Movies like
Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.
The Idea of You works as a romance movie with a point of view—fans quote moments, but they also argue about what the film is actually saying about power, desire, or survival. The romance and drama blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.
Runtime 1h 56m · ★ 7.3
Mood
Streaming (US)
Era
Showing 10 of 10 picks
★ 6.7 · Drama · Comedy · Romance · 1h 41m
Why you'll love it
About a Boy (2002) operates in the same romance as The Idea of You, but with its own distinct voice and pacing. The funny payoff will feel satisfyingly familiar without retreading the same ground.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)
Apple TV Store(Rent)
Google Play Movies(Rent)
YouTube(Rent)
Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Google Play Movies(Buy)
★ 6.6 · Drama · Romance · Comedy · 1h 42m
Why you'll love it
The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015) belongs to the same conversation as The Idea of You — both anchor their romance in drama emotion that doesn't let go. The funny undercurrent connects them more than any plot summary would suggest.
Watch on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 6.4 · Romance · Comedy · Drama · 2h 4m
Why you'll love it
If The Idea of You's romance stayed with you, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025) delivers the same sensation through an entirely different story. The drama through-line is the real common thread between them.
Watch on
Peacock Premium
Peacock Premium PlusAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)
FlixFling(Rent)
★ 6.4 · Comedy · Drama · Romance · 1h 35m
Why you'll love it
Where The Idea of You excels in romance, Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015) doubles down on drama to comparable effect. The tonal similarities run deep enough that watching both back-to-back feels intentional.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)
Spectrum On Demand(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 5.9 · Comedy · Drama · Romance · 1h 31m
Why you'll love it
Cyrus (2010) is the natural next step after The Idea of You: same romance DNA, different perspective. The funny streak and drama elevate it well above a simple genre exercise.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Google Play Movies(Buy)
★ 6.1 · Drama · Comedy · Romance · 1h 26m
Why you'll love it
Fans of The Idea of You who respond to its romance will find Chéri (2009) immediately familiar. Both films share a drama sensibility without ever feeling like carbon copies of each other.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Google Play Movies(Buy)
★ 6.2 · Comedy · Drama · Romance · 2h 7m
Why you'll love it
There's a reason The Idea of You fans keep landing on Waiting to Exhale (1995) — the romance is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.
Watch on
Hulu
Starz Apple TV Channel
Starz Roku Premium ChannelAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)
★ 6.6 · Comedy · Drama · Romance · 1h 35m
Why you'll love it
Venus draws from the same romance well as The Idea of You, channeling drama in ways that feel unmistakably related. The 2006 film makes a natural companion watch — similar in spirit but distinctly its own.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Google Play Movies(Buy)
★ 6.4 · Comedy · Drama · Romance · 1h 44m
Why you'll love it
Being Julia (2004) captures the romance appeal of The Idea of You without simply imitating it. The drama streak running through both films is what puts Being Julia at the top of any "if you liked…" shortlist.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Google Play Movies(Buy)
★ 7.4 · Drama · Romance · 1h 47m
Why you'll love it
The romance appeal of The Idea of You — that bittersweet edge, the drama — translates cleanly into One Day (2011). Different setting, same essential satisfaction.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)FlixFling(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Browse every "movies like" page on the site—including ones still waiting to be indexed.