Since Project Hail Mary just had the biggest opening weekend among the 2026 movie releases so far, of course there’s an uptick in love for Ryan Gosling and interest in seeing the actor’s other great movies from over the years. One of his most hilarious films is currently available to stream with a Netflix subscription, but only for a short time.

A Hilarious Ryan Gosling Movie Is On Netflix, But Not For Long

The movie I’m talking about is 2011’s Crazy, Stupid, Love. It also stars Steve Carell, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon. It’s one of the best rom-coms of all time that I’ve honestly watched so many times, but if you haven’t seen it and have Netflix, now is a good time to check it out.

Steve Carell’s Cal Weaver is the movie's main character, who is freshly going through a divorce and trying to get back out there. (It’s pretty accurate to that whole experience, too). While hanging out at a bar one night, he meets Ryan Gosling’s character, Jacob Palmer, who is pretty much a pro at picking up women and has a very healthy, unattached sex life. Jacob decides to take Cal under his wing to teach him hisways, and the whole ride is so, so funny!

If you go on Netflix right now, you’ll see that the last day to watch Crazy, Stupid, Love is March 31. So if you want to stream it on the platform, hurry up and do so! However, if you do have HBO Max, you may be in luck. It’s currently on that platform as well, and we don’t have any indication that it’s leaving at the moment.

Where To Watch The Project Hail Mary Star’s Other Best Comedies

If you’re looking for other funny Ryan Gosling movies to check out at home now that Project Hail Mary warmed your heart, check out where to watch five of his best comedies.

Of all of Ryan Gosling’s comedies, Crazy, Stupid, Love, is probably the most obvious of them. La La Land, for example is a musical, and has some dramatic elements, The Nice Guys is a funny crime film, and Barbie, well, is Barbie. The Fall Guy is a stylish action comedy, and Lars and the Real Girl is a dark comedy that actually gets really emotional.

Anyways, no matter what you decide to watch, all this is a great reminder of how talented Ryan Gosling is. He really brings a lot of goofiness to Project Hail Mary, especially for a movie about a man in a suicide mission in space to help reverse the apocalypse. Hey, that’s not easy to do! Well, see you at the movies (whether it’s at home or on the big screen).

Weirdly enough, I had zero idea Crazy, Stupid, Love was about divorce when I fired it up with my Netflix subscription. Not that it would've impacted my decision, but just to say I was drawn in by the talented cast, the fact that I knew it was an acclaimed movie, and I had a desire to watch a good movie. I enjoyed it a lot, and I think I would've enjoyed it a few years ago as well, though I know I would've walked away with a different feeling, having not gone through a divorce myself.

I wouldn't call this Steve Carell-led film a breakup movie, but I would say it's very relatable to middle-aged men with kids who went through a divorce. I've been in the game long enough to know there's more than a few of us out there, so for those who never watched, here's what I thought the movie got right.

Cal Hanging Out In A Bar Looking Out Of Place Is So Real

The moment I saw Cal sitting in a bar post-divorce, I knew whoever wrote this movie understood what it's like to be in this real-life situation. It's not just that he's at a bar, sad, it's that he looks out of place, unsure of what he should be doing, and is mostly sticking to himself. For me, it was the feeling of knowing you need to be out there, but not actually wanting to be.

When I first got divorced, my partying and "going out" days were long behind me. I legitimately hadn't been to a bar by myself at that point, possibly ever, and I was in my 30s. I was definitely Cal, sitting awkwardly at the bar and eavesdropping on what's going on around me at the start of my divorce, but eventually, I grew out of it.

Everyone Goes Through That Awkward Phase Of Losing Friends For Various Reasons

It's funny that Crazy, Stupid, Love is considered one of the best Romantic comedies, when it really dives deeply into the unfortunate issues in divorce. I think one that gets joked about in pop culture a lot, but I didn't realize how true it was, is losing friends. Maybe not like how Bernie told Cal they couldn't hang out anymore because his wife told him to side with his ex Emily in the divorce, but not far off.

I've found that while I've had plenty of great friends stick around, there are some that simply aren't interested in hanging out now that you're no longer a couple. I get it, it's a lot easier when the husband and wife have corresponding partners to talk to, rather than just one. Still, it can suck to realize the situation has changed both ways, and maybe you aren't as close as you thought you once were.

People Can Change Once They Find The Right Relationship

Ryan Gosling's Jacob is a playboy and capable of being pretty mean without even trying. Of course, one of the best parts of Crazy, Stupid, Love is when he actually finds love, only to learn Cal is the father of the woman he may have found true love with.

While Cal is of the mind that people don't change, the audience and Jacob realize that he has. "When you know, you know" is how the phrase goes, and while it may not always mean a lasting love, there's no denying when things feel right. I couldn't help but cheer when Cal begrudgingly accepted Jacob dating his daughter, even if he wasn't 100% on board with it.

All in all, I loved the parts of Crazy, Stupid, Love that I could relate to, and recommend anyone who thinks they can do the same catch it on Netflix right now. It may not get every aspect right or speak to everyone's divorce in the same way, but it's still a great movie and one of Ryan Gosling's best, in my opinion.

From "You had me at hello" to "I'm also just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her," the best romantic comedies are full of swoon-worthy quotes and memorable one-liners. However, while popular rom-coms like all the best Julia Roberts movies, Meg Ryan classics and Reese Witherspoon favorites are generally packed with feel-good moments, sometimes they feature scenes of heartbreak, conflict, bad attitudes and poor behavior, which can often mean people saying quite hurtful things to each other. Here are 32 of the meanest things said to someone in a rom-com.

"Why Should I Listen To You, Anyway? You're A Virgin Who Can't Drive" - Clueless

Written by Amy Heckerling, the script for the '90s classic Clueless is full of iconic quotes and youthful slang. But one of the most brutal adolescent takedowns comes surprisingly from sweet transfer student-turned-cool girl Tai Frasier (Brittany Murphy), who manages to insult our leading lady Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) for not only the status of her virginity but also for failing her driver's test. Way harsh, Tai!

"That Was Yesterday. Today You're Just Some Girl Who Broke My Heart And Cut Up My Mother's Wedding Dress." - 27 Dresses

Katherine Heigl's Jane might be always a bridesmaid, never a bride, for much of the 2008 comedy 27 Dresses, but she's largely supportive of all of the newlyweds around her, even deeming to don some truly awful gowns as part of their bridal parties. However, when her own sister Tess (Malin Åkerman) manipulates her way into a proposal from the man Jane loves—all while wearing a chopped-up version of their mother's wedding dress—Jane rightfully lets her rage out.

"Waiting For You Is Like Waiting For Rain In This Drought. Useless And Disappointing." - A Cinderella Story

Like Cinderella meets You've Got Mail, the 2004 teen rom-com A Cinderella Story revolves around two internet pen pals from opposite ends of their high school's social scene: she, a lowly diner worker named Sam Montgomery (Hilary Duff) and he, the popular quarterback Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray). When their identities are unmasked and Sam is left humiliated, she marches into the football locker room and gives him a talking-to.

"Harry, You're Gonna Have To Move Back To New Jersey Because You've Slept With Everybody In New York And I Don't See That Turning Helen Into A Faint Memory For You." - When Harry Met Sally...

Some of the funniest quotes from the classic Meg Ryan rom-com When Harry Met Sally... feature hilariously charged banter between our titular friends-turned-lovers Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan). But some of the memorable lines from the Rob Reiner-directed, Nora Ephron-penned flick come more from a place of hurt than humor, such as this alfresco argument where they trade some brutally honest feedback about each other's love lives.

"Don't, For One Minute, Think That You Had Any Effect Whatsoever On My Panties." - 10 Things I Hate About You

Julia Stiles's prickly 10 Things I Hate About You protagonist Kat Stratford may protest too much that she's not totally charmed by the persistent interest of bad guy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger). She may declare that the only effect he has is on her "upchuck reflex," but her reaction to that swoon-worthy soccer-field performance of Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" certainly says otherwise.

"Sweetie, Your Skin Is So Dry It's Hurting My Face." - Crazy Rich Asians

To impress the wealthy and judgmental mother (Michelle Yeoh) of her beau, Nick Young (Henry Golding), while attending the lavish Singapore-set wedding of his best friend, Rachel Chu (Costance Wu) gets a much-welcome makeover from Nick's sassy second cousin Oliver T’sien (Nico Santos). Oliver's constructive criticism may have been admittedly harsh, but the reaction to Rachel's stunning wedding look was more than worth it.

"Where's The Cool, Fun, Smart, Beautiful Andie That I Knew? The One That Wanted To Be A Serious Journalist? You're Up, You're Down, You're Here, You're There, You're Like A Frickin' One-Woman Circus." - How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days

To make Matthew McConaughey's Benjamin Barry fall out of love with her, How to Lose a Guy in 10 days heroine Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) begins behaving outrageously: we're talking weeping over a love fern, ruining boys' night, nicknaming his manhood "Princess Sophia," the works. It's unsurprising, then, that Benjamin loudly laments that Andie has chaotically turned into a "one-woman circus" during a fight between the couple.

"Lower. [You're] The Pus That Infects The Mucus... That Cruds Up The Fungus... That Feeds On The Pond Scum. On The Other Hand, Thank You... For Loving Me That Much." - My Best Friend's Wedding

Julia Roberts's Jules Potter exhibits some seriously poor judgment in the 1997 romantic comedy My Best Friend's Wedding, kicking off a campaign to break up the nuptials of her lifelong friend Michael O'Neal (Dermot Mulroney) and his bubbly young bride Kimmy Wallace (Cameron Diaz). When Jules eventually confesses to Michael all of the sabotage she's been up to, he rightly and imaginatively tells her off but then, kindly, forgives his friend immediately.

"You Know What? You Are Rude And Mean And Sloppy And Frizzy. I Don't Like You At All!" - 13 Going on 30

Before leading the rest of the 13 Going on 30 cast into that iconic "Thriller" dance sequence to liven up her company party, Jennifer Garner's Jenna Rink and her co-editor-slash-best friend Lucy Wyman (Judy Greer) get into some words with rival magazine editrix Trish Sackett (Kiersten Warren) of Sparkle magazine. When Trish trashes Poise and tells them to change the publication's name to "Poison or Pitiful, whatever's more pathetic," Jenna partakes in some hilariously innocent smack talk.

"I Love This Man, And There Is No Way I'm Gonna Give Him Up To Some Two-Faced, Big-Haired Food Critic!" - My Best Friend's Wedding

If anyone—even a veritable America's Sweetheart like Julia Roberts—tried to ruin our wedding by smooching the groom, we'd react pretty much exactly like Cameron Diaz does in My Best Friend's Wedding. Her character confronts Roberts's scheming Jules Potter in the women's bathroom of a baseball stadium, and with onlookers cheering her on, Diaz knocks her tirade out of the park.

"I Do Not Need A Blind Date. Particularly Not With Some Verbally Incontinent Spinster Who Drinks Like A Fish, Smokes Like A Chimney, And Dresses Like Her Mother." - Bridget Jones's Diary

Taking inspiration from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Sharon Maguire's beloved 2001 title Bridget Jones's Diary features a similar enemies-to-lovers trajectory for our leading lady Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) and her eventual beau Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). However, after hearing Mark's harsh and haughty words about Bridget upon their first meeting at the Turkey Curry Buffet, we can't totally blame Bridge for initially writing him off as a wanker.

"Get Married, Make Babies! You Look So... Old! - My Big Fat Greek Wedding

A parent's criticism usually comes from a place of love, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt! In 2002's My Big Fat Greek Wedding, 30-year-old Toula Portokalos (actress-screenwriter Nia Vardalos) is living out her spinster days working at her parents' restaurant, with her dad Gus (Michael Constantine) giving her a hard time about settling down with a nice Greek man and making nice Greek babies. Instead, he gets John Corbett!

"If Staying Here Means Working Within 10 Yards Of You, Frankly, I'd Rather Have A Job Wiping Saddam Hussein's Arse." - Bridget Jones's Diary

Since he cheated on her and broke her heart—all while she was humiliatingly dressed as a Playboy Bunny—Bridget Jones' caddish boss-turned-boyfriend Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) deserved every bit of this verbal takedown from our eponymous heroine (Renée Zellweger).

"Do You Prefer 'Fashion Victim' Or 'Ensembly Challenged'? - Clueless

Beloved '90s movie Clueless is as much about the clothes as it is the comedy, with characters like Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone), Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash) and Tai Frasier (Brittany Murphy) decked out in some majorly iconic outfits throughout the funny flick. However, style, or lack thereof, is also the subject of many insults in the movie, especially aimed at Cher's frenemy Amber Mariens (Elisa Donovan).

"Are You The Billionaire Owner Of Apple Computers? No? In That Case, You've Got No Right To Wear New Balance Sneakers, Ever." - Crazy, Stupid, Love.

At the center of the star-studded 2011 ensemble comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love is Cal Weaver (played by Steve Carell), a middle-aged dad and recently separated man who learns how to be more stylish and romantic to attract women. At his side is the debonair womanizer Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), who is fantastically funny and, yes, a little mean with his constructive criticism of Cal's dorky wardrobe.

"I Cannot Believe I Wasted My Prime Reproductive Years On You! I Hope You Have Terrible Karma And Come Back In The Next Life As A Nasty Little Lizard And Get Stepped On By Someone On A Hike! You Are Getting The Finger So Hard Right Now!" - Always Be My Maybe

In the 2019 friends-to-lovers flick Always Be My Maybe, comedienne Ali Wong plays Sasha Tran, a celebrity chef who is engaged to successful restaurateur Brandon Choi (Daniel Dae Kim). However, when Brandon delays their wedding yet again, Sasha brutally breaks up with him over the phone with increasingly colorful language.

"When Was The Last Time You Tweezed?...Ever Watch Sesame Street? You Know Bert?" - She's All That

One of the best makeover scenes in the rom-com genre can be found in the 1999 fan-favorite She's All That, where big-man-on-campus Zack Siler (played by Freddie Prinze Jr.) makes a bet to turn artsy nerd Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook) into the prom queen. That requires ridding Laney of her paint-splattered overalls and thick-rimmed glasses, so Zack enlists his stylish sister Mack (Anna Paquin) to offer some mercilessly worded assistance.

"I Thought You Said She Was Thin?" - Bridget Jones's Diary

It's one thing to have your partner commit infidelity—with the leggy, young coworker from the New York office, no less—but it's another thing entirely when you find out that the leggy, young coworker not only knows about you but also insults you straight to your face. Such is the romantic horror that happens to Bridget Jones, made even worse by the fact that the Brit regularly displays insecurity about her weight throughout the 2001 comedy.

"You With Your Theme Park, Multi-Level, Homogenize-The-World Mochaccino Land. You've Deluded Yourself Into Thinking That You're Some Sort Of Benefactor, Bringing Books To The Masses. But No One Will Ever Remember You, Joe Fox...You Are Nothing But A Suit!" - You've Got Mail

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are two rom-com partners we think are overdue for an onscreen reunion, but in You've Got Mail, their characters couldn't want to spend less time with each other. Ryan plays Kathleen Kelly, who runs the quaint neighborhood bookseller The Shop Around the Corner; Hanks portrays Joe Fox, the head of major bookstore chain Fox Books. Their rivalry cuts deep, as evidenced by Kathleen's harsh words to Joe—but that rivalry soon turns to romance.

"Snap Out Of It!" - Moonstruck

Arguably, the worst reply to you telling someone that you love them is for them to smack you across the face and yell, "Snap out of it!" Though not the most romantic response to a declaration of love, the scene did cement Moonstruck as one of Cher's best movies, with the music icon winning an Oscar for playing a widowed Italian American woman who falls in love with her fiancé's estranged younger brother (played by Nicolas Cage).

"I Love Your Sweater. Does That Come In A V-Neck?" - The 40-Year-Old Virgin

The infamous waxing scene from The 40-Year-Old Virgin is the stuff of comedy legend, with Paul Rudd previously revealing that all of the actors' reactions were genuine as they watched star Steve Carell get his chest hair ripped off IRL. Making things even funnier is the savage, on-the-spot jokes that the cast came up with while watching the body-wax horror before them, including Rudd declaring that Carell's exceptionally hairy torso resembled a pullover sweater.

"Yeah, You Just Take Soupy-Sales To Prom I Can Think Of So Many Cooler Things To Do That Night. Like, You Know What, Bleek? I Might Pumice My Feet, Uh, I Might Go To Bren's Unitarian Church, Maybe Get Hit By A Truck Full Of Hot Garbage Juice, You Know? Cause All Those Things, Would Be Exponentially Cooler Than Going To Prom With You!" - Juno

The quirky love story between 16-year-old high-schooler Juno MacGuff (played by Elliot Page) and her track-team BFF Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera) is certainly an unconventional one, seeing as how the teen girl falls pregnant with his baby before they've even begun dating. But just because they weren't technically together doesn't mean that Juno didn't clearly harbor romantic feelings for her longtime pal, as she gets plenty jealous when Paulie asks another girl to prom.

"I've Never Met Anyone So Manipulative, So Deceitful, And I'm in Politics!" - Sweet Home Alabama

They say you never forget your first love and that's certainly true for Melanie Smooter (Reese Witherspoon), the small-town girl turned big-city fashion designer who left her Alabama hometown as well as her estranged husband Jake Perry (played by Josh Lucas and not Matthew McConaughey, despite popular belief) behind. However, years later, at her wedding to the wealthy Andrew Hennings (Patrick Demsey), she not only comes clean about her rural roots but also her lingering feelings for Jake. It goes without saying that Andrew's powerful mother, New York City mayor Kate Hennings (Candice Bergen), is not pleased to hear about Melanie's deception.

"You Didn't Think You Became Popular For Real, Did You? Oh, You Did? That's So Sweet." - She's All That

A late-'90s retelling of Pygmalion, She's All That centers on Zack Siler (Freddie Prinze Jr.), a popular jock who boasts he could make any girl at his high school popular. His buddy Deah (Paul Walker) suggests artsy outsider Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook) and, using his own popularity as well as a strategic makeover as a status boost, Zack manages to get Laney nominated for prom queen. However, when the bet is revealed to Laney, Zack's ex-girlfriend Taylor (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe) digs the knife in even further with her cruel words.

"You Are Afraid To Be Alive. You Are Afraid To Live. You're A Hypocrite. You're A Conformist. You're A Liar. I Opened Up To You And You Judged Me." - Silver Linings Playbook

Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar-winning performance as widow Tiffany Maxwell in Silver Linings Playbook is an unflinchingly alive and bracingly funny one. Equal parts volatile and vulnerable, Tiffany is not one to back down from a fight, and that's certainly the case in this scene-causing blowup between her and Bradley Cooper's Pat Solitano Jr.

"I've Never Treated You Like A Prostitute." - Pretty Woman

With all of its Roy Orbison-soundtracked shopping montages and flower-filled grand gestures, it's easy to forget at times that Pretty Women is very much about a street worker, a fact that Richard Gere's Edward Lewis unkindly reminds street walker Vivian Ward (a dazzling Julia Roberts) of after offering her an apartment, a car and money with which to take care of herself—everything but his heart.

"It's Sentimental Tacky Crap! Do We Look Like The Kind Of Store That Sells 'I Just Called to Say I Love You'? Go To The Mall." - High Fidelity

The Jon Cusack-led rom-com High Fidelity centers on the romantic antics of record-store manager Rob Gordon, and along with offering up a fittingly fantastic soundtrack, the 2000 title is filled with memorable music-related moments. Several of them revolve around Rob's Championship Vinyl cohorts Dick (Todd Louiso) and Barry (Jack Black), the latter of whom does not hold back when it comes to rudely judging their customers' musical tastes.

"You Old, She Pregnant. Can't Have A Bunch Of Old Pregnant Women Running Around!" - Knocked Up

This interaction from Judd Apatow's Knocked Up is actually doubly mean, as it kicks off with Leslie Mann's mom-of-two Debbie hilariously rages against a nightclub bouncer (Craig Robinson) who went let her and her pregnant sister Alison (Katherine Heigl) through the venue's velvet ropes. ("You know what, you may have power now, but you are not God. You're a DOORMAN!") But said bouncer makes things even more hilarious when he plainly lays out exactly why he's denying the women entry.

"I Don't Think We Have Anything For You. You're Obviously In The Wrong Place. Please Leave!" - Pretty Woman

The scene birthed one of the greatest clapbacks in cinema history: "You work on commission, right? Big mistake! Big, huge!" But before Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) could get that delicious revenge against the snooty shopkeepers who slighted her in Pretty Woman, the sex worker was sadly on the receiving end of the boutique employees' mean condescension.

"I Don't Think You're Supposed To Wear White Jeans After 1983." - Never Been Kissed

Never Been Kissed may be one of Drew Barrymore's best movies, but admittedly, if undercover reporter Josie Gellar really wanted to blend into the crowd while posing as a high-school student, an all-white outfit complete with a feather boa might not have been the most inconspicuous ensemble for her first day. Still, Josie did not deserve the mean-girl comments of South Glen South High's resident popular clique Kirsten (Jessica Alba), Gibby (Jordan Ladd) and Kristin (Marley Shelton).

"I'm Going To Help You Rediscover Your Manhood. Do You Have Any Idea Where You Could Have Lost It?" - Crazy, Stupid, Love.

In Crazy, Stupid, Love., sleek Casanova Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) gives newly separated dad of three Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) some much-needed pointers on how to dress well, how to talk to women, and so on. And though his intentions are charitable and kind, the way he offers up criticism to Cal could be a bit kinder.

"Thank You Josh. I SO Need Lessons From You On How To Be Cool. Tell Me The Part About Kenny G Again?" - Clueless

The back-and-forth banter between Alicia Silverstone's Cher Horowitz and Paul Rudd's Josh Lucas are some of the best parts of that mid-'90s favorite, Clueless. And though Cher certainly gives him a hard time about his clothes. his classes and his Nietzsche-reading ways, it's not long until she realizes that she's "majorly, totally, butt crazy in love with Josh!"

Even the best movies have scenes in them that completely take you out movie and ruin at least a small of it for the viewer. Films like Saving Private Ryan, The Departed, and even The Godfather all have scenes that almost completely ruin them. Well, that might be a little harsh, they are all still stone-cold classics, but they all have questionable moments that make you wonder how they remained in the movie.

The Baby In American Sniper

American Sniper is a tension-filled masterpiece with a fantastic performance by Bradley Cooper as Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. The movie works on almost every level and yet there is that one scene, when Kyle is holding his newborn baby and it is clear to anyone watching that the baby is a prop. It's hard to believe the makers of the movie let that scene go like they did.

The Rat In The Departed

As if the lesson in The Departed wasn't clear enough, Martin Scorsese hits viewers across the face with a frying pan when the CGI rat walks across the balcony railing in the last shot of the movie. Why a genius like Scorsese felt the need to drive the point home in such a hacky way, we'll never understand.

The Bad Audio Sync In The Big Lebowski

Fans of The Big Lebowski know what we're talking about here. After Walter (John Goodman) fails to get Larry Sellers to crack, he decides to take to the streets and destroy what he thinks is Larry's new car. It's not Larry's, it's the neighbor's car and when the neighbor comes out, there is a really bad audio sync, and all of a sudden it feels like a bad Hong Kong action movie from the '70s. It may be the only flaw in an almost perfect movie.

Superman Turning Back Time In Superman

The Christopher Reeve Superman is still beloved to this day, and with good reason. It's among the best superhero movies ever made and it always will be. But let's be honest about the ending. The scene after Lois dies in her car and Superman is forced to fly around the world and actually turn back time is... awful. It's just so dumb and there are a million better ways that could have been handled.

The Laptop In Skyfall

Skyfall is a great Craig-era James Bond movie. There is no way around the fatal flaw that Q (Ben Whishaw) makes when he plugs a laptop recovered by Bond into MI-5's computer system. Of course, it's a booby-trapped computer that takes down the whole system. Who trained Q? his technology-challenged uncle? Come on, no one in his position would make that kind of mistake, It may sound pedantic, but it's just not reasonable.

Questionable Fight Blocking In The Godfather

Even a masterpiece like The Godfather has a moment that completely takes viewers out of the moment. When Sonny (James Caan) goes to confront Carlo, it's one of the most intense moments of the movie. Unfortunately, the fight blocking is, frankly, terrible and it looks really bad. Even the best can have flaws.

The Off-Color Joke At The End Of Kingsman: The Secret Service

Kingsman: The Secret Service is a really fun movie with some completely ridiculous moments that somehow work, like Samuel L. Jackson eating McDonalds. One insanely stupid moment that doesn't work is the off-color joke at the end of the movie by the damsel in distress. It just doesn't work at all.

Greedo Shooting First In The Re-Edited Star Wars

There are a lot of reasons to complain about George Lucas tinkering with perfection when he re-edited Star Wars in the '90s. Most of it is stuff people can live with, but reworking the scene in the cantina to make Greedo shot at Han Solo first really changes too much about the character and the movie. It should have never been done.

Tell Me I'm A Good Man In Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan is among the best war movies ever made. It doesn't need that final scene of Ryan asking his wife to "tell him he's been a good man." Even if director Steven Spielberg felt that the final scene at the cemetery in Normandy was needed, the shot of the elder Ryan walking with his family is all that the audience would need to understand who he was. The cheesy line just ruins it.

Mom's Named Martha In Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn Of Justice

People can argue all day long if Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn Of Justice is a good movie. It's certainly a lot better than many critics believe. But there is still that incredibly stupid and silly moment when the two titular superheroes almost bond over the shared name of their mothers. Cheesy!

Darth Vadar's "NOOOOO" In Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith

Whether you love the Star Wars prequels or not, most people agree that Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith is the best of the three. That's even taking into account the oh-so-silly "NOOOOOO" when the newly formed Vader realized his love was gone. You know the others are rough movies when this is including in the best one.

Deadpool In X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a movie that some love and some despise. It can really go either way. But what can't be disputed is how terrible Deadpool is in it. Enough said. Even Deadpool though Deadpool was terrible as we learn in the post-credits scene of Deadpool 2.

The CGI Of Old Characters In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is arguably the best Star Wars movie since Return of the Jedi. It takes a classic bit of Star Wars lore and makes it real. What isn't real, and almost takes the audience completely out of the movie is the CGI versions of Princess Leia and Grand Moff Tarkin. It's so disconcerting it can't help but distract from what is otherwise a really great movie.

Flying Through Space In The Martian

For a movie that spends so much time and effort on the scientific details of surviving on Mars, The Martian completely throws it all out of the window at the end with the flying through space bit at the end as Matt Damon's character attempts to reconnect with his crew. It's such a shame such a fantastic movie ends with such a silly scene.

John Michael Higgins' Questionable Accent In Licorice Pizza

It's hard to say if John Michael Higgins' questionable Japanese accent when he is mocking his wife is supposed to play for laughs or what in Licorice Pizza, but the scene really doesn't work no matter what the intention was. It is a rare example of a scene in a Paul Thomas Anderson movie that should have been left on the cutting room floor.

Singing Elton John In Almost Famous

There is just something about a '70s rock band that is sort of loosely based on Led Zeppelin bonding over an Elton John song. It just seems so unlikely that Led Zeppelin or a band of their ilk would ever do something like that. It's so out of place in an otherwise fantastic movie.

Midi-chlorians - The Entire Star Wars Franchise

Midi-chlorians. There is probably no Star Wars fan on Earth who understands why the decision was made to make up these stupid things. They are so unpopular with the fanbase that they have essentially been reconned out of the whole universe and we're all grateful for it.

The Makeover In The Breakfast Club

Like a lot of comedies from the 1980s, The Breakfast Club has some problematic moments. Though not as extreme as a movie like Revenge of the Nerds and its very problematic content, the scene that sticks out like a sore thumb is when Claire (Molly Ringwald) does a makeover on Allison (Ally Sheedy) and she gets the attention of Andrew (Emilio Estevez) because all of a sudden she's pretty. Yikes.

The Plane Chase In Argo

Argo is a fantastic movie based on an even more fantastic true story. One thing that isn't true to the real-life escape portrayed in the film is the chase by the Iranian police of the plane on the runway as the embassy workers escape to freedom. It's a totally unnecessary addition to "Hollywood up" the ending. Just tell the remarkable story! It doesn't need more action!

Miranda Tate's Death In The Dark Knight Rises

Miranda Tate's death in The Dark Knight Rises has been derided by many as not worthy of the character. And that is totally true. It's just so...anti-climatic. She just... dies.

Every Scene With Mickey Rooney In Breakfast At Tiffany's

Breakfast At Tiffany's is one of the best rom-coms of all time. Still, modern audiences cannot get through the movie without wincing every time Mickey Rooney's incredibly racist portrayal of an Asian man is on the screen. Even in 1961 this should have been called out and left out of the movie. It's not just a bad accent, it's a very offensive one,

Surfing The Tidal Wave In Die Another Day

There are a lot of ridiculous moments in the James Bond franchise. Most of them are excusable, especially from the Roger Moore-era movies. The one scene that really isn't is when the Pierce Brosnan version of Bond para-surfs on a giant tidal wave. The CGI alone is offensive, even if we can suspend reality long enough for the ride.

The Hookup In Big

The Tom Hanks' classic Big plays out like a weird rom-com at times. It's unsettling at the least when you think about the real age difference between the characters. That's all we really need to say here.

Quentin's Cameo In Pulp Fiction

Quentin Tarantino is one of the best filmmakers of his generation and Pulp Fiction is his masterpiece. Still, the scene that he is in, when he repeatedly uses a racial slur as he sips coffee is extremely obnoxious and completely unneeded. The bit about his wife and the coffee is fantastic, but everything after that should have just been cut.

Regina George's Death In Mean Girls

Why does Regina George need to die at the end of Mean Girls? It's such a weird exclamation point at the end of the movie that feels very unnecessary. She's been disgraced and disregarded, with good reason, does she really deserve to die? It really takes away from one of the best movies 2000s.

The God Of War In Wonder Woman

There is no question that the DCEU had a lot of problems really coming together and a great example of everything that was wrong with the now-rebooted franchise is adding scenes like Wonder Woman's battle with the God Of War at the end of the first Wonder Woman movie. It's just not needed. The movie could have ended before it and been an almost perfect superhero movie, instead, it just goes one step too far and almost gets ruined because of it.

The Rocket Launcher In Falling Down

Micheal Douglas' performance in Falling Down is amazing. The movie, for the most part, is fantastic. Sadly, what starts out as a very grounded yet terrifying look into one man's breakdown reaches the point of absurdity when he suddenly decides he needs to use a rocket launcher to get his point across. From a realistic movie to a cartoon in moments.

The Pictures At The End Of Crazy, Stupid, Love

Crazy, Stupid, Love goes from super fun to disturbing in the very last moments of the movie when Jessica, played by Lio Tipton gives Cal racy photos of herself. She is Cal's babysitter! Who thought that was a good way to end the movie?

The Explanation At The End Of Unbreakable

There are times when people are blown away by writer and director M. Night Shyamalan and there are other times he leaves everyone shaking their heads. The explanation of how everything worked in Unbreakable is the latter. We got, man, you don't need to bang us on the end with what it all means.

9/11 In Remember Me

One of the weirdest endings to a movie has to be the final scene of Remember Me. Everything romantic that has happened in the movie is rendered moot when it is revealed that Tyler (Robert Pattison) dies in the World Trade Center attack on 9/11. What? Why would anyone think that added anything to the story? So weird.

Nuking The Fridge In Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull

Okay fair enough, we can hear you saying Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull isn't a good movie. And you're right, it's not. But we just had to include the famous "Nuke the Fridge" scene because it makes a bad movie even worse and other than the weird choice of an ending involving aliens the "Nuke the Fridge" moment came when the movie still held promise.

Explaining Love In Interstellar

Interstellar is an awesome that asks at least as many questions as it answers. Why then did director and writer Christopher Nolan include such a hacky scene explaining the meaning of love? The world may never know.

If you are looking for an actor whose choices in romance movies have serious range, look no further than some of Ryan Gosling’s best films. From Oscar-nominated romantic dramas (La La Land) to truly hilarious rom-coms (Crazy, Stupid, Love) to heart-wrenching romantic epics (The Notebook), the actor has done it all in the realm of romance. Today, we’re here to talk about those amazing projects and how you can watch them. 

Crazy, Stupid, Love

Arguably Ryan Gosling’s only straight-up rom-com, Crazy, Stupid, Love is unique in the sense that it covers romantic, platonic and familial love. It’s considered one of the best rom-coms because of its quick-witted dialogue and irresistible couples. And it’s a classic because of the incredible and hilarious chemistry between its cast of Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, and of course, Ryan Gosling. 

What I love about this rom-com is it’s quite unconventional. Ryan Gosling’s Jacob isn’t the main male character, Steve Carell’s Cal is. Also, the story doesn’t revolve around a new couple, it’s centered on a guy who is reeling from his wife splitting up with him. Jacob comes in to help Cal cope, and he attempts to teach him how to be a playboy. However, simultaneously the playboy is falling in love hard (with Emma Stone's Hannah), and he doesn’t know how to deal with it.

The movie is messy, funny, and as the title implies, crazy and stupid. Overall, it’s a wonderfully chaotic portrait of love, and it’s worth your time. 

Plus! It’s the movie that introduced us to the dynamic duo that is Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, so that’s another reason we should be eternally grateful for Crazy, Stupid, Love. 

Buy or rent Crazy, Stupid, Love on Amazon.
Purchase Crazy, Stupid, Love on DVD or Blu-ray on Amazon. 

La La Land

No matter how many times I’ve re-watched La La Land, I never get tired of Mia and Sebastian’s love story. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are perfect together as an aspiring actress and jazz musician, and their year together is colorful, musical and magical.

Damien Chazelle’s Oscar-winning film brings Old Hollywood into the modern day to tell this romantic tale, and it’s wonderful to be whisked through Los Angeles with Gosling and Stone as they fall for each other and work to achieve their dreams. 

While it’s more rom than com, this movie has its light moments, like “Lovely Night,” and it’s perfectly balanced with incredibly emotional beats, like anytime “City of Stars” plays. 

Obviously, the break-up is something we can’t get over in La La Land, however, it’s also one of the reasons why it's so romantic. These two people loved and cared for each other so much that they were willing to let one another go so they could pursue what they love, and that, while tragic, is romantic and beautiful, just like the movie. 

Stream La La Land On Netflix.

Buy or rent La La Land on Amazon. 
Purchase La La Land on DVD or Blu-ray on Amazon. 

Blue Valentine

Not all romances have a happy ending, and sometimes said love stories go to dark places and rip your heart out. That’s what Blue Valentine does. 

Flipping between their magical meeting and their breaking point, Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams give heartbreaking performances as Dean and Cindy. We see them at their best, and their absolute worst, and the two stars flawlessly carry the weight of Blue Valentine as our review pointed out. 

Yet again, this beloved film shows off Gosling’s range as an actor, and his ability to take on any kind of romance. His dramatic skills were on full display in Blue Valentine, and his and Williams’ performances were truly the powerful heartbreaking heartbeat of this film from Derek Cianfrance. 

Buy or rent Blue Valentine on Amazon. 
Purchase Blue Valentine DVD or Blu-ray on Amazon. 

The Notebook

Grab your tissues, it’s time to talk about The Notebook.

If you are looking to go back and witness Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams right at the start of their adult careers, give this 2004 classic a watch. Considered one of the best movies of the 2000s, this Nicholas Sparks adaptation tells the sweeping love story of Noah and Allie who go from high school sweethearts to second-chance romantics. 

From their dramatic kiss in the rain to them laying in the middle of the road to all those damn letters Noah wrote to Allie, every beat of this movie is heart-wrenching and classic romance through and through. 

There’s a reason this romance is still so beloved 20 years later. It’s because Noah and Allie's story is timeless, and Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams are perfect in these roles that helped them become household names. 

Buy or rent The Notebook on Amazon. 
Purchase The Notebook on DVD or Blu-ray on Amazon. 

Lars And The Real Girl

Lars and the Real Girl is an unconventional, heartbreaking, bizarre and hilarious romance. The film follows a couple as they struggle to support their brother, who is played by Ryan Gosling, after he falls in love with a sex doll. Yes, you read that correctly. 

Gosling’s character, Lars, is socially awkward and incredibly lonely, and the film follows him and his family as they all learn about his relationship with Bianca, the sex doll. The movie is a refreshing commentary on loneliness, love and family, and it’s yet another example of this actor's brilliant range. 

Stream Lars and the Real Girl on Tubi. 
Buy or rent Lars and the Real Girl on Amazon.
Purchase Lars and the Real Girl on DVD on Amazon. 

The Fall Guy

Premiering as a big summer blockbuster on the 2024 movie schedule, David Leitch’s The Fall Guy is one-part action epic, one-part rom-com. While the stunts in this movie all about stuntmen fly off the screen, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s chemistry is undeniable as they play a stuntman and director who are exes but clearly still are crushing hard on each other. 

While this movie is all about Gosling’s character finding the missing star of his ex-girlfriend’s movie, early reactions for The Fall Guy highlighted the rom-com aspects, saying the Gosling-Blunt pairing is “adorable” and “electric.” 

Overall, this action rom-com is simply another fantastic entry in Ryan Gosling’s ever-growing and very diverse list of romantic movies. 

Stream The Fall Guy on Peacock starting August 30.  

Buy or rent The Fall Guy on Amazon. 

Purchase The Fall Guy on DVD on Amazon. 

Whether you are looking to go through a whole box of tissues while watching a romance or you want to laugh the night away with a rom-com, Ryan Gosling has got you covered. Since the early days of his career, he’s been taking on romantic projects that show off his skills as a comedic and dramatic performer, and here’s hoping he continues to keep doing it in the years to come. 

When it comes to the best romantic comedies we’ve seen over the years, Crazy, Stupid, Love. is definitely a highlight. Steve Carell leads the star-studded Crazy, Stupid, Love. cast as Cal Weaver, a middle-aged father who is trying to get back in the dating game after separating from his longtime wife and mother of his kids (Julianne Moore). When he meets Ryan Gosling’s smooth-taking womanizer Jacob Palmer, his world turns around, not only because he’s making Cal his project, but because (unknown to both of them) he’s also falling in love with his daughter. And, amidst the love story of Jacob and Hannah Weaver (Emma Stone), the movie pays tribute to 1987’s Dirty Dancing. 

Did you know that there’s a hilarious story behind Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s Dirty Dancing lift in the 2011 movie? Let’s break it down. 

What Is The Dirty Dancing Lift In Crazy, Stupid, Love? 

One of the best moments in Crazy, Stupid, Love. comes about halfway through the movie when her boyfriend, Richard (Josh Groban), surprises her by asking if she’d like to be a permanent lawyer at his company rather than proposing to her, like she thought he was going to do. In her disappointment, she storms off and straight into the arms of Jacob after he hit on her earlier in the film. 

The pair end up at his house where he starts putting on the moves, and she starts getting nervous. When Hannah asks Jacob what his big move is, he admits that he “works Dirty Dancing into the conversation” before telling girls he can do the move that Patrick Swayze does in the classic, where he picks up Jennifer Grey before putting on the song “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life,” and doing the move. Jacob says it always leads to the woman he’s brought home wanting to have sex with him “every time.”

Hannah suggests that there’s no way the “big move” is going to work on her, but once they do it, Hannah is sold on hooking up with Jacob. However, instead of doing the deed, they end up talking all night and Jacob falls asleep before Hannah does. It’s arguably the best and most romantic scene in the movie. 

What Happened On Set When They Filmed The Scene

While the chemistry and sparks between Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling were absolutely off the charts in the Crazy, Stupid, Love. scene, it was secretly a bit of a traumatizing day on set for Stone that the actress was not expecting. Here’s what happened according to the movie’s stars: 

Emma Stone: "I run to do the lift, and Ryan lifts me over his head, and what did I do Ryan?"

Ryan Gosling: "I’ve never had this happen, but I imagine if a possum fell out of a tree and started trying to scratch your eyes out. It would be something similar."

While the “big move” certainly worked on Hannah Weaver, it didn’t work on Emma Stone. There’s a pretty significant backstory as to why the actress reacted like she did on set. 

Emma Stone Had A Deep Seated Phobia Of Being Lifted

When Stone and Gosling guested on The Graham Norton Show, the actress shared what was going through her head when they filmed the Dirty Dancing lift in the 2011 romantic comedy. In her words: 

Oof!! Sounds like a core memory that would stay with someone for a while. As she continued: 

Funny enough, Jennifer Grey has said that she made everyone wait until the day they filmed the Dirty Dancing lift for the iconic scene because she was “too scared” to practice it. Stone and Gosling’s story doesn’t end there, though. Here’s what happened next… 

The Hilarious Meltdown That Followed The Dirty Dancing Lift 

Once the lift went terribly wrong, apparently the actress retreated to one of the beds in the house they were filming in to calm down. As Stone shared: 

So, in Crazy, Stupid, Love. when Jacob lifts Hannah, it’s actually a body double instead of Emma Stone, thanks to her traumatizing child fear! It’s a funny tidbit about the making of the movie, especially because Stone retreated to watch Labyrinth, one of the best movies of the 1980s. 

Emma Stone And Ryan Gosling Became A Famous Duo After Making The Comedy Together

Despite an eventful time on the Crazy, Stupid, Love. set, the movie was the beginning of a beautiful friendship for the pair of actors on-screen. A couple of years later, they reunited for a thriller called Gangster Squad before making 2016’s La La Land together. While there certainly weren’t any lifts in the musical, the two actors did a ton of dancing together in that movie and were both nominated for Oscars that year, along with the movie having the famous Best Picture fiasco with Moonlight. Stone won Best Actress for her leading role. 

This year, both Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling were both nominated for 2024 Oscars, with Stone up for Best Actress again for Poor Things and Gosling up for Best Supporting Actor for Barbie. Here’s hoping they have a reunion at the ceremony and continue to work together in future films. As long as lifts are not involved, of course. 

You can currently check out Crazy, Stupid, Love. with a Hulu subscription or rent/buy it on Amazon. 

Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell have been Hollywood staples for years now, but one fun fact about the two men you may not have known? They actually worked together on the first of Gosling’s big movie roles in Hollywood. That role was the flick The Unbelievables, a TV movie about blue collar superheroes, which Gosling booked after a stint of TV roles including Young Hercules and Goosebumps. 

As it was his first time on a movie set, Gosling said he was really looking to soak up as many experiences as possible. One of these opportunities just so happened to be getting to watch Steve Carell do a bunch of ad-libbing, though he also had a small role in the film. Years later, Gosling recalled the vivid memory and how he distinctly remembers the boom mic operator not being able to do his job because The Office cast member was so funny. 

It’s amazing to hear Ryan Gosling tell Variety this behind-the-scenes story and what it meant for him and his career overall, particularly when it came to realizing he had adjustments to make. Years later, he may not be joke-joke-joke funny in the same way Steve Carell is, but we’ve seen him really invest in comedic roles, from the wry (and underrated) The Nice Guys to his recent 2024 Academy Award-nominated turn as Ken in Barbie. 

This wasn’t the last time Carell and Gosling would get to do movie work together. He noted the two reunited for Crazy, Stupid, Love and the younger actor had one expectation for himself when he knew they would be onscreen together. 

No word on whether or not a boom mic operator dropped a mic filming the romantic dramedy, but Carell does play a much more low-key character in the film, so one would hope not. It does make me wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Carell was filming roles like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Anchorman. Though Paul Rudd has said the cameramen on Anchorman were less pleased about the excess jokes.  

Gosling and Carell would appear in the same film once more in 2015’s well-reviewed The Big Short. Ultimately, this whole story makes me realize I’d love to see them do more of a comedy-comedy together, however. Both actors are still very much in the business of Hollywood, and while a gig like this may not be set for the 2024 movies release schedule in the near future, I can very much hope someone finds another great vehicle for the two down the line. 

When it comes to movies that involve family gatherings of any kind, whether it be while some family members are traveling together, getting together for the holidays, or some other event, it can only be a matter of time before something goes wrong. Usually, it's because of one person that begins a cascading effect that turns said family gathering upside down. 

Today, we'll be looking at several characters from different movies that caused a family event to get messed up quite quickly.

