Sydney Sweeney has teased an Anyone But You sequel, but do we need one?

Anyone But You made its Netflix premiere on April 23, and by the very next day, the romantic comedy was the No. 1 movie on the streaming service's top 10. Is anyone surprised? The movie was a runaway success at the box office when it was released in December 2023, tapping out with nearly $220 million made worldwide. Romantic comedies, as they say, are so back!

Naturally, when movies are successful, the chatter about a potential sequel begins. Sometimes, the sequel talks happen before the movie has even been released in theaters or on streaming. No one could have expected ahead of release that Anyone But You would have been in contention for sequel talks, but those box office numbers and positive audience reception speak for themselves!

While as of the movie's Netflix release in April 2024 a sequel has not been officially commissioned or announced by Sony, the film's star and executive producer Sydney Sweeney has been fielding questions about the possibility of returning for a sequel opposite Glen Powell or even taking on another project with her on-screen better half. Now that sounds like a better option.

Sydney Sweeney "dreaming up" sequel ideas

Just a few months after Anyone But You was released in theaters, the unexpectedly large success of the romantic comedy had word of a sequel on the tip of everyone's tongue. It's rare for a rom-com to get the sequel talks these days, but this is one of those lightning-in-a-bottle kind of movies that's special enough to connect with audiences and leave them wanting more.

After teasing a "high nine chance" of a sequel on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in February, in March, Sweeney spoke with People magazine and touched on the idea of coming back for another round as Bea in the hit movie. Here's what she told the outlet:

"We’re dreaming up a bunch of different ideas. We haven’t really solidified what we want to do yet. But we’re just dreaming up a bunch of different things and seeing what clicks best."

- Sydney Sweeney

While promoting her horror film Immaculate during the same month, Sweeney chatted with Variety, and though she didn't mention a sequel, the Emmy Award-nominated actress did happen to mention that she and costar Glen Powell are "fielding multiple scripts a week" for another project to work on together. Powell echoed the same sentiment in February 2024 on the red carpet of the SAG Awards, saying that they are looking to team up for another movie.

Anyone But You doesn't need a sequel

Personally, as a viewer who enjoyed the movie but enjoyed Sweeney and Powell's chemistry more than anything, I don't believe Anyone But You needs a sequel as much as the pair should work together again on a different romantic comedy. Sequels are tricky territory for comedies, romantic comedies especially, and that's why they're not as common as other movie sequels.

I mean, look at some of the more modern rom-com partnerships that had insane chemistry. Instead of making a sequel to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey later made the adventure rom-com Fool's Gold. Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore conncted for three separate rom-coms: The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, and Blended.

As much as we have been severely lacking romantic comedies on the big screen, it's right for Sweeney to be cautiously considering ideas for a sequel while also reading scripts for other potential movies to make with Powell. The movie had a great happy ending, and sure, there's more story to tell, but the options are also endless for these two. We'd all surely welcome Anyone But You 2 with open arms, but it's time for a new rom-com dynamic duo to take over the big screen. We'll have to wait and see what happens next!

Anyone But You is currently available to watch on Netflix.