More Than Friendship
They say that your partner should be your best friend—and one of the best tropes in romance is the friend-to-lover pipeline, where two great friends start to catch feelings and try to deny it, but inevitably fall in love. These are the best heartwarming, tear-jerking friends-to-lovers movies out there.
Some Kind Of Wonderful
Often overshadowed by other films penned by John Hughes, Some Kind of Wonderful is nonetheless a paragon of the friends-to-lovers genre, as Eric Stoltz’s character grapples with a budding relationship with the “popular” girl as his friend pines for him.
Fun fact: This film was actually written as a reaction to the ending of Pretty in Pink. The studio insisted that Andy end up with Blane, whereas Hughes and director Howard Deutch had originally planned for her to be with Ducky.
Paramount, Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
13 Going On 30
With its fantastical plotline, nostalgic references, and off-the-charts chemistry between Jennifer Garner’s Jenna and Mark Ruffalo’s Matty, this film was an instant hit—and the ups and down of their friendship, along with the lessons learned along the way, really make you believe they’re meant to be.
Columbia, 13 Going on 30 (2004)
The F Word
This film, also known as What If, features a young man, played by Daniel Radcliffe, who lusts after his friend, played by Zoe Kazan, but is reluctant to make a move and ruin their friendship. As they juggle the risks behind changing their relationship, their genuine affection for each other makes for a beautiful watch.
No Trace Camping, The F Word (2013)
My Best Friend’s Wedding
Just because it’s a movie about a friend crushing on a friend, doesn’t mean that it’s going to end where you think it will. My Best Friend’s Wedding is a classic for a reason—with Julia Roberts at her flirty best, and jokes that’ll actually make you LOL.
TriStar, My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
Definitely, Maybe
This 2008 rom-com unfolds as Ryan Reynolds’ character Will tells the story of his romantic life to his daughter as he prepares an impending divorce. As he gives her more details, she makes him realize that perhaps, what he wanted was standing in front of him the whole time.
Universal, Definitely, Maybe (2008)
A Walk To Remember
How about from enemies to friends to lovers? In A Walk To Remember, Shane West’s Landon is forced to appear in a school play opposite Mandy Moore’s Jamie, and the two eventually form a bond—and more. It was a breakout role for Moore for a reason, as her performance as Jamie showed she was so much more than just a pop princess.
Warner Bros., A Walk to Remember (2002)
Silver Linings Playbook
Sometimes, life doesn’t play ball—and Silver Linings Playbook features two characters, played by Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, who find friendship and love while dealing with what feels like insurmountable personal problems. It was the recipient of multiple Oscar nominations, including a win for Lawrence, and one watch proves why.
The Weinstein Company, Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Reality Bites
Not only does it have Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke at the peak of their early-90s hotness, it also features unforgettable turns by Janeane Garofalo and Ben Stiller, who actually directed the film. Though they’re just two characters in a great ensemble cast, Ryder and Hawke’s walk on the line between friendship and romance makes for a riveting ride.
Universal, Reality Bites (1994)
Just Friends
Though certainly a product of its time in some senses, this 2005 rom-com has gathered some devoted fans since it came out. Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart play two childhood friends who reconnect after years apart—but still have to work out issues from their past, and their years apart.
Inferno Distribution, Just Friends (2005)
Sleeping With Other People
In this 2015 indie film, Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie’s characters each have some pretty dicey romantic problems, but become friends as a way to support each other—only to find out their feelings might be growing.
IM Global, Sleeping with Other People (2015)
Nobody Walks In L.A.
Another indie drama, this entry features two old friends who, while dealing with a number of personal problems including a bad engagement and a looming big move, decide to spend the day walking around Los Angeles—and throughout the day, they discover that there might be more to their friendship.
Broken Time Entertainment, Nobody Walks in L.A. (2016)
When Harry Met Sally
Best friends to lovers movie of all time? Definitely. Often imitated, never duplicated, this 1989 masterpiece tackles the subject with genuine affection and heart, which shines through even when its two main characters aren’t on good terms, as they grapple with their feelings for each other and their deep history.