When Violet Insults Everyone (August: Osage County)

August: Osage County is based on the play of the same name and is all about a family reunion that turns out wrong. While there are plenty of moments that you could pinpoint from this movie that turn the family gathering sour after their patriarch vanishes, I would point out that Violet insults and embarrasses every family member while under the influence, which later leads to several fights down the line. 

When Christian Made Jokes At Helge's Birthday Dinner (The Celebration)

The Celebration is a Danish film about a family gathering to celebrate their father's 60th birthday, but most of these people do not fit well together. The moment from this film I'd point out is when Christian, the eldest son of the family, decides to make jokes during his toast to his father, some of which involve abuse, and many aren't sure if they're really jokes or not. Tensions rise not that long after. 

Kym And Rachel's Fight At The Rehearsal Dinner (Rachel Getting Married)

Rachel Getting Married is an excellent Anne Hathaway movie where movie lovers get to see her perform so well, and her scene with Rosemarie DeWitt is one of the most heated fight scenes I've seen between sisters. The film follows Kym and her sister, Rachel, who have a deep rift between them due to Kym's self-destructive behavior, which comes to a head at the rehearsal dinner – and later leads to more issues for their family's wedding. 

Dan And Marie's Kiss - Prior To Dan's Family Appearing (Dan In Real Life)

Dan and Marie's kiss in Dan in Real Life is arguably the moment that escalated the quickest. While viewers can see the building tension between Dan and Marie, when they finally kiss, all hell breaks loose when Dan's entire family arrives to bowl at the same bowling alley they were at, and Mitch (Marie's boyfriend and Dan's brother) punches Dan. 

Buzz Bullying Kevin - Which Leads To Kevin Pushing Buzz (Home Alone)

Home Alone is one of the best Christmas movies of all time, but it never would have started if not for this moment. When Kevin and his family are in the kitchen eating pizza the night before a big trip, Buzz bullies Kevin, saying he ate all of Kevin's pizza. Kevin pushes him, which leads to drinks spilling on food, the plane tickets, and so much more. 

Kevin Hitting Buzz After He Teases Him During A School Concert (Home Alone 2: Lost In New York)

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York features Buzz and Kevin in the same school choir – which is strange, considering Buzz seems considerably older than Kevin. Either way, Buzz teases Kevin mid-concert, and Kevin doesn't put up with it and decides to push Buzz down – which starts a domino effect and knocks every choir member off the stands. 

The Entirety Of Death At A Funeral 

Death at a Funeral doesn't just have a moment that ruins a family event – it is the moment—the entire movie. From the opening minutes, there are so many instances that ruin this family gathering, but if I had to pick one, I'd say the moment a literal body falls out of the coffin, and everyone freaks out about it. 

Annie's Tantrum At The Bridal Shower (Bridesmaids)

Bridesmaids is one of the best Paul Feig movies and is hilarious in many ways. Annie, played by Kristen Wiig, has been getting pretty upset throughout the film with Helen continuously upstaging her in preparing for Lillian's wedding, and the luxurious bridal shower is the straw that breaks the camel's back. Lillian ends their friendship afterward – for the time being. The movie still works so many years later.

When Jacob And Hannah Show Up At The Family Gathering (Crazy, Stupid Love)

Crazy, Stupid, Love is a great film showing how small the world can be sometimes. The moment when Jacob and Hannah arrive at a family gathering, and Cal realizes that Jacob (the person helping him try to pick up women) is dating his daughter, is hilarious. And from there, it all goes downhill in a comical fashion. 

When The Brothers Fight On The Train (The Darjeeling Limited)

I've watched every Wes Anderson movie, and The Darjeeling Limited surprised me with how much I liked it, mainly because of the three brothers. Throughout the film, the tension rises between them as they travel until it ultimately breaks into a fight on a train. This, in turn, leads to them getting thrown off. 

When Paige Tells Her Family She Doesn't Want To Wrestle Anymore (Fighting With My Family)

Fighting With My Family is another underrated movie on this list, featuring Florence Pugh in a significant role. In this film, we mainly follow a family of wrestlers, and one of them, Paige, decides to quit because she doesn't think the professional career is worth it. She decides to tell them this during a family dinner – and later, it leads to her older brother, Zak, facing her in the ring to fight her for that, causing more tensions to rise. 

Micky And Dicky's Spar (The Fighter)

Starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale, The Fighter is all about fighting, but the one moment I point to is when Micky and Dicky, the prominent brothers we follow in the film, fight. It's an arranged match, but it's brutal and leads to a fight between Micky and his mother, saying that she always favored Dicky over him. 

Uncle Lewis Burns Down The Christmas Tree (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation)

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is another one of the best Christmas movies out there, and there are plenty of moments during that film I could point to that lead to family events turning disastrous. But I think the one we need to talk about is when Uncle Lewis accidentally burns down their Christmas tree – but I'll say the cat getting electrocuted is a good runner-up. 

Harlan's Death (Knives Out)

Knives Out is another film that's all about a family gathering, but this time, murder is involved. What starts this movie is Harlan's death, the patriarch of the family, which is the moment that sends this family gathering into a tailspin – and introduces folks to the excellent Benoit Blanc. 

Geun-sae Stabs Ki-jung (Parasite)

Parasite won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2020, and it's understandable as to why. This moment occurs at the movie's end, when a family birthday party occurs. But at that moment, Geun-sae can leave the confines of the family's basement, and he stabs Ki-jung in front of everyone. This leads to panic – and more murder later on. 

The Fight At The Dinner Table (The Incredibles)

If you want to talk about the best Pixar films, The Incredibles ranks high, if not just for the family dynamic. While their dinner together isn't necessarily an "event," it's a gathering that establishes how the family works. This dinner goes downhill fast when they discuss Dash's powers at school – this, in turn, leads to a massive fight down the line where superpowers need to be used to calm people down. 

When The Family Members Get Into A Fight About Money (Nebraska)

Filmed in black-and-white, Nebraska is the classic tale of what money will do to people when an elderly Montana man wins the lottery, and his family all want a piece of it. The film is slow to elevate its conflict, but once it gets there, it continues. The moment that really sets everything in motion is when several family members decide to pay Woody a visit because they believe he owes them money. 

Krisha Arriving For Thanksgiving (Krisha)

Krisha is an example of a film where the main character really sends everything topsy-turvy. Played by Krisha Fairchild, the movie tells the story of a woman who tries to make amends with her family after years of addiction. Still, when she arrives for Thanksgiving Day, everything begins to trend downhill. 

Dwayne Snapping At His Family (Little Miss Sunshine)

Little Miss Sunshine is a tragic movie about a family gathering in a van for a road trip to get across the country for a beauty pageant. Many moments in this film could make the list. However, Dwayne snapping at his family after everything they had been through on this trip (including the death of a family member) and screaming about how he hates them is undoubtedly one that causes the mood to shift dramatically and stands at the top.

Billi's Disagreement (The Farewell)

The Farewell is one to watch if you like Awkwafina, featuring one of her best acting performances. In this, her character, Billi, is the person who messes up a lot of what is going on specifically because she does not believe that what they are doing to Na-Na (hiding her illness from her) is correct. This leads to clashing with family. 

Eli Crashes His Car Into The House (The Royal Tenenbaums)

Plenty of moments in The Royal Tenenbaums could appear on this list since they are an exciting family. Still, we'd have to give it to the moment that Eli crashes his car into a house while under the influence, which leads to not only a dog getting killed but fights later on. 

Junon's Diagnosis, Which Leads To People Not Wanting To Take Blood Tests (A Christmas Tale)

A Christmas Tale is about a gathering during Christmas that turns sour when the matriarch reveals that she has blood cancer and will die unless she is given a bone marrow transplant. So, when she brings this up to her family, it causes turmoil very quickly, with secrets coming out not that long after about how they really feel about her, as well as this family unit.

Daniel Switching In And Out Of Mrs. Doubfire During The Dinner (Mrs. Doubtfire)

Mrs. Doubtfire is one of Robin Williams' best movies. While it's hilarious to see him switch out of character as Mrs. Doubtfire, it's during the family birthday dinner that everything really goes downhill. Running back and forth causes strain on his disguise, and it melts off, revealing who is genuinely underneath the kind nanny's face. Miranda is outraged. 

Miguel Begins To Play Guitar (Coco)

Coco is one of my favorite Pixar movies, but no one can deny that this moment is truly what sent Miguel searching for a guitar and sending him to the other side. His playing of the guitar in front of his family, who had strictly banned music, led to his abuelita getting incredibly angry and smashing his guitar. El Día de los Muertos was effectively ruined after that. 

Merida Shooting For Her Own Hand (Brave)

Brave doesn’t get enough love, and Merida is a great princess because she stands for what she believes in. But she does ruin these games when she decides to fight for her own hand in marriage – and knocks it out of the park with her archery skills. But in her mother's eyes, she shamed the family at that moment, which led to tensions rising. 

Ember's Fiery Outburst, Which Ruins The Yearly Sale On Her Family's Store (Elemental)

Ember from the Pixar film Elemental has a temper that is an integral part of her story, and in the beginning of the film, her getting overwhelmed by customers at her family's annual sale is what leads to her letting her fiery temper out in the basement, away from everyone. But it's this moment that leads to the pipes bursting – and later meeting Wade, but she did end up messing up the sale and the store. 

Ralphie Curses (A Christmas Story)

I'm pretty sure every person who has seen A Christmas Story remembers this moment. The family of the iconic Christmas movie just got back from getting a tree, but when Ralphie goes out to help his father when the car blows a tire and he lets an F-bomb slip, the mood is ruined, and he is punished with soap in his mouth.

Nic Finds Traces Of Jule's Hair In Paul's Bedroom (The Kids Are All Right)

The Kids Are All Right is a great film that tells the story of two families colliding when a child wants to find their biological father after being conceived using a sperm donor. But when an affair begins, and Nic (Annette Bening) finds out about it from discovering Jule's (Julianne Moore) hair (her wife) in Paul's (Mark Ruffalo) bedroom, it leads to tensions rising and any nice dinner turning sour. 

Wendy Forces Judd To Tell The Truth About His Wife's Affair (This Is Where I Leave You)

This Is Where I Leave You is a film directed by Shawn Levy about a family gathering where siblings come back together when their father passes and are forced to reside in the same home. It's during a family gathering that Wendy forces her brother to admit that an affair is happening with his wife and then everything goes downhill from there.

The Power Goes Out (The Humans)

The A24 film The Humans, is all about a family telling each other how they feel on Thanksgiving. Tensions rise even quicker once the power goes out, where bombshells are thrown. But plenty of moments before led to the family fighting against each other, too. I love the power going out, though.

Harper And Sloane's Fight (Happiest Season)

Happiest Season is a tremendous modern-day Christmas movie with LGBTQ+ themes, and the moment that leads to things falling apart is when Harper and Sloane (two sisters) get into a fight. This later leads to Sloane outing Harper as a lesbian. 

Jackson Confesses His Feelings At Thanksgiving (Holidate)

The worst time to confess feelings is at Thanksgiving dinner, and Jackson in Holidate does that to Sloane, which leads to a big, intense fight that ruins the dinner – even if they make up later in the film. 

There are so many movies with crazy moments that ruin family events, but these are just some of the most memorable. I'm sure there will be even more to add to this list as time passes. 

When I discovered that Ryan Gosling had been added to co-writer and director Greta Gerwig’s Barbie cast in the role of Ken, I could not imagine there being a better choice. I say this not just because his classic good looks automatically make him a good fit to play the famed, longtime boyfriend of the titular iconic doll (played by Margot Robbie), but also because the impressive range and versatility he has shown throughout his career has proven to me that he would be a good fit for just about any character you task him with.

The Canadian-born, two-time Academy Award nominee made his acting debut as a member of the Mickey Mouse Club in 1993 when he was 13 years old. He would later go on to lead a phenomenal career on the big screen by playing the likes of a hopeless romantic, a few men desperate for romance, several action heroes, one wannabe hero, a jazz preservationist, and even an astronaut. Those are only a handful of my choices for the most memorable characters from some of the best Ryan Gosling movies so far — 12 of which I have collected here below.

Alan Bosley (Remember The Titans, 2000)

Years before he put his dance skills to great use in La La Land (more on that later), the first time he showed off his moves on the big screen was in his breakout film role as Alan Bosley in Remember the Titans. He is not exactly one of the top-tier characters of this great sports movie from Disney, which tells the true story of Coach Herman Boone (Academy Award winner Denzel Washington) and his attempt to bring T.C. Williams High School’s racially diverse football team together in early 1970s Virginia. However, Gosling still proved to be a standout by giving audiences their first taste of his budding charisma every moment he is on screen.

Richard Haywood (Murder By Numbers, 2002)

Moviegoers have become so well acquainted with Gosling’s more charming and heroic attributes that it is easy to forget that he has played a few bad guys in his day, and done it very well. One of his earliest and most sinister roles is Richard Haywood — a popular high school student who teams up with his less-popular classmate (Michael Pitt) to craft what they believe is the perfect crime, only to arouse the suspicion of veteran homicide detective (Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock), in 2002’s Murder By Numbers. 

His best moments in the role — which make this a somewhat recent film worth remembering — occur when he is appearing opposite Bullock, who acts as a great intellectual sparring partner with him when portraying the intense, deadly cat-and-mouse game between their characters.

Noah (The Notebook, 2004)

The movie that made Gosling into the A-list heartthrob that he is today and convinced Hollywood that he had the chops to be a leading man is, undoubtedly, The Notebook — director Nick Cassavetes’ 2004 instant classic adaptation of Nicolas Sparks’ sweeping, heartbreaking World War II-era Romeo & Juliet story. 

His preparation to play Noah — a poor young man who falls hopelessly in love with the well-to-do Allie (Rachel McAdams, whom Gosling dated in real life) — went further than reading the source material as, according to the New York Times, he actually built the table on which the central couple share an intimate moment. I suppose the hard work paid off, given how believable he is in the role and how painful his commitment to the woman he loves is to watch as a result.

Dan Dunne (Half Nelson, 2006)

Gosling’s preparation to play Dan Dunne — an inner city middle school teacher who forms a unique bond with a student (Shareeka Epps) after she discovers his secret crack addiction — in Half Nelson was, fortunately, not quite as method as his approach to playing Noah. 

According to an interview with The Washington Post, all he did was shadow a junior high school teacher and brush up on the civil rights movement (which his character teaches in the powerful low-budget drama from future Captain Marvel helmers Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden) while living in Brooklyn. That turned out to be all he needed to embody the deeply flawed, unlikely role model and put on a performance that earned him his first Academy Award nomination. 

Lars Lindstrom (Lars And The Real Girl, 2007)

Even with a sadistic murderer and a crack addict on his resume, no character of Gosling's is more far removed from his widely perceived image than Lars Lindstorm. The title role of director Craig Gillespie’s bizarre dramedy, Lars and the Real Girl, is a shy, delusional loner who shocks his and brother (Paul Schneider) and his sister-in-law (Emily Mortimer) with the news that he is in a relationship with a mail-order sex doll. 

In concept, this story is so odd it is almost laughable, but Gosling’s performance earns your deepest sympathies and makes you want to care for and believe in the love he has for the non-living Bianca.

Dean (Blue Valentine, 2010)

Out of all of the romantic stories that Gosling has been apart of, the most unique, raw, and distressing is easily director Derek Cianfrance’s Blue Valentine, which is also one of Michelle Williams’ best movies. They are tour de force duo as Dean and Cindy — a couple who fall for each other at first sight, only to lead a romance that is doomed to fall apart due to their own unresolved flaws. While it is Williams’ performance that earned the drama its sole Academy Award nomination, the film’s biggest admirers recognize this powerful love story as a team effort, with Gosling carrying just as much honest, emotional intensity in his devastating portrayal.

Driver (Drive, 2011)

I became a devout admirer of Gosling’s talent when he led the Drive cast in director Nicolas Winding Refn’s instant classic that proves great noir movies still exist. Similar to when he took up craftsmanship for The Notebook, according to SlashGear, Gosling personally restored the 1973 Chevrolet Malibu that belongs to his character — a Hollywood stuntman by day, getaway driver by night who participates in an ill-fated heist to protect a woman he has fallen for (Carey Mulligan). 

There is not much we know about the violent Driver — given his limited dialogue and concealed real name — but Gosling gives us everything we need in an unforgettably unique performs that brilliantly relies on silence and his imposing demeanor. 

Jacob Palmer (Crazy Stupid Love, 2011)

He debuted two of his coolest characters in 2011 — the other being one of the first big screen roles that finally allowed him to really unleash his impeccable comedic skills when he joined the Crazy Stupid Love cast. 

Jacob is also an especially notable part of the actor’s resume — not just for the memes — but his evolution from skilled womanizer mentoring recently divorced dad, Cal (Steve Carell), to desperately seeking his former apprentice’s approval when he unexpectedly falls in love with his daughter (Emma Stone). The film — one of the best romantic comedies in recent memory, or ever — introduced the world to Gosling and Stone’s amazing onscreen chemistry, which hit its peak in an Oscar winner we will get to soon.

Holland March (The Nice Guys, 2016)

Jacob Palmer was an important part of his repertoire as a comedic actor, but most would agree he has never been funnier than when he played private investigator Holland March in The Nice Guys. 

Given his reputation, most might have expected him to play the straight man in writer and director Shane Black’s comedic mystery set in the 1970s, but he makes for a lovable oaf, especially when paired with Russell Crowe as the gruff Jackson Healy. The unlikely duo’s bizarre investigation into dizzying conspiracy linked to an LA porn star’s death might not have made such an impact — and led to sequel demands — if not for Gosling’s commitment to making a fool of himself. 

Sebastian (La La Land, 2016)

We have already made it clear that Gosling is a man of many talents, but I think no fact proves his ability and commitment than the three months it took him to master the piano, according to Variety, in preparation for La La Land. The stunningly crafted, gorgeously shot, and heartwarmingly romantic musical — which earned Damien Chazelle an Oscar for directing — starred Gosling as passionate jazz musician Sebastian and Emma Stone as aspiring actor Mia. I cannot imagine the movie without the duo (Stone earned her Oscar here), who make their characters’ passion for the arts and each other — despite the bittersweet ending — so captivating and real.

K (Blade Runner 2049, 2017)

I may be a sucker for a good love story and a fun comedy, but I must admit that I do still prefer the talent at his more earnest, stoic, and, perhaps, even robotic. If you agree, there is no better place to turn than Denis Villeneuve’s arguably better sequel to Blade Runner, in which he plays a futuristic hunter of illegal, artificial humans whose investigation into a strange discovery leads him to question everything he knows about the world and himself. 

I am endlessly in awe of how Gosling navigates K’s emotional journey throughout Blade Runner 2049, but especially give him props for holding his own opposite — and taking an accidental punch from — Harrison Ford, who reprised his role from the 1982 original as Rick Deckard.

Neil Armstrong (First Man, 2018)

Just a couple of years after La La Land, Chazelle freunited with the star for an entirely different kind of film that would be a more emotionally challenging experience, especially considering he would play a real and very important person in history. 

His portrayal of Neil Armstrong in First Man would most definitely take audiences by surprise for the way it exposes the moon-walking legend as a complicated, socially distant, and emotionally stunted individual, instead of the glowing hero most Americans have perceived him as since that monumental day in 1969. While Buzz Aldrin was not a fan, I think the biopic is one of Gosling’s strongest films and bears one of his boldest performances yet.

After witnessing the many shades of Ryan Gosling so far, I can only imagine how his performance as Ken in Barbie will compare to his previous achievements. I think if one thing is for sure — if we take Eva Mendes’, praise of his “Ken-ergy” into account — it will certainly be memorable.

Marisa Tomei has spent decades creating a career full of diverse projects that showcase her top-notch acting abilities and inspire audiences to root for her. Whether her characters are helping their boyfriends win a case or having an affair with her husband's brother, you’re going to be on her side. Marisa Tomei movies have created a legacy of iconic characters and award-worthy performances, many of them streaming. Soon, Tomei fans will once again see her as Aunt May in one of the biggest upcoming Marvel movies, Spider-Man: No Way Home. 

This Marvel movie will remind audiences just how much they enjoy Tomei's movies and TV shows, so now is the perfect time to start streaming some of her most well-known films. Here are some great Marisa Tomei movies and where you can find them streaming, to rent or to buy. 

My Cousin Vinny (1992)

My Cousin Vinny is a comedy about two young men falsely accused of murder.  One of the men enlists his cousin, Vinny (Joe Pesci), to act as his lawyer. Vinny has only recently passed the bar exam and basically stumbles his way through the trial. My Cousin Vinny’s cast also includes Ralph Macchio, Mitchell Whitfield, and Marisa Tomei.

Tomei plays Mona Lisa Vito, Vinny’s girlfriend and one of the expert witnesses. My Cousin Vinny is a fun comedy that works so well because of Pesci and Tomei’s comedic chemistry and their separate comedy skills. Her role in the film earned her a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award. 

Rent//buy My Cousin Vinny on Amazon. 

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) And Other Marvel Cinematic Universe Spider-Man Movies

Spider-Man: Homecoming follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as he tries to balance being a superhero with being a teenage boy. This is the second Marvel Cinematic Universe film to feature Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.

Marisa Tomei plays Aunt May in the MCU. Unlike most of the previous depictions of Aunt May, she's a lot younger. The character is Peter’s guardian and one of his moral compasses. We’ve already seen Aunt May in the previous MCU Spider-Man movies and she’ll be making her return when Spider-Man: No Way Home premieres, which is already one of the most anticipated 2021 movies. 

Rent/buy Spider-Man: Homecoming on Amazon. 

The Wrestler (2008)

The Wrestler is a sports drama about an aging wrestler who continues the sport, despite his health, because the highs of the glory are too great. It was directed by Darren Aronofsky and stars Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood. 

Tomei gives one of her best dramatic performances in The Wrestler, so it makes sense that she received several major award nominations, including an Oscar nod. Her performance in this acclaimed film earned her another Academy Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. The Wrestler is considered one of the best films of 2008.

Stream The Wrestler on Hulu.
Rent/buy The Wrestler on Amazon. 

