Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, breaks away from traditional romantic comedy formulas by presenting love in all its complicated reality. The movie abandons rose-coloured glasses in favour of practical storytelling, which explains why it resonates strongly with young urban audiences.
Understanding what makes Materialists unique helps us appreciate why certain other romantic comedies share its authentic approach to relationships. These films similarly challenge conventional romance narratives by exploring the complexities, contradictions, and moral ambiguities that define real human connections.
Romcoms Like Materialists To Watch On OTT
The Big Sick (Amazon Prime Video)
The Big Sick shows how authentic storytelling can elevate the romantic comedy genre beyond predictable formulas. The 2017 film stars Kumail Nanjiani, who plays a version of himself before achieving fame, as he navigates a complicated relationship with the woman who would eventually become his wife.
The story begins as a typical romantic comedy but quickly subverts expectations. The couple breaks up after she discovers that he's going to have to go through an arranged marriage, and then she unexpectedly falls into a coma. This dramatic turn forces Nanjiani's character to spend time with both her and her parents while they deal with the uncertainty of her future and of their relationship.
You can watch The Big Sick on Amazon Prime Video, where its realistic approach to cultural differences and family expectations continues to resonate with viewers seeking authentic relationship stories.
Past Lives (Amazon Prime Video)
Before creating Materialists, director Celine Song established her reputation for complex romantic storytelling with Past Lives. This 2023 film starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo presents a captivating tale of romance peppered with real drama that explores how past relationships continue to influence our present lives.
Past Lives shares with Materialists a willingness to examine how timing, circumstances, and personal growth affect romantic possibilities. Both films acknowledge that love alone cannot always overcome practical obstacles or personal limitations.
27 Dresses (JioHotstar)
While 27 Dresses might initially seem like a conventional romantic comedy, its exploration of self-deception and misguided romantic assumptions creates interesting parallels with Materialists. The film centres around Jane, played by Katherine Heigl, who serves as more of a perennial bridesmaid than matchmaker.
The story examines how Jane believes she's hopelessly in love with her enigmatic boss (or so she thinks), while simultaneously attracting an attractive, cynical journalist who scoffs at the entire concept of a fairy-tale love. This setup allows the film to question whether our romantic feelings are genuine or simply projections of what we think we should want.
The Worst Person in the World (Amazon Prime Video)
The Worst Person in the World represents the most artistically ambitious film on this list and the only one in another language. This Norwegian film shares with Materialists a focus on love triangles and the difficulty of making definitive romantic choices.
The story follows a young woman living in Norway who can't decide who she wants to be. Her indecision extends beyond career choices as she finds herself flitting from one relationship to another. The film's title might suggest harsh judgment, but the reality proves more nuanced.
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Sabrina (Amazon Prime Video)
Sabrina presents one of the greatest love triangle movies as it follows the daughter of a chauffeur who catches the eye of two wealthy brothers.
The film's sophistication lies in how it develops the protagonist's evolving feelings. Although she initially forms a close relationship with the younger of the two brothers, she's eventually drawn to the older and more serious man. This progression feels natural rather than contrived, supported by the expert direction of Billy Wilder and strong performances from Humphrey Bogart, William Holden, and Audrey Hepburn.
My Best Friend's Wedding (Amazon Prime Video)
My Best Friend's Wedding offers perhaps the most complex moral territory of any film discussed here. Julia Roberts plays a woman who slowly realises she's the villain after she learns that her lifelong best friend is getting married, and she realises she's in love with him.
The film's brilliance emerges as Roberts' character heads to the wedding with the explicit goal of breaking up her friend's marriage, but gradually discovers that his fiancée is not the evil harpy she wanted her to be.
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