If you’re looking to fall in love from the comfort of your couch this weekend, you may be tempted to check out Celine Song’s star-studded, steamy new romcom “Materialists” on HBO Max. Pedro Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans had so much chemistry in the interviews they did for “Materialists” that came across my social media feed, I thought surely those sparks would carry over into the movie. Especially after Song knocked it out of the park with her directorial debut (which also made this list).
But I’m sad to say that both the romance and comedy in “Materialists” leave a lot to be desired.
“Materialists” arrived on HBO Max on Friday (November 7), but if you’re looking for a romcom to lose yourself in this weekend, I’ve got some other recommendations that actually deserve a spot on your watchlist. If you’ve already streamed it (or you dodged it because of the reviews), here are five movies like “Materialists” that won’t waste your precious streaming time.
Listen, just because I wasn’t a fan of “Materialists” doesn’t mean I’m a Dakota Johnson hater. Case in point, I adored her in “Am I OK?”, the queer milennial coming of age rom-com I didn’t know I needed.
Co-directed by comedians and real-life partners Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne, “Am I OK?” stars Johnson as Lucy, a 32-year-old in Los Angeles who, after a lifetime of crappy relationships with men, realizes she’s a lesbian. While Lucy’s best friend Jane (Sonoya Mizuno) is supportive, she already has her hands full getting ready to move halfway across the country. This shake-up throws Lucy into a deep tailspin of self-doubt as she navigates the challenges of coming out later in life on her own, without the safety net she’s relied on.
Watch “Am I OK?” on HBO Max now
Song’s directorial debut, “Past Live,s” was one of my favorite movies of 2023. This semi-autobiographical romantic drama stars Greta Lee and Teo Yoo as Nora and Hae Sung, two childhood sweethearts who fall out of touch after Nora’s family immigrates to New York City. Hae Sung visits her decades later, after she’s already married to Arthur (John Magaro), but their reunion stirs up old feelings neither can ignore.
“Past Lives” isn’t a typical love triangle film since the rivalry doesn’t emerge until halfway through, yet it hits just as hard emotionally in this heartbreaking tale of lost love.
Watch “Past Lives” on Netflix now
I have such a soft spot for messy romance movies, and “Challengers” is about as messy as it gets. Granted, it leans more romantic drama than romcom, but if the love triangle in “Materialists” is what drew you in, then you’ll want to add this to your watchlist. (Fun fact: It’s written by Song’s husband, Justin Kuritzkes!)
Zendaya stars as Tashi Duncan, a rising tennis prodigy who meets best friends and fellow tennis prodigies Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor) at a high school tournament. The chemistry between them is electric, but Tashi teases that she’ll only give her number to whoever takes home the trophy. Though Patrick comes out on top, a bitter fight derails their relationship.
Years later, Tashi and Art reconnect, marry, and unexpectedly cross paths with Patrick at a new tournament for a showdown none of them will ever forget.
Watch “Challengers” on Prime Video now
Known as “The F Word” in certain markets, “What If” follows Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe) and Chantry (Zoe Kazan), who meet at a house party and sparks fly. Their banter feels effortless, and it seems like the start of a whirlwind romance. The only problem is that Chantry already has a boyfriend.
Later, a chance encounter at a movie theater brings them back together, and the two become close friends. But as Wallace’s crush deepens into something more, both begin to wonder if they’ll be stuck staying friends forever. You don’t have to be a seasoned romcom fan to see where this will-they/won’t-they dynamic is going, but these movies are more about the journey than the destination anyway, and it’s an undeniably fun ride.
Watch “What If” on Netflix now
Nancy Meyers is one of the undisputed titans of romantic movies, and “It’s Complicated” delivers her signature trifecta of romance, comedy, and envy-inspiring kitchens.
Meryl Streep stars as Jane Adler, a successful bakery owner and divorcée still getting the hang of the whole “empty-nesting” thing. She throws herself into renovating her home with her dream kitchen, but doesn’t expect to fall for the cute architect Adam (Steve Martin) leading the project. Their budding romance comes under fire when Jane starts hooking up with her ex (Alec Baldwin), who left her for a younger woman. Meyers’ signature style and charm make “It’s Complicated” a somewhat predictable but still delectable treat.
