There’s something undeniably heartwarming and relatable about watching two best friends slowly realize their true feelings for each other on the big screen. The journey from platonic friendship to romance is filled with humor, awkwardness, missed chances, and ultimately, a satisfying happily ever after.
These 25 movies perfectly capture all the ups and downs of best friends falling in love. From iconic 80s and 90s rom-coms to more recent flicks, these films will make you laugh, cry, and root for the central couple to finally get together. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and enjoy the best movies about friends-turned-lovers.
25. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
13 Going on 30 follows 13-year-old Jenna who makes a wish to be “30, flirty, and thriving.” She magically wakes up as her 30-year-old self, a successful magazine editor in NYC. Jenna reconnects with her childhood best friend Matt, realizing he may be more than just a friend. Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo’s sweet chemistry carries this charming “be careful what you wish for” story.
24. Love, Rosie (2014)
Rosie and Alex have been best friends since childhood in Love, Rosie, based on the novel Where Rainbows End. Though their lives take them in different directions, from England to the US, they can’t deny their true feelings. Leads Lily Collins and Sam Claflin make you believe in their epic, meant-to-be love story, even through years of bad timing and missed opportunities.
23. Just Friends (2005)
In Just Friends, formerly overweight high school student Chris returns home 10 years later as a handsome, successful music executive. He hopes to finally romance his childhood crush and best friend Jamie. But old insecurities and new complications hilariously get in the way. Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart sell the goofy yet heartfelt friends-to-lovers storyline.
22. Keeping the Faith (2000)
Keeping the Faith centers on two childhood best friends – a priest and a rabbi – who both fall for their other best friend Anna when she moves back to town. This unique romantic comedy explores questions of faith, friendship and love. Ben Stiller, Edward Norton and Jenna Elfman shine in the lead roles, making both the humor and heart feel genuine.
21. The F Word (2013)
Medical school dropout Wallace falls for his best friend Chantry in The F Word (released as What If in some countries). The only problem? She’s already living with her longtime boyfriend. Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan have effortless, adorable chemistry as Wallace and Chantry navigate the complicated line between friendship and romance.
20. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
A classic 80s teen rom-com, Some Kind of Wonderful follows working class high school student Keith as he pursues the popular and wealthy Amanda. Meanwhile, Keith’s tomboy best friend Watts secretly pines for him. Eric Stoltz, Lea Thompson, and Mary Stuart Masterson form a realistically messy love triangle in this John Hughes-written film.
19. Love & Basketball (2000)
Childhood friends Monica and Quincy share a passion for basketball as they grow up next door to each other in Love & Basketball. From competing on the court to falling in love off of it, their relationship goes through many phases. Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps’ natural bond makes this unique sports-themed romance a slam dunk.
18. Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
Lifelong platonic friends Zack and Miri decide to make an adult film to solve their money problems in Zack and Miri Make a Porno. But once the cameras start rolling, they realize they may feel more for each other than they thought. Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks bring director Kevin Smith’s raunchy yet sweet script to life.
17. Flipped (2010)
Flipped, based on the novel by Wendelin Van Draanen, follows neighbors Juli and Bryce from grade school to junior high. Juli instantly flips for Bryce, while he tries to avoid her crush. But as they grow up, so do their feelings. This coming-of-age romance, starring Madeline Carroll and Callan McAuliffe, perfectly captures the butterflies of first love.
16. The Duff (2015)
In The Duff, Bianca is horrified to learn her classmates consider her the “designated ugly fat friend” compared to her two besties. She enlists her neighbor and childhood friend Wesley to give her a makeover. But in the process, they may just makeunder each other’s hearts. Mae Whitman and Robbie Amell’s witty banter gives this teen rom-com a John Hughes vibe.
15. Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
Small town girl Rosalee wins a contest to go on a date with movie star Tad Hamilton in Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!. But Rosalee’s best friend Pete realizes his true feelings and tries to win her over before Tad can. Kate Bosworth, Topher Grace, and Josh Duhamel form a charmingly awkward love triangle in this sweet, quirky comedy.
14. Sleeping with Other People (2015)
Sleeping with Other People follows serial cheater Jake and love addict Lainey, who lost their virginities to each other in college. When they meet 12 years later at a sex addicts meeting, they vow to keep their relationship platonic. But that’s easier said than done. Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie sizzle with sexy, snarky chemistry in this raunchy yet romantic comedy.
