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The Next Best Thing

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2:05

The Next Best Thing

PG-13

Released Mar 3, 2000

1h 48m

Comedy

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

19%

Tomatometer

94 Reviews

35%

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10,000+ Ratings

Abbie (Madonna) and Robert (Rupert Everett) are best friends with so much in common and miserable luck in love. They would make the perfect couple, but one thing prevents them from looking to each other for romance -- Robert is gay. A day comes, however, when too many cocktails and a twist of fate takes them to a new level of intimacy... and turns them into parents. Theirs may not be the perfect family -- but it is the next best thing.

Critics Consensus

Story elements clash and acting falls short.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

The two stars may be great pals in life, but there's little magic in their on-screen partnership.

Mar 6, 2018

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 1.5/4

Mar 22, 2002

Full Review

Stephen Holden

New York Times

The moment the movie loses its lighthearted spirit is the moment it loses touch with reality.

Rated: 0.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Tony Black

Cultural Conversation

A glossy, ham-fisted, non-romance.

Rated: 1/5

Feb 16, 2021

Full Review

Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Drama about untraditional parenting has sex, mature themes.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 19, 2016

Full Review

Bob Grimm

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 1/5

Aug 7, 2008

Full Review

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Steve D

No one is doing their best work.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Mark S

Finally saw this last night and yes, it is as bad as its reputation. It was simply painful watching Madonna trying to act as a normal person, with that awful script, and few of the characters being remotely believable. I was working for John Schlesinger just prior to him making this last film and at the time, he said it was more difficult making a Hollywood film with a gay subject matter today, than when he made Sunday Bloody Sunday in the seventies.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/19/22

Full Review

Audience Member

The next best thing would have been to watch a different film than this one. This movie is just that awful. Sadly. The only person who was even good in this movie was Lynn Redgrave and she was only in like two scenes. Everyone else's acting in this movie is just atrocious. Even Neil Patrick Harris was bad in this movie and I didn't even know that was possible. What in the hell happened?! Oh yeah, Madonna happened. Oh brother.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I love this movie and I loved Madonnas performance as Abby. The sad thing is that Madonnas movies never get a chance because as soon as people see her name they IMMEDIATELY form a negative opinion. I guess that’s what happens when you’re the most successful female in history. When you’re a threat people feel the need to attack.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/05/20

Full Review

Audience Member

An extremely fun and bittersweet story of friendship, love, desperation, parenthood, and ultimately making the right decision. This is another example of a great movie being squashed by "critics" and their shares love of hating Madonna. Do yourself a favor and watch The Next Best Thing. You'll be glad you did

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Madonna best performance

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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Rupert Everett

Robert

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The Next Best Thing: Trailer 1

2:05

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Synopsis

Abbie (Madonna) and Robert (Rupert Everett) are best friends with so much in common and miserable luck in love. They would make the perfect couple, but one thing prevents them from looking to each other for romance -- Robert is gay. A day comes, however, when too many cocktails and a twist of fate takes them to a new level of intimacy... and turns them into parents. Theirs may not be the perfect family -- but it is the next best thing.

Director: John Schlesinger
Producer: Leslie Dixon, Linne Radmin, Tom Rosenberg
Screenwriter: Tom Ropelewski
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Lakeshore Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Mature Themes|Language|Partial Nudity|Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 3, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $15.0M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)