Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- breezy
- witty
- sincere
- date night
- teen movie night
What critics said
Critics largely viewed the film as a stale and unnecessary remake, though some found its treatment of teenage insecurity warmer and less cynical than the original.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alvin pays cheerleader Paris to pose as his girlfriend so he can become socially accepted.
Alvin's plan is explicitly designed to convert association with Paris into social credibility among classmates.
The film is a contemporary remake of Can't Buy Me Love and was described as wiser and less cynical than the original.
The central conflict depends on adolescent cliques and the protagonist's desire to be considered cool at school.
Films like Love Don't Co$t a Thing, and why
Can't Buy Me Love
Both are high school romantic comedies about social status, an initially transactional fake relationship, and insecurity beneath adolescent popularity.
The DUFF
Both use a fish out of water premise, school popularity hierarchies, and a staged romance that gradually develops emotional stakes.
She's All That
Both are teen romantic comedies centered on social reinvention, peer approval, and the tension between public image and genuine connection.
Movie Details
- Director
- Troy Byer
- Release Date
- 2003-12-12
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (735)
Cast
- Nick Cannon
- Christina Milian
- Kenan Thompson
- Kal Penn
- Steve Harvey
- Vanessa Bell Calloway
- Reagan Gomez-Preston
- Nicole Scherzinger
- Melissa Schuman
- Nichole Galicia
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Love Don't Co$t a Thing about?
- A socially invisible high school student hires a cheerleader to become his pretend girlfriend, only to discover that popularity and affection are harder to keep separate.
- What is Love Don't Co$t a Thing like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Love Don't Co$t a Thing as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Love Don't Co$t a Thing violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Love Don't Co$t a Thing.
- What did critics think of Love Don't Co$t a Thing?
- Critics largely viewed the film as a stale and unnecessary remake, though some found its treatment of teenage insecurity warmer and less cynical than the original.
- Which films are like Love Don't Co$t a Thing?
- Films with a similar feel include Can't Buy Me Love, The DUFF, and She's All That.
- How long is Love Don't Co$t a Thing?
- Love Don't Co$t a Thing runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch Love Don't Co$t a Thing?
- In United States, Love Don't Co$t a Thing is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
