Movies Like The Next Best Thing (2000)

The Next Best Thing is a 2000 comedy, drama, romance film from John Schlesinger with a MovieMagicScore of 5.3/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Kolya and Bringing Down the House.

Comedy Drama Romance

Kolya

1996

After a fictitious marriage with a Russian emigrant, Cellisten Louka, a Czech man, must suddenly take responsibility for her son. However, it’s not long before the communication barrier is broken between the two new family members.

7.3

MagicScore

Bringing Down the House

2003

Uptight lawyer Peter Sanderson wants to dive back into dating after his divorce and has a hard time meeting the right women. He tries online dating and lucks out when he starts chatting with a fellow lawyer. The two agree to meet in the flesh, but the woman he meets — an escaped African-American convict named Charlene — is not what he expected. Peter is freaked out, but Charlene tries to convince him to take her case and prove her innocence. Along the way, she wreaks havoc on his middle-class life as he gets a lesson in learning to lighten up.

6.0

MagicScore

Separation

2021

A young girl finds solace in her artist father and the ghost of her dead mother.

5.7

MagicScore

Yoga Hosers

2016

Two teenage yoga enthusiasts team up with a legendary man-hunter to battle with an ancient evil presence that is threatening their major party plans.

4.6

MagicScore

Sweet Sixteen

2002

Determined to have a normal family life once his mother gets out of prison, a Scottish teenager from a tough background sets out to raise the money for a home.

7.0

MagicScore

Little Man Tate

1991

Dede is a sole parent trying to bring up her son Fred. When it is discovered that Fred is a genius, she is determined to ensure that Fred has all the opportunities that he needs, and that he is not taken advantage of by people who forget that his extremely powerful intellect is harboured in the body and emotions of a child.

6.6

MagicScore

Boogie Nights

1997

In 1977, an idealistic porn producer and his promising protege try to catch up with the end of an era before their never-ending party collides with cold, hard reality.

7.6

MagicScore

Mrs. Doubtfire

1993

Loving but irresponsible dad Daniel Hillard, estranged from his exasperated spouse, is crushed by a court order allowing only weekly visits with his kids. When Daniel learns his ex needs a housekeeper, he gets the job -- disguised as a British nanny. Soon he becomes not only his children's best pal but the kind of parent he should have been from the start.

7.2

MagicScore

Men Do what Men Can

2012

Confirmed bachelor Paul falls for Iris, who’s unfortunately as good as married. Although his friends have women problems of their own, and all end up moving into Paul’s apartment, they concoct a daring plan to help Paul save Iris from marrying the wrong man.

6.1

MagicScore

#10

If Lucy Fell

1996

Joe and Lucy are roommates and best friends. Lucy, whose love life is embarrassingly dull, convinces Joe, who is infatuated with a neighbor he's never met, that if they don't have stable romances within a month, they must jump off the Brooklyn Bridge.

5.3

MagicScore

#11

Custody

2018

Miriam and Antoine have recently separated. While she’s willing to permit their 17-year-old daughter Josephine to decide living arrangements for herself, Miriam is desperate to keep her youngest, 11-year-old Julien, away from his father. But the magistrate rules in favour of joint custody, and suddenly the boy is thrown directly into the middle of an escalating parental conflict, where it seems inevitable that sides must be chosen.

7.5

MagicScore

#12

Garden State

2004

Andrew returns to his hometown for the funeral of his mother, a journey that reconnects him with past friends. The trip coincides with his decision to stop taking his powerful antidepressants. A chance meeting with Sam - a girl also suffering from various maladies - opens up the possibility of rekindling emotional attachments, confronting his psychologist father, and perhaps beginning a new life.

7.1

MagicScore

#13

The Lost Boys

1987

When an unsuspecting town newcomer is drawn to local blood fiends, the Frog brothers and other unlikely heroes gear up to rescue him.

7.1

MagicScore

#14

Chocolat

2000

A mother and daughter move to a small French town where they open a chocolate shop. The town, religious and morally strict, is against them, as they represent free-thinking and indulgence. When a group of gypsies arrive by riverboat, the Mayor's prejudices lead to a crisis.

7.0

MagicScore

#15

L!fe Happens

2011

A comedy centered on two best friends, Kim and Deena, who fight to maintain normalcy in their lives after Kim gets pregnant and has a baby.

5.5

MagicScore

#16

Antonia's Line

1995

After World War II, Antonia and her daughter, Danielle, go back to their Dutch hometown, where Antonia's late mother has bestowed a small farm upon her. There, Antonia settles down and joins a tightly-knit but unusual community. Those around her include quirky friend Crooked Finger, would-be suitor Bas and, eventually for Antonia, a granddaughter and great-granddaughter who help create a strong family of empowered women.

6.9

MagicScore

#17

Valentine's Day

2010

Intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine's Day.

5.9

MagicScore

#18

The Jane Austen Book Club

2007

Six Californians start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen. As they delve into Austen's literature, the club members find themselves dealing with life experiences that parallel the themes of the books they are reading.

6.5

MagicScore

#19

Spanglish

2004

Mexican immigrant and single mother Flor Moreno finds housekeeping work with Deborah and John Clasky, a well-off couple with two children of their own. When Flor admits she can't handle the schedule because of her daughter, Cristina, Deborah decides they should move into the Clasky home. Cultures clash and tensions run high as Flor and the Claskys struggle to share space while raising their children on their own, and very different, terms.

6.0

MagicScore

#20

Actresses

2007

Marcelline is an actress. Forty, single and childless, she begins rehearsals for Turgenev’s A Month in the Country. Denis, the director, admires her greatly and promises he’ll make her happy on stage — she will shine. But things don’t go to plan.

5.0

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The Next Best Thing?

The top films similar to The Next Best Thing by MovieMagicScore are Kolya (7.3), Bringing Down the House (6.0), Separation (5.7). Each shares comedy/drama/romance themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The Next Best Thing worth watching?

The Next Best Thing holds a MovieMagicScore of 5.3/10 from 194 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is The Next Best Thing?

The Next Best Thing (2000) is a comedy, drama, romance film directed by John Schlesinger, starring Madonna, Rupert Everett, Benjamin Bratt.

Where can I find more recommendations like The Next Best Thing?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more comedy recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Kolya Movies like Bringing Down the House Movies like Separation Movies like Yoga Hosers Movies like Sweet Sixteen Movies like Little Man Tate

About movies like The Next Best Thing

This ranked list pairs The Next Best Thing (2000), a comedy and drama and romance film from John Schlesinger, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Madonna take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

← Back to The Next Best Thing