If you loved the emotional depth, complex relationships, and poignant dialogue of the 2023 film What Happens Later, you’re probably eager to find more movies that deliver a similar viewing experience. Starring Meg Ryan and David Duchovny as two exes who have an unexpected reunion at an airport, What Happens Later is a touching exploration of love, loss, and second chances.
To help you find your next favorite film in this vein, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 best movies like What Happens Later. From beloved classics to hidden gems, these picks all share key qualities with the Meg Ryan-directed drama – nuanced characters, thoughtful writing, and a focus on the joys and challenges of romantic relationships. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the genre or just looking for a moving story, you’re sure to find a new favorite among these heartfelt films.
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman, this mind-bending sci-fi romance follows a couple (played by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet) who erase each other from their memories after a painful breakup. As the procedure unfolds, Joel (Carrey) journeys through his mind and relives the significant moments of their relationship.
Like What Happens Later, Eternal Sunshine offers a poignant meditation on the nature of love and the lasting impact of past relationships. Its inventive visuals and non-linear structure make for a truly unique viewing experience, while Carrey and Winslet’s performances bring raw emotion and vulnerability. If you enjoyed the introspective tone and exploration of memory in What Happens Later, this modern classic is a must-watch.
2. Lost in Translation (2003)
Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation stars Bill Murray as a fading movie star and Scarlett Johansson as a neglected young wife. Both feeling alienated and adrift in Tokyo, they forge an unlikely bond and help each other navigate their uncertain futures.
With its quiet, melancholic atmosphere and focus on two characters at a crossroads, Lost in Translation shares notable similarities with What Happens Later. Murray and Johansson’s performances perfectly capture the sense of loneliness and disconnection felt by their characters, while the film’s Tokyo setting provides a vivid backdrop for their emotional journeys. If you were moved by the themes of human connection and self-discovery in What Happens Later, you’ll find Lost in Translation equally resonant.
3. Before Sunrise (1995)
The first installment in Richard Linklater’s acclaimed Before trilogy, Before Sunrise chronicles the chance meeting and whirlwind romance between an American man (Ethan Hawke) and a French woman (Julie Delpy) who cross paths on a train in Europe. Over the course of one magical night in Vienna, they wander the city streets and engage in intimate conversations about love, life, and everything in between.
Fans of What Happens Later will appreciate Before Sunrise‘s emphasis on dialogue and the palpable chemistry between its two leads. Hawke and Delpy’s effortless rapport makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a real couple, and their philosophical musings lend the film a rare depth and intelligence. If you enjoyed the walk-and-talk scenes and romantic tension of What Happens Later, Before Sunrise offers a similar experience in a picturesque European setting.
4. Blue Valentine (2010)
Blue Valentine is an unflinching portrait of a marriage in crisis, told through flashbacks that juxtapose the hopeful beginnings of Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy’s (Michelle Williams) relationship with its painful unraveling in the present day. As they navigate the challenges of parenthood, financial strain, and growing resentment, the film asks poignant questions about the nature of love and commitment.
Like What Happens Later, Blue Valentine is a raw and honest exploration of the complexities of long-term relationships. Gosling and Williams both deliver powerhouse performances that lay bare their characters’ vulnerabilities and flaws, making for a viewing experience that is as emotionally taxing as it is ultimately cathartic. If you appreciated the realism and emotional intensity of What Happens Later, Blue Valentine is a natural next watch.
5. Before Sunset (2004)
Set nine years after the events of Before Sunrise, Before Sunset reunites Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) for another walk-and-talk adventure, this time in Paris. Now in their thirties and with more life experience under their belts, they reconnect and reflect on the divergent paths their lives have taken since their first meeting.
Building on the themes and chemistry of its predecessor, Before Sunset offers a more mature and bittersweet take on love and missed connections. Hawke and Delpy’s characters grapple with the weight of their choices and the lingering question of what might have been, making for a poignant meditation on the passage of time. If you were intrigued by the “what if” scenario posed in What Happens Later, Before Sunset takes a similar premise to even more emotionally resonant places.
