Just Friends

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Just Friends

PG-13,

2005,

1h 34m,

Romance/

Comedy

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Watchlist

43%

110 Reviews

Tomatometer

71%

250,000+ Ratings

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.

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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

Nov 6, 2019

This movie had some good ideas, but never gelled.

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Tim Grierson

Screen International

Jul 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

Apr 1, 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, 2025

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

May 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

Nov 18, 2020

1.5/4

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

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Harry L

Dec 4, 2018

This is one of my favorite movies, Christmas or otherwise. The brotherly relationship featured is so genuine and funny and warms the heart! The movie is funny, quirky, and not too contrived. It is not appropriate for kids, so be warned!

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Leia S

Nov 4, 2018

Best movie, so underrated, so clever snd funny!

Hagrid S

Nov 4, 2018

Fantastically underrated comedy, one of my all-time favorites!

Albus R

Oct 27, 2018

Funny, smart, charming, clever, charismatic. Enough about Ryan Reynolds and the cast. This movie is great. One of the best holiday films ever.

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Theodore W

Aug 23, 2018

Ryan Reynolds is almost always funny and charming in an obnoxious sort of way. This movie is way over the top on the obnoxious and much less so on the charming. Ryan's character is almost completely unlikeable, as is much of the rest of the main cast (his brother, Dinkelmann, the Courtney Love-wanna-be). Even Amy Smart doesn't come off as particularly smart here (pun intended) - what does she SEE in this guy? Unless it is the money and fame, and that would put her in the unlikeable category. Some of the gags gave me a smile (the Notebook), but there is just not enough here to make a movie out of.

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Finn S

Aug 15, 2018

My favorite underdog comedy. Has me rolling every time.

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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)

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