The King of Staten Island (2020)

The King of Staten Island is about a 20-something man child who has to start to get his life together when his mom begins to date a new guy. Judd Apatow co-wrote and directed The King of Staten Island. It stars Pete Davidson, Marisa Tomei, and Bill Burr. Davidson also co-wrote the film alongside Judd Apatow and Dave Sirus. 

Marisa Tomei plays Margie, the mother of Pete Davidson’s character, Scott. The King of Staten Island has some laugh out loud moments, but I believe what works best with this film is the ensemble of characters. Davidson’s Scott is at the heart of the story, but he’s surrounded by characters with interesting histories and quirks. From what we see of Margie, she’s a fascinating character with or without her dysfunctional son. 

Stream The King of Staten Island on HBO Max.
Rent/buy The King of Staten Island on Amazon. 

Untamed Heart (1993)

Untamed Heart is a romantic dramedy about two young people who fall in love after a man rescues a woman. She then begins to rescue him from his life of loneliness and solitude. It stars Marisa Tomei as Caroline and Christian Slater as Adam. He's a very shy person whom Caroline helps open up so he can be more of a part of the world. 

Untamed Heart, in my opinion, is a really heartwarming romantic dramedy that’s not appreciated enough. Tomei and Slater both make you grow attached to them as they learn to truly love someone for the first time. Untamed Heart is a really sweet movie that’s good to watch for a sentimental love story. 

Stream Untamed Heart on Youtube.

Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007)

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead is a crime drama about a set of brothers who decide to commit a robbery. They hope it will be the solution to their problems, but it just creates gigantic troubles. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, and Albert Finney. 

Marisa Tomei plays Gina Hanson, the wife of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character and the lover of Ethan Hawke’s character. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead is a very interesting crime drama that’s more character driven than action focused. Tomei’s character is more of a minor figure, but she has some moments that stand out and showcase Tomei’s strong acting abilities.

Stream Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead on Tubi.
Rent/buy Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead on Amazon. 

Only You (1994)

Only You is a romantic comedy about a woman named Faith (Marisa Tomei), who as a child learns the name of the man who is supposed to be her soulmate. She moves past that dream as an adult until he suddenly calls her and an adventure ensues. Only You also stars Robert Downey Jr. and Bonnie Hunt. 

Maria Tomei was perfect for '90s rom-coms. She had a whimsical, hopeful quality that made her an ideal girl next door / hopeless romantic. Her sweet nature pairs well with Downey Jr.'s almost con-artist persona in Only You. They’re a great romantic pairing that balances each other. 

Stream Only You on Starz.
Rent/buy Only You on Amazon. 

In The Bedroom (2001)

In the Bedroom follows the Fowler family, which consists of Ruth (Sissy Spacek), Matt (Tom Wilkinson), and Frank (Nick Stahl). Frank is Ruth and Matt’s only son who begins a relationship with an older woman, Natalie (Marisa Tomei).

The film earned Marisa Tomei an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. It’s an intense family drama with amazing performances by the entire cast. This is one of those quiet dramas where in every moment, you know great pain and destruction are brewing underneath all that’s not said. Tomei isn’t featured as much in the second half of In the Bedroom as she is in the first half, but she has some of her most heartbreaking moments in the second half of In the Bedroom. The audience feels the weight she feels, even if they only see her for a few moments. 

Stream In the Bedroom on Paramount+.
Rent/buy In the Bedroom on Amazon.

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Crazy, Stupid, Love follows a recently separated man, Cal (Steve Carell). Jacob (Ryan Gosling) starts to mentor Cal on how to become more successful in the art of seduction. However, as Jacob is teaching Cal his ways, he finds himself falling for Hannah (Emma Stone). The Crazy, Stupid, Love cast also includes Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon, and Marisa Tomei.

Tomei plays Kate, and her character has some of the funniest moments in the movie. The movie is one of the best romantic comedies released after 2010, so if you’re a fan of them, and have never seen this one, then definitely add Crazy, Stupid, Love to your to-watch-list.

Rent/buy Crazy, Stupid, Love on Amazon. 

The First Purge (2018)

The First Purge explains the origins of the purge. It’s the fourth film in The Purge franchise. The First Purge cast includes Y'lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade, and Marisa Tomei.

Tomei plays Dr. May Updale, a vital figure in the creation of the event. Her character isn’t quite a villain, but definitely not the hero of this story. It’s a character out of Tomei’s norm, but that’s one thing that adds to the intrigue of Dr. Updale.

Rent/buy The First Purge on Amazon. 

Bonus

A Different World (1987-1993)

This isn’t a Marisa Tomei movie, but definitely, something to start streaming if you’re a fan of the Spider-Man: No Way Home actress. A Different World was a sitcom set at the fictional historically black college, Hillman College. It was a Cosby Show spin-off that originally centered around Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet). It aired for six seasons, from 1987 to 1993.

Marisa Tomei played Maggie Lauten in A Different World Season 1. Maggie was the roommate of Denise and Jalessa (Dawnn Lewis). This series was one of Tomei’s first major TV show gigs. A Different World gives fans a charming character in Maggie, but it’s also a show that’s still funny, and relevant to today’s issues. A Different World is also a fun watch so you can spot future stars early in their careers. 

Stream A Different World on HBO Max.
Buy A Different World on Amazon. 

There are plenty of great Marisa Tomei movies to watch streaming, but the films listed here are some of her best movies, due to her performance and the movies overall stories. Catch Marisa Tomei next when Spider-Man: No Way Home hits theaters, on December 17, 2021. 

Especially looking back on it 10 years later, 2011's Crazy, Stupid, Love is the sort of star-studded ensemble dramedy that's becoming increasingly rare in today's studio system. Starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, Josh Groban, and Joey King, to list only a few famous names attached, this multi-layered romantic comedy would be a defining film for Dan Fogelman, who went to create NBC's This is Us; this expansive piece became his bread and butter. Now that it's been a decade, the stars have only continued ascending in their respective careers, winning awards and assuring themselves as Hollywood mainstays. Let's see what Crazy, Stupid, Love's cast is doing next. 

Steve Carell (Cal Weaver)

As Cal Weaver, a middle-aged sadsack who finds his life in turmoil when his wife cheats on him, Steve Carell plays our romantically-yearning protagonist in Crazy, Stupid, Love, which he also produced. Most notably, the actor is recognized and acclaimed for his star-making performance as Michael Scott in NBC’s The Office. Additionally, Carell was Emmy-nominated for Apple TV+’s The Morning Show. He also stars in Netflix’s Space Force, which he also created. Next, Carell will appear in FX’s The Patient. 

Outside of TV, Steve Carell was Oscar-nominated for his menacing supporting turn in Foxcatcher. Also, the actor co-wrote, produced, and starred in Judd Apatow's The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Carell’s other notable film credits include Little Miss Sunshine, Get Smart, The Way Way Back, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (which he also produced), Vice, Last Flag Flying, Welcome to Marwen, Beautiful Boy, and the Anchorman movies. Moreover, he reunited with Emma Stone for Battle of the Sexes. As a voice actor, additionally, Carell is heard as Gru in the Despicable Me movies and Minions. 

Most recently, the actor was seen in Irresistible. Next, Carell will reprise his role as Gru in Minions: The Rise of Gru. The film star also co-wrote and produced Our Thing.

Ryan Gosling (Jacob Palmer)

In the role of Jacob Palmer, a suave and sophisticated bachelor who helps Cal transfer into the next phase of his romantic life, Ryan Gosling is arguably at his most charming in Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s Crazy, Stupid, Love. Later, the actor reunited with Emma Stone for Gangster Squad and La La Land, the latter earning him his second Oscar nomination. 

Away from these performances, he's known for The Notebook, Drive, Blade Runner 2049, Blue Valentine (which he also produced), Lars and the Real Girl, Remember the Titans, The Place Beyond the Pines, First Man, The Nice Guys, and The Big Short. Also, Gosling starred in The Ides of March, Song to Song, Only God Forgives (which he produced), and All Good Things. 

Outside of acting, Ryan Gosling produced, wrote, and directed Lost River. Next, the actor will be seen in The Gray Man. Gosling is also signed on to star in Barbie, Project Hail Mary, Wolfman, and The Actor, the latter three he’ll also produce. 

Julianne Moore (Emily Weaver)

Playing the part of Emily Weaver, Cal’s unfaithful ex-wife, Julianne Moore is an adventure-seeking woman in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Most notably, the actress won an Oscar for Still Alice. Also, Moore was nominated for starring in Far from Heaven and The End of the Affair, as well as her supporting turns in Boogie Nights and The Hours. Additionally, she’s known for Magnolia, The Kids Are All Right, A Single Man, I’m Not There, Children of Men, Hannibal, The Big Lebowski, Safe, Nine Months, Short Cuts, The Fugitive, and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 and 2. Furthermore, Moore was seen in Maps to the Stars, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Gloria Bell (which she also produced), and The Glorias.

Most recently, Julianne Moore was seen in Dear Evan Hansen, Netflix’s The Woman in the Window, With/In: Volume 1, and the short film, French Water. The actress was also heard in Spirit Untamed. Next, Moore will star in and produce When You Finish Saving the World. She's also currently filming and producing Sharper. Moreover, Moore is signed on to star in Mothertrucker, May December, and Fruitcake. Outside of film, she was Emmy-nominated for HBO’s Game Change. This year, Moore starred in Apple TV+’s Lisey’s Story, which she also produced. 

Emma Stone (Hannah Weaver)

As Hannah Weaver, Cal and Emily’s eldest child and Jacob’s love interest, Emma Stone plays a young romantic in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Most notably, the actress won an Oscar when she reunited with Ryan Gosling to star in La La Land. Additionally, Stone and Gosling starred in Gangster Squad. She was also Oscar-nominated for her supporting turns in Birdman and The Favourite. Stone’s other credits include Easy A, Superbad, The Help, The Amazing Spider-Man movies, the Zombieland films, The House Bunny, and Friends with Benefits. Furthermore, she reunited with Steve Carell for Battle of the Sexes. Stone can also be seen in Aloha, Irrational Man, and Movie 43. Moreover, she's heard in The Croods movies. This year, Stone starred in Cruella. Currently, she’s filming Poor Things. Next, Emma Stone will star in Cruella 2 and an untitled Greek National Opera project. 

Additionally, away from film, Emma Stone was acclaimed for her performance(s) in Netflix’s limited series, Maniac, which she also produced. She’s also signed on to star in Showtime’s The Curse, which the award-winning actress will produce. 

Marisa Tomei (Kate Tafferty)

In the role of Kate Tafferty, Marisa Tomei plays a woman Cal has a fling with in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Most notably, she won an Oscar for her stand-out supporting turn in My Cousin Vinny. Tomei is also acclaimed for The Wrestler, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Slums of Beverly Hills, and In the Bedroom. Additionally, the actress plays May Parker, i.e. Aunt May, in MCU’s Spider-Man movies, Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame. Her other film credits include What Women Want, Anger Management, Wild Hogs, The Big Short, The First Purge, The Lincoln Lawyer, and The Ides of March. 

Most recently, Marisa Tomei appeared in Human Capital, Judd Apatow's The King of Staten Island, and the Netflix special, Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine. Next, the actress reprises her role as Aunt May in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Also, Tomei will be seen in Delia's Gone and heard in the short film, A Better Half. 

Kevin Bacon (David Lindhagen)

in Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s Crazy, Stupid, Love, Kevin Bacon plays the part of David Lindhagen, the co-worker with whom Emily had an affair. Most notably, Bacon is known for Footloose, JFK, Apollo 13, Mystic River, Hollow Man, A Few Good Men, Animal House, Sleepers, Friday the 13th, Tremors, Wild Things, Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, and Flatliners. His other film credits include The Woodsman, X-Men: First Class, Diner, Frost/Nixon, Death Sentence, Super, and Cop Car. Furthermore, Bacon directed and starred in Loverboy. Most recently, he starred in You Should Have Left, which he produced. Next, Bacon appears in One Way, Whistler Camp, Space Oddity, and the short film, North Star. He’s filming The Toxic Avenger and John Logan’s horror movie. 

Additionally, on TV, Kevin Bacon starred in Fox's The Following and Amazon Prime's I Love Dick. Moreover, he was Emmy-nominated for his performance in HBO’s Taking Chance. Currently, Bacon headlines Showtime's City on a Hill. 

John Carroll Lynch (Bernie Riley)

As Bernie Riley, Cal’s estranged best friend, John Carroll Lynch is a domesticated dad in Crazy, Stupid, Love. The character actor first gained notice for his warm supporting turn in the blizzard-friendly classic, Fargo. Lynch later was acclaimed for Zodiac, Gran Torino, Face/Off, Shutter Island, The Invitation, The Founder, and last year’s The Trial of the Chicago 7. His other notable film credits include Jackie, Private Life, Mozart and the Whale, Gothika, The Good Girl, Gone in 60 Seconds, Waking the Dead, Grumpy Old Men, and Beautiful Girls. Last year, Lynch starred in Kiss Me Before It Blows Up. Outside of acting, he directed Lucky and 2020’s short film, Be Absolute for Death, which he edited. 

On TV, John Carroll Lynch was well-acclaimed for his performance as Twisty the Clown in FX’s American Horror Story: Freak Show and Cult. The actor can also be seen in American Horror Story: 1984, The Drew Carey Show, and Veep. Currently, Lynch stars in ABC’s Big Sky. He also appeared in FX’s American Horror Story: Double Feature. Next, Lynch stars in The White House Plumbers. 

Josh Groban (Richard)

Josh Groban plays Hannah’s disappointing boyfriend, Richard, in Crazy, Stupid, Love. As an actor, he starred in Netflix’s The Good Cop. Groban’s other television credits include Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Parks and Recreation, and Ally McBeal. He was also Tony-nominated for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 and Emmy-nominated for 72nd Tony Awards. 

Most notably, as a musician, Josh Groban is a multi-Grammy nominated artist who has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. His most recent album was 2020's Harmony. Currently, he's preparing for Josh’s Great Big Radio City Show. 

Lio Tipton (Jessica Riley) 

Playing the part of Jessica Riley, Robbie’s babysitter, Lio Tipton has a supporting role in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Their other notable film credits include Warm Bodies, Damsels in Distress, The Green Hornet, Lucy, Mississippi Grind, and Golden Exits. Additionally, Tipton starred in Two Night Stand, Viral, Compulsion, and Between Us. Next, they'll star in The Long Home, Vengeance, Riddle of Fire, and Continue. 

Furthermore, away from film, Lio Tipton starred in ABC’s Manhattan Love Story. They're also seen in The Big Bang Theory, Hung, Why Women Kill, and America's Next Top Model. Next, Tipton will star in the YouTube series, The Edge of Sleep. 

Joey King (Molly Weaver)

As Molly Weaver, the youngest Weaver daughter, Joey King received one of her earliest roles in Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s Crazy, Stupid, Love. Following this part, the former child actress garnered acclaim for her lead role in Hulu’s The Act. King also had a recurring part in FX’s Fargo Season 1. Her other TV credits include Life in Pieces and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Last year, King was seen in Quibi’s Home Movie: The Princess Bride. Recently, the star was heard in Calls. 

Furthermore, away from TV, Joey King was the star of Netflix’s The Kissing Booth movies, two of which she also produced. Additionally, the actress appeared in Slender Man, Wish Upon, The Conjuring, The Dark Knight Rises, Oz the Great and Powerful, Ramona and Beezus, Wish I Was Here, and Summer ‘03. Last year, King was seen in Zeroville and The Lie. Next, she’ll star in and produce Camp. King will also appear in Bullet Train, The Princess, and The In-Between — the latter two she produces. She's also set to star in and executive produce Netflix's Uglies adaptation.

Jonah Bobo (Robbie Weaver) 

In the role of Robbie Weaver, Cal’s floppy-haired, emotionally turmoiled son, Jonah Bobo is a tormented teen in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Most notably, as a voice actor, he was heard as Austin in Nickelodeon’s The Backyardigans. Bobo was also heard in The Backyardigans: Mighty Match-Up! and The Backyardigans: The Snow Fort. In live-action, his other TV credits include 30 Rock and Royal Pains. 

Additionally, away from TV, Jonah Bobo starred in Zathura: A Space Adventure. His other film credits include Disconnect, Choke, Strangers with Candy, Around the Bend, and The Best Thief in the World. Also, Bobo can be heard in The Fox and the Hound 2. Most recently, he was seen in 2014’s short film, To Instigate Blue. Also, outside of acting, Bobo composed 2019’s short film, The Pickle Aisle. 

Beth Littleford (Claire Riley)

Beth Littleford plays the part of Claire Riley, Bernie’s wife, in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Most notably, she was a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Additionally, Littleford starred in Disney Channel’s Dog with a Blog. Her other TV credits include Method & Red and The Hard Times of RJ Berger. Currently, Littleford stars in Hulu’s Love, Victor. 

Away from TV, Beth Littleford’s other film credits include Mystery, Alaska, Drillbit Taylor, and Movie 43. Earlier this year, the actress was seen in Senior Moment. 

Follow CinemaBlend for updates on 2021 movies, 2022 movies, and more. 

Ryan Gosling's ability to embody a diverse variety of memorable characters has made him one of Hollywood’s most celebrated and sought-after actors and earned him the role of Ken in Barbie. Well, his classic good looks also came in handy in that regard, of course.

But, seriously, there are not many actors who can switch from being a charming romantic, like Noah in The Notebook, to an intimidatingly stoic, violent badass, such as the nameless hero from Drive, like the actor has managed to do so easily at various moments in his career. Thus, you will find plenty of variety in our collection of Ryan Gosling’s best movies, along with a quick reference of where to find them.

Barbie (2023)

Director: Greta Gerwig

Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling

What it's about: Barbie journeys from her idyllic fantasy land to the real world to understand the origin of her sudden identity crisis.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Ryan Gosling earned a 2024 Academy Award nomination for his performance as the Barbie cast's Ken – a role he was perfect for, not just for his looks, but his sharp comedic timing and musical talents, which are demonstrated beautifully in this funny, visually stunning, and moving blockbuster.

How to watch Barbie

• Stream Barbie on Netflix
• Stream Barbie on Max
• Rent or buy Barbie on Amazon
• Buy Barbie on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Fall Guy (2024)

Director: David Leitch

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

What it's about: Longing to reunite with his former girlfriend, a retired stunt performer agrees to be involved with her directorial debut, but is then tasked with finding its missing star.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Gosling's action-hero reputation and comedic skills coerce beautifully in the feature adaptation of '80s TV show The Fall Guy — a love letter to Hollywood stunt coordination available with a Peacock subscription in its theatrical and extended forms.

How to watch The Fall Guy

• Stream The Fall Guy on Amazon Prime
• Buy The Fall Guy on Blu-ray on Amazon

Remember The Titans (2000)

Director: Boaz Yakin

Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Gosling

What it's about: The newly appointed coach of a high school football team attempts to break racial barriers among his players in 1970s Virginia.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: One of Gosling’s earliest breakout roles was young athlete Alan Bosley in one of the best sports movies of its time, Remember the Titans – a true story about how something as simple as playing football can make a difference.

How to watch Remember the Titans

• Stream Remember the Titans on Disney+
• Rent or buy Remember the Titans on Amazon
• Buy Remember the Titans on Blu-ray on Amazon

Murder By Numbers (2002)

Director: Barbet Schroeder

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Gosling, Michael Pitt

What it's about: An unlikely pair of teenagers believe they have achieved the perfect crime until they discover that an experienced detective is hot on their trail.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Murder By Numbers is a clever, underrated crime thriller that sees the actor give one of the darker performances of his early career.

How to watch Murder By Numbers

• Buy or rent Murder By Numbers on Amazon
• Buy Murder By Numbers on DVD on Amazon

Half Nelson (2006)

Director: Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Anthony Mackie

What it's about: A Brooklyn middle school history teacher and girls basketball coach forms an unlikely friendship with one of his students after she discovers his secret drug habit.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Half Nelson is a dark, brutally honest character study that turned Ryan Gosling into an Oscar darling with his 2007 Best Actor nod.

How to watch Half Nelson

• Stream Half Nelson on Peacock
• Stream Half Nelson on Tubi
• Buy Half Nelson on DVD on Amazon

La La Land (2016)

Director: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone

What it's about: A struggling musician and a struggling actress fall in love despite their respective career aspirations getting in the way in modern-day Hollywood.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Gosling’s second Oscar-nominated performance and third collaboration with Emma Stone was in writer and director Damien Chazelle’s exhilarating 2016 musical masterpiece, La La Land, for which the actor actually learned to play piano – according to Variety – to great effect.

How to watch La La Land

• Rent or buy La La Land on Amazon
• Buy La La Land on Blu-ray on Amazon

Crazy Stupid Love (2011)

Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Starring: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone

What it's about: A hapless middle-aged man is mentored in how to recover from his recent divorce by a young womanizer who ends up experiencing a life-changing meeting with a young woman in an unhappy relationship of her own.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Gosling’s first collaboration with Stone was in Crazy Stupid Love, which is widely considered to be one of the best romantic comedies in recent memory for its clever, honest, and surprisingly timeless analysis of what it really takes to make romance work.

How to watch Crazy Stupid Love

• Stream Crazy Stupid Love on Hulu
• Buy or rent Crazy Stupid Love on Amazon
• Buy Crazy Stupid Love on Blu-ray on Amazon

First Man (2018)

Director: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy

What it's about: Neil Armstrong struggles to ensure that his maiden voyage to the Moon will be a safe one while also struggling to hold his family together in the wake of a heartbreaking tragedy.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: First Man is a revealing, visually stunning, Oscar-winning inside look at the private life of astronaut Neil Armstrong, whom the actor prepared to play by meeting with NASA.

How to watch First Man

• Buy or rent First Man on Amazon
• Buy First Man on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Big Short (2015)

Director: Adam McKay

Starring: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt

What it's about: An eccentric fund manager suspects that the housing market is in trouble, which banking executives and financial investors selfishly try to take advantage of.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Gosling’s aforementioned classic looks were toned down a bit for The Big Short – a revealing, comically meta, and Oscar-winning inside look at the days leading to the housing market crisis in 2005.