6. Before Midnight (2013)
The final chapter in the Before trilogy finds Jesse and Celine, now in their forties, on vacation in Greece with their twin daughters. Over the course of a single day, the couple engages in long, meandering conversations that lay bare the joys, frustrations, and compromises of their life together.
Before Midnight is a fitting conclusion to one of cinema’s most beloved romantic sagas, offering a clear-eyed and often painfully honest look at the realities of long-term partnership. Like What Happens Later, it grapples with the complexities of sustaining love and passion over time, and the performances by Hawke and Delpy have only deepened and matured since their first outing. If you appreciated the lived-in feel and emotional authenticity of What Happens Later, Before Midnight is a must-see.
7. Once (2007)
This Irish musical drama stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová as two struggling musicians who meet on the streets of Dublin and forge a powerful connection through their shared love of music. As they collaborate on songs and slowly fall for each other, they must also grapple with the complications posed by their individual pasts and uncertain futures.
Featuring a gorgeous soundtrack of original songs performed by its leads, Once is a simple, unabashedly romantic film that wears its heart on its sleeve. Like What Happens Later, it revels in the small, intimate moments between its characters and the transformative power of human connection. If you were charmed by the low-key vibe and musical elements of What Happens Later, Once offers a similarly enchanting viewing experience.
8. The Lunchbox (2013)
Set in Mumbai, The Lunchbox tells the story of Ila (Nimrat Kaur), a neglected housewife who tries to win back her husband’s affections through her cooking, and Saajan (Irrfan Khan), a lonely widower on the verge of retirement. When a misdelivered lunchbox brings them into contact, they begin a tentative correspondence that gradually deepens into something more.
Quiet, understated, and suffused with a gentle melancholy, The Lunchbox shares What Happens Later‘s interest in the unexpected ways that people can touch each other’s lives. Khan and Kaur’s performances bring a sense of lived-in authenticity to their characters, and the film’s attention to sensory details – the sights, sounds, and smells of Mumbai – creates an immersive viewing experience. If you enjoyed the themes of connection and second chances in What Happens Later, The Lunchbox offers a similarly moving and thought-provoking story.
9. In the Mood for Love (2000)
Wong Kar-wai’s lush, dreamlike romance stars Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung as two neighbors in 1960s Hong Kong who discover that their respective spouses are having an affair. Drawn together by their shared heartbreak and loneliness, they embark on a tentative relationship of their own, even as they struggle to resist the pull of their growing feelings.
Visually stunning and emotionally restrained, In the Mood for Love shares What Happens Later‘s interest in the complexities of adult relationships and the lingering impact of past wounds. Cheung and Leung’s performances are masterful studies in unspoken longing and repressed desire, and the film’s sumptuous cinematography and haunting score create an unforgettable mood. If you were drawn to the themes of love, loss, and missed connections in What Happens Later, In the Mood for Love offers a similarly poetic and profound exploration of the human heart.
10. Sideways (2004)
Alexander Payne’s beloved comedy-drama follows two middle-aged friends – Miles (Paul Giamatti), a depressed teacher and aspiring novelist, and Jack (Thomas Haden Church), a washed-up actor – on a weeklong road trip through California wine country. As they navigate the vineyards and their own personal crises, they forge unexpected connections with two local women (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh) who challenge their assumptions about love and life.
Like What Happens Later, Sideways is a poignant and often hilarious exploration of midlife malaise and the search for meaning and connection. Giamatti and Church’s performances bring depth and nuance to their flawed but endearing characters, while Madsen and Oh provide perfect foils for their antics. If you enjoyed the mix of humor and heartbreak in What Happens Later, Sideways offers a similarly bittersweet and ultimately uplifting viewing experience.
11. Enough Said (2013)
Nicole Holofcener’s charming romantic comedy stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Eva, a divorced masseuse who begins dating Albert (James Gandolfini), a sweet but schlubby TV archivist. As their relationship deepens, Eva also befriends Marianne (Catherine Keener), a poet who happens to be Albert’s ex-wife, and finds herself torn between her new love and the temptation to gossip about him behind his back.
