27 Best Movies Like Friends with Benefits | Similar-List

By Published On: July 26,2024Last Updated: August 21,20242480 words12.4 min read

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movies like Friends with Benefits

Friends with Benefits can appeal to some, but watching movies like Friends With Benefits is enough for others. The 2011 film starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis tells the story of two ridiculously attractive people who become fast friends and eventually slide into bed together. If you’re into rom-com vibes in movies like Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Crazy Rich Asians, you'll love these other casually sexy movies.

27 Best Movies Like Friends with Benefits

Love and Other Drugs (2010)

Plot Summary: In Love and Other Drugs, Maggie (Anne Hathaway) is a free-spirited artist grappling with the early onset of Parkinson's disease, while Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a charming pharmaceutical sales rep. They start as casual acquaintances who end up having a no-strings-attached sexual relationship.

Comparison: Similar to Friends With Benefits, their relationship begins with a mutual agreement to keep things casual. However, as they spend more time together, their emotional connection deepens, challenging their initial intentions.

Unique Aspects: While the film maintains a sweet and comedic tone, it delves deeper into more serious themes than Friends With Benefits. Maggie’s struggle with her illness and Jamie’s evolving career ambitions add layers of complexity to their relationship. Their journey is marked by raw and intimate moments, such as Maggie's vulnerability about her diagnosis and Jamie's growing determination to support her despite the challenges. This emotional depth is illustrated in scenes like Maggie breaking down in front of Jamie or Jamie tirelessly researching new treatments for her condition, showcasing their growth and commitment.

Moreover, the film provides a critical look at the pharmaceutical industry through Jamie's job, offering an additional narrative thread that enriches the story. The blend of romance, humor, and real-life challenges makes Love and Other Drugs a compelling and poignant love story that resonates beyond the typical rom-com framework.

No Strings Attached (2011)

Plot Summary: No Strings Attached features Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher as Emma and Adam, who reconnect years after a brief teenage romance. They decide to start a casual, no-commitment relationship, but soon, both find themselves grappling with their growing feelings for one another.

Comparison: Like Friends With Benefits, No Strings Attached centers on a relationship that begins without emotional involvement but becomes more complex as the characters develop deeper feelings.

Unique Aspects: This film distinguishes itself with its humorous yet relatable take on the "friends with benefits" dynamic. It features memorable scenes like Emma’s candid discussion about her non-committal stance and Adam’s comedic attempts to navigate the complexities of their arrangement. The contrast between Emma’s career-focused demeanor and Adam’s more laid-back attitude adds a layer of comedic tension, making their journey to understanding each other’s needs entertaining and engaging.

40 Days and 40 Nights (2002)

Plot Summary: In 40 Days and 40 Nights, Matt (Josh Hartnett) embarks on a challenge to abstain from sex for Lent. His commitment is tested when he meets and falls for a woman for whom he might be worth breaking his vow.

Comparison: While not a "friends with benefits" story per se, the film shares a similar vibe of personal challenge and romantic entanglement. Matt’s decision to forego sex introduces a unique twist to the casual relationships theme seen in Friends With Benefits.

Unique Aspects: The film provides a humorous yet insightful look into the impact of abstinence on personal growth and relationships. Matt’s journey is marked by comedic moments, such as his struggle to stick to his vow in increasingly tempting situations, contrasted with heartfelt scenes showing his growing affection for his love interest. The dynamic between Matt’s internal conflict and his interactions with his friends and love interests enriches the narrative, making it a distinctive entry into the genre.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Plot Summary: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days follows Andie (Kate Hudson) and Ben (Matthew McConaughey), who each have personal agendas: Andie aims to drive a man away for an article, while Ben bets he can make a woman fall in love with him in ten days.

Comparison: The film shares Friends With Benefits's playful, deceptive charm, featuring characters initially engaging in a relationship for personal gain but developing genuine feelings.

Unique Aspects: The comedic interplay between Andie’s deliberate attempts to push Ben away and Ben’s strategic moves to win her over creates a fun and engaging dynamic. The film stands out with its witty script and memorable moments, such as Andie’s increasingly outrageous behavior to meet her deadline and Ben’s creative methods to prove his bet. Their evolving relationship, filled with humorous and heartfelt scenes, highlights the classic rom-com trope of love blossoming from deception.

Up in the Air (2009)

Plot Summary: In Up in the Air, Ryan (George Clooney) leads a nomadic lifestyle, focusing on his career and casual relationships. His routine is disrupted when he begins to develop feelings for Alex (Vera Farmiga), a fellow traveler.

Comparison: The film explores casual relationships similarly to Friends With Benefits, but it focuses on the challenges of maintaining a transient lifestyle while forming emotional connections.

