If You Loved the Show Friends, Then You Definitely Need to Watch One Movie Right Now.
Friends isn’t just the quintessential ’90s sitcom; it remains one of the most popular TV shows of all time, even if it has evolved into a hermetically sealed vision of prehistoric times (before 9/11, before smartphones, before it was considered weird to just show up at a friend’s house unannounced). Not all aspects of the show have held up well, but the witty writing and brilliant sense of humor of the talented cast keep it at the top of lists of favorite sitcoms for leisure time.
If you’re looking for a film that also celebrates friendship, youth in the big city, and overcoming the challenges of loneliness, forget the 1990s—check out 2024’s “Ballers.”
Like Friends, the 2024 series Ballers is a funny take on the story of young people looking for love in the big city.
Starring the energetic Gina Rodriguez, Players is a modern take on the story of a group of bright young people making their way in New York City. Rodriguez plays Mac, a sports journalist who approaches dating as a fine art, developing “strategies” for herself and her friends designed to break the ice and arrange chance encounters. As on Friends , Mac’s life is balanced and supported by her support group—best friends Adam (Damon Wayans Jr.), Brannagan (Augustus Prew), and Little (Joel Courtney). The four of them share the same sisterly energy as the gang from Friends , especially in the early seasons, before all the characters began dating each other incestuously.
Naturally, romantic twists and turns ensue—Mac dreams of a serious relationship, and when a new reporter, Nick (Tom Ellis), joins her newspaper, she targets him with the same laser-like precision Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) used on Joshua (Tate Donovan) in season four. She enlists her friends to help her stage one of her con jobs on him, and things go awry. And yes, just like with Ross and Rachel, the realization slowly sets in that maybe everything Mac is looking for was already right in front of her.
“Ballers” offers many of the same pleasures as the TV series: a lighthearted plot, sharp jokes, and well-developed characters you want to root for. Set in a big city, the story captures the unique energy of youth, loneliness, and complete dependence on a small group of close friends who are willing to walk through fire for you (or, in this case, romantic attraction to you, like Scooby-Doo). If you’ve been looking for a movie similar to “Friends,” this is it. “Ballers” is available to watch on Netflix .
More movies like Friends
Friends ran for ten seasons, so one movie might not be enough to satisfy your craving for comedies featuring likable people hanging out together. Don’t worry—here are a few more movies that fans of the show will love.
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Why not watch a classic movie about lonely people in New York City? Written by the legendary Nora Ephron and directed by the late Rob Reiner, the film tells the story of cynical, sarcastic Harry (Billy Crystal) and sweet, prim Sally (Meg Ryan). They meet right out of college and move across the country together, seemingly with little in common. Sally is happy to say goodbye to Harry, but over the years, life brings them together again, and they eventually become best friends—which works just fine for them, until it doesn’t. It’s one of the funniest romantic comedies of all time; New York City is one of the main characters, and the friendship dynamic is perfect for fans of the series (as the famous four-way conversation scene proves). Watch When Harry Met Sally… on Apple TV .
Sleeping with Other People (2015)
Did you love the epic ambiguity of Ross and Rachel’s relationship most about Friends ? Then you’ll love Sleeping With Other People . Lainey (Alison Brie) and Jake (Jason Sudeikis) meet for the first time in college. Years later, they reconnect at self-help groups to discuss their sexual and romantic struggles and decide to just be friends. Supporting each other through relationships and life dramas, they increasingly realize they can’t deny their true feelings for each other. It’s a funny yet touching film that retains the same “friends-turned-lovers” vibe that so inspired Friends . Watch Sleeping With Other People on Prime Video .
The Forest (1999)
If you enjoyed the flashback sequences on Friends , showing how the gang came together and what they were like before we met, you’ll love The Woods . Shortly before his wedding, Roland (Taye Diggs) goes missing, sending his lifelong best friends, Mike (Omar Epps) and Slim (Richard T. Jones), on a mission to find him. The three reminisce about their teenage years in Inglewood, California, retracing their friendships and various other relationships. It’s a sweet buddy comedy, and the flashbacks, while revealing the characters’ personalities, make them people you care about. Watch The Woods on Hoopla or rent it on Prime Video .
Set It Up (2018)
If you’re just looking for a romantic comedy about young people making it in the big city, “Set It Up” is a treat. Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) are assistants to powerful bosses who leave them no time for relationships or anything else. They devise a plan to get their bosses (powerful editor Lucy Liu and venture capitalist Taye Diggs) to start dating to reduce their workload. It works at first, but then things go awry, with plenty of hilarious moments ensuing. If you suspect there’s a romantic subplot between Charlie and Harper, you might have seen a similar romantic comedy before—but the story has the same “young people trying to figure things out” vibe as the show, and Deutch and Powell are both incredibly charismatic in their roles. Watch “Set It Up” on Netflix .
Singles (1992)
Cameron Crowe’s film, a kind of prototype for Friends , is a love letter to the Seattle grunge rock scene of the 1990s. It remains funny, relevant, and eerily accurate when it comes to the quirks of people in their 20s and 30s trying to navigate love and everything else. The story follows a group of friends and roommates sharing “single” apartments in the same building as they navigate their complicated personal relationships, disappointing careers, and clubs so loud they can barely hear each other afterward. Along the way, they discuss everything with an easygoing affinity—and a love of coffee—that will definitely remind you of the six guys from Central Perk. Watch “Singles” on the Roku Channel or Kanopy , or rent it on Prime Video .