With its sharp wit, relatable characters, and insightful observations about the challenges of dating in middle age, Enough Said shares What Happens Later‘s interest in the messy realities of modern relationships. Louis-Dreyfus and Gandolfini’s performances are a delight, and their chemistry feels both surprising and utterly natural. If you appreciated the humor and emotional honesty of What Happens Later, Enough Said offers a similarly warm and wise take on love and second chances.
12. Like Crazy (2011)
Drake Doremus’s intimate, largely improvised drama follows the on-again, off-again romance between Jacob (Anton Yelchin), an American furniture designer, and Anna (Felicity Jones), a British college student. After Anna overstays her visa and is banned from the U.S., the two embark on a years-long intercontinental relationship, struggling to maintain their connection across time and distance.
Shot in a raw, naturalistic style and anchored by Yelchin and Jones’s deeply felt performances, Like Crazy shares What Happens Later‘s interest in the challenges and complexities of long-distance love. As Jacob and Anna navigate the ups and downs of their relationship, the film raises poignant questions about the nature of commitment and the sacrifices we make for the people we love. If you were moved by the themes of love and loss in What Happens Later, Like Crazy offers a similarly bittersweet and emotionally resonant viewing experience.
13. Take This Waltz (2011)
Sarah Polley’s sophomore feature stars Michelle Williams as Margot, a freelance writer who finds herself drawn to Daniel (Luke Kirby), a handsome artist who lives across the street, despite her happy marriage to Lou (Seth Rogen), a cookbook author. As Margot and Daniel’s connection deepens, she is forced to confront her own restlessness and dissatisfaction, and to make a choice between the comfort of the familiar and the excitement of the unknown.
With its dreamy, sun-drenched visuals and its sensitive exploration of the complexities of long-term relationships, Take This Waltz shares What Happens Later‘s interest in the emotional lives of its characters. Williams’s performance is a marvel of quiet desperation and yearning, and Rogen and Kirby provide able support as the two men vying for her affections. If you appreciated the nuanced portrayal of adult relationships in What Happens Later, Take This Waltz offers a similarly thoughtful and emotionally honest viewing experience.
14. The One I Love (2014)
Charlie McDowell’s mind-bending romantic drama stars Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss as Ethan and Sophie, a married couple on the brink of separation who embark on a weekend getaway to try to salvage their relationship. When they arrive at the secluded vacation house, however, they discover that it harbors a strange and mysterious secret that forces them to confront their deepest desires and fears.
Part relationship drama, part psychological thriller, The One I Love shares What Happens Later‘s interest in the hidden depths and complexities of long-term partnerships. Duplass and Moss’s performances are a masterclass in subtle emotional shading, and the film’s twisty, surreal premise allows for a profound exploration of the nature of love and identity. If you were intrigued by the themes of memory and second chances in What Happens Later, The One I Love offers a similarly thought-provoking and emotionally resonant viewing experience.
15. The Spectacular Now (2013)
James Ponsoldt’s coming-of-age drama stars Miles Teller as Sutter, a charming but aimless high school senior who unexpectedly falls for Aimee (Shailene Woodley), a shy, bookish classmate. As their relationship deepens, Sutter is forced to confront his own fears and insecurities, and to grapple with the legacy of his absent father (Kyle Chandler).
With its sensitive portrayal of young love and its honest exploration of the challenges of growing up, The Spectacular Now shares What Happens Later‘s interest in the transformative power of human connection. Teller and Woodley’s performances are raw and vulnerable, and the film’s naturalistic style lends it a rare sense of authenticity. If you appreciated the themes of self-discovery and emotional growth in What Happens Later, The Spectacular Now offers a similarly poignant and ultimately hopeful viewing experience.
Whether you’re a fan of classic romances or edgy indie dramas, there’s something on this list for everyone who loved What Happens Later. From the dreamy nostalgia of Before Sunrise to the bittersweet realism of Blue Valentine, these films all share a deep and abiding interest in the complexities of the human heart. So grab some tissues, settle in, and get ready to fall in love with some of the most moving and memorable romances of the past few decades.