Unique Aspects: The film’s unique perspective comes from Ryan’s career-driven life and the impact of his frequent travel on his relationships. Key moments, such as Ryan’s realization of his feelings for Alex and his struggle to balance his personal and professional lives, provide a compelling look at the complexities of modern romance. The film’s setting in corporate downsizing adds a distinctive layer to the narrative, offering a broader commentary on personal and professional detachment.

Trainwreck (2015)

Plot Summary: Trainwreck features Amy (Amy Schumer), a commitment-phobic journalist who has always embraced casual relationships. Her outlook is challenged when she meets Aaron (Bill Hader), a sports doctor who might be the one to change her perspective.

Comparison: The film shares the casual relationship theme with Friends With Benefits but focuses on Amy’s journey of self-discovery and change.

Unique Aspects: The film stands out in Amy Schumer’s sharp comedic performance and in how it addresses serious themes of commitment and self-worth. Key scenes highlight her growth, such as Amy’s humorous yet poignant realizations about love and her evolving relationship with Aaron. The dynamic between Amy’s humorous approach to relationships and Aaron’s genuine intentions provides a refreshing take on the rom-com genre.

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Plot Summary: Crazy, Stupid, Love follows Jacob (Ryan Gosling), a serial dater who mentors Cal (Steve Carell) after Cal’s wife leaves him. Jacob’s own casual approach to relationships is challenged when he falls for Hannah (Emma Stone).

Comparison: Like Friends With Benefits, the film explores the theme of casual relationships but adds depth through the characters’ personal growth and evolving feelings.

Unique Aspects: The film’s strength lies in its ensemble cast and the way it interweaves multiple storylines. Jacob’s transformation from a casual dater to someone genuinely in love and Cal’s journey to rediscover love provides a rich narrative. Memorable scenes, such as Jacob’s and Cal’s comedic yet touching interactions, highlight the film’s blend of humor and heart.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Plot Summary: 10 Things I Hate About You is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. It follows Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles), a high school student with a tough exterior, and Patrick (Heath Ledger), hired to date her as part of a scheme to help her sister.

Comparison: While not strictly a "friends with benefits" story, the film shares a similar rom-com vibe with Friends With Benefits, focusing on developing an initially transactional relationship into something more meaningful.

Unique Aspects: The film’s charm lies in its witty dialogue and the lead chemistry. Key scenes, such as Patrick’s infamous serenade and Kat’s heartfelt poem, underscore the transition from a façade to genuine affection. The film’s clever script and memorable performances make it a standout in the teen rom-com genre.

The Change-Up (2011)

Plot Summary: The Change-Up features two best friends, Mitch (Jason Bateman) and Dave (Ryan Reynolds), magically switch bodies. As they navigate each other’s lives, they gain new perspectives on their relationships.

Comparison: While not a traditional "friends with benefits" story, the film explores relationship dynamics and personal growth parallels themes in Friends With Benefits.

Unique Aspects: The film’s unique body-swap premise leads to humorous and insightful moments, such as Mitch’s attempts to balance Dave’s family life and Dave’s struggles with Mitch’s single life. Key scenes include the comedic mishaps that arise from their swapped lives and the deeper realizations about their relationships.

One Day (2011)

Plot Summary: One Day chronicles the lives of Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess), who meet on their graduation day and form a deep but complex relationship that unfolds over 20 years.

Comparison: The film diverges from the theme of the casual relationship but explores the evolution of a deep, enduring bond, resonating with the emotional depth found in Friends With Benefits.

Unique Aspects: The film’s unique structure, depicting the characters’ lives on the same date each year, provides a poignant look at how their relationship evolves. Key moments, such as Emma and Dexter’s heart-wrenching encounters and personal growth, highlight the film’s exploration of love and timing.

Playing It Cool (2014)

Plot Summary: Playing It Cool stars Chris Evans as a writer struggling to pen a screenplay about love while navigating his feelings for a woman he meets.

Comparison: The film shares the casual romance theme with Friends With Benefits, focusing on the complexities of love and relationships.

Unique Aspects: The film’s playful narrative and Chris Evans’ charismatic performance add a fresh take on the rom-com genre. Notable scenes include the protagonist’s humorous and introspective moments as he grapples with his feelings and the challenges of writing about love while experiencing it firsthand.

The Ugly Truth (2009)

Plot Summary: The Ugly Truth features Abby (Katherine Heigl), a morning show producer, and Mike (Gerard Butler), a brash TV personality who provides relationship advice. Their professional antagonism evolves into a complicated romantic entanglement.

Comparison: The film’s exploration of the clash between professional and personal relationships mirrors the themes of evolving connections seen in Friends With Benefits.

Unique Aspects: The humor and chemistry between the leads stand out, particularly in scenes where Mike’s blunt advice and Abby’s romantic idealism clash. The dynamic between their contrasting views on relationships adds depth to their evolving romance.

