99. That's a 44% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at AmazonWaking up to an alarm in the morning is no one's favorite part of the day. Sure, the promise of coffee is worth getting out of bed, but if you struggle with mornings, Amazon just introduced a new device that could help. And if you're a Prime member, you can snag the device at a major discount.
As of July 9, the Amazon Echo Spot is on sale for just $44.99 for Prime members, marked down from the standard price of $79.99. That's a 44% discount, or a savings of $35.
Amazon's lineup of Echo devices features some great gadgets that can make life easier. If you could use a new speaker and/or alarm clock, the brand new Amazon Echo Spot could be perfect.
If an alarm clock sounds old-school, the Echo Spot is here to change your mind, and it's especially useful for anyone who purposefully leaves their phone outside the bedroom for the night. The smart alarm can wake you up on your terms. Set your favorite song or sound and desired volume, and Alexa will make sure you're awake in time to catch the train to work.
SEE ALSO: Echo Dot vs. Echo Pop: Which Amazon device is right for you?If you don't love waking up to a sound, use the Echo Spot's compatibility with other Alexa-enabled devices like a bedroom smart lamp to gently wake you up with light. Alexa can also keep you informed of the day's weather forecast, so you can dress accordingly before heading out for the day. You can also program the Spot to show you calendar highlights for the day ahead, so you're reminded to pack along yoga clothes for class after work.
Amazon designed the Echo Spot with deep bass and clear vocals, and it's able to connect to your favorite streaming service like Spotify, Audible, or Apple Music. That means you can have a bedroom dance party to Harry Styles songs and also listen to your audiobook before bed on the Echo Spot.
To score the sale price, you'll need to be an Amazon Prime member, which costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually. With Prime Day sales officially dropping next week (and plenty of deals already live), the $44.99 sale price of the brand new Amazon Echo Spot only adds to the incentive of becoming a member today.
After starring in '90s and '00s rom-coms such as Flirting and Bewitched, Nicole Kidman’s latest movie, Netflix’s A Family Affair, places her firmly back in the genre. The Hollywood star plays Brooke, who dabbles in a steamy romantic dalliance with younger man/movie star Chris (Kidman's The Paperboy co-star Zac Efron), much to the horror of her twenty-something daughter Zara (Joey King), who works as his under-appreciated assistant.
At 57, Kidman is the latest over-40, Oscar-winning actor to absolutely smash the female rom-com lead role. Directed by Richard Lagravenese, A Family Affair joins the ranks of films like Mamma Mia!, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and most recently, The Idea of You, fighting against the snobbery and sexism Hollywood studios and audiences have long bestowed upon rom-coms themselves and who "should" lead them. These movies champion the joy of women's sexual desire, autonomy, and self discovery at any age.
SEE ALSO: Remembering 'The Paperboy': The Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron team-up that shocked the world People want to see women over 40 in rom-coms. And actors want to make these movies.Comparisons between Kidman's role in A Family Affair and 41-year-old Anne Hathaway’s turn in fan fiction novel turned movie The Idea Of You earlier this year are unavoidable. The film follows the story of a 40-something divorcée who begins a love affair with a 20-something member of the biggest boy band in the world (played by 29-year-old Nicholas Galitzine).
Nicholas Galitzine and Anne Hathaway star in "The Idea of You." Credit: Amazon MGM Studios"It was supposed to be a story about a woman approaching 40 and reclaiming her sexuality and rediscovering herself, just at the point that society traditionally writes women off," The Idea of You author Robinne Lee told Vogue in 2020. Hathaway faced backlash for her casting, though, with many criticising her choice of genre, and leaning on Hathway being an Oscar-winner for 2012's Les Miserables.
One person wrote on X (previously Twitter), "The woman that did Les Mis is now doing a harry styles fan fiction… a step down for Anne Hathaway." Another wrote, "something died in me when i saw the Academy Award Winner Anne Hathaway’ name card."