How to watch The Big Short

• Stream The Big Short on Paramount+
• Stream The Big Short on MGM+
• Rent or buy The Big Short on Amazon
• Buy The Big Short on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Nice Guys (2016)

Director: Shane Black

Starring: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling

What it's about: Two private investigators – one a hardened, no-nonsense professional, the other a bumbling, alcoholic single father – team up to solve dual mysteries of a missing teenager and a murdered porn star in 1977 Los Angeles.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: The Nice Guys – is a fun, subversive, screwball farce disguised as a deconstructive throwback to buddy cop movies that fans hope gets a sequel someday.

How to watch The Nice Guys

• Stream The Nice Guys on Netflix
• Rent or buy The Nice Guys on Amazon
• Buy The Nice Guys on Blu-ray on Amazon

Lars And The Real Girl (2007)

Director: Craig Gillespie

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider

What it's about: A man and his wife struggle to be supportive when his introverted brother finds love with a mail-order sex doll.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Another comedy that shows the goofier side of Gosling (but in a more bizarre and heartbreaking way) is the quirky, quasi-rom-com, Lars and the Real Girl – a somewhat dark look at the lengths one will go to feel loved when they cannot already sense it in their life.

How to watch Lars and the Real Girl

• Stream Lars and the Real Girl on Amazon Prime
• Stream Lars and the Real Girl on Tubi
• Stream Lars and the Real Girl on Pluto TV
• Buy Lars and the Real Girl on DVD on Amazon

The Notebook (2004)

Director: Nick Cassavetes

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Gena Rowlands

What it's about: An elderly man visits an Alzheimer’s patient in a nursing home, where he reads to her the heartbreaking and heartwarming story of star-crossed lovers Noah and Allie in the 1940s.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: A drama that shows the more charming and romantic side of Gosling, and is also one of the best Rachel McAdams movies, is The Notebook – an instant classic romantic drama that skyrocketed original author Nicolas Sparks into the mainstream.

How to watch The Notebook

• Stream The Notebook on Max
• Stream The Notebook on Hulu
• Rent or buy The Notebook on Amazon
• Buy The Notebook on Blu-ray on Amazon

Blue Valentine (2010)

Director: Derek Cianfrance

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams

What it's about: Outside circumstances – including family upbringings and financial hardships – cause a painful strain on the marriage of a painter and a nurse.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: A drama that shows another romantic, but also far more intense, side of Gosling is Blue Valentine – a bleak, brutal, Oscar-nominee, which is also one of Michelle Williams’ best movies.

How to watch Blue Valentine

• Stream Blue Valentine on Amazon Prime
• Stream Blue Valentine on Tubi
• Buy Blue Valentine on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Place Beyond The Pines (2012)

Director: Derek Cianfrance

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes

What it's about: In order to provide for his lover and their newborn child, a motorcycle rider turns to bank robbery, which then puts him on the trail of a hotshot rookie cop in Schenectady, New York.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best: The Place Beyond the Pines – another bleak romance and intense crime drama starring Gosling as a skilled stunt rider living a double life as a criminal – sparked his romance with Mendes, who is now his wife.

How to watch The Place Beyond the Pines

• Rent or buy The Place Beyond the Pines on Amazon
• Buy The Place Beyond the Pines on Blu-ray on Amazon

Drive (2011)

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston

What it's about: In order to protect the woman of his dreams, a Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver agrees to help pull off a seemingly simple job that goes horribly wrong.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Another modern, great film noir movie that sees Gosling play a stoic stuntman with a criminal double life is Drive – a pulse-pounding, beautifully shot, atmospherically unique instant classic.

How to watch Drive

• Rent or buy Drive on Amazon
• Buy Drive on Blu-ray on Amazon

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford

What it's about: A cop who specializes in hunting and “retiring” artificial beings known as Replicants comes across a mystery that could change the world (and his own life) forever in a dystopian Los Angeles.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Another visually and emotionally stunning crime drama that takes great advantage of Gosling’s penchant for stoicism is Blade Runner 2049 – an epic, Oscar-winning sequel to Ridley Scott’s celebrated 1982 sci-fi classic that some argue is the better of the two for its stunning production design and powerfully inventive technological commentary.

How to watch Blade Runner 2049

• Buy or rent Blade Runner 2049 on Amazon
• Buy Blade Runner 2049 on Blu-ray on Amazon

Fracture (2007)

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling

What it's about: A young, hot-shot lawyer struggles to prosecute a wealthy engineer who confessed to murdering his wife and her lover due to his manipulative ways of working the system.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Another fascinating crime thriller that sees Gosling at odds with corruption is 2007’s Fracture, which puts the actor in a twisted cat-and-mouse game with the great, two-time Academy Award winner, Hopkins.

How to watch Fracture

• Rent or buy Fracture on Amazon
• Buy Fracture on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Believer (2001)

Director: Harry Bean

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix

What it's about: A fiercely devout, strongly anti-Semitic KKK member struggles to keep his Jewish upbringing a secret in the 1960s.

Why it’s one of Ryan Gosling’s best movies: Based on a shocking true story, The Believer is another fascinating thriller that will never allow you to look at Gosling the same way again.

How to watch The Believer

• Stream The Believer on Peacock
• Buy or rent The Believer on Amazon
• Buy The Believer on DVD on Amazon

Enjoy all of these films starring your favorite Canadian heartthrob named Ryan (save Ryan Reynolds).

In the last ten years or so, new stars have emerged in Hollywood who have truly taken over, bringing in a brand new generation of amazing talent. One of those actresses was none other than Emma Stone, a young woman who has gone on to have quite the career so far.

It’s about time that we gave Emma Stone the honor that she deserves in re-watching some of her best films. Because, trust me, there are plenty of them. These are the best Emma Stone movies on Amazon, Hulu, and other streaming platforms which you should go and watch right now if you’re a fan of the actress.

Superbad (2007)

Starting off this list, we take a look at Emma Stone’s film debut, Superbad. In this classic comedy, starring Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, we follow the story of two high school students, who have been best friends since they were small, on their quest to lose their virginity to the prettiest and coolest girls in school before they go away to college.

There’s a reason why, after this film, Emma Stone was signed up for so many other roles. Her performance as Jules was comically fantastic and showed off her acting chops, as well as her natural talents with comedy. This might have been the first comedic role she starred in, but it's been far from her last. The rest of the Superbad cast is great, but Stone was a standout. 

Stream Superbad on Peacock..
Rent/Buy Superbad on Amazon.

Zombieland (2009)

Moving into another genre that Emma Stone rocks, we take a look at Zombieland. This apocalyptic comedy follows the story of a geeky college kid, who has a set of rules for surviving in an apocalypse filled with zombies. He ends up meeting three strangers along the way, and they band together for a long road trip across the country to find sanctuary from the zombies.

There was a sequel ten years later for more than one reason. Emma Stone and Jesse Eisenberg have amazing chemistry. Not only is their comedic timing fantastic, but their strange and yet quirky relationship is believable, as well. Woody Harrelson and Abigail Breslin also add to this awesome ensemble that not only makes you laugh but gets you prepped for the zombie apocalypse. But, remember to get a kickass partner to do it with. It’s a shame Stone didn’t get that Walking Dead crossover that she wanted though. 

Stream Zombieland on Apple TV+.
Rent/Buy Zombieland on Amazon. 

The Amazing Spider-Man (And The Sequel) (2012, 2014)

I’ve always felt that a lot of people forget these movies exist because of how popular Tom Holland’s version of Spider-Man became, but Emma Stone rocked it in The Amazing Spider-Man movies. In the first Amazing Spider-Man, we see the origin story of Peter Parker, the boy who would go on to be bitten by a radioactive spider and become the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, saving NYC.

Emma Stone portrays Gwen Stacy, Peter’s love interest in the two films, and while she looks amazing as a blonde, she also kills this role. You’d never think she could be anything other than an awesome scientist. I always wished that we got to see more of her as the character – but, let’s be honest, neither she nor Andrew Garfield really looked like high schoolers, did they? They’re still great films, though. It’s a shame she wasn’t in Spider-Man: No Way Home like her co-star Andrew Garfield, but that’s something I can live with as long as I have these films. 

Stream The Amazing Spider-Man on Netflix.
Stream The Amazing Spider-Man 2 on Netflix.
Rent/Buy The Amazing Spider-Man on Amazon.
Rent/Buy The Amazing Spider-Man 2 on Amazon.

Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) (2014)

Winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 2015, Birdman, otherwise known as Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), is a black comedy-drama that tells the story of a faded Hollywood actor and his rise to try and come back by starring in a new adaptation of Broadway play. 

Birdman has an impressive cast overall, and Emma Stone was one of the best additions the movie could have had, co-starring as Sam Thomson. Birdman actually earned Stone her first Academy Award nomination, and showed just how talented she is in the drama sphere. She went on to win for a different film a couple years later, but her role in Birdman is legendary. 

Stream Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) on Amazon.

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Crazy, Stupid Love is just another example of how great Stone performs in a comedic manner – with a hint of drama as well. In this popular romantic dramedy starring Steve Carell in one of his best movies, we follow the story of a recently separated man who wants to rediscover his manhood and is taught by his new friend, Jacob, how to pick up women at bars.

Let me just say that this film is ridiculously funny. Not only are the dramatic moments on point and pull at your heartstrings in a great way but the jokes land every single time. Even the scenes between Emma Stone and Steve Carell are some of the best in the film because it feels like a father and a daughter conversing, not two actors. It’s just so great. Please, give it a watch if you haven’t seen it!

Stream Crazy Stupid Love on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Crazy Stupid Love on Amazon.

Battle Of The Sexes (2017)

If you’re looking for a great biographical sports film, Battle of the Sexes is one that you need to check out, starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell. The film is based on the real-life match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, two major tennis players who took the world by storm, and the drama that led up to this competition. 

Battle of the Sexes premiered a year after Birdman and continued to show just how brilliant Stone was in more dramatic roles. While the movie itself was a box-office bomb, both Stone and Carell received plenty of praise for their performances, including a Best Actress in a Comedy for the Critics Choice Awards and Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Stone.

Rent/Buy Battle of the Sexes on Amazon.

La La Land (2016)

If you haven’t heard of La La Land at this point, then you’ve been living under a rock. La La Land is a wonderfully written musical telling the story of two unlikely lovers meeting in Hollywood, who have two very different dreams for their lives.

Emma Stone won the Academy Award for Best Actress because of her role in the La La Land cast. We like to talk about how she’s amazing in comedy, but you listen to her sing, dance, and show off her drama skills. I promise you will be crying by the end of this film. Plus, the music is incredibly catchy. I found myself listening to “City of Stars” for months after the film’s release. Your dreams just might come true with La La Land if you take the time to watch it.

Rent La La Land on Amazon.

The Help (2011)

In The Help, we are told the story of Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, a young white woman who works as a journalist, and her relationship with two Black maids during the Civil Rights Movement in 1963.

The film received high praise and several awards. Emma Stone stars as the journalist, and her story captivates you as you watch her interactions with the women who face constant racism on a daily basis. It’s raw and real, which is what makes The Help so fantastic. The performances of this amazing ensemble cast will have you clapping at your TV screen like you would do at the credits in a movie theater. Truly outstanding.

Stream The Help on the Roku Channel.
Rent/Buy The Help on Amazon.

Easy A (2010)

After some heavy choices on this list, we turn back to a comedy – which was the first Emma Stone movie I ever saw. Easy A is about Olive, a high school student who ends up as a victim of her school's “rumor mill” when she lies to her best friend that she had sex for the first time. When word spreads, she welcomes the attention she receives.

I’ve gone off so many times on this list with how amazing Emma Stone is at comedy, but in my opinion, she is at her best in Easy A. The jokes are consistent (I don’t think any of us could forget that ‘Pocketful of Sunshine’ bit), and the acting talent beside her, like Lisa Kudrow and Stanley Tucci, is phenomenal. Plus, this movie is all about women’s empowerment and embracing your sexuality – who wouldn’t want to watch a hysterical movie with a message like that?

Rent/Buy Easy A on Amazon.

The Favourite (2018)

Coming off of her win for La La Land, Emma Stone decided she wanted another Oscar nomination and signed onto the period piece, The Favourite. In this black comedy, we are given the chance to look at the relationship between two cousins, the Duchess of Marlborough and Abigail Masham, both of which are trying to be the Court favourite for the queen.

Emma Stone with a British accent is something I didn’t think I ever needed but God, it’s one of my favorite movies ever. The chemistry that she shares with Rachel Weisz is top-notch, and the comedic moments that come from this film will have you snorting out whatever drink you have. Not only that, but the set design is absolutely gorgeous. Sometimes you won’t even be focusing on the jokes, but looking at the beautiful landscapes, or even the outfits that they have on. If you’re a supporter of period pieces, but want to laugh your butt off, The Favourite is the way to go.

Stream The Favourite on Hulu.
Rent/Buy The Favourite on Amazon.

Poor Things (2023)

You knew at some point this would be on here. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things is based on the novel of the same name and tells the story of a young woman who is brought back to life, but with the brain of someone else in her head, and follows her journey into adulthood and discovering more about herself and the world around her. 

Emma Stone knocks it out of the park with Poor Things, so much so that she won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film. I’ll be honest and say that out of all the 2024 Best Picture nominees, Poor Things is certainly the wackiest, but it’s such a fun time. It tells an intriguing story that will capture your interest instantly. 

Stream Poor Things on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Poor Things on Amazon.

Kinds Of Kindness (2024) (Coming Soon)

While this isn’t a film you can watch right now, I have to bring it up because it’s coming out soon. Kinds of Kindness is Stone’s third collaboration with Yorgos Lanthimos after The Favourite and Poor Things, and while not much is known about the film, we know it follows three different stories, as if they’re like three different films.

Stone is just one of the many talented cast members who are in this new film. Willem Dafoe reunites with her, as well as newcomers to Lanthimos movies like Mamaoudou Athie, Hong Chau, Margaret Qualley and more. Trust me when I say this is a movie you’re going to want to see. 

Kinds of Kindness opens in theaters June 21, 2024.

I mean, let’s be honest – these are some of the best movies on Amazon, on Apple TV+, on Hulu and many more. You all need to watch them – but if you’re a fan of Emma Stone, then you have to check all of these out. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to go stream Zombieland for the millionth time.

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ABC’s The Baker and the Beauty was cancelled after just one season. It had nine episodes total. However, like many series, the show found an audience after it became available on a streaming service. The Baker and the Beauty on Netflix has been a hit. Since its Netflix release, it’s often in the top ten of the USA Netflix charts. Unfortunately for those who fell in love with The Baker and the Beauty, it’s over before it really gets a chance to start. This leaves fans of the show craving more.

ABC has no plans to resurrect The Baker and the Beauty, but Netflix subscribers can find plenty to stream to fill that hole left after they finished the series on Netflix. We have some TV show and movie suggestions to keep you busy binging all weekend.

Jane The Virgin (Netflix)

Jane the Virgin follows, well, a virgin named Jane (Gina Rodriguez) who is impregnated when an artificial insemination goes wrong. The show aired from 2014 to 2019, and followed Jane as she found her voice as a writer and picked between her baby daddy, Rafael (Justin Baldoni), and fiancé, Michael (Brett Dier). Jane the Virgin was a CW series that paid tribute to and showcased its love for the Telenovela style.

Both Jane the Virgin and The Baker and the Beauty have Latino heritage and Latino representation as a core to their stories and characters. Both series’ Latin roots give it more character. They're more vibrant and relatable because of their diversity and celebration of Latino culture. Jane the Virgin and The Baker and the Beauty also are romantic comedy series, so they’re a bit whimsical, jovial, and playful. The two series are very complimentary to one another, so if you’re done with The Baker and the Beauty on Netflix, you have five seasons of Jane the Virgin that you can stream.

Stream Jane the Virgin on Netflix.

Rent Jane the Virgin on Amazon.

Never Have I Ever (Netflix)

Never Have I Ever follows Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), an Indian American teen who decides to change her life during her sophomore year of high school. Her "new year, new Devi" plan starts with having sex with the hottest guy in school, Paxton (Darren Barnet). Obviously, Devi’s sophomore year doesn’t go as smoothly as she planned, but it’s a year of growth for her and her friends. The Never Have I Ever cast includes Poorna Jagannathan, Ramona Young, Lee Rodriguez, Richa Moorjani, and Jaren Lewison. John McEnroe narrates Never Have I Ever.

Never Have I Ever and The Baker and The Beauty are both series that have romantic elements which are very important to the plot. The Baker and the Beauty follows Daniel (Victor Rasuk) and Noa (Nathalie Kelley) as they fall in love and all the issues that come with falling for a celebrity. Whereas, part of Devi’s growth comes from her relationships with Paxton and Ben. Generally, Never Have I Ever is considered one of the best shows on Netflix, so now is the perfect time to binge before the next season.

Stream Never Have I Ever on Netflix.

New Girl (Netflix)

Jessica “Jess” Day (Zooey Deschanel) ends up moving into a loft with three men. The union doesn’t start ideally, but eventually, the gang gets into a groove. Jess, Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), Winston (Lamorne Morris), Cece (Hannah Simone), and sometimes Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.), become that quirky group of friends that you want to join. New Girl aired on Fox for seven seasons, from 2011 to 2018.

New Girl and The Baker and the Beauty both know how to balance and create quirky characters whom you love. I could easily see Mateo (David Del Río) and Schmidt having a dance battle in some universe where these shows occupy the same space.

Stream New Girl on Netflix

Rent New Girl on Amazon.

Crazy Stupid Love (Netflix)

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa directed Crazy, Stupid, Love. It follows Cal (Steve Carell) as he reenters the dating scene after separating from his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore). Cal seeks advice from Jacob (Ryan Gosling), who coaches Cal on how to be a lady’s man. However, just as Jacob is mentoring Cal, the younger man starts to fall for Hannah (Emma Stone), and begins to rethink his own philosophies on dating.

Crazy, Stupid, Love and The Baker and the Beauty are romantic comedies with some drama. They both revolve around men being put into dating situations which are out of their comfort zone. Cal hasn’t been on the dating scene for a long time, so everything is new to him, and Daniel knows very little about the celebrity world.

Stream Crazy, Stupid, Love on Netflix.

Rent Crazy, Stupid, Love on Amazon.

My Fair Lady (Netflix)

My Fair Lady is the 1964 musical dramedy based on the stage play of the same name. The original story is based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. Phonetics professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) takes on the challenge of turning cockney, poor Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) into a woman of high society by teaching her how to speak what he deems as proper English.

My Fair Lady and The Baker and the Beauty both are fish-out-of-water stories. They’re also both rags to riches stories, as both Eliza and Daniel come from poor or humble backgrounds, but then start rubbing elbows with the very wealthy. For the most part, The Baker and the Beauty and My Fair Lady have lighthearted tones.

Stream My Fair Lady on Netflix

Rent My Fair Lady on Amazon

Chef (Netflix)

Chef follows difficult chef Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) as he loses his job and embarks on the adventure of running a food truck. With his son Percy (Emjay Anthony) by his side, he tries to manage the nearly impossible task of running a thriving new business. Favreau also directed Chef, and the cast includes John Leguizamo, Sofía Vergara, Bobby Cannavale, Scarlett Johansson, and Oliver Platt.

The Baker and the Beauty is not only a romantic TV show but it’s also very family orientated. At the heart of this family’s closeness is their bakery. It provides them with financial stability but also helps center the family together. In Chef, Carl and Percy are able to bond more because of the food truck. Food and family are both core parts of Chef and The Baker and the Beauty.

Stream Chef on Netflix

Rent Chef on Amazon.

What A Girl Wants (Netflix)

What a Girl Wants stars Amanda Bynes as Daphne Reynolds. Daphne discovers at 17 that she’s the daughter of a British, upper class man. Daphne must then learn to adapt to high society, which isn’t easy, because she grew up in America with her free-spirited mother. What a Girl Wants’ cast includes Colin Firth and the late Kelly Preston.

The Baker and The Beauty and What A Girl Wants are very much Cinderella stories. They’re about people who grew up one way but elevated to a higher status, either due to their secret lineage or because of the person that they start to date. Neither Daniel nor Daphne are used to the good life, so there is a learning curve with adjusting to their new lives and situations.

Stream What A Girl Wants on Netflix.

Rent What A Girl Wants on Amazon.

Julie and the Phantoms (Netflix)

Julie and the Phantoms is a series that follows Julie Molina (Madison Reyes) and a ghost band. Julie starts to find her musical voice when the ghosts of the band Sunset Curve start to help. Julie and the band quickly start to make beautiful music together and develop a following. The Julie and the Phantoms cast also includes Charlie Gillespie, Owen Patrick Joyner, Jeremy Shada, Jadah Marie, and Carlos Ponce.

Julie and the Phantoms and The Baker and the Beauty both have a hopeful, charming, and optimistic quality which makes them infectious and addictive. Julie and the Phantoms is currently in TV show limbo because we have no clue whether it’ll have multiple seasons or be one-and-done like The Baker and the Beauty, but we’ll be checking the Netflix TV premiere dates schedule often for any news on this series.

Stream Julie and the Phantoms on Netflix.

Notting Hill (Netflix)

Notting Hill follows a British bookstore owner named Will (Hugh Grant) who starts to date very famous American actress, Anna (Julia Roberts). Will and Anna fall madly in love but their romance is filled with tabloid articles and the press wanting to know what’s happening, which puts stress on their relationship. Notting Hill’s cast also includes Hugh Bonneville, Emma Chambers, Rhys Ifans, and James Dreyfus.

Notting Hill and The Baker and the Beauty basically have the exact same premise, just executed differently. Therefore, if you’re a sucker for the "celebrity falls for an average joe story," you have plenty to enjoy with Notting Hill.

Stream Notting Hill on Netflix

Rent Notting Hill on Amazon.

Young And Hungry (Netflix)

Young and Hungry is a former Freeform series that follows a young personal chef, Gabi (Emily Osment), who starts to work for a wealthy tech entrepreneur, Josh (Jonathan Sadowski). The two add some spice to each other’s lives and find themselves falling for one another. Young and Hungry aired for five seasons, from 2014 to 2018. The Young and Hungry cast includes Aimee Carrero, Kym Whitley, and Rex Lee.

Young and Hungry and The Baker and the Beauty both combine love and cooking / baking. Luckily, for those missing the newer show, there are over 70 episodes available of Young and Hungry. This gives you plenty to binge after you finish The Baker and the Beauty.

