Nothing spells ‘butterflies in your stomach’ better than friends falling in love with each other. The long wait and the hesitation that comes before the confession is something most people dread and, at the same time, crave. It’s a trope that gets you giggling. Here are the 20 best friends to lovers movies you can watch.
1. Friends with Benefits (2011)
English 1h 49m IMDb
Director: Will Gluck
Stars: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson
This movie centers on two characters named Jamie and Dylan. Jamie is an executive recruiter based in New York City, and Dylan is an art director stationed in Los Angeles. Jamie tries to convince Dylan to accept a position at the New York headquarters of GQ magazine.
After meeting and discovering more about each other, they realize they have a lot in common, so they quickly become friends. Together, they decide to stop hunting for real love and put more emphasis on having fun. However, things get complicated when they put sex in the picture.
2. Just Friends (2005)
English 1h 36m IMDb
Director: Roger Kumble
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Anna Faris
This movie is about two best friends named Chris Brander and Jamie Palamino. Chris is in love with Jamie and decides to confess his feelings to her. Finally, he comes clean about his emotions for her, but she doesn’t feel the same, and she tells him that she only wants to be friends with him.
In shame, he leaves town. After ten years, Chris became a successful record executive and is dating a self-centered pop star. Even after all these years, he still longs for Jamie. So, he goes back to his hometown to pursue her. This film perfectly demonstrates how time only strengthens longing.
3. Love, Rosie (2014)
English 1h 42m IMDb
Director: Christian Ditter
Stars: Lily Collins, Sam Claflin, Christian Cooke
The story follows best friends Rosie and Alex as they go through the ups and downs of being in love. Alex finally opens up about how he feels after a night of drinking, but Rosie’s manner the following day leads him to believe that all she wants is to be friends with him.
When Alex and his family relocate from Dublin to America, the two are abruptly split apart. Apart, their friendship is tested as they continue to ask themselves what they are willing to risk for true love. Telling of friendship and love, this movie is warm and has a good plot.
4. Always Be My Maybe (2019)
English 1h 41m IMDb
Director: Nahnatchka Khan
Stars: Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito
Marcus and Sasha were childhood best friends who grew awkward after an embarrassing incident on the night of their graduation. They hadn’t spoken in 15 years, and they got back in touch as adults when Sasha met Marcus in San Francisco.
They catch up as they now exist in separate worlds. While they are still a bit awkward, their chemistry is undeniable. The film incorporates humor and romance gracefully and tells a very realistic story about two friends finding love in each other.
5. Plus One (2019)
English 1h 38m IMDb
Director: Jeff Chan, Andrew Rhymer
Stars: Jack Quaid, Maya Erskine, Beck Bennett
Plus One tells the story of two college best friends, Ben King and Alice Mori. As the wedding season starts to come, they agree to be each other’s plus one and serve as each other’s wingmen companion at every wedding they are invited to.
However, their situation becomes complicated as one catches feelings first. It’s a romantic comedy that focuses on the importance of being content with the person you’re with. The story moves along at a pretty good pace for a rom-com, and there aren’t any particularly draggy sequences.
6. The Duff (2015)
English 1h 41m IMDb
Director: Ari Sandel
Stars: Mae Whitman, Bella Thorne, Robbie Amell
Bianca, a dowdy senior in high school, has an unfortunate realization when she finds out that people around her have been referring to her behind her back as the DUFF. DUFF has been apparently made to mean: designated ugly fat friend.
To make a fresh start for herself, she hires the assistance of Wesley, a charismatic athlete. She aims to save her school life from disaster while trying to turn the school order around– to a fairer one. Although it is an adolescent movie, this one has a very realistic plot. The narrative also teaches the audience insightful lessons.
7. When We First Met (2018)
English 1h 37m IMDb
Director: Ari Sandel
Stars: Adam Devine, Alexandra Daddario, Shelley Hennig
The film follows Noah Ashby, who looks back on his life and laments that he could not share his feelings with his best friend, Avery.