The thing is, Hathaway's done many romance, comedy, and rom-com movies over her career: Love and Other Drugs, The Intern, Valentine’s Day, Bride Wars, The Devil Wears Prada, and so on. Hathway herself hit back at these attitudes, speaking at SXSW about not wanting to be "pigeonholed". "I don't want to be placed in a box of what type of films I have to be making because of my age, gender and because I won an Oscar. I want to have fun, dammit! It speaks to me,” Hathaway reportedly said. Kidman also revealed her main motivation for taking the role in A Family Affair was to "have fun" after the intensity of working on Lulu Wang's Prime Video series, Expats, per an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron in "A Family Affair." Credit: Tina Rowden / NetflixThe view that a more mature actress shouldn’t be fronting rom-coms because they’re too experienced or not right for a story of self discovery just stinks of misogyny. Why can't women of a certain age just have fun? This disdain for middle-aged romantic heroines also feels like an attempt to limit what aspects of the female experience we get to see on screen.
SEE ALSO: Snobbery about romcoms goes all the way back to the 1930sWhat's more, people want to see these films. On launch, A Family Affair was the most-watched movie of the week on Netflix, beating Jessica Alba's Trigger Warning and Glen Powell's Hit Man. It's currently sitting at 26.8 million views. Meanwhile, The Idea of You's record-breaking release on Prime Video soaked up the cultural zeitgeist and hit nearly 50 million viewers in two weeks, becoming Amazon MGM's number one rom-com.
Reclaiming the rom-com spaceWomen over 40, 50, and 60 in Hollywood are reclaiming the rom-com space, and not just in supporting roles as best friends or side part mothers; they are the main event, finding love and working things out. In A Family Affair, we see Brooke navigating feeling “irrelevant” in her job as a screenwriter, the tricky waters of motherhood, her decision to have casual sex with Chris, and the liberation she feels from it, as well as the apprehension at taking risks after 50. We see her emotionally unpack her previous marriage, asking her mother-in-law (a genius casting in Kathy Bates) if it’s OK to have an adventure while being a mom, and her resentment at feeling like she has to choose between the two.
Ultimately, seeing women in these age groups front rom-coms remind us that sexual desire and joy doesn’t expire as we age.Alongside Hathaway and Kidman, we have Brooke Shields, 59, fronting Netflix’s recent release Mother of the Bride as Lana. As the title suggests, this rom-com doesn’t centre around Lana's daughter’s wedding day and romantic choices, but her own – past and present. There’s even a dalliance with a younger man, played by Chad Michael Murray, who is 42.
Ultimately, seeing women in these age groups front rom-coms remind us that sexual desire and joy doesn’t expire as we age. And that should be celebrated, giving multiple generations the wish fulfilment and representation that they deserve.
"Mamma Mia!" forever. Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockIt’s not like there isn’t a thirst for rom-com stories representing all ages. The deeply popular Mamma Mia!, starring a 59-year-old Meryl Streep, grossed $694 million worldwide on a $52 million budget, not to mention the sequel. Seasoned rom-commer J-Lo released her latest rom-com Marry Me at 52, and Julia Roberts was 54 in Ticket to Paradise. Angela Bassett played a 40-something dating a 20-something in 1998's How Stella Got Her Groove Back at 40 years old. Emma Thompson perfectly summed up many conundrums when it comes to an older woman’s sexuality in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, and Netflix’s Grace and Frankie starring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda – who are now aged 84 and 86 respectively – is a masterclass in showcasing why it’s never too late in life for love or career bests, and on the flipside how hard it is to age as a woman.
And the trend doesn’t stop there. Reese Witherspoon, aged 48, will also be starring in 2025 rom-com You’re Cordially Invited alongside Will Ferrell. When it comes to the actress’ place in the rom-com sphere, Witherspoon has been very vocal about the fact that she is here to stay. It’s also perhaps no coincidence, then, that her production company, Hello Sunshine, was founded with the very mission of telling women’s stories.
Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon in the upcoming "You're Cordially Invited" Credit: Glen Wilson“I don’t think I’ll ever stop making romantic comedies,” she told Vanity Fair in an interview to promote the release of her 2023 rom-com Your Place Or Mine, which she starred in alongside Ashton Kutcher.
“They are very important to me. It’s my favourite genre because it makes people feel good,” she explained. “This one is even more special because we have different voices and different perspectives telling the story. Our movie is about a single mom in her 40s getting second chances and finding love. You often don’t see this in a romantic comedy.
As Witherspoon says, it’s not necessarily just about older women merely leading romantic comedies – although there’s plenty of snobbery and sexism around that to be sure – it's about them getting to tell honest stories about being that age, instead of the constant overfocus on building romances and careers in your 20s.
This shift in the portrayal of women over 40 in film is a hit back against stereotypes, the limits that come with being “pigeonholed” into certain roles and the patriarchal norms inside and outside of Hollywood.
Innocent refers to TikToker Therese’s theories of how misogyny and slavery intersect to describe the impact a cultural shift like this can have, in terms of the influence representation on screen can impact how we think and therefore societal changes that are demanded and subsequently pushed through by activists, lawyers and other changemakers.
In a video, Therese asks, "Why do you think conservative men are so scared, especially of Hollywood and the music industry? Because they know what tremendous influence those industries have over the culture. And changes to the culture are predecessors to changes in the law.”
Hollywood is still obsessed with age. It should focus on fun.Women can have moments or chapters of self discovery any time, multiple times over their lives — didn’t Elizabeth Gilbert teach us this with Eat Pray Love? Women over 40 (and older) fronting a rom-com help to normalise the idea that starting a new exciting chapter in your life, or discovering a new part of yourself, can happen at any time. And Hollywood has dragged its feet on this representation.
Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron in "A Family Affair." Credit: Tina Rowden / Netflix“Scholars have written at length about Hollywood’s obsession with youth, and the double standards about ageing on screen for men and women. So it’s great to see women over 40 being offered more diverse roles,” rom-com expert and academic at MetFilm School Dr. Alice Guilluy tells Mashable. She adds that the use of “ageing heroines” challenges the “happily ever after” concept that permeates rom-coms and suggests that all of life’s problems are solved indefinitely by romance in your 20s.
“[Happily ever after] doesn’t leave space for the mess of real-life romance: arguments, routine… and breakups,” she explains. “Having middle-aged characters who have been through the ‘happily ever after’ once before and back again is liberating in this respect, as it shakes the conventions of the genre.”
Besides, why shouldn’t our rom-coms reflect the reality of daily modern life and shifts in what we want out of life? People are getting married later in life – the average age at first marriage is now 31, compared with a 20th century low of 23 in 1970 — women are opting to stay single for longer and have families later in life, also. It’s so important that our on-screen stories reflect, and champion, these facts.
Above all, the common thread between Hathaway, Kidman, and Witherspoon’s comments on leading rom-coms at any age is that they want to prioritise having fun, a priority that is not often normalised for women of a certain age.
“Fun, joy and play are incredible tools for empowerment and change,” she says. “There are numerous studies about how the human brain learns, adapts, and innovates more effectively when in a state of openness through play. So when female actors are having fun opting for rom-coms, not only is that a great place for them as individuals to explore who they are and what the world has to offer them, but that same energy is contagious through the art.”
Seeing women of all ages front rom-coms like A Family Affair and The Idea of You is the perfect rejection of patriarchal stereotypes on screen.
“Witnessing women, especially older women, embrace life with arms wide open is affirming to viewers that they can live a life outside of the societal bounds that have been placed on us," says Innocent.
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...
Boston's most important responders: Bostonians The people of Boston are to be congratulated for being...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
Digital Privacy: A Catch 22 Mobility, convenience, accessibility and real-...
Take a New York Minute to Review Your Recovery Plan Don Henley is right: everything can change in a New York...
3 Values Your Business Continuity Plan Should Have Your business lives with risk every day from competitors...
I Lost all of my Photos In every disaster I have ever responded to from here to...