What’s Your Number? (2011)

Plot Summary: What’s Your Number? Follows Ally (Anna Faris), who decides to track down her exes to find out if one of them is her true love after reading that most women settle down with someone they’ve previously dated.

Comparison: The film’s focus on revisiting past relationships aligns with the themes of exploring romantic possibilities seen in Friends With Benefits.

Unique Aspects: The film’s humor and Anna Faris’ comedic performance highlight the challenges and revelations of revisiting past loves. Key scenes include Ally’s humorous attempts to reconnect with her exes and the evolving romance with her neighbor, showcasing the film’s blend of humor and heartfelt moments.

The characters’ lives on the same date each year provide a poignant look at how their relationship evolves. Key moments, such as Emma and Dexter’s heart-wrenching encounters and personal growth, highlight the film’s exploration of love and timing.


Playing It Cool (2014)

Plot Summary: Playing It Cool stars Chris Evans as a writer struggling to pen a screenplay about love while navigating his feelings for a woman he meets.

Comparison: The film shares the casual romance theme with Friends With Benefits, focusing on the complexities of love and relationships.

Unique Aspects: The film’s playful narrative and Chris Evans’ charismatic performance add a fresh take on the rom-com genre. Notable scenes include the protagonist’s humorous and introspective moments as he grapples with his feelings and the challenges of writing about love while experiencing it firsthand.


The Ugly Truth (2009)

Plot Summary: The Ugly Truth features Abby (Katherine Heigl), a morning show producer, and Mike (Gerard Butler), a brash TV personality who provides relationship advice. Their professional antagonism evolves into a complicated romantic entanglement.

Comparison: The film’s exploration of the clash between professional and personal relationships mirrors the themes of evolving connections seen in Friends With Benefits.

Unique Aspects: The humor and chemistry between the leads stand out, particularly in scenes where Mike’s blunt advice and Abby’s romantic idealism clash. The dynamic between their contrasting views on relationships adds depth to their evolving romance.


What’s Your Number? (2011)

Plot Summary: What’s Your Number? follows Ally (Anna Faris), who decides to track down her exes to find out if one of them is her true love after reading that most women settle down with someone they’ve previously dated.

Comparison: The film’s focus on revisiting past relationships aligns with the themes of exploring romantic possibilities seen in Friends With Benefits.

Unique Aspects: The film’s humor and Anna Faris’ comedic performance highlight the challenges and revelations of revisiting past loves. Key scenes include Ally’s humorous attempts to reconnect with her exes and the evolving romance with her neighbor, showcasing the film’s blend of humor and heartfelt moments.

Two Night Stand (2014)

Plot Summary: Two Night Stand centers on Megan (Analeigh Tipton) and Alec (Miles Teller), who engage in a one-night stand that unexpectedly turns into a two-night stay when a snowstorm traps them in Alec’s apartment. What starts as a casual encounter soon reveals deeper layers as they spend more time together.

Comparison: Similar to Friends With Benefits, Two Night Stand begins with a no-strings-attached premise but evolves as the characters get to know each other more intimately. The film explores the shift from casual sex to a potential romantic connection, capturing the dynamics of an impromptu relationship.

Unique Aspects: The film’s setting—a snowstorm that forces Megan and Alec to spend more time together—adds a unique twist to the usual romantic comedy formula. The confined space leads to candid conversations and unexpected revelations, allowing their characters to develop beyond the initial attraction. Notable scenes include their humorous attempts to cope with cabin fever, their heartfelt exchanges about personal dreams and fears, and the gradual shift from frustration to affection.

The chemistry between Tipton and Teller is palpable, with their banter and genuine interactions driving the narrative forward. Their evolving relationship is highlighted through moments like Alec’s attempts to impress Megan with his cooking and Megan’s candid observations about his life. These scenes provide insight into their characters and showcase how their initial attraction deepens into something more meaningful.

More Movies Like Friends With Benefits

18、Just Go With It (2011)
19、Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
20、Alfie (2004)
21、The Girl Next Door (2004)
22、What Happens in Vegas (2008)
23、A Lot Like Love (2005)
24、Love, Rosie (2014)
25、That Awkward Moment (2014)
26、When Harry Met Sally (1989)
27、Couples Retreat (2009)

About the Author: Sophia Roberts

Sophia Roberts is a freelance writer, novelist, scriptwriter, and editor at similar-list.com. She has a passion for cinema, literature, and culinary arts, and holds strong views on classic films, mystery novels, and artisanal cheeses. As a freelance writer since 2015, Sophia holds a BA in Creative Writing and an MFA in Screenwriting. She is always on the lookout for captivating narratives, whether in books, movies, or everyday life. Sophia has also contributed to The Atlantic, Vulture, Paste Magazine, and other publications.

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