Abstract
<jats:p>The relevance of the research topic is grounded in the necessity to comprehend the socio-cultural shifts occur-ring in the sphere of pre-marital courtship, and to determine their impact on youth culture, perceptions of gen-der roles, and role expectations. The aim of the study is to analyze the role of cinema in shaping the image of pre-marital courtship through scenes of first dates and to identify the socio-cultural characteristics of their rep-resentation in domestic and foreign melodramas. Employing content analysis, the study examines popular films selected based on ratings and recognition within professional circles. The analysis revealed that in do-mestic melodramas, the protagonists are more frequently working individuals aged 20–30 years compared to their counterparts in foreign films. This divergence may be attributed to disparate value orientations. It is em-phasized that the primary objective of dating remains the establishment of a relationship, with men predomi-nantly initiating the progression thereof. In conclusion, the study posits that domestic and foreign cinema transmit disparate models of pre-marital behavior to society, which is conditioned by both the socio-cultural specificities of the respective countries and the axiological priorities of men and women. Particular attention is paid to the reflection of cultural norms and values in the cinematic portrayal of first dates.</jats:p>