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The Back-up Plan

Play trailer 2:22 Poster for The Back-up Plan PG-13 2010 1h 44m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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18% Tomatometer 145 Reviews 46% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Tired of waiting for Mr. Right while her biological clock ticks away, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) decides it's time to make an appointment at the sperm bank. On the same day as her procedure, she meets Stan (Alex O'Loughlin), a man with the potential to be her ideal mate. When Stan learns that Zoe's unpredictable behavior is the result of her pregnancy, he declares his commitment. As the due date approaches, both lovers realize that they really don't know each other without a baby in the picture.
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The Back-up Plan

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Critics Consensus

Jennifer Lopez is as appealing as ever, but The Back-Up Plan smothers its star with unrelatable characters and a predictable plot.

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Critics Reviews

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Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard May 13, 2010
2/5
Saunters along as if all concerned had decided that imagination and flair were either unnecessary or impossible. Go to Full Review Robbie Collin News of the World May 13, 2010
1/5
Jennifer Lopez is famous for one reason only. And odds are, that's where she found the script for The Back-up Plan. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian May 7, 2010
1/5
A romcom that can't be called "formulaic" without insulting formulas everywhere. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Aug 4, 2022
The Back-Up Plan is inoffensive but inert. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Stuart McGurk NME (New Musical Express) May 19, 2021
0.5/5
Imagine Knocked Up - only without any wit, charm, honesty, pathos or like-ability. It's almost impressive. Go to Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Jan 31, 2021
2/5
It's the kind of movie where the Rom Com Script Generator (TM) spits out dreaded exchanges like: "You're not making any sense." "No, all of a sudden everything makes sense." It's not that it's bad exactly, it's just that we've seen it all before. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jordyn B @RT54243528 Mar 11, 2026 Ughhh I love this movie!! See more Carlos T @RT67858720 Jan 28, 2026 *Plano B* parte de uma premissa simples, mas emocionalmente contemporânea: o desejo de maternidade feminina independente da ideia romântica tradicional. Zoe é uma mulher bem-sucedida, cansada de esperar "o amor da sua vida", e decide seguir sozinha com a inseminação artificial. O destino, claro, ironiza seus planos quando Stan surge justamente no dia do procedimento. O filme constrói seu conflito central não no "se" eles ficarão juntos, mas em *quando* e *como* a verdade virá à tona — e quais consequências emocionais isso trará. O roteiro não reinventa a comédia romântica, mas brinca com seus códigos clássicos: encontros desajeitados, segredos mal resolvidos e diálogos que misturam afeto e insegurança. O ponto mais interessante está no choque entre planejamento racional e imprevisibilidade emocional. Ainda assim, o filme evita mergulhos mais profundos em dilemas éticos ou psicológicos, preferindo o conforto do tom leve. Nota final:** **7 See more mark g @Mark_Alan_G. Nov 14, 2025 This officially goes into my bottom 10 of all time. The acting is awful, Jennifer Lopez is a joke. Stupid story, stupid characters, bad direction, awful film. See more Neil S @RT08643591 Aug 11, 2025 Screw you people I love romcom JLo See more David D @David2026 Jun 25, 2025 The critics really morning sicked on this one. It a light hearted romp, its funny, charming, silly, couple friendly film. For couples, its a great watch. Sociology degree holders, veer away. See more Stephen C @bob25009 May 29, 2025 Jennifer Lopez's worst movie in 1 hour and 44 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Read all reviews
The Back-up Plan

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Cast & Crew

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Alan Poul

Director

Jennifer Lopez

Zoe

Alex O'Loughlin

Stan

Michaela Watkins

Mona

Eric Christian Olsen

Clive

Anthony Anderson

Playground Dad

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The Back-up Plan

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The Back-up Plan

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Movie Info

Synopsis Tired of waiting for Mr. Right while her biological clock ticks away, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) decides it's time to make an appointment at the sperm bank. On the same day as her procedure, she meets Stan (Alex O'Loughlin), a man with the potential to be her ideal mate. When Stan learns that Zoe's unpredictable behavior is the result of her pregnancy, he declares his commitment. As the due date approaches, both lovers realize that they really don't know each other without a baby in the picture.
Director
Alan Poul
Producer
Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch
Screenwriter
Kate Angelo
Distributor
CBS Films
Production Co
CBS Films
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language|Sexual References|Some Crude Material)
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 23, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$37.5M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS
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