13. The Switch (2010)
Neurotic Wally has always carried a torch for his best friend Kassie in The Switch. When Kassie decides to have a baby via sperm donor, a drunk Wally accidentally switches the donor’s sample with his own. Seven years later, Wally meets Kassie’s son and realizes the truth. Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman bring both laughs and heart to this unconventional family rom-com.
12. One Day (2011)
Based on the bestselling novel, One Day checks in with best friends Emma and Dexter every year on the anniversary of the day they met, July 15th. Over 20 years, they go from bickering buddies to almost lovers to something more. Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess make you believe in their characters’ epic, imperfect love story.
11. Definitely, Maybe (2008)
Will tells his young daughter the story of how he met her mother in Definitely, Maybe, while changing names so she has to guess which of his three great loves he ends up with. One of those loves is his college best friend Emily. Their journey from friends to something more is realistically messy and complicated. Ryan Reynolds and Elizabeth Banks make an adorably neurotic pair.
10. No Strings Attached (2011)
Emma and Adam have been friends for years when they decide to start a “friends with benefits” arrangement in No Strings Attached. But soon, pesky feelings threaten their pact to keep things casual. Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher’s goofy, grounded chemistry elevates this raunchy rom-com beyond its familiar premise.
9. Clueless (1995)
Clueless gives Jane Austen’s Emma a modern makeover. Cher is a rich, popular high school student who loves to play matchmaker. She gives new girl Tai a makeover, not realizing Tai has eyes for Cher’s ex. Meanwhile, Cher slowly falls for her ex-stepbrother Josh, her verbal sparring partner. Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd make this iconic odd couple pairing work.
8. Made of Honor (2008)
Womanizer Tom realizes he’s in love with his best friend Hannah, but not before she gets engaged to a Scottish duke in Made of Honor. Hannah asks Tom to be her “maid” of honor, and he vows to stop the wedding. Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan are a delightful duo in this sweet, silly spin on the classic rom-com setup.
7. Just Wright (2010)
Physical therapist Leslie gets a dream job working with NBA star Scott in Just Wright. Leslie’s gorgeous best friend Morgan also has her eye on Scott. But when Scott is injured, he starts to see Leslie in a new light. Queen Latifah and Common have lovely, laid-back chemistry in this charming romance.
6. Something Borrowed (2011)
Rachel has always lived in the shadow of her best friend Darcy. But after her 30th birthday, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy’s fiancé Dex, whom she’s had a crush on since law school, in Something Borrowed. The love triangle between Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, and Colin Egglesfield is messy yet relatable.
5. The Best Man (1999)
Harper is thrilled to be the best man at his friend Lance’s wedding in The Best Man. But he’s thrown when he realizes the maid of honor is Jordan, whom he had an intense fling with in college. Old feelings and new complications arise. Taye Diggs and Nia Long’s chemistry heats up the screen in this funny, dramatic romance.
4. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
When Julianne learns her best friend Michael is getting married, she realizes she’s actually in love with him in My Best Friend’s Wedding. She sets out to sabotage the wedding and win him over. Julia Roberts and Dermot Mulroney make a great will-they-or-won’t-they pair in this classic romantic comedy.
3. Friends with Benefits (2011)
Dylan and Jamie think they can add sex to their friendship without any messy feelings in Friends with Benefits. Spoiler alert: they can’t. Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis’ sexy, snarky banter drives this fast-paced rom-com. The flash mob scene is an all-timer.
2. Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Childhood best friends Sasha and Marcus have a falling out and don’t speak for 15 years in Always Be My Maybe. When they reconnect as adults, the old sparks are still there, but so are old wounds. Ali Wong and Randall Park are an instantly iconic rom-com duo, and the Keanu Reeves cameo is chef’s kiss.
1. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Can men and women ever really be “just friends”? That’s the central question of When Harry Met Sally, the gold standard of friends-to-lovers romantic comedies. Harry and Sally start as bickering acquaintances who become best friends and eventually soulmates. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan’s crackling chemistry and Nora Ephron’s endlessly quotable screenplay make this an all-time classic.
From the 80s to today, watching best friends fall in love never gets old. These movies perfectly capture the unique, electric chemistry that can blossom between two people who know each other inside and out. Whether it takes months or years, the journey from friendship to romance is always filled with humor, heart, and so many feels. That’s why we’ll never get tired of watching BFFs become so much more.