Stream Young and Hungry on Netflix.

Rent Young and Hungry on Amazon.

If none of these shows fit your fancy, then you can always just re-stream The Baker and the Beauty on Netflix. Going back for seconds never really hurt anyone. Stream The Baker and the Beauty here.

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They say that you can connect Kevin Bacon to almost any other actor through mutual movies in six steps or less and, as a frequent player of this game, I can conclude there is some validity to it. The reason being, simply, that the 62-year-old Golden Globe winner is in a lot of really good films, which means a list of the best Kevin Bacon movies would actually take more than just six steps to get through. Case in point, the whopping total of 17 favorites you can watch now on streaming, as a digital rental or purchase, or even to find on Blu-ray and DVD if you still prefer to collect physical media, starting with his feature film debut.

National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)

A 20-year-old Kevin Bacon proved his skills in both comedy and villainy as Chip Diller in director John Landis’ National Lampoon’s Animal House - considered the Citizen Kane of college movies by most. The freshman ROTC cadet thinks he’s hot shit after Faber’s Omega House accepts him as a pledge, but his true cowardice is exposed when Delta House sabotage’s the homecoming parade.

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Friday The 13th (1980)

There is not much to be said about Kevin Bacon’s role as Jack in director Sean Cunningham’s first installment of the iconic slasher franchise, aside from being one of the several young counselors stalked and killed one-by-one at Camp Crystal Lake. However, when it comes to the most iconic kill in Friday the 13th, he easily gets the point.

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Footloose (1984)

The movie that made the world want to dance again was the movie that made a star out of Kevin Bacon as a teenager who seeks to rebel against his new small town's law against dancing. With a choreography by future High School Musical director Kenny Ortega and fun set of tunes by Bonnie Tyler, Foreigner, and Kenny Loggins on the title tracks, Footloose is an irresistible romp to "cut loose" to.

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Diner (1982)

Two years after Animal House, Kevin Bacon once again played a collegian in a period piece that has a great deal of comedy, but a more dramatic central narrative. Written and directed by Barry Levinson, Diner is an inspiring, Oscar-nominated coming of age story about five young men facing the end of the ‘50s and the beginning of adulthood.

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She’s Having A Baby (1988)

Speaking of the beginnings of adulthood, She's Having a Baby also carries that theme heavily. The romantic comedy written and directed by the late, great John Hughes stars Kevin Bacon as newly married man who begins to fall under the pressure of life when his wife (Academy Award nominee Elizabeth McGovern) announces she is pregnant.

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Tremors (1990)

Further cementing Kevin Bacon into "Scream King" status was his lead role in this old school creature feature about a small, desert town in Nevada terrorized by giant, man-eating worms. There are still Tremors movies being made today (as recently as 2020 with Tremors: Shreiker Island), but none have had quite the same charm that Bacon's Valentine McKee brought to the original.

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Flatliners (1990)

While Tremors is appreciated for its decent number of laughs, Kevin Bacon's other cult thriller from 1990, which earned an Oscar nomination for visual effects, takes a more earnest approach to horror. Directed by the late Joel Schumacher and featuring an all-star ensemble also including Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland, Flatliners stars Bacon as one of five medical students going to the extreme to study the afterlife, and with grave consequences.

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Stir Of Echoes (1999)

Nine years after Flatliners, Kevin Bacon would once again grow uncomfortably close with the dead as a man hypnotized into seeing ghostly visions in a thriller released the same year as The Sixth Sense, coincidentally. Based on the novel by Richard Matheson, Stir of Echoes was Bacon's first chilling collaboration with writer and director David Koepp before reuniting on You Should Have Left in 2020.

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JFK (1991)

Earlier in the 1990s, Kevin Bacon would make two highly acclaimed legal dramas released within a year of each other - the first being JFK, which sheds light on a supposed governmental conspiracy behind the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Bacon appears as a fictional composite of multiple witnesses who testified at the legendary trial that inspired director Oliver Stone's controversial Oscar-winner.

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A Few Good Men (1992)

Kevin Bacon would follow up JFK the next year with director Rob Reiner's A Few Good Men, in which he plays a a prosecuting military attorney for murder opposing Tom Cruise's defense of Marines accused of murder. The oft-quoted film from the mind of writer Aaron Sorkin, director of recent legal thriller The Trial of the Chicago 7, was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

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Apollo 13 (1995)

In Kevin Bacon's next Oscar darling (winning two of its nine nominations), he portrayed Astronaut Jack Swigart, one of a three-man crew whose lives were put in danger when a "problem" occurred during a flight to the Moon in April 1970. Also starring Tom Hanks and Bill Paxton and directed by Ron Howard, Apollo 13 is pulse-pounding space odyssey based on a shocking true story of miraculous survival.

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Balto (1995)

In the same year as Apollo 13, Kevin Bacon lent his voice to his first animated family adventure that is also based on a true story which later inspired the live action film Togo in 2019. He plays the title character of Balto - a Husky who leads a team of sled dogs in an attempt to prevent a deadly epidemic from reaching a small Alaskan town.

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Sleepers (1996)

Kevin Bacon would reunite with Diner director Barry Levinson for another coming-of-age story, but with much grimmer circumstances. Based on the novel by Lorenzo Carcaterra, Sleepers follows a group of childhood friends who seek revenge against the detention center guard who abused them years earlier, played by Bacon.

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Mystic River (2003)

Years after Sleepers, director Clint Eastwood would cast Kevin Bacon in another dark thriller based on a novel about childhood friends reunited through tragedy. Bacon plays a Boston detective investigating the murder of his ex-convict friend's teenage daughter (future Shameless star Emmy Rossum) in Mystic River, which Sean Penn and Tim Robbins both earned their first Academy Awards for.

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Frost/Nixon (2008)

Kevin Bacon would reunite with Apollo 13 director Ron Howard for another Academy Award-nominated historical drama set around an infamous occurrence in the 1970s. He plays Richard Nixon's post-resignation chief of staff Jack Brennan in Frost/Nixon, a dramatic recreation of a legendary series of interviews between the disgraced former president (Frank Langella) and British TV journalist David Frost (Michael Sheen) in response to the Watergate Scandal.

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Crazy Stupid Love (2011)

While he may not be the romantic lead, Kevin Bacon plays one of its more memorable characters in Crazy Stupid Love, especially by how often his name is brought up in conversation. He plays David Lindhagen, with whom Julianne Moore's Emily cheats on her husband, Cal (Steve Carell), who then seeks retribution from charming womanizer Jacob (Ryan Gosling) in this surprisingly clever and refreshingly honest romantic comedy.

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Patriots Day (2016)

Released just three years after the bombing at the 2013 Boston Marathon, Patriots Day chronicles the events leading up to and preceding the harrowing tragedy. Kevin Bacon plays Special Agent Richard DesLauriers, who joins Mark Wahlberg's Sgt. Tommy Saunders on a manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous act in one of director Peter Berg's very best films.

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Clearly Kevin Bacon has an impressive filmography on the big screen, but his work in television also should not go unnoticed. He led the cast of Scream writer Kevin Williamson's crime drama The Following, won his first Golden Globe for the HBO movie Taking Chance, and now stars opposite Aldis Hodge on City on a Hill, a Showtime original miniseries about the unlikely partnership between a corrupt FBI agent and an assistant district attorney on an earth shattering case in 1990s Boston. It is just further proof of how, in six steps or less, everything comes back to Bacon.

Netflix is hell bent on giving the world one hell of a 2021, and its monthly updates to the platform are only a part of how the service is gunning for such an honor. There’s a lot of amazing originals that are coming online throughout the year, and with the recent trailer for Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, there’s no sign of stopping the train at this point. While we’re still waiting for that movie for a couple of months, March 2021 has some great movies coming online, and we’re going to highlight the 10 that really caught our attention. But before we go too far, if you want to see the full lineup of what’s coming to Netflix this March, head over to the total rundown provided below.

Crazy, Stupid, Love

Romantic comedies can either be really funny or really cute, but it’s usually hard to balance the two factors properly. Yet somehow, Crazy, Stupid, Love was a movie that was able to achieve that rare feat thanks to some really clever writing and a hell of a cast. Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are the main leads, which is pretty fantastic on its own. But when you add Marisa Tomei and Julianne Moore to the cast, and the words and story from This Is Us creator/Tangled writer Dan Fogelman, you have a really effective entry in the genre that everyone can enjoy.

Batman Begins/The Dark Knight

Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy loves to do the rounds in the realm of digital viewing. But oddly enough, we see the most movement with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, as those titles seem to come up here and there in the streaming universe; but usually without The Dark Knight Rises in tow. Whether this is a comment on the demand for the questionable capstone entry or not is a question to definitely consider. Though it’ll be a bit hard to think about it when enjoying those first two movies where Christian Bale’s Batman goes through the personal journey of becoming the Caped Crusader and saving Gotham by any means necessary. And if we’re being totally honest, that ending to The Dark Knight is kind of hard to beat.

Dances With Wolves

Gigantic sprawling epics are sort of Netflix’s thing, especially when Oscar nominations are involved. But instead of the limited views of the intensely personal The Irishman, actor/director Kevin Costner’s Dances With Wolves is a wide open saga that explores the historical saga told in author Michael Blake’s book of the same name. A huge Oscar winner after its release in 1990, this was the movie that beat out Goodfellas for Best Picture and managed to find a bit of a pop culture resurrection when it was mockingly compared to Avatar. Now you can find out why both of those wildly different phenomenon occurred as you watch Dances With Wolves for yourself.

I Am Legend

Weirdly enough, the Will Smith adaptation of I Am Legend seems to be ping ponging around to various streaming services as of late. With a very real pandemic in our midst, perhaps some people are finding escape in this taut thriller about the supposed last man on Earth, and his fight against a very cunning foe. It’s attention that’s well deserved, as Smith makes the most of being the central human lead for most of the film’s running time; and it’s some of his finest work. If you happen to like the theatrical cut, then you should definitely seek out the alternate ending, as it makes a good movie even greater.

Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny

In a better world, we’d have gotten at least three movies from the Jack Black/Kyle Gass two-man supergroup that is Tenacious D. But alas, Jables and Rage Kage’s cinematic adventures were limited to only Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. Part rock musical, part comedy and music cameo festival, and all entertainment extravaganza, this movie is definitely not the greatest film in the world, but it certainly is a tribute to all of the things we love about movies, as well as fighting Satan through song and pop culture references.

Training Day

With his recent return to police work in The Little Things, Denzel Washington showed us all that he’s still got plenty of twists and turns to show off when it comes to his detective work. But one of the landmark roles that helped nail his history as a movie cop is, without question, Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris in David Ayer’s Training Day. The part that not only nabbed Washington a Best Actor Oscar, but also showed how fast he could pivot to a more sinister presence. It’s worth firing this one up just to see a side of Denzel Washington that some might not expect.

Two Weeks Notice

Yes, we have another rom-com on our hands, and yet Valentine’s Day is way behind us. But when you have Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock paired up in an oddly sweet movie like Two Weeks Notice, it’s hard not to bring it to people’s attention. While their pairing is odd in the universe of the movie, having Grant and Bullock’s well-timed barbs mixed in with those beautiful romantic moments is further evidence that these masters of their craft can pretty much do anything. And if Hugh Grant can do a Paddington sequel justice, there’s no reason Sandra Bullock shouldn’t be invited to be a part of Paddington 3.

Croupier

There was once a time when Clive Owen was considered a hot prospect to take over the role of James Bond after Pierce Brosnan was let go from the role after Die Another Day in 2002. So naturally, when a suave actor plays a role in a tuxedo, like Owen did in Croupier, people start to talk. Though it never came to pass, you can imagine how Owen would have done if he were offered the role of 007, as this neo-noir cult classic sees his character become more engrossed in the seedy underbelly of London’s gambling culture.

(available March 20th)

Philomena

Every awards season, there’s a movie that finds itself lost in the shuffle, but still manages to find its way into the hearts of voters and audiences. The true life dramedy of director Stephen Frears Philomena is one of those films, as it was an awards contender in the year that gave us Gravity, The Wolf of Wall Street and 12 Years A Slave. Steve Coogan and Dame Judi Dench’s performances in the story of a mother trying to find her long lost son is equal parts heartfelt and absolutely hysterical, balancing between the two tones in a beautiful way. If you’ve ever wanted to see Dame Dench excited to watch Big Momma’s House on pay per view, this is an oddly specific solution to such a request.

(available March 20th)

Now before you get your heart set on any of the titles above, keep in mind that everything coming to the Netflix lineup in March 2021 is subject to change and availability. So there's a chance that between now and then, something could shift. Otherwise, unless specially noted, everything above should be available on the first of March. Stream responsibly, and we'll see you back here when April 2021's best and brightest make their way into the streaming world of Netflix.

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About twenty years ago at the start of the 21st century, the name “Steve Carell” was unknown, and the world had yet to know about the comedic legend that blew up cinema screens in the early 2000s. Now, Steve Carell is a household name that people use to describe feel-good movies, as well as hilarious TV shows, such as The Office. He built his career from comedies, with roles in famous comedic classics such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and he has only just begun to expand his range, and show that not only can he make us laugh – he can make us cry.

But with how many projects Steve Carell has been in, there has to be a certain ranking of the best movies to watch that feature everyone’s favorite newsman. And you’ll find that there’s actually plenty of options to pick from, depending on what your favorite genre is. From animated films to Oscar-nominated films, Carell has shown that he has range, and is going to be bringing a whole lot more to the big screens in the future. So take your pick, and sit on down for a good hearty laugh.

10. Vice (2018)

I know, for people who are probably big fans of Steve Carell, some might wonder why I’d be putting a movie like Vice on this list, but honestly, it’s because of how great Carell is within the film, and in the character he plays. The fact that this one is only number 10 just shows how amazing he is at the range of these movies. For those who don’t know, Vice is about the former Vice President of the United States under George Bush’s presidency, Dick Cheney. Steve Carell portrays Donald Rumsfeld, who at the time was the U.S. Secretary of Defense until 2006.

While this wasn’t the first time Carell has stepped into the drama world (as seen with some of the other entries on this list), it shows how much he had changed as a dramatic actor in just a short span of time. Keep in mind that this film is entirely for people who enjoy politics – it’s solely about that and covers the timespan of George Bush’s presidency, while also showing a bit of time beforehand. Carell doesn’t come into the film until a little way in, but the wait is worth it to see him pull-off the usually sour face of Donald Rumsfeld, and actually add some life and light to him.

9. Battle of the Sexes (2017)

I told you, this list is all over the place. Now we’re stepping into the sports genre, where Carell plays Bobby Riggs, an American tennis champion who was the number one player in the world in the 1970s. Emma Stone stars alongside him as Billie Jean King, and the story covers the 1973 tennis match between the two – a battle of the sexes, which had never been done before in the game of tennis.

You might not believe that a man who made a living making silly jokes and starring in movies that constantly make fun of his own characters would show so much skill in something like tennis, but he does. And not only that, but the storyline is amazing as well. Carell (as well as Stone) provides parallels to today’s sports standards, where women are paid much less than men in the same sports. It’s worth a watch if you’re really into sports and drama, and Carell plays the role well.

8. The Big Short (2015)

I never thought I would ever get into money or finance films, but that changed the moment I saw the cast for The Big Short, which of course included Carell in a starring role as Mark Baum, a leader of FrontPoint Partners. The whole entire film is about the collapse of the stock market during the American recession from 2007-08. Carell performs the role perfectly as a man who is absolutely disgusted with the American banks and doesn’t quite know what to do once everything begins to fall apart.

I know, the very idea of diving deep into the economics of the world can sound daunting – it was for me at first too – but it’s not completely about that. It’s more about the interactions between the characters, and what grows from that, and how each little step leads to what we now know as the 2008 Recession. The direction makes this sort of movie engrossing and the stars alongside Carell only add to the interest that develops when you watch this film (pun intended).

7. Crazy Stupid Love (2011)

I’m not a huge romantic comedy girl. Never have been and probably never will be. But damn it if I didn’t fall for Crazy Stupid Love the moment I watched it because it just makes sense. Carell’s starring role as Cal Weaver feels so freaking relatable and makes me feel like even when love doesn’t seem to be working out, there’s always a way to find a way back to it.

Not only does this movie give great insight about love in general, but it also proposes other themes such as family values, love, and loss, heartbreak, self-esteem – really the whole nine yards. Although I don’t consider this Carell’s first drama movie (which is later on down this list), I do think this is one of the films that lead him into taking more assertive film roles that weren’t completely related to comedy. I mean, who doesn't want to watch Steve Carell get made over by Ryan Gosling?

6. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Another big hit that really started to set Carell off in the right direction was Anchorman. While it didn’t directly star Carell (Will Ferrell was the leader of this film), his side character of Brick Tamland was laugh-out-loud hilarious and rained down immediate joy onto audiences whenever they watched him.

Not only did he have great chemistry with Ferrell, Paul Rudd, and David Koechner as the ultimate newscasters, he proved that he could be a side character in a movie and still show that he was funny and could share the light. And I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want to watch a film with a character whose name is Brick? That’s just a recipe for comedy. He may not be the smartest man out there, but Brick Tamland has us wrapped around his fingers.

What makes it even better is that Steve Carell is down for a third movie - now wouldn't that just be amazing?

5. Despicable Me Series (2010-present)

I know. I’m bloody tired of the minions as well. Sometimes I quite literally turn off my TV anytime I see a commercial of theirs come up. But let’s go back to a simpler time, before minions – when all we really knew about this upcoming movie was Steve Carell's Gru, the supervillain that didn’t seem so super, and was going to capture the moon until three little girls came into his life.

I feel like I don’t even need to talk up this movie. If you haven’t seen this adorable animated feature, go and pop a squat and enjoy it. I absolutely love every single second, from Gru’s character development from evil man to loving father, and even at first the minions making their appearance – but god, please stop the minion movies. Just stop.

4. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

This movie is sad and adorable at the same time.

It’s so hard to pick a favorite actor in this because Steve Carell, along with everyone else, does such an amazing job of showing just how a family can be. How a family can look completely fine on the outside but everything is falling apart on the inside. The truly tragic moments of life. But there are also these moments that make you laugh out loud and say aww at the screen, and you just don’t know how to feel. Carell is completely a part of that, portraying Frank, a gay man who has recently tried to commit suicide.

If that doesn’t pique your interest, the classic ‘Super Freak’ scene will.

3. The 40-Year-Old-Virgin (2005)

I know that as soon as you hear the name ‘Steve Carell,’ this is one of the things you think of. And rightfully so. Steve Carell’s performance as Andy Stitzer is a classic, if not for the famous “Kelly Clarkson!” scene, then for the story that it all holds in our hearts. Another classic love story that is seated with comedy to make us all think ‘hey, at least I’m not him.’

But if you are then that’s alright too. We all need those friends to get us out of our basements sometimes.

2. Foxcatcher (2014)

Now, this is the film that introduced me to the dramatic Steve Carell. Again, I never thought I would be interested in sports movies but this one took the cake in terms of Carell’s acting. The sheer amount of talent that this man has - along with the cast as well - while playing John Eleuthère du Pont is absolutely astounding. Not only is it a fresh breath of air compared to many of Carell’s other performances, but it opens up a whole new set of films for him, most of which are on this list.

Who would have thought wrestling of all things could be dramatic? Well, if you’re into WWE, maybe. But even with all the drama, this was the first movie where Carell was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, which shows the the recognition he got for this performance.

1. The Office (2005-2013)

Did you really think I’d make a Steve Carell list without including his most iconic character of all time? When everyone thinks of Carell, we automatically think of Michael Scott, the quote-unquote “World’s Best Boss” while most of his workers seem to think otherwise. From his more cringe-inducing storylines such as Scott’s Tots to famous quotes like “I am Beyonce, always,” Michael Scott is the man with a plan – unless the plan is to get work done.

Carell was nominated for multiple awards for this role for good reason, and it’s because of his time on The Office that he was able to secure such amazing roles as the ones on this list. While he did leave in Season 7 for his character to go off and have a family, he will always be in our hearts as our favorite yet problematic TV boss.

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Throughout the past 20 years, Steve Carell has gone from a recognizable standout to one of our biggest leading men in comedy. This transition didn't happen overnight, though it has allowed the actor to challenge himself and take on different roles throughout his career. Some of them were entirely lighthearted affairs. A few others were very serious, even jokeless, by design. And quite a few of them found humor and tragedy in equal measures.

It is a credit to Carell that he has allowed himself to try different things and explore different layers of comedy and drama throughout his career. His best projects tend to be smaller, more refined works, which includes The Office, though he has also succeeded in making some broader comedies shine. If you are a fan of Steve Carell, you should know that a number of his movies and shows are available to stream right now.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) - Starz

A dysfunctional family lead by patriarch Richard (Greg Kinnear) takes a cross-country road trip when their young daughter (Abigail Breslin) enters the finals of a beauty pageant.

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: Following years of scene-stealing supporting roles, Steve Carell finally found his leading man status in 2005. When he returned the following year to play a supporting role in Sundance darling Little Miss Sunshine, it wasn't to prove his comedy chops, but rather to demonstrate his understated potential as a dramatic performer — a side of the newly-minted star that's since been seen in a few roles we'll mention later in this article. While this indie drama is often uproariously funny, there's a soft melancholy to its presentation that helped it stand out compared to other, more mainstream comedies. The results are as hilarious as they are heartfelt.

Stream it on Starz here.

Last Flag Flying (2017) - Amazon Prime, IMDB TV

Former Navy Corpsman Larry "Doc" Shepherd (Steve Carell) reunites with his Vietnam War friends, Marine Sal Nealon (Bryan Cranston) and Reverend Richard Mueller (Laurence Fishburne), to bury his son, who died in the Iraq War.

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: By most measures, Last Flag Flying flew under the radar, which is a shame because it's a terrific little movie and it features one of Steve Carell's best performances to date — dramatic or otherwise. Under the commendable helm of Richard Linklater, we get one of Carell's most nuanced, understated performances, which tend to be the roles where the actor excels. While he's known to play things big and hammy in a few recent performances, including Battle of the Sexes and The Big Short, these gentle roles oftentimes bring out his best work.

