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Can't Buy Me Love

1987·Movie
1h 34min·PG-13
56
DecentGoodWatch score

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Can't Buy Me Love fingerprint

Big heart.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace6
  • Adrenaline4
  • Tension3

Heart

Romantic and hopeful

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Coming of Age9
  • Romance8
  • Hopefulness8

Humor

Some situational comedy and sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Situational Comedy7
  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Cringe Humor5

World

Everyday modern life, growing up, and pop culture

  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7
  • Dialogue Centrality6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Acting7
  • Narrative Structure7
  • Character Depth7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Music Composition7
  • Cinematography6
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Ronald is making an investment in his senior year. He's hiring the prettiest cheerleader in school to be his girlfriend.

Nerdy high schooler Ronald Miller rescues cheerleader Cindy Mancini 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.
1980s Teen RomanceHigh School Social DynamicsComing-of-Age StoryPopularity vs. AuthenticityHeartwarming & NostalgicFeel-Good MovieFirst LoveSocial Commentary

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Can't Buy Me Love

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Can't Buy Me Love legally?

Can't Buy Me Love is included with a subscription to YouTube TV in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Can't Buy Me Love worth watching?

56
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 57/100 (IMDb 6.8, Rotten Tomatoes 48%, and Metacritic 36). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Can't Buy Me Love rated?

PG-13

It's rated PG-13 in the United States.

How long is Can't Buy Me Love?

1 h 34 min

Can't Buy Me Love runs 1 h 34 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Can't Buy Me Love?

Critics42
Audiences72

Not quite. Audiences rate Can't Buy Me Love higher (72) than critics (42). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Can't Buy Me Love a box office hit?

Budget$2 million
Box office$32 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $2 million to make and earned $32 million worldwide, 17.6 times its budget.

What language is Can't Buy Me Love in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Can't Buy Me Love?

67ADALARATAUBABEBGBOBRBZCACHCL+53

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Can't Buy Me Love in 67 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Can't Buy Me Love use?

One Dialogue, Two ConversationsAcquired Situational NarcissismHeel RealizationGassholeThe TripleUrban Legend Love LifeJerk JockFartilleryA Party, Also Known as an OrgySlow ClapGilligan CutGive Geeks a Chanceand 19 more

TV Tropes lists 31 storytelling tropes for Can't Buy Me Love, including One Dialogue, Two Conversations, Acquired Situational Narcissism, Heel Realization.