Just Friends

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Just Friends

PG-13

2005

1h 34m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

43%

Tomatometer

110 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

High school student Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) loves his best friend, Jamie Palamino (Amy Smart). He finally confesses his feelings, but she tells him that she just wants to be friends, and he leaves town in shame. Ten years later, Chris is a successful record executive and involved with self-absorbed pop star Samantha James (Anna Faris). He still pines for Jamie, though, and when his plans to go to Paris for the holidays fall through, he returns to his hometown to try and win her heart.

Critics Consensus

There are moments of mirth in this overly broad comedy, but mostly, Just Friends is just not that funny.

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Nathan Rabin

AV Club

11/06/2019

This movie had some good ideas, but never gelled.

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Tim Grierson

Screen International

07/23/2008

Despite a rich premise, Just Friends ultimately fails to live up to its early potential, settling into broad comedy that shortchanges the romantic possibilities.

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Helen O'Hara

Empire Magazine

04/01/2006

3/5

Funnier than it has any right to be, thanks to Reynolds’ charisma and Faris's bubbleheaded blonde.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

May 24

3.5/5

A still-enjoyable cross between “Savage” Steve Holland films of the 1980s with mid-2000s bro comedy (for better or worse) and the sort of acceptably corny Christmas movie that swamps streamers every season.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

05/10/2025

2.5/4

There were so many high-gross-out, low-IQ comedies made during the 2000s that it often felt like they rolled off a conveyor belt. Just Friends is exactly that sort of dumdum fare, yet it fares a bit better than most.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

11/18/2020

1.5/4

The appealing (albeit familiar) premise is employed to distressingly (and predominantly) lackluster effect by Kumble...

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Billy X

@RT15519012 2d

One of my favorite comedies. I love this movie, it has romance, it’s hilarious and the acting is brilliant.

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Joshua-Lee L.

@Oyster7 Dec 26

Okay…looks this movie doesn’t get the love it deserves. Yes, it’s campy and delivers low-IQ jokes. However, it does the job providing a self-absorbed pop star and Ryan Reynolds in a fat suit. No one takes themselves too seriously and it’s a fun ride start to finish.

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Horror fan 4

@Horrorfan4life Dec 24

The trio of Ryan, Amy and Anna drive this hilarious comedy to the finish line. Forgiveness!!! Tim Treakle

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Rob A

@RT76386004 Dec 24

Cringeworthy to be sure, but it had enough laugh-out-loud moments (plus a very crushable, girl-next-door leading lady) to merit a watch, especially for us rom-com fans.

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William R.

@MileHighMilk Dec 10

Still holds up decent today.

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Dec 5

Just Friends is a breezy, lighthearted comedy that thrives almost entirely on Ryan Reynolds’ magnetic charm and sharp comedic timing. The film doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it offers enough goofy energy to keep it entertaining. Reynolds brings sincerity beneath the humor, though the screenplay often feels like it’s missing a stronger emotional core. Certain scenes rush through moments that could have added depth, leaving the story feeling slightly uneven. Still, the film’s holiday setting, playful tone, and memorable supporting characters help balance its weaker spots. Anna Faris steals several scenes with her over-the-top performance, adding a welcome burst of chaos. While the direction could have pushed harder to elevate the comedy or explore the characters’ relationships more fully, the movie remains an easy and enjoyable watch. Just Friends doesn’t stand out as a genre classic, but its warmth, humor, and nostalgia make it a reliably fun choice for casual viewing.

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Roger Kumble

Director

Ryan Reynolds

Chris Brander

Amy Smart

Jamie Palamino

Anna Faris

Samantha James

Chris Klein

Dusty Dinkleman

Chris Marquette

Mike Brander

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Synopsis

High school student Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) loves his best friend, Jamie Palamino (Amy Smart). He finally confesses his feelings, but she tells him that she just wants to be friends, and he leaves town in shame. Ten years later, Chris is a successful record executive and involved with self-absorbed pop star Samantha James (Anna Faris). He still pines for Jamie, though, and when his plans to go to Paris for the holidays fall through, he returns to his hometown to try and win her heart.

Director: Roger Kumble
Producer: Chris Bender, Bill Johnson, Michael Ohoven, J.C. Spink, William Vince
Screenwriter: Adam "Tex" Davis
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: Just Friends Productions Inc., Cinerenta, Inferno Distribution, Benderspink
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Content/Dialogue)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 23, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 11, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.6M
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)