Sydney Sweeney’s popular romantic comedy is enjoying a second wind, proving that a slow start at the box office doesn’t have to spell the end. The film has found fresh momentum on streaming, bringing its cheeky humor, chemistry and easygoing romantic fun back into the conversation.
Anyone But You is back in HBO Max’s streaming top 10 upon return
The 2023 romantic comedy Anyone But You has reentered HBO Max’s movie chart, landing at No. 9 on Oct. 27, according to Flix Patrol. It appears alongside titles such as The Invite, The Housemaid, Freddy vs. Jason, and Corpse Bride.
Will Gluck turns Sweeney and Glen Powell into a rom-com duo caught in a classic love-hate situation. Gluck co-wrote the script with Ilana Wolpert, bringing Bea and Ben together for a romance that hits a speed bump.
Their spark fizzles, but an Australian destination wedding throws them back into each other’s orbit. Suddenly, they must fake a relationship and keep the act alive. Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Dermot Mulroney, Darren Barnet and Rachel Griffiths round out the cast. Columbia Pictures handled distribution, while Roth/Kirschenbaum Films and SK Global.
Critics weren’t exactly head over heels for the rom-com, but audiences had a different take. Rotten Tomatoes shows a 53% critics’ score, while moviegoers push the audience rating up to 87%. IMDb users give it a more modest 6.1 out of 10.
Critics remained on the fence, but fans warmed to the cheeky humor and Sweeney-Powell chemistry, and its off-beat humor. Still, the story didn’t win everyone over. Some viewers saw it as another by-the-numbers rom-com, packed with familiar tropes but short on fresh ideas.
Financially, the film raked in around $220 million globally on a production budget of just $25 million. Producers Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Will Gluck helped turn the project into a theatrical success, despite its domestic debut bringing in only about $6 million.