After three years, she gets engaged, and Noah is given the ability to return through time and change that night as many times as necessary until everything is just right. This movie has moments that will make your heart hurt and then others that will have you rolling on the floor laughing.
8. 13 Going On 30 (2004)
English 1h 38m IMDb
Director: Gary Winick
Stars: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer
This film follows a young woman who, after becoming exhausted by the social expectations of junior high school, finds herself thrust into the role of an adult. She finds out that as an adult, she has become cold and aloof and that she has severed ties with her best friend, Matty. She finds Matty with hopes of knowing her past.
Catching up, she learns that he’s already engaged. Matty helps her discover her history, and they begin to get entangled in their feelings for each other. This entertaining, upbeat movie has the ideal blend of humor and emotion, which results in an impactful plot and performance.
9. Flipped (2010)
English 1h 30m IMDb
Director: Rob Reiner
Stars: Madeline Carroll, Callan McAuliffe, Rebecca De Mornay
Juli Baker and Bryce Loski first meet in second grade, and she instantly falls in love with him. Bryce, on the other hand, does not feel the same. Juli spent six years trying to convince Bryce that they were destined together.
Finally, Juli starts to think they may not be meant to be after all, just when Bryce starts to think otherwise. A coming-of-age tale that is compelling, emotionally touching, and features excellent acting.
10. Single All The Way (2021)
English 1h 39m IMDb
Director: Michael Mayer
Stars: Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Luke Macfarlane
The film starts with Peter learning that his lover is already married, just before he plans to bring his boyfriend home for the holidays. Because he did not want to attend the event alone, he convinced his best friend Nick to accompany him.
Even though their relationship is platonic, the holiday season brings about unexpected changes in their relationship. In its entirety, this movie is both beautifully made and amusing. The performance of each ensemble member is outstanding, and the plot is lovely.
11. What If (2013)
English 1h 38m IMDb
Director: Michael Dowse
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Megan Park
This story tells the story of Wallace, a former medical student who has been through a string of devastating breakups in relationships and decides to forsake romantic pursuits. Well, this is until he meets and befriends a woman who he thinks could be “the one.” The problem is that she’s already in a long-term relationship.
The actors did an excellent job portraying their characters. They have tremendous chemistry together, which makes the scenes very realistic. There is so much more to the plot too. It’s a fresh movie that will undoubtedly make you smile.
12. Yesterday (2019)
English 1h 56m IMDb
Director: Danny Boyle
Stars: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Sophia Di Martino
This movie follows Jack Malik, a struggling singer-songwriter from a beach village in England. Despite his best friend Ellie’s unwavering commitment and encouragement, his aspirations of becoming a famous actor are dwindling. In the wake of a bizarre bus accident during a global blackout, Jack learns that The Beatles never existed.
He quickly becomes an overnight sensation by singing songs from one of the greatest bands in the world. This film is humorous, heartwarming, and generally very entertaining. If you are a Beatles fan, you will surely love this film.
13. The Holiday Calendar (2018)
English 1h 35m IMDb
Director: Bradley Walsh
Stars: Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, Ethan Peck
A photographer makes the startling discovery that the old Advent calendar she acquired appears to be able to foresee her future. This includes the development of a romantic relationship. It’s a sweet film that is dreamy and enjoyable, like many Christmas movies.
This film was filled with positive messages, such as the importance of friendship, love, and character growth. The script is beautifully written, and the director has cast talented performers who are a great fit for their parts.
14. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
English 1h 35m IMDb
Director: Howard Deutch
Stars: Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson, Lea Thompson
With the aid of his tomboy best friend, Watts, Keith Nelson, an artistic high school outcast, seeks to get a date with famous lady Amanda Jones. However, Amanda’s ex-boyfriend, Hardy Jenns, becomes enraged at his approach.