Castle Rock, When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
Friends With Benefits
In this surprisingly fun 2011 entry, a pair of friends, played by Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, decide to take their friendship to the bedroom, but promise not to let things get complicated. Spoiler alert: they very quickly get complicated.
Screen Gems, Friends with Benefits (2011)
Best Friends
There’s nothing like an 80s rom-com, is there? Best Friends has Burt Reynolds’ sheer magnetism and Goldie Hawn’s hilarious charm to top it off. The two legends play a couple of best friends who already live and work together—and thus, decide to tie the knot. As they navigate the difficulties of married life, they quickly realize they’re in over their heads.
Warner Bros., Best Friends (1982)
Love, Rosie
Is Sam Claflin the second coming of Richard Gere or Billy Crystal? This young actor makes for a great rom-com lead, and in this entry, he’s paired with Lily Collins as two friends who are most definitely in love with each other, but who are thwarted by bad timing and misunderstandings again and again.
Canyon Creek Films, Love, Rosie (2014)
A Lot Like Love
Lovers to friends to lovers? Why not. In A Lot Like Love, Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet’s characters meet and instantly join the Mile High Club. They decide that pursuing things isn’t right for them, but continue to run into each other over the years—making it seem like fate is pushing them together.
Touchstone Pictures, A Lot Like Love (2005)
He’s Just Not That Into You
While this film features a real panoply of potential romantic interactions, one of the most heartwarming plots features the tender moments and sad misunderstanding that color Ginnifer Goodwin and Justin Long’s characters’ journey from friendship to romance.
New Line Cinema, He's Just Not That Into You (2009)
You’ve Got Mail
Internet friends—yet friends, nonetheless. For the three people who haven’t seen it, this 1998 rom-com sees Meg Ryan’s Kathleen spar with Tom Hanks’ Joe over their competing bookstores, while they form an anonymous friendship, and budding romance, over the internet. It’s only a matter of time before these worlds collide.
Warner Bros., You've Got Mail (1998)
Romantic Comedy
The title says it all! This 1983 film features a playwright, played by Dudley Moore, who is desperate need of a new writing partner. One arrives in the form of Mary Steenbergen, and (writing) magic happens—with the caveat that Moore’s character is about to get married. The film follows their partnership, friendship, and sometimes other-ship throughout the years.
United Artists, Romantic Comedy (1983)
Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!
Kate Bosworth’s character lives every teen girl’s dream when she wins a date with a young superstar—only for their blossoming romance to cause jealousy in Bosworth’s character’s best friend.
DreamWorks, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
Clueless
Set in ritzy Beverly Hills, this 90s classic features Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone)’s journey to discover that genuine connection far outweighs glamour, money, and social status as the perfect qualities in a partner.
Flipped
An underrated, under-viewed rom-com by the king himself, Rob Reiner? It exists, it’s from 2010, and it’s called Flipped. It follows two childhood best friends through the years, Juli Baker (Madeline Carroll) and Bryce Loski (Callan McAuliffe), as they attempt to figure out if they’re better as friends or partners.
No Strings Attached
Around the same time that Friends With Benefits came out, so did No Strings Attached—meaning each parents in the Ashton Kutcher-Mila Kunis household had their only entry in the genre. In this one, Kutcher and Natalie Portman’s character meet up, and discover that maining a no strings attached type relationship actually comes with a whole lotta strings.
Paramount, No Strings Attached (2011)
One Day
Before One Day the show, there was One Day the movie, featuring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess as friends who meet up one day a year. Over the course of two decades, their relationship evolves in unexpected and heartbreaking ways.
Focus Features, One Day (2011)
The DUFF
As if she didn’t get dumped on enough in Arrested Development, in The DUFF, Mae Whitman discovers that shes the “Designated Ugly Fat Friend,” and decides to break out of that box with the help of a friend played by Robbie Amell. As one would imagine, chemistry ensues.
