Meet — Cute

One or both characters are clumsy, leading to physical contact or shared mess.

A dog, cat, or other pet brings them together (leash tangles, lost animal, vet visit).

The Anatomy of a Meet Cute: How Hollywood’s Favorite Trope Captures Our Hearts Meet Cute

The term was reportedly coined by director Ernst Lubitsch, who used it to describe the charming first meeting of protagonists in his films. A classic example originates from the 1938 film Bluebeard's Eighth Wife

The Fictorians blog argues that subverting love story tropes isn't necessarily pessimistic—it's realistic. "The stock love stories we've all grown up on paint an unrealistic depiction of what real-world love means to most people," the blog notes. "Love stories that focus more on character than tropes will do a better job of depicting love as it happens to real people". One or both characters are clumsy, leading to

Some of the most iconic meet cutes in pop culture include:

The Anatomy of a Meet Cute: Why Pop Culture is Obsessed with How Lovers Meet A classic example originates from the 1938 film

Maya made her move. She ordered a large black coffee—needing the heat more than the taste—and marched over.