When Watts learns she likes Keith more than a friend, she attempts to convince him to quit chasing Amanda, which puts things in a more complicated situation.
Excellent acting from all of the cast members and a well-written story make this movie one of the best of its kind. The film depicts the realities of high school and the hardships that students face.
15. Zack And Miri Make A Porno (2008)
English 1h 41m IMDb
Director: Kevin Smith
Stars: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Robinson
Zack and Miri have known each other their whole lives and have been friends for years. Now, they are also roommates and currently facing a problem– they are buried beneath a pile of debt. The loss of electricity forces them to acknowledge that they must resort to extreme means to overcome their problem.
And so they decided that the best way to raise some money was to produce an adult movie. Despite their assurances that having sex won’t harm their friendship, things still took a turn. This movie has all the right ingredients to become one of the hilarious romantic comedies ever made.
16. Along for the Ride (2022)
English 1h 46m IMDb
Director: Sofia Alvarez
Stars: Emma Pasarow, Belmont Cameli, Laura Kariuki
This film follows the story of Auden and Eli. During the summer before Auden starts college, he has a chance encounter with the enigmatic Eli, another insomniac.
While the sleepy beach town of Colby is sound asleep, the two go off on nocturnal adventures to assist Auden in living the exciting and carefree life she had no idea she desired.
This film had a cozy hug-like feeling to it throughout. The storyline, the characters, the photography, the relaxed beach setting, and the overall aesthetics are all great. It’s a movie that’s easy to like and appreciate.
17. Made of Honor (2008)
English 1h 41m IMDb
Director: Paul Weiland
Stars: Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd
This film follows two best friends– Tom and Hannah. Tom is never willing to commit. Therefore he lives his life as a serial dater. Meanwhile, Hannah wants to find Mr. Right, and she does, just as Tom begins to fall for Hannah. Hannah then includes Tom in her bridal party.
From there, Tom does his best to stop the wedding and win her heart. This is a beautiful movie to watch. Although it may be somewhat predictable, the tale makes sense and watching it unfold is entertaining. Made of Honor has everything you would want in a romantic comedy movie.
18. No Strings Attached (2011)
English 1h 48m IMDb
Director: Ivan Reitman
Stars: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline
Emma and Adam have been friends their whole lives, but now they’ve agreed to bring their relationship to the next level by hooking up. The new pair makes a pact to keep their relationship solely physical. They decided not to argue, not to get jealous, and not to have any aspirations for their future together.
Emma and Adam have agreed to do whatever they want, so long as they don’t develop romantic feelings for each other. This is an excellent classic rom-com film that everyone should see at least once in their life. It has genuinely fun scenes and heartwarming moments.
19. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
English 1h 45m IMDb
Director: P.J. Hogan
Stars: Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Cameron Diaz
Julianne Potter and Michael O’Neal, friends since childhood, made a pact to marry one another if they were both still single when they turned 28. Just four days before Julianne’s 28th birthday, O’Neil makes his marriage announcement.
After having a sudden realization that she is genuinely in love with him, Julianne promises that she will do everything in her power to stop the wedding. Things get more complicated as she has been appointed maid of honor. This film is a good stress reliever.
20. Almost Friends (2016)
English 1h 41m IMDb
Director: Jake Goldberger
Stars: Freddie Highmore, Odeya Rush, Christopher Meloni
This film tells the story of Charlie, a talented but uninspired cook who now makes do as an assistant manager at a theater. When his estranged father shows up and he meets the lady of his dreams, he has difficulty maneuvering his emotions and deciding what he wants to do in his life.
This movie is a charming example of a cliche with good character development. Almost Friends also offers an interesting take on some sensitive topics. Overall, a good watch.
Summary
On light and relaxing night, it’s nice to watch some good films about friends falling in love. It might be one of the most overused tropes, but it’s not a bad thing, especially with good execution. It would be lovely to watch these 20 best friends to lovers movies on days or nights like these.