The Switch
In an interesting twist, two long-time friends discover that, through a series of errors, he is the father to her seven-year-old sperm donor son. Both Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman are at their charming best in this one.
Plus One
If you haven’t had the chance to check out Plus One yet, take the time. Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid are two charming new leads meant to be stars, and this may just be their breakout. While the plot may seem thin—two best friends who agree to attend weddings as each other’s plus one—it unfolds in a delightful way.
Red Hour Films, Plus One (2019)
When We First Met
If a movie has Adam DeVine and Alexandra Daddario, there’s gonna be laughs. On top of that stellar comic cast, this one also has a time travel conceit, where DeVine’s character goes back in time to woo the woman of his dreams, who once friend-zoned him—only to realize it won’t be so easy.
Footprint Features, When We First Met (2018)
Yesterday
A strange conceit—a world where the Beatles never existed, and no one remembers their music except one man, played by Himesh Patel—a beautiful friends-with-feelings-for-each-other story evolves, between Himesh’s Jack and Lily James’ Ellie.
Always Be My Maybe
The title says it all—but Ali Wong and Randall Park are surprisingly charming in this rom-com about two friends who reconnect after 15 years and have to face their feelings for each other.
Netflix, Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Love & Basketball
This 2000 gem features a story told in four parts. It follows Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan’s characters, two friends who share a love of basketball and dreams of making it big, as they navigate four different periods: elementary school, high school, college, and playing professional basketball.
New Line Cinema, Love & Basketball (2000)
Something Borrowed
In this charming but occasionally frustrating rom-com—only because the characters refuse to see what’s in front of them—the relationship between Ginnifer Goodwin’s character and her two best male friends, played by Colin Egglesfield and Jim Krasinski, waves from friendship to love at different point. Just one problem—Egglesfield’s character is engaged to Goodwin’s best friend.
Alcon Entertainment, Something Borrowed (2011)
The Wedding Planner
There’s really nothing better than throwing an early 2000s rom-com on on a Sunday afternoon—and few hit the way that The Wedding Planner does. It features Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey at their best, as a wedding planner and reluctant groom who form a friendship…only to realize they also have chemistry.
Columbia, The Wedding Planner (2001)
She’s The Man
Amanda Bynes, we miss you. Bynes is at her comedic best in this 2006 film, which pairs her with a young Channing Tatum. Bynes plays a teen girl who masquerades as a boy to get into a prestigious soccer program.
DreamWorks, She's the Man (2006)
Single All The Way
Netflix’s first same-sex Christmas movie, Single All The Way features Michael Urie as a heartbroken man who takes his best friend, played by Philemon Chambers, home for Christmas to his wacky family.
Netflix, Single All the Way (2021)
Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World
This dramedy is definitely bleaker than the rom-coms on this list, but stellar performances by Natalie Portman and Steve Carell set this apocalypse-set story apart. Though Carell hopes to find his high school crush in the film, it’s really his neighbor, played by Portman, who begins to prove that she’s something more to him.
Focus Features, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
Brown Sugar
After the success of Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar came along and made Sanaa Lathan a bona fide rom-com queen. In this entertaining entry, Lathan is paired with Taye Diggs are friends who bond over music—only to discover their might be more to their friendship. It also features fantastic supporting turns by Queen Latifah and Mos Def.
Searchlight Pictures, Brown Sugar (2002)
Past Lives
If comedy isn’t your thing and melancholy is, this critically-acclaimed drama from 2023 is likely right up your alley. It features Greta Lee and Teo Yoo as friends who reconnect after years apart, and explore all the things that could’ve been.
Spider-Man
Not a rom-com, but certainly a charming love story, the 2002 Spider-Man has one of the best friends-with-feelings pairing, between Tobey Maguire’s Spidey and Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jane.
Emma
This 1996 adaptation of the Jane Austen novel features Gwyneth Paltrow as the titular wannabe-matchmaker, who has a few romantic fumblings of her own before ultimately realizing that she has feelings for a friend who she’s tried to set up before.