Stream it on IMDB TV here and on Amazon Prime here.

Despicable Me (2010) - Netflix

Criminal mastermind Gru (Steve Carell) uses a trio of orphans (Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher) as pawns for his latest grand scheme, only to discover that their unwavering love for this unlikely father figure melts his ice-cold heart.

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: It's weird to think that we're now 10 years removed from Despicable Me. The rambunctious animated comedy from once-unknown Illumination Entertainment has notably impacted modern family movies. The springy, goofy trilogy inspired many studios to remodel their movies into jokier, more cartoonish affairs, attempting to go toe-to-toe with the money-making animation house. Whether you like it or not, it's not terribly hard to see why Despicable Me made an impact. With its warm mix of Looney Tunes-esque goofiness and its big beating heart, Despicable Me became an instantly lovable new addition to many family movie collections.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Crazy Stupid Love (2011) - HBO Max

A recently divorced middle-aged man (Steve Carell) gets advice from a charming young bachelor (Ryan Gosling) on how to reclaim his manhood and pick up women at the bars.

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: Before the screenwriter became the showrunner behind NBC's This Is Us, Dan Fogelman wrote another interwoven ensemble piece with its own unexpected family twist. But this studio dramedy is notably much more lighthearted in its approach, with Steve Carell's character written with him in mind and playing to his charmingly awkward strengths as a lead star. Playing off of Ryan Gosling's charismatic confidant, these two actors. make for an enjoyable pair, with Carell, in particular, providing a nice balance of comedy and drama to this comfortable look at the complexities of relationships. It's not a must-see, but it's worth watching on a casual afternoon.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

Foxcatcher (2014) - Tubi

Based on the true story of Olympic wrestlers Mark (Channing Tatum) and David Schultz (Mark Ruffalo), who joined Team Foxcatcher, led by the elusive, eccentric millionaire John du Pont (Steve Carell), to train for the 1988 Olympic Games, with dire consequences.

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: Unquestionably one of Steve Carell's darkest, bleakest performances, the comedy actor sheds his warm demeanor and personable charm for this chilling portrayal of the late John du Pont, an heir to the E.I. du Pont with an unhealthy investment in Mark, played with chiseled-jaw determination by Channing Tatum. The results are a coldly compelling tale of fixation and obsession, paving the way for somber reverberations. Hidden under layers of make-up, Carell's moody, intense portrayal of Du Pont captures the psychopathy of this character to haunting results. It earned him his first and only Oscar nomination.

Stream it on Tubi here.

The Dana Carvey Show (1996) - Crackle

A short-lived sketch comedy show centered around SNL's Dana Carvey.

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: Through its irreverent attempts at counterculture humor, The Dana Carvey Show didn't find its audience on the air, only showing seven of its 10 intended episodes (an eighth was made but not released until later on), but it eventually became a cult favorite. Though its topicality prevents it from aging gracefully (it's also a product of the '90s in other ways), the show's wacky, off-kilter blend of absurdist and subversive comedy was better appreciated once it left primetime. The irony-laced show didn't find its crowd on ABC, though it'd fit comfortably with the likes of Comedy Central and Adult Swim. It was also a launching pad for Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert. The show's history was documented in Hulu's Too Funny To Fail.

Stream it on Crackle here.

Vice (2018) - Hulu

A darkly satirical biopic centered around Dick Cheney (Christian Bale) and how he became the most powerful Vice President in U.S. history.

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: As a scattershot and broad-reaching dissection of this modern political figure, Vice doesn't hit all of its targets with equal precision. Nevertheless, this vicious, unreserved cinematic attack on Dick Cheney isn't without its ferocious bits of impassioned indignation, particularly thanks to writer/director Adam McKay's liberated filmmaking and Christan Bale's excellent performance as our central focus. It could use another edit, and its reach doesn't always meet its grasp, but its punchy presentation is benefitted by its strong ensemble, including Amy Adams, Alison Pill, and Jesse Plemons. Additionally, Sam Rockwell and Steve Carell won over select critics with their performances as President George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld, respectively, particularly with the former's Oscar nomination.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Cafe Society (2016) - Amazon Prime

A starry-eyed young man (Jesse Eisenberg) moves to Hollywood in the 1930s and falls in love with a young assistant (Kristen Stewart) who is in an affair with his uncle (Steve Carell), a powerful talent agent.

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: Filling in for Bruce Willis following his departure from the project mid-production, Steve Carell wasn't given the luxury of time when it came to finding his character in this period dramedy. Nevertheless, in a starry cast that also includes Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Blake Lively, Parker Posey, Corey Stoll, Anna Camp, and more, Carell found his way in the prominent role, playing up the character's brash, pompous demeanor with dry wit and his own brand of arrogant bullishness. The results aren't as memorable or remarkable as a few other roles listed here, but Carell hurdles a tough gig.

Stream it on Amazon Prime here.

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World (2012) - Starz

With the world set to end, a lonely man (Steve Carell) goes on a road trip to reunite with his long-lost sweetheart. Accompanying him along the way is his free-spirited neighbor (Keira Knightley).

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: A darkly funny, earnestly poignant cinematic reflection on humanity and human connection as seen by characters embracing (or, rather, learning to embrace) the world's ensuing demise, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is an assured, morbidly entertaining directorial debut from Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers), aided by its smart screenplay, sharp cinematography, an inspired premise, and strong performances from our intentionally mismatched leads. While never comfortably finding its balance between the humor and tragedy of its story, that mix of hilarity and sadness informs it rather than detracts, giving it a gentle, sympathetic honesty.

Stream it on Starz here.

The Office (2005-2013) - Netflix

The Office is the NBC remake of the acclaimed BBC series of the same name which follows the day-to-day activities of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, located in Scranton, PA, run by the incompetent boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carell).

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: If you're reading this list, it's likely that you're already familiar with The Office. Especially if you're a fan of Steve Carell. Previously serving as a standout in Anchorman, Bruce Almighty, and The Daily Show, Carell was already gaining notice, though it was with the one-two punch of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and The Office in 2005 that Carell cemented his leading man status. The mockumentary sitcom's universal appeal has made it a beloved hit even years after it left the air, sparking some intense streaming service bidding wars, and its continued appeal is certainly tied to Carell's endearing, Emmy-nominated performance.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Beautiful Boy (2018) - Amazon Prime

Based on the memoirs by father David Sheff and his son, Nic, Beautiful Boy chronicles a father (Steve Carell) struggling to cope with his son's (Timothee Chalamet) debilitating drug addiction.

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: Though the process of adapting two separate memoirs simultaneously produces some narratively uneven results, Beautiful Boy is a tender, quietly reflective family drama that's appropriately sobering. Guided by its central two performances, we're given an intimate, revealing look at addiction and the consequences it brings for not only the ones afflicted by the disease but those who must watch and/or worry about their loved one's well-being. While Chalamet's performance is ultimately the showier of the two, resulting in the rising star gaining more award attention, Carell's performance is affecting in its remorseful, somber examination of a patriarch who only wants to help his son.

Stream it on Amazon Prime here.

Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014)

Based on the beloved children's book of the same (very long) name by Judith Viorst, our titular misfortuned character (Ed Oxenbould) wonders why only bad things happen to him, only for the rest of his family to experience their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Why It's A Good Option for Steve Carell Fans: It's hard to compete with the classic source material, but this adaptation has a good cast, including Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, Dylan Minnette, and more, and there are plenty of goofy antics found in this family-friendly movie from director Miguel Arteta (Chuck & Buck, The Good Girl).

Stream it on Disney+ here.

What's your favorite Steve Carell movie or show? Let us know in the comment section below!

Have you been sitting on your HBO Now or HBO Go account for what seems like forever, looking for something new before you end up starting The Wire for the fourth time? Don't worry, we've all been there before, but fear not because I've put together a list of the best movies that are streaming on HBO and the premium channels multiple platforms.

This list of awesome action movies, comedies, tales of romance, horror classic, and some big budget science fiction flicks will surely give you at least one option to prevent you from digging deeper and deeper into the endless abyss that is HBO's movie library. Pop some popcorn, turn down the lights, and sit back and relax because we're going to the movies…

Us (2019)

Jordan Peele's 2019 followup to Get Out, Us follows Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong'o) and her family as they visit the beach town where she grew up, only to come face to face with a group of masked strangers who look oddly familiar.

Stream it on HBO here.

Die Hard (1988)

You could argue whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie until we're all blue in the face, but one thing that's for sure is that this 1988 explosive and iconic action movie featuring Bruce Willis as New York cop John McClane whose attempt to pick up his wife from work ends with a lot of shooting, some bonds, and a towering inferno.

Also Try: Die Hard 2, Die Hard With A Vengeance

Stream it on HBO here.

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

Powerful attorney (and former youth hockey star) Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) is knocked down a few pegs after he is pulled over for driving under the influence and forced to coach an inner-city youth hockey team in the family sports classic The Mighty Ducks.

Also Try: Home Alone 2: Lost In New York

Stream it on HBO here.

Alien (1979)

Ridley Scott's classic horror film set in space follows the crew of the spaceship Nostromo after it receives a distress call from a distant planet. Watch out because this chiller is terrifying, especially when you remember that no one can hear you scream in space.

Also Try: Aliens, Alien 3, Alien Resurrection

Stream it on HBO here.

Love Actually (2004)

With an ensemble cast too long to type out, the 2004 British holiday classic Love Actually follows nearly a dozen different characters as they all seek love and companionship around Christmas. And with such grand love stories, you don't have to wait for Christmas to watch this one again.

Also Try: How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, Notting Hill, Reality Bites

Stream it on HBO here.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum picks up right where the second movie in Keanu Reeves' most recent blockbuster franchise left off with the most sought after hitman in the world on the run from his old friends and allies.

Stream it on HBO here.

Fight Club (1999)

After two new friends start an oddly therapeutic underground fighting group, things start to get out of hand rather quickly in David Fincher's 1999 cult classic Fight Club. Just make sure to not break the first rule of fight club...

Stream it on HBO here.

The Others (2001)

Starring Nicole Kidman in one of the most chilling performances of her career, The Others follows a mother during World War II after her family moves into an old English house that has its share of secrets and unwelcome inhabitants.

Stream it on HBO here.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam War epic Apocalypse Now tells the story of an army captain sent into the heart of the jungle to locate and neutralize an unhinged and dangerous superior officer.

Stream it on HBO here.

Armageddon (1998)

Michael Bay's 1998 disaster blockbuster Armageddon offers a look at a scenario in which offshore oilmen are better equipped to the destroy an asteroid before it hits the planet than say a group of NASA astronauts.

Also Try: War Of The Worlds, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, The Day After Tomorrow

Stream it on HBO here.

Boys Don't Cry (1999)

Boys Don't Cry tells the heartbreaking true story of a young transgender man searching for love, and himself, in rural Nebraska. Based on the real-life story of Brandon Teena as portrayed by Hilary Swank, who took home Academy Award for Best Actress in 1999.

Stream it on HBO here.

For Love Of The Game (1999)

Kevin Costner plays an aging pitcher who thinks back on the "one who got away" while he's in pursuit of the perfect game in the 1999 romantic baseball hybrid For Love Of The Game.

Also Try: 61*

Stream it on HBO here.

Requiem For A Dream (2000)

Darren Aronofsky's Requiem For A Dream probably isn't the happiest movie to watch, but this brutal and pessimistic look at addiction is definitely one you'll never forget.

Also Try: The Diving Bell And The Butterfly

Stream it on HBO here.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

As a poor young man in Mumbai answers question after question on a television quiz show, he looks back on this life and and his long-lost love that he has to find in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire.

Stream it on HBO here.

A Star Is Born (2018)

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga appear as star-crossed lovers in the 2018 remake of the classic Cinderella story A Star Is Born. Bring the tissues because this one is an emotional gut-punch.

Also Try: Moulin Rouge, Chocolat

Stream it on HBO here.

The Town (2010)

Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, and Jeremy Renner star in Affleck's love letter to the city of Boston and the notorious bank robbers who call New England home in The Town.

Also Try: Prisoners, Gangs Of New York

Stream it on HBO here.

Big (1988)

After a young teenager wishes to be big, his wish is granted. But when he is transformed into a fully grown man (Tom Hanks), he soon realizes that being an adult isn't everything it's cracked up to be.

Also Try: All Of Me, Arthur, Defending Your Life

Stream it on HBO here.

Bridesmaids (2011)

Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph prove that you don't have to be a man to lead a rude and crude comedy in the 2011 hit Bridesmaids.

Also Try: Good Boys, Grandma's Boy

Stream it on HBO here.

Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, and Emma Stone star in the surprisingly funny and heartfelt 2001 romance Crazy, Stupid, Love. about a middle-aged man trying to get his groove back with the help of a ladies man who ends up being closer to home than he thought.

Also Try: Bye Bye Love, The Family Stone

Stream it on HBO here.

The Nice Guys (2016)

Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling star as two down on their luck private detectives on the trail of a missing girl in the Shane Black-directed dark comedy The Nice Guys.

Stream it on HBO here.

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Before he was earning Oscar buzz for his turn as a obsessive gambler in Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler was first viewed as a serious actor following his performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love about a lonely man who falls in love with a mysterious woman.

Also Try: Muriel's Wedding

Stream it on HBO here.

Raising Arizona (1987)

Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter star as a couple on the rocks who snatch a baby from a local celebrity in the Coen brothers' 1987 offbeat comedy Raising Arizona.

Also Try: A Fish Called Wanda

Stream it on HBO here.

Casino Royale (2006)

The James Bond franchise was in need of a serious facelift and that's exactly what it got with Daniel Craig's debut as 007 in the 2006 spy thriller Casino Royale. See where it all started for Craig's Bond before he calls it quits following the release of No Time To Die.

Also Try: Fast Five

Stream it on HBO here.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Fans of the iconic rock band Queen, or at least their flamboyant and troubled lead singer Freddie Mercury will enjoy the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, which takes audiences on the hard to believe journey from the formation of the band all the way to their legendary Live Aid performance in 1985.

Also Try: Blinded By The Light**,Yesterday

**Stream it on HBO here.

Shazam! (2018)

If you like comic book movies and Big, then Shazam! is the movie for you. When BIlly Baston has a chance encounter with a sorcerer, he is given the ability to turn into an all-powerful, and fully grown, superhero by saying one word: Shazam!

Also Try: Bruce Almighty

Stream it on HBO here.

The Land Before Time (1988)

The Land Before Time (and its countless sequels) is a cherished animated classic about a young brontosaurus who sets out on one of the most epic prehistoric adventures alongside his growing cast of friends and the terrifying T-Rex who wants nothing more than to stop the young dino in his tracks.

Also Try: Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, The Wizard, Babe

Stream it on HBO here.

While romantic comedies have begun to make a resurgence late in the 2010s, thanks to spectacle movies like Crazy Rich Asians and streaming services picking up a lot of the slack in the genre, much of the 2010s left behind big, broad romantic comedies in favor of niche movies, sometimes whimsical, sometimes powerful, often both.

It’s been a weird decade for romantic comedies. While we left the likes of Kate Hudson behind for the most part (although Something Borrowed just squeaked into the 2010 era back in 2011), we also got rom-coms with more diversity, odder stories, and that were oftentimes more inclusive as a while.

It’s hard to rank movies like Obvious Child when compared to broader movies like Trainwreck but by factoring in viewability, fun scenes, great jokes, good scripts, memorable moments and more it’s been easy to cull together a list of the decade for the decades. If your favorites didn’t make it, let us know!

10. Think Like A Man (2012)

Probably one of the more traditional rom-coms on this list, Think Like A Man is fun because it’s an ensemble take on the romantic comedy genre with a stacked cast. Tim Story – of Ride Along fame – helmed the movie, which follows characters played by Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Hart, Regina Hall, Meagan Good, Romany Malco, Michael Ealy, and Gabrielle Union.

This one’s also based on Steve Harvey’s famous book, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man, so like a few other titles on this list, there’s source material where this came from. In the flick, the ladies have been using Steve Harvey’s advice in their own relationships, only to see the tables turned on them in amusing fashion.

How to watch Think Like A Man

9. Friends With Benefits (2011)

The 2010s started out pretty strong in the rom-com category, with big name casts and moderately big budgets. 2011 was a pretty good year, as the aforementioned Something Borrowed came out alongside No Strings Attached, New Year’s Eve, Just Go With It, Crazy Stupid Love and more. But it was Friends With Benefits that has really withstood the test of time.

Brooklyn Decker running around in a bikini didn’t cut it, but I’m still happy to sit down and watch Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis navigate a modern relationship and its rules. It's very of its time during the 2010s, particularly since Will Gluck’s movie will always remind me of that brief time when flash mobs were a big deal.

How to watch Friends With Benefits

8. Crazy Rich Asians, 2017

Crazy Rich Asians is like the Gossip Girl of rom-coms, set in a world that most of us really only have limited awareness about. Its characters are both outrageous and sincere in ways only the obscenely rich can generally pull off. Thanks to the likes of Awkwafina, Ken Jeong and Nico Santos, it’s also one of the more amusing rom-coms in recent years.

If you haven’t given the flick a watch yet, it’s already set for a sequel! So, go ahead and get your most fashionable outfit on and throw Crazy Rich Asians on from the comfort of your own home.

How to watch Crazy Rich Asians

7. Crazy, Stupid, Stupid Love (2011)

Crazy, Stupid, Love may be forever be a part of pop culture history thanks to a shirtless scene that cemented Ryan Gosling as a ‘Hey Girl’ meme forever. However, it’s also a pretty good romantic comedy written by Dan Fogelman and directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.

This particular romantic comedy movie has an all-star ensemble cast. Ryan Gosling. Steve Carell. Emma Stone. Kevin Bacon. Marisa Tomei. Julianne Moore. It also has one of the most unexpected and refreshing climaxes in a movie in the last decade, and I know we’re talking romantic comedies here, but this is about endings not intimacy. I swear! Anyway, watch it. You won’t regret it.

How to watch Crazy, Stupid, Love

6. Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Netflix has been pushing hard into the romantic movie genre. A lot of its movies give you a warm and cozy feeling (look no further than The Knight Before Christmas if that’s more your brand). Ali Wong and Randall Park’s Always Be My Maybe, also written by Park with a little help, is a more traditional romantic comedy.

It’s also really funny, tying together two childhood friends who end up growing apart as teenagers only to reconnect as adults. The chemistry between Randall Park and Ali Wong is there, and while the latter is more of a comedienne than an actress, this also means the movie comes out far funnier than it probably was on the page. Watch it, it’s close between this movie and Set It Up as the best streaming rom-com originals, but Always Be My Maybe slightly has the edge in my opinion.

How to watch Always Be My Maybe

5. Trainwreck (2015)

Trainwreck is a staple of the 2010s, the movie that kicked off Amy Schumer’s and really John Cena’s movie careers and launched a thousand conversations about not doing the bring the check motion while also saying “check, please.”

Judd Apatow directed this 2015 staple and it has aged like fine wine. It highlights a woman who is not perfect in any conceivable way, but who eventually does try to make peace with her imperfections and try to make the best of her life. Amy Poehler has had some other similar movies hit the big screen over the last couple of years, but this is the one people will be watching well into the 2020s.

How to watch Trainwreck

4. About Time (2013)

Finally, a British entry on this rom-com list! All due respect to Bridget Jones’s Baby, which is a fine enough fourth entry but not quite tops enough for this list, About Time has a lot going for it. For one, it has British accents galore. It has Domnhnall Gleeson at his most Domhnall Gleeson-y, particularly when he gets to joke around with his father in the movie, who is played by Bill Nighy.

But I’m burying the lede a bit because this movie also has time travel! Plus, it has Rachel McAdams right smack dab in the middle of her full-blown romantic movie phase. Really, I’m quite partial to About Time and there are a lot of things to love about Richard Curtis’ movie, but if you’re hankering for another romance with possible time travel the 2010s were chock full of them and I suggest 2012’s Safety Not Guaranteed.

How to watch About Time

3. Obvious Child (2014)

Obvious Child isn’t going to be a pick for everyone. The Jenny Slate starrer is a movie about romance and abortion, and given people tend to often watch movies that confirm their biases, this one won’t be for a certain percentage of rom-com lovers.

But dear reader, I loved it. Though it delves into serious topics, I got Obvious Child from the second Jenny Slate laughs when her one night stand partner is peeing and accidentally farts in her face. To me, it’s a perfect movie, that really, really gets relationships, the tentative steps and messy mistakes we make when meeting someone new, the ways mother-daugher and sister-sister relationships unfold, the mess we can make inside our own selves. It’s also wicked funny. Check it out.

How To Watch Obvious Child

2. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Silver Linings Playbook has all of the elements of a great comedy. It has family hijinks, it has an offbeat romance, it has a big name cast, and let’s not forget it has gambling and a dance competition. In fact, it’s also the movie that started the recurring partnership between actress Jennifer Lawrence and writer/director David O’Russell.

Silver Linings Playbook is a great movie and an excellent example of a memorable rom-com. It’ll make you laugh, maybe cry a little, but mostly leave you feeling exuberant. There’s perhaps only one other movie I could think to put higher on this list.

How to watch Silver Linings Playbook

1. The Big Sick (2017)

Kumail Nanjiani starred in and wrote The Big Sick with his wife Emily V. Gordon, based on their real-life romance and the physical challenges Gordon faced early on. The movie has some serious beats, but Nanjiani plays a stand up comic in the film, plus his exchanges with his family and hers are generally heartwarming and hilarious.

Along with Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter, Anupam Kher and more put in funny performances and we get plenty of cameos from other comedians like Bo Burnham, David Alan Grier, Aidy Bryant and more. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, but watch it because it’s funny, not because it’s well-written.

How To Watch The Big Sick

There are plenty of romantic movies out there that would have made a broader romantic list as well, movies like If Beale Street Could Talk, La La Land, Phantom Thread, The Fault in Our Stars, Love, Simon and Me Before You. Yet those teeter into drama territory and make us smile or cry more than they try to make us laugh.

There were also other movies like Bridesmaids that I felt really bordered more on a female ensemble comedy than a rom-com. Plenty of movies could also be listed and nearly made this one, like Set It Up, Best Man Holiday, The Five-Year Engagement, and Jumping The Broom; all came close but just didn’t quite make this particular list.

