The bryophyte life cycle, characterized by autonomous gametophytes (and dependent sporophytes), has profound impacts on reproductive biology, specifically: (1) the retention of ancestral swimming sperm, (2) U/V sex chromosomes, (3) sexual system diversity, (4) sexual dimorphism, (5) sexual conflict, and (6) population dynamics. In this review, we summarize recent and foundational findings in these focal areas, and contextualize bryophyte reproduction within the reproductive patterns and processes of land plants at large.