Can't Buy Me Love

PG-13

1987

1h 34m

Comedy

List

50%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

74%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

Nerdy high schooler Ronald Miller (Patrick Dempsey) rescues cheerleader Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson) from parental punishment after she accidentally destroys her mother's designer clothes. Ronald agrees to pay for the $1,000 outfit on one condition: that she will act as though they're a couple for an entire month. As the days pass, however, Cindy grows fond of Ronald, making him popular. But when Ronald's former best friend gets left behind, he realizes that social success isn't everything.

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Critics Consensus

While Can't Buy Me Love gets some value out of its plucky leads, this romantic comedy struggles to find grace in a cynical conceit that belongs in the bargain bin.

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Time Out

A slight but not unenjoyable movie.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Caryn James

New York Times

The film thinks it wants to be sincere, when all it truly wants is to be popular, just like the other kids' movies, so it sells off its originality.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Rita Kempley

Washington Post

As written by Michael Swerdlick and guided by Rash, the theme dissolves into a bland parody of pubescent pain.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a mostly watchable comedy that benefits substantially from the affable work of its two stars...

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 6, 2021

Full Review

Ángel Fernández-Santos

El Pais (Spain)

Its conformist happy ending negates the initial nonconformist feeling of the original premise. [Full Review in Spanish]

Apr 1, 2020

Full Review

Fred Topel

We Live Entertainment

Sadly, I feel the message of Can't Buy Me Love is more relevant than ever. Hopefully it shows young viewers that they can empower themselves if they're surrounded by adults who look the other way when they're being mistreated.

Sep 10, 2017

Full Review

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Christian K

Doesn't do enough for me to break away from being another just good enough high school movie, with nothing really memorable besides some of Dempsey's hair styles.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

Full Review

Ma'ark T

This movie gets a good rating purely for making me laugh out loud a few times. It was just an enjoyable Saturday night comedy. Patrick Dempsey played his part well. As far as 80s comedies go, it's actually aged fairly well.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/24

Full Review

Emery A

Despite the mega cliché romance with agreements between the nerd and the popular girl and he gets lost in the character, the final lesson of accepting who you are and not seeking acceptance at any cost, friendship and self-esteem, is essential.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/29/23

Full Review

Joel H

I used to watch Can't Buy Me Love a lot when I was younger. Back then, I thought it was hilarious, and I had a big crush on Cindy Mancini. Watching it as an adult was a little different. The humor doesn't feel as clever and it definitely feels dated, but it's still a good movie. It's not just another mindless teen comedy. This movie has heart and it has a message. Also, the plot brings up some interesting social questions. Plus, Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson do some legitimate acting in their respective roles. I don't care too much for the raunchy parts, but I really enjoy Can't Buy Me Love.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

Jonathan W

Um dos mais lembrados da minha infância, filme que ensina valores como lealdade e humildade.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is my personal #1 favorite movie of all time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/21/23

Full Review

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Steve Rash

Director

Patrick Dempsey

Ronald Miller

Amanda Peterson

Cindy Mancini

Courtney Gains

Kenneth Wurman

Tina Caspary

Barbara

Seth Green

Chuckie Miller

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Synopsis

Nerdy high schooler Ronald Miller (Patrick Dempsey) rescues cheerleader Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson) from parental punishment after she accidentally destroys her mother's designer clothes. Ronald agrees to pay for the $1,000 outfit on one condition: that she will act as though they're a couple for an entire month. As the days pass, however, Cindy grows fond of Ronald, making him popular. But when Ronald's former best friend gets left behind, he realizes that social success isn't everything.

Director: Steve Rash
Producer: Thom Mount
Screenwriter: Michael Swerdlick
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 28, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.6M
Runtime: 1h 34m

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