So, it’s quite clear there were a lot of great romantic comedies in the last decade and this list proves a lot of them have made strong impressions, even if the genre seemed to by dying out there for a little while. Here’s hoping the ‘20s have even more amusing romances in store for us.

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Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are getting crazy Oscar buzz for La La Land, a film that stands largely on the shoulders of their chemistry. And fans will remember the first time that the two shared the screen: Crazy Stupid Love. They also played love interests in that film, and one of their most memorable scenes is when they recreate the lift from Dirty Dancing. It's a pretty fun and romantic scene, made all the more fun when you learn that Emma Stone admits that she had a meltdown and a double had to take her place for her. Don't worry, she's not a diva; it's the funny type of meltdown.

Both Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling were guests on The Graham Norton Show, where the host brought up the numerous times that they've been in movies together. He also noted that La La Land isn't even the first movie where they've danced together. The Dirty Dancing move they recreated in Crazy Stupid Love doesn't seem hard on paper -- you just have to be strong -- but Emma Stone found out she couldn't do it due to a specific unconscious fear of being held in the air. It was definitely not the time of her life.

As Emma Stone tells it to Graham Norton, when she was about seven years old she took gymnastics class. While standing on parallel bars about six feet in the air, she lost her balance and fell, breaking both of her arms. Not fun. So, she goes her whole life never being six feet off the air until that moment on the set of Crazy Stupid Love, where she needs to perform the lift. Held in the air above Ryan Gosling's head, her unconscious fear very suddenly became conscious and she has her meltdown. Gosling describes the experience best:

After this episode happened she ended up leaving set, going back to her room, geting in bad, and watched Labyrinth to calm herself down (Muppets and David Bowie will do that). You can watch Emma Stone recount the entire hilarious story herself in the video below.

If there's anything that this story has taught us, it's that Emma Stone also probably didn't do her off the ground stunts in Amazing Spider-Man. To see more of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling dancing, La La Land is still in theaters.

In a span of less than 10 years, Emma Stone has become a household name and undoubtable talent in the film industry. She’s continuing to score bigger and better roles and was even nominated for an Academy Award this year for her stellar performance as a young recovering addict in ‎Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s Birdman. There’s no doubt that this is only the beginning of successful career ahead, but aside from the actress’ talents in her field, she always comes off as a humbled, down-to-earth chick that could get along with anyone.

It’s her likable qualities, along with her candid comments (and hysterical facial expressions) that bring us back time and time again to see her films. Stone’s gone from playing quirky minor roles in films such as Superbad to an upcoming co-starring role aside the critically-acclaimed Joaquin Phoenix in Woody Allen’s Irrational Man. Her road to success has been a thoroughly enjoyable ride, and the more you learn about the 26-year-old actress, the more lovable she becomes. So here are 15 reasons to love her even more (if that’s even possible).

She Had An Asthma Attack In A Fake Sex Scene

Unaware that she even had Asthma at the time, Emma Stone suffered from an asthma attack during a hysterical fake sex scene in Easy A. The scene takes place at a high school party where Stone’s character Olive makes a deal with a guy friend to pretend to have sex with him so that the school will stop making fun of him for being gay. Shooting the scene took hours of jumping up and down on a bed while screaming and yelling, and it caused Stone to have a small asthma attack. She joked with MTV about the embarrassing moment on set saying, “Oh for the love, I can’t even simulate sex without dying”.

She Was Almost Claire Bennet In Heroes

Emma Stone claims her rock bottom was when she lost out on the role of Claire Bennet in Heroes to Hayden Panettiere. She told Vanity Fair that it was an audition that she considers her most difficult Hollywood moment.

The girl who left the room was Panettiere who went on to play the role. But, Stone says that this “rock bottom” is what motivated her to let loose in her next audition which landed her a part in Drive. Drive led to Superbad and the rest is history.

She Was On A VH1 Reality Series

Emma Stone’s big television debut may not be what you expect. The Birdman has come a long way since her first big gig on a VH1 reality series called In Search of the Partridge Family. The premise of the show was to find people to star in a spinoff TV series called The New Partridge Family. When Stone’s mother saw a commercial for the show on TV, she told her daughter that she looked a bit like Susan Dey, suggesting she gave it a shot. Stone told Newsweek that even though the concept seemed silly, she didn’t regret her time on the show one bit. And it gave us the opportunity to see Stone show off her music chops in an angsty rendition of Meredith Brooks’ “Bitch” which you can watch here.

Her Real Name Isn’t Emma

Emma Stone’s real name is actually Emily Jean Stone. When the 26-year-old actress went to register her name with the Screen Actors Guild, Emily Stone was already taken. She told Interview magazine that she was only 16 at the time and hadn’t done anything yet so she decided she could be whatever she wanted. After going through a list of names she chose Riley, but soon after, she had a bit of an identity crisis:

She Taught Woody Allen How To Text

The incredibly talented Emma Stone has recently earned the title of Woody Allen’s latest muse, starring alongside Colin Firth in last year’s Magic in the Moonlight and the upcoming Irrational Man alongside Joaquin Phoenix. As it turns out, Stone helped Woody Allen get with the times. In an interview with The Observer, the critically-acclaimed director admitted that while he only recently started carrying around an iPhone (mostly to listen to his jazz tunes), Stone taught him how to text on the set of Magic in the Moonlight, which was a pretty big deal for the man who still uses a typewriter.

She Got Into Acting So She Could Host Saturday Night Live

The reason Emma Stone even got into acting in the first place was that she wanted to host Saturday Night Live. She told Vanity Fair that when she started her career she had no foresight, and the only goal she ever had was to host SNL. The Easy A star achieved her goal two times over, scoring hosting gigs in 2010 and 2011 on the sketch comedy show and Stone says that she’d never been so happy in her life.

Judd Apatow Made Her Dye Her Hair Red

The Emma Stone we’ve come to know and love seems to have always had her signature red-haired doo. But, it turns out that the The Amazing Spider-Man actress is actually a natural blonde. The red hair came about when Judd Apatow told her to dye it for her role in Superbad and it just stuck afterwards. She explained to Interview Magazine: Well, I came in with brown hair and Judd [Apatow] asked me to dye it red at the camera test, so I was already cast in the movie—it was just a thing that happened. Now I'm back to my roots. But I get a lot of questions about hair color. People are very into talking about hair.

She Has A Low Voice Because She Was A Colicky Baby

Emma Stone’s signature, sexy voice didn’t just magically happen. She joked with Now Toronto about being one of those smoking babies in YouTube videos, but really she was an extremely colickly baby.

She’s Afraid of Being Lifted Too High

Emma Stone has joked multiple times in interviews about her fear of spiders and needles, but the one fear she didn’t realize was so extreme until filming Crazy, Stupid, Love was her fear of being lifted too high. She told Collider that when Ryan Gosling lifted her over his head, a terrifying childhood memory sank in, and she she couldn’t take it.

She’s A Wedding Officiant

Emma Stone has surprised us time and time again with captivating performances, but it turns out the young actress’ talents go far beyond the big screen. Need someone to do the honor of officiating a wedding? Well turns out, Emma Stone is your girl. According to NY Daily NewsM, a few years ago Stone officiated the wedding between her publicist, Holly Shakoor and director Ruben Fleischer. Stone introduced the two when she was working on Gangster Squad, and the two fell in love. Fleischer had also worked with Stone on Zombieland, so it was only natural for the actress to officiate the wedding of her two friends.

She Was The Voice Of Ivana Tipton and Mazie

Emma Stone’s comedic acting has been used for a couple silly roles including the voices of two movie/tv star dogs. Stone was the voice of London Tipton (Brenda Song)’s dog, Ivana Tipton in the Disney channel series, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody back in 2006. Her skills voicing a mutt paid off too, because four years later the young star went on to voice an energetic Australian Shepherd named Mazie in the comic strip adaptation, Marmaduke.

She Convinced Her Parents To Let Her Become An Actor Using Powerpoint

When you ask Emma Stone what she wanted to be when she grew up, the answer is she always knew she wanted to be an actress. Since she was 7 years old, Stone knew she wanted to be an actress, but it took a bit of convincing for her parents. Stone had already convinced her parents to allow her to be home-schooled when she was 12 with a clipboard presentation, so when she had to confess her desire to move to L.A. and become an actress at age 14, she did so with PowerPoint. She told The New York Times that she made presentations because when she feels too strongly about something she gets incredibly emotional, and she learned early to be more logical during these important matters.

She Dropped Out Of High School At 15

After presenting the idea of moving to Hollywood, Emma Stone’s parents insisted she found an agent. Finally, when she did, Stone dropped out of high school at age 15 and enrolled in online courses. Though she never got a high school experience, The Help actress told Vanity Fair that she doesn’t regret not going to school one bit. Superbad was shot in what would’ve been her senior year of high school, and had she been in school at the time she would’ve missed that opportunity and probably would not be where she is today.

She Was A Huge Computer Nerd

When Emma Stone was a kid, she was a total computer nerd. She loved building websites and taught herself HTML. She told The Daily Beast that she would totally geek out with computer stuff as a kid, and even secretly wanted to become a journalist with her own column:

She Worked At A Dog Bakery When She Moved To Hollywood

When Emma Stone first moved to Hollywood she had a hard time finding roles. She told Vanity Fair that those first few months she would audition for pilots and wouldn’t get any call backs. When her agency stopped giving her auditions, Stone took a job across the street a dog bakery called Three Dog Bakery where she made dog cookies. Her customers were not particularly fond of her baking though. Stone claims that she’s “not a super-talented dog baker” since three people called her specific cookies out for being “inedible to their dogs.”

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa's second film as a directing duo is hitting theaters just seven months after the release of their first film together, but they haven't been nearly as busy as that timing might suggest. After working together on screenplays like Bad Santa and Bad News Bears they teamed up to direct I Love You Phillip Morris, a dark comedy about a romance between two prisoners played by Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor. They shot the film in spring 2008, premiered it at Sundance in early 2009, and then watched their movie languish unreleased until their financier finally took it away from the distributor and found it a better home.

The road is a lot easier for their second film, Crazy Stupid Love, a Warner Bros. production that hit a fast track thanks to the schedule of star Steve Carell, and was wrapped with a release date not even a year after Requa and Ficarra came on board. A complicated comedy of manners, errors and love written by Cars screenwriter Dan Fogelman, Crazy Stupid Love stars Carell as a man making his way through life after a surprise separation from his wife, who has been having an affair but also has clear regrets. Hopeless on the dating scene, Carell is taken in by the ladies man played by Ryan Gosling, who teaches him both how to pick up women and finally respect himself again. Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Kevin Bacon, Marisa Tomei and Josh Groban all round out the large cast, but Requa and Ficarra say it wasn't hard finding movie stars to come on board a movie with Carell-- it's the music that was the real problem.

Read below for the saga of how they snagged songs like the Talking Heads' "This Must Be The Place" and "Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing, plus their experience letting Fogelman into their shared brain of collaboration, and why it's still worth making summer movies for grown-ups. Crazy Stupid Love opens this Friday.

This is a movie for grown-ups, and nobody makes movies for grown-ups anymore. Your last movie I Love You Phillip Morris spent such a long time getting released, and the easy thing to do now would be cash in and make the next Hangover knockoff, but instead you jumped into this entire other challenge. Do you enjoy that challenge?

Glenn: It appealed to us definitely, because this movies doesn't get made, and that's sad.

John: This kind of script comes along in Hollywood once a decade. It's so intelligent, and so funny, and so relatable, and such real issues. It's such a fascinating and entertaining way. It just spoke to us.

Steve Carell was attached to star and produce when you guys came on. When you guys are building a movie around one actor, what's the challenge in casting and just imagining the movie?

Glenn: First you've got to deal with the fact that you can't work with the hundreds of thousands of people that Steve has already slept with. [Laughs] No, no-- the nice part is that everybody wants to work with Steve, because they've all heard how wonderful he is to work with. It gives you your pick of the litter. It was very organic the way it all happened. We agreed early on the priority was finding the kids, and that took probably the longest time. Julianne was the big one to come on next, and once we had Julianne then everybody wants in.

So you cast the kids before you knew which other adults they'd be interacting with?

John: Well there's some kids we couldn't use because they couldn't be Steve's son. We lucked out because this kid Jonah Bobo is just great, and I think he looks like Steve.

Glenn: It all happened really fast, because Steve had this window to do the movie because he was still on The Office. The script was purchased at Christmas, right before Christmas, and we were in pre-production by March or April. Within two months, three months we put the movie together, and there wasn't a lot of time to change things.

You guys are working with someone else's material for the first time. On a day to day basis, when you had to cut a line or shorten a scene, was there hesitation to do that with someone else's work?

John: He [writer Dan Fogelman] was right there.

Glenn: He was there every day. We told Dan we were going to be the directors we never had as writers. You're going to be there every day, you're going to be part of the team and we'll create together. A lot of directors keep writers away because the writers know the script better than anybody, obviously they do, and they have certain intents. But a lot of people would be surprised to know that writers are pretty flexible when it comes to their work.

And obviously you guys knew that.

Glenn: Yeah. Because we're a team we're used to collaborating and compromising, in the good sense. Bringing in another person was not threatening in any way.

But you guys have developed this shared brain in your years of working together. Is it hard to expand that to a third person?

John: No, it was effortless. We were instantly best friends, it was the weirdest thing. Now we don't make a move without letting him in. We really admire and respect each other, and that happened quickly. It's been great, one of the highlights of my career, our relationship with Dan.

The story isn't hugely complicated, but there are a lot of pieces and characters to keep track of. What kind of day to day stuff could you alter?

Glenn: You know, making a joke fly a little better. We had issues with ratings, so alternate takes. And we encouraged improv so long as it was on point.

John: There were scenes in the movie that there was no dialogue written for, just a few. It was just characters interacting. We figured we just pointed the cameras at them and figured it out.

Such as?

John: The scene where they're hanging out in the bar and talking about the Muppets, that was completely improvised and we just rolled on them. Sometimes we'd shoot a scene and then go back so they could fly off book if they wanted to.

What about Emma and Ryan's night together? That felt especially natural.

Glenn: The stuff in the bed was largely improvved. It was a long night, we just shot. They have such natural chemistry that we just wanted to capture that. John: The entire scene as in the script is in the movie, and in addition to that there's additional stuff. You rarely throw out the script, but you can add to it. We just want to have a bunch of ammo in the editing room. We want you to believe that these two people are falling in love.

Glenn: We don't have a lot of time. It's one night, and they have to fall in love, and you have to believe it the next time you see them. Originally in the script we had a montage in there, the passage of time, and we got to lose all that because that was so strong.

There's a ton of music in this, and a lot of recognizable and presumably expensive music. Did you guys just go all out on the music budget?

Glenn: Yeah, Warner was great, they just blank checked us.

What made you guys want to have those big recognizable songs?

Glenn: It's usually just the right song for the right scene. We had a voice for the bar, with the electronic music-- then you have all sorts of pitfalls there because of sampling. Just like the production design, the music had a design to it.

John: And it took forever to work out. It wasn't like all at once we decided we were going in one direction. We nearly killed our music editor. Jason Ruder, who is the future of Hollywood, and we worked and worked and worked and gradually got there.

Glenn: You would never suspect that that song that you heard in the bar was heard by three musicologists listening for samples. It's a process.

Have you spent all of your hard-earned money at the movie theater this summer? Has the box office drained your wallet? I hope not because Hollywood is nothing if not persistent. The bigwigs will get people to see anything. Aliens fighting cowboys in the Old West? Sure, put it up on screen. A cartoon about blue midgets from the 1980s? Greenlight it! Steve Carrell as a forlorn loser turned lady’s man? Well we’ve done that before, but let’s roll it back!

Just remember, I'm not reviewing these movies, but rather predicting where they'll end up on the Tomatometer. Let’s take a look at what This Rotten Week has to offer.

Cowboys and Aliens

When you first heard about Cowboys and Aliens did you make a semi-logical jump and say, “Oh good god, Favreau is going to make another Wild, Wild West. Or even worse, Jonah Hex! Someone stop him!” And why not think that way, with the desolate American western landscape, pioneer town backdrop, tumbleweeds aplenty combined with the promise of a full alien invasion replete with lasers, spaceships and a Daniel Craig wristband that makes him a quasi-superhero. It’s full on genre merge and that’s dicey territory.

But Favreau seems to have eschewed the steampunk nonsensical found in Barry Sonnenfields’ Razzie Winner and made a movie about what would actually happen if aliens attacked a Western town. If someone can make that premise not appear totally laughable, and actually produce something watchable, well the battle is half won.

Favreau’s built up more than enough industry directing cred to warrant the benefit of the doubt. In fact, his forays into directing have been positive across the board with Iron Man (94%), Iron Man 2 (74%), and Elf (84%). Some early reviews (not on Rotten Tomatoes yet) have been positive and although he’s got an Englishman in Daniel Craig riding around the western landscape killing ET’s and rolled out Harrison Ford’s old bag of bones for turn across the big screen, it looks like a positive venture all around. Just make sure there isn’t a giant mechanical spider. The Rotten Watch for Cowboys and Aliens is 75%.

Crazy, Stupid, Love

No one plays the middle-aged, semi-clueless, heartsick, hapless, professional doofus quite like Mr. Steven John Carrell. And though some of his roles trend away from clueless and in to functionally retarded, while others skew from lovey-dovey to downright woebegone, the dude has a knack for playing the everyman i.e. He’s the guy none of us really want to become later in life even though it’s probably inevitable. The one difference between Carrell’s roles and the rest of us 9-to-5‘ers is his characters all seem to know the joke’s on them and crap just works out in the end. The rest of us regular dudes? Our lives actually blow.

In fact, keeping it in the Carrell wheelhouse, Crazy, Stupid, Love doesn’t look all that different from The 40 Year Old Virgin except Carrell has a better job, he’s getting a divorce rather than just never getting laid, and the motley crew of degenerate advice givers have been replaced with an ab-tastic Ryan Gosling and a teenage kid. In this offering, director team Glen Ficarra and John Requa (I Love You Phillip Morris - 70%) have those other players (Gosling at least) with heart ailments of their own.

Carrell’s characters, at least ones similar to his role as Cal Weaver, all follow a fairly predictable trajectory. Something tragic befalls him (wife dies, divorce, unintentional celibacy), he mopes for a while, talks to some people and gets the girl in the end. And though they are predictable, the stories are entertaining. After all, Carrell is us, just funnier. The Rotten Watch for Crazy, Stupid, Love is 79%.

The Smurfs

Saved the worst for last. I could wax philosophical on the subtext for this film (an intense look at race relations in America). Or it would be easy to examine the overt symbolism of using little blue people to dissect the way our culture interacts with the “new” or the “unknown” (change make us sad). Or I could even delve deep into how the protagonists in this movie represent a certain counter culture who eschew modern excesses and want nothing more than to return to the earth from which they came (they live in mushroom houses, which could just mean they love getting high). I could do all that, but I won’t because really the biggest cultural contribution this flick will make is that it’s going to be an incredible drinking game. Take a swig of beer every time you hear the word “Smurf” said in dialogue and you, along with all your college dorm buddies, will be blitzed on Keystone Light in less than 45 minutes.

From a critical perspective, hmm, how do I put this delicately? It’s going to blow. I honestly don’t think Spielberg could take the source material and make a winning flick, but since Stevie-boy didn’t sign on do it, the studio got the next best thing: Raja Gosnell. You’ve heard of him. He gave us winners like Beverly Hills Chihuahua (41%), Yours, Mine & Ours (6%) and Scooby-Doo (30%). And those are just a few pieces of s#$% he’s thrown up on screen at theaters near you. So what should you expect from this little blue disaster? Don’t worry, I’ll tell you. The Rotten Watch for The Smurfs is 9%.

This poll is no longer available.

Recapping last week:

Captain America: The First Avenger (Predicted: 58% Actual: 73%) - After garnering a fair amount of hatred in the comments section over this prediction (I knew it would happen) it looks like I’ll have to split difference with the CapAm fanatics who thought this thing would be in the high 90’s. At one point, right before press I was flip-flopping about the prediction and was going to come up a bit. Woulda-shoulda but I stuck by my prediction. Fifteen percent is just about my cutoff for prediction success.

Friends With Benefits (Predicted: 67% Actual: 70%) - A big win no matter what way you shake it. I took a chance considering romantic comedies like this are far from critical darlings. Overall a pretty good week.

One other thing I wanted to bring up this week was something mentioned in the comments section last week, concerning the difference between the overall Tomatometer score and the “Top Critics” score. I have heard, in different movie-related discussions the “authenticity” of the Top Critics as compared to the collective pool of those reviewing movies, and have even at times considered only using the Top Critics score. But, by and large, the Top Critics seem to be relatively from the old-school print media and I’m not totally convinced writing for The Wall Street Journal or even the Minnesota Star Tribune does a Top critic make. There are plenty of great online reviewers out there (ahem, you’re clicking through one right now) and I’m willing to sift through the garbage thrown out here and there to gather the opinions of the whole rather than the select. In fact, were it up to me, I think I would create a group called “Top Critics Who I Want to Have a Beer With and Don’t Want To Punch in the Face” and go with that instead. If Rotten Tomatoes makes that, list I’ll start using it.

Next week, dudes switch bodies and Caesar rises. It’s going to be a Rotten Week!

Since when is Julianne Moore in Stupid, Crazy Love with Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling? Since Hollywood 411’s Facebook said so. The outlet hit the red carpet for Carell’s latest, Date Night, and posted an image of their chat with Carell along with the caption, “Last night's Date Night premiere: Steve Carell's next project? A non-comedy with Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore!”

The film stars Carell as a down and out daddy struggling with marriage issues. Gosling comes to his rescue as a womanizer who tries to teach him a thing or two about ladies. Emma Stone recently joined the cast as a love interest for Gosling’s character.

There’s no word on who Moore will play in the film, or if she’s 100% in at all. The Playlist uncovered the story via a Twitter tip, but points out they’re taking this one with a grain of salt and so am I. For all we know the individual responsible for the interview isn’t the person who posted and captioned this image. Miscommunication happens. I’m also hesitant to say that Facebook said so and Twitter confirms, and justify that Motorola Backflip commercial.