15 Best Friends-to-Lovers Movies You Need to Watch
Friends-to-Lovers movies have made a milestone by challenging conventions and providing a more nuanced view of love. Their impact extends beyond the screen, reshaping romantic narrative by focusing on the natural evolution of relationships. Here, check out which ones are the best.
No Strings Attached, directed by Ivan Reitman, was released in 2011 and is a romantic comedy that follows the story of Emma Kurtzman (played by Natalie Portman) and Adam Franklin (played by Ashton Kutcher). The plot revolves around the idea of having a relationship without emotional commitments or romantic expectations, focusing on the dynamics of "friends with benefits".
The movie explores how Emma and Adam attempt to maintain a purely physical relationship without getting emotionally involved. As they navigate through this seemingly straightforward dynamic, they encounter unexpected challenges and discover that separating the physical aspect from the emotional one is not always as easy as it seems.
One Day is one of the many films that have been hugely successful and fall into the Friends-to-Lovers category. Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess star in the romantic drama directed by Lone Scherfig, based on a script developed by David Nicholls. The production isn't afraid to explore raw emotions and challenging moments in the characters' lives, adding layers of authenticity to the narrative and addressing universal themes related to love and friendship.
The story follows Dexter and Em, who, after spending a night together on their college graduation night, meet every year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. Sometimes they are together, and sometimes they are not, on that day. The film delves into the complexities of friendship between a man and a woman over time, showing how life's challenges and circumstances impact their relationship.
Ryan Reynolds has been a part of multiple romantic comedies, but one of the most popular is Just Friends, which qualifies as a typical friends-to-lovers story. The actor shared the spotlight with Amy Smart, Anna Faris, and Chris Klein in the film directed by Roger Kumble and released in 2005, quickly becoming a hit.
The plot follows Chris Brander, who, after being rejected in high school, transforms into a successful executive in the music industry. When he returns to his hometown during the holidays, he reunites with his old friend Jamie Palamino and realizes he still has feelings for her. However, his attempt to win her over is hindered by the presence of pop star Samantha James.
The title blends elements of comedy and romance with humorous situations and heartfelt moments. It addresses themes of friendship, second chances in love, and the true meaning of emotional connection. With its mix of humor and romance, the movie has gained a following among lovers of romantic comedies in this style.
Made of Honor plays with the traditional concept of gender roles in weddings and offers a unique perspective on romantic and friendship relationships. The comedy unfolds as Tom tries to understand his own feelings and grapple with the possibility of losing Hannah forever. With touches of humor and heartfelt moments, the film provides an entertaining blend of laughter and romance.
Directed by Paul Weiland and starring Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan, the story follows Tom and Hannah, two close friends since college. When Hannah goes to Scotland for work, Tom realizes he has romantic feelings for her. However, before he can express his feelings, Hannah returns engaged. Tom is invited to be the "maid of honor" at Hannah's wedding, and the film follows his attempts to sabotage the wedding while trying to discover his true feelings.
Not all Friends-to-Lovers-style movies have fairy-tale endings; instead, many of them impart valuable lessons. Although My Best Friend's Wedding is a romantic classic, its appeal lies in how it addresses the complexities of friendship and unrequited love, offering a perspective different from typical romantic comedies. Julia Roberts and Dermot Mulroney bring the main characters to life, accompanied by Cameron Diaz and Rupert Everett.
The plot focuses more on the protagonist, Julianne, who realizes she is in love with her best friend, Michael, when he announces he is marrying another woman, Kimmy. Instead of evolving into a romantic relationship between Julianne and Michael, the film explores the complicated dynamics between them after Michael has already decided to marry someone else.
Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis joined forces in 2011 to bring to life Friends with Benefits, the romantic comedy of 2011 directed by Will Gluck that quickly became a classic in the genre. The narrative addresses modern themes of relationships in the digital age and offers a blend of humor and more reflective moments on the nature of love and friendship in contemporary life.
The plot follows Dylan Harper and Jamie Rellis, who decide to establish a purely physical relationship without emotional commitments. As they try to maintain a physical connection without involving romantic feelings, the line between friendship and romance becomes blurred. Throughout the movie, both characters explore the possibility of having a "no-strings-attached" relationship, but as often happens in romantic comedies, complications and unexpected feelings arise.
Past Lives is one of the great romantic gems that 2023 brought, directed and written by Celine Song. Not only is it a fantastic choice for fans of love, friendship, and friends-to-lovers style movies, but it also doesn't lack humor and drama. The title was one of the most successful and even received nominations at various award ceremonies, such as the Critics Choice Awards.
The story follows Nora and Hae Sung (portrayed by Greta Lee and Teo Yoo), two childhood friends deeply connected, who are separated after Nora's family immigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later, they reunite during a fateful week to confront love and destiny.
Although The Duff is a romantic comedy centered around self-discovery, many have considered it a Friends-to-Lovers-style story due to the main characters transitioning from a forced friendship to a romantic relationship. While it doesn't strictly follow the narrative arc of typical films, it has gained appreciation for its fresh and contemporary approach to teenage relationships.
