What Men Want

Play trailer

1:04

What Men Want

R

2019

1h 57m

Romance

Comedy

Fantasy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

149 Reviews

40%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Passed up for a well-deserved promotion, sports agent Ali Davis wonders what else she needs to do to succeed in a man's world. Hoping to find answers from a psychic, Ali drinks a weird concoction that suddenly allows her to hear what men are thinking. Using her newfound ability, Ali starts to turn the tables on her obnoxious male colleagues while racing to sign the next basketball superstar.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Admittedly uneven but easy to like, What Men Want proves a gender-swapped remake can work -- and the odds are substantially improved with Taraji P. Henson in the lead.

Read Critics Reviews

Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

Sep 18, 2019

Felt like it might have had some sharpness and some bite, but ended up being defanged.

Go to Full Review

Tara Brady

Irish Times

Mar 20, 2019

2/5

An excellent cast elevates a wacky, crowded script with too few, actual jokes and a disappointingly conventional denouement.

Go to Full Review

Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

Mar 19, 2019

The outtakes are funnier than what's in the film.

Go to Full Review

Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

Jul 14, 2024

2/5

Hensen’s charisma and acting prowess isn’t enough to save this product, resulting in a film with good intentions, but not enough narrative or comedic substance to keep it afloat.

Go to Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Aug 17, 2022

2/5

Henson deserves better.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mar 4, 2022

2.5/4

Henson is affable, even endearing at times in what amounts to an entertaining and funny comedy that has no staying power once the end credits begin to roll.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Atty C

@RT52680471 Jul 25, 2026

Pacy, funny, energetic, great dialogue. Comedy timing on pont, fantastic soundtrack and all the marks of a perfect romcom. Loved it! Funny asides, Erykah Badu is so good, so’s Taraji and her assistant and omg Aldis thank you

See more

Brian M

@RT70074185 Jul 21, 2026

I think this movie was not as great as I thought it could be. I just saw one part and thought it would be great, but it was average. I feel some of the main actors especially the male one who could add to the humor or even supporting characters could have done an amazing job on this. I feel Taraji is one of my favorite actors and with a funnier supporting male actor, it could have made this film golden.

See more

Garry F

@ZestyWiggle Jul 17, 2026

Not funny. Not realistic men. Also the movie was supposed to a flip of the script gender swap, but instead of mel was surrounded by competent women, Ali is an under apricated woman surrounded by less than great men. The original was comedy, but was acted as close to straight as you could... this is more done in the style of the Will Ferrall movie were his going to prison.

See more

David T

@RT53691290 Nov 15, 2025

I found the movie was not funny at all, had to fast forward through it a lot a lot pointless garbage.

See more

Tyler B

@RT79642193 Jul 25, 2025

Just an all round terrible movie.

See more

TorQue M

@RT63068763 Jul 15, 2025

Better than I was expecting, though I wasn't expecting much. I decided to watch it because of Taraji, and I'm glad I did. It wasn't great, but it was fun enough to pass the time. I'd probably rate it 60% rather than 40, but I tend to be nicer to bad movies than most.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Adam Shankman

Director

Taraji P. Henson

Ali Davis

Tracy Morgan

Joe 'Dolla' Barry

Aldis Hodge

Will

Wendi McLendon-Covey

Olivia

Tamala Jones

Mari

What Men Want: Official Clip - How Men Think

2:11

Now Playing

What Men Want: Official Clip - Sexist & Racist Boss

2:13

Now Playing

What Men Want: Official Clip - The Sexy Neighbor

2:12

Now Playing

What Men Want: Official Clip - Jamal's Balls

2:13

Now Playing

What Men Want: Official Clip - Kiss My Black Ass!

2:11

Now Playing

What Men Want: Official Clip - Cheating Husbands

2:00

Now Playing

What Men Want: Official Clip - How Was That?

2:12

Now Playing

What Men Want: Official Clip - You Have a Condom on Your Back

1:58

Now Playing

What Men Want: Official Clip - Shooting for Love

2:05

Now Playing

What Men Want: Official Clip - Men's Thoughts

2:13

Now Playing

View more videos

Long Story Short

50%

63%

Long Story Short

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Long Story Short

About Time

71%

82%

About Time

Watchlist

No Stranger Than Love

8%

17%

No Stranger Than Love

Watchlist

TRAILER

for No Stranger Than Love

Long Shot

82%

74%

Long Shot

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Long Shot

Social Animals

56%

43%

Social Animals

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Social Animals

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The 69 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part Is Certified Fresh

What Men Want: Special Look

1:04

Now Playing

What Men Want: Red Band Trailer 1

2:27

Now Playing

What Men Want: Trailer 1

2:34

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Passed up for a well-deserved promotion, sports agent Ali Davis wonders what else she needs to do to succeed in a man's world. Hoping to find answers from a psychic, Ali drinks a weird concoction that suddenly allows her to hear what men are thinking. Using her newfound ability, Ali starts to turn the tables on her obnoxious male colleagues while racing to sign the next basketball superstar.

Director: Adam Shankman
Producer: Will Packer, James Lopez
Screenwriter: Tina Gordon, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Will Packer Productions, Paramount Players, BET Films
Rating: R (Sexual Content Throughout|Language|Some Drug Material)
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 8, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 23, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $54.6M
Runtime: 1h 57m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings