Club Benefits
If you’ve just finished watching the new “People We Meet on Vacation” on Netflix or are simply in the mood for a fun friends-to-lovers romance, you’re in luck.
There’s something really enjoyable about movies where a close friendship slowly turns into something more. From childhood friends navigating life and missed opportunities to platonic vibes suddenly sparking in unexpected ways, these romantic flicks offer plenty of humor and sweet yearning.
Whether you’re after a classic rom-com, a modern favourite you may have missed, or a heartwarming story to watch with some popcorn one evening, the five movies on this list are perfect picks. Here are the top best friends-to-lovers movies you can stream right now.
‘Plus One’ (2019)
If someone asked me for my favorite romance movies, “Plus One” would definitely be on that list. This flick captures the messy, bittersweet reality of falling in love, favoring emotional honesty over neat, fantastical resolutions while embracing the awkwardness of going to weddings alone. Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine also have an incredible amount of charm when they’re together on screen, giving their characters a very relaxed type of chemistry.
“Plus One” follows longtime single friends Ben (Quaid) and Alice (Erskine), who reconnect as they enter a seemingly endless wedding season with no dates in sight. To save face and avoid going alone, they agree to be each other’s “plus one” at every ceremony they’re invited to, which includes shared hotel rooms and the parade of ceremonies together. As they attend one wedding after another, their easy companionship, mutual support and shared experiences lead them to spend more time together than they expected, ultimately reshaping their relationship in surprising ways.
Stream "Plus One" on Hulu now
‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ (1997)
“My Best Friend’s Wedding” hones in on the idea that a deep, loving friendship can be just as meaningful as a romantic relationship, which is a concept few rom-coms have explored. What makes it different in the genre, though, is its willingness to take risks rather than follow the expected path, making it the perfect comfort watch for a cozy winter evening. In fact, this is probably one of the earlier movies that started the friends-to-lovers trend, so it's definitely worth adding to your watchlist.
When New York food critic Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts) learns that her longtime friend Michael (Dermot Mulroney) is about to marry a younger woman, she is stunned to realize her own feelings for him only days before the wedding. Michael and Julianne have been close friends since college, and she impulsively flies to Chicago to try to stop the nuptials. Accepted as maid of honor by Michael’s bride-to-be, Kimmy (Cameron Diaz), Julianne hatches a series of schemes to disrupt the celebration.
Buy/rent "My Best Friend’s Wedding" on Amazon now
‘Love, Rosie’ (2014)
Another strong contender on my list of favorite romance flicks is “Love, Rosie.” It’s an incredibly bittersweet story, as you not only watch the romantic connection between two best friends blossom early on, but also feel the frustration of their initial dishonesty with each other throughout the course of the movie. Over the years, missed opportunities accumulate, making the ending all the more rewarding.
“Love, Rosie” follows childhood best friends Rosie Dunne (Lily Collins) and Alex Stewart (Sam Claflin), who have been inseparable since they were five. After a youthful misunderstanding and a series of life choices, their paths diverge when Alex moves to the United States for school while Rosie remains in England. Despite distance, new relationships and different careers, the two stay connected through messages and chance encounters. Over the years, they try to build separate lives while their bond persists.
Buy/rent "Love, Rosie" on Amazon now
‘13 Going on 30’ (2004)
I think everyone and their mother has probably heard of “13 Going on 30,” and for good reason. This romantic comedy embraces the friends-to-lovers trope in a heartwarming way while also celebrating girlhood and staying true to yourself amid growing up. It’s not a flawless movie and doesn’t break new ground (since the plot is predictable and surprises are few), but it’s polished, stylish, and enjoyable to watch even years later.
In 1987, awkward 13‑year‑old Jenna Rink (Jennifer Garner) dreams of being popular and grown up, wishing to be “thirty, flirty, and thriving.” After a humiliating birthday party, her wish magically comes true, and she wakes up the next day as a 30‑year‑old woman living in Manhattan with a successful career, fabulous wardrobe and glamorous life she’s always imagined. But Jenna soon realizes she has no memory of the years that passed, and that she’s lost touch with her childhood best friend, Matt (Mark Ruffalo). As she experiences her new adult world, Jenna seeks him out and tries to understand how her life unfolded.
Stream "13 Going on 30" on Hulu now
‘What If’ (2013)
When I’m in need of a serious mood boost, there are a few movies I always go back to, and “What If” (or “The F Word,” depending on where you’re watching) tops that list. Sure, the plot is pretty standard rom-com fare, but the movie works because of its leads. Daniel Radcliffe, just coming off “Harry Potter,” is surprisingly perfect as a charming, relatable romantic lead, making the whole movie feel especially endearing. You just can't go wrong.
“What If” follows Wallace (Radcliffe), a medical‑school dropout in Toronto who, after a series of failed relationships, isn’t interested in dating. At a party, he meets Chantry (Zoe Kazan), a witty animator who already has a long‑term boyfriend, and they strike up an immediate connection. Despite her relationship, Wallace and Chantry begin spending time together and become close friends. As their conversations, outings and shared experiences continue, the chemistry between them becomes harder to ignore, leading both to grapple with their feelings for each other and question whether their friendship might be something more.
Buy/rent "What If" on Amazon now
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