The plot follows Bianca, a high school student who instigates a social revolution after discovering she has been labeled as "the designated ugly fat friend" by more popular students. Mae Whitman portrays the main character, with Robbie Amell as Wesley Rush, Bella Thorne as Madison Morgan, Allison Janney as Dottie and Bianca A. Santos along with Skyler Samuels playing Bianca Piper's friends.
Something Borrowed explores themes of unrequited love, complicated friendship, and making difficult decisions. The film, directed by Luke Greenfield in 2011, has been praised for realistically addressing the emotional nuances of relationships and for the compelling performances of its cast, which includes stars like Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield and John Krasinski.
The plot is based on the novel of the same name by Emily Giffin and revolves around the complexity of relationships and loyalty among friends. Rachel, a shy and loyal lawyer, celebrates her thirtieth birthday with her friend Darcy. However, things take an unexpected turn when Rachel realizes she has developed feelings for Darcy's fiancé, Dex. As the story unfolds, Rachel faces ethical dilemmas and the struggle between her own desires and loyalty to her friendship.
The F Word, also known as What If, is a Canadian romantic comedy released in 2013. The film, directed by Michael Dowse, features Daniel Radcliffe as Wallace and Zoe Kazan as Chantry, the main characters. The chemistry between the two actors is undeniable, and the movie itself stands out for its fresh and humorous approach to romantic relationships and friendship, offering a charming and appealing perspective on the challenges of emotional connections.
The plot follows Wallace, who befriends Chantry but discovers that she has a boyfriend. Despite the situation, Wallace and Chantry decide to try to maintain their friendship, exploring whether it's possible to be friends of the opposite sex without romantic complications. The story addresses themes of friendship, romantic attraction, and the blurry line between these two elements.
When We First Met is considered a Friends-to-Lovers film because it explores the theme of a friend developing romantic feelings for another over time. The movie follows Noah, played by Adam Devine, who uses a magical time-traveling machine to try to change the outcome of a night when he met the woman of his dreams, Avery, portrayed by Alexandra Daddario. As Noah revisits the past on several occasions, the film plays with the dynamics of friendship and the possibility of it evolving into something more.
The production has been appreciated for its humorous and lighthearted approach to the genre. Additionally, the charismatic cast and the comedic situations the main character finds himself in have contributed to its appeal. While it may not be considered a masterpiece, the film has been praised for entertaining audiences with its fresh approach and its ability to find humor in the transition from friendship to romance.
Love, Rosie is considered a good Friends-to-Lovers-style film for several reasons. The plot follows Rosie and Alex, close friends since childhood, as they navigate the complexity of their relationships over the years. The story skillfully balances comedic moments with emotional situations, providing an authentic portrayal of the relationships and challenges that friends face when exploring romantic love.
Lily Collins and Sam Claflin, who portray Rosie and Alex, manage to convey authenticity and palpable chemistry on screen, engaging the audience emotionally in their story. The plot follows the duo, who have been best friends since they were 5 years old, so they might not be meant for each other... or could they be?
Brown Sugar is one of the most well-known films in Taye Diggs' and Sanaa Lathan's filmography, and over time, it has become a success in the romantic genre. Directed by Rick Famuyiwa, the story depicts the lives of two childhood friends, Dre and Sidney, who share a deep connection due to their shared love for hip-hop music.
The plot unfolds over the years, exploring the changing dynamics of friendship and love as both pursue their professional careers. It addresses themes of passion, authenticity, and the influence of hip-hop culture on their lives, standing out for its focus on hip-hop culture and its impact on personal relationships. In addition to the central story of friendship and romance, the film features cameos from prominent figures in hip-hop music and offers a standout soundtrack.
With witty and memorable dialogues, When Harry Met Sally has become a landmark in the romantic comedy genre and has left a lasting impact on popular culture. It is an iconic romantic comedy, directed by Rob Reiner and released in 1989, featuring a screenplay by Nora Ephron and starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.
The story follows the relationship between Harry and Sally over more than a decade. It begins when they are college students and take a trip together from Chicago to New York. Over the years, their lives intersect on various occasions, exploring the dynamics between men and women, friendship, and romantic love.
13 Going On 30 is remembered as one of the most iconic films of 2004, featuring great leads, a standout soundtrack, impressive performances, and scenes that still remain relevant in pop culture. The Friends-to-Lovers-style romantic comedy, directed by Gary Winick, stars Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo in the roles of Jenna Rink and Matt Flamhaff.
The plot follows Jenna, a 13-year-old girl who, after making a wish at her birthday party, wakes up the next day in the body of her 30-year-old self. As Jenna navigates her new adult life, she realizes the choices she has made and how they impact her relationships, especially her friendship with Matt. The narrative explores themes of personal growth, second chances, and the importance of genuine relationships.