The Next Best Thing (2000): cast, story & where to watch
2000 · Film · ★ 5.2
Released in 2000, The Next Best Thing is a comedy, drama and romance film directed by John Schlesinger, running about 108 minutes. “Best friends make the best mistakes” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A comedy-drama about best friends - one a straight woman, Abbie, the other a gay man, Robert - who decide to have a child together. Five years later, Abbie falls in love with a straight man and wants to move away with her and Robert's little boy Sam, and a nasty custody battle ensues.
Who’s in it. The Next Best Thing stars Madonna as Abbie Reynolds, Rupert Everett as Robert Whittaker, Benjamin Bratt as Ben Cooper and Malcolm Stumpf as Sam, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.2/10, The Next Best Thing has proved divisive with audiences. It went on to earn $24.4M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Next Best Thing page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Next Best Thing tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Next Best Thing (2000)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Next Best Thing change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Next Best Thing worth watching?
- The Next Best Thing holds an audience score of 5.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Next Best Thing?
- The Next Best Thing stars Madonna, Rupert Everett, Benjamin Bratt, Malcolm Stumpf and Malcolm Stumpf.
- When was The Next Best Thing released?
- The Next Best Thing was released in 2000, with a runtime of about 108 minutes.