There is nothing like a good summer romance to get you through those heated movie nights and 500 Days of Summer is just that. The 2009 drama comedy takes viewers on the rocky love journey of Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel). The greeting card writer falls for the free-spirited woman who has no interest in true love. While Tom’s heart becomes heavily affected, Summer’s emotionally detached approach to their relationship only strains their connection, despite their strong chemistry.
This independent production caught the attention of Fox Searchlight Pictures, which distributed the movie. The Marc Webb-directed production became a hit among rom-com lovers. With just a $7.5 million budget, 500 Days of Summer, earned an outstanding $60.7 million at the box office. Thankfully, this film is not the only one of its kind. Next time you’re in the mood to explore movies like 500 Days of Summer, check out any of these seven options.
The Perfect Match (2016)
IMDb: 4.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 22%
Where to watch: MGM+, YouTube, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Philo, Google Play Movies & TV, Fandango at Home
Much like 500 Days of Summer, The Perfect Match is also an independent production that performed well at the box office. The rom-com focuses on playboy Charlie (Terrence J), who navigates multiple women with no room for commitment. When his therapist sister and group of friends try to convince him that love is possible, Charlie still isn’t sold. However, his buddies challenge him to stick with one woman for a month, promising that he would likely fall for her. Unconvinced, he meets the stunning Eva (Cassie Ventura), and the pair quickly begin a casual fling. Charlie soon finds himself in love, though he learns that Eva is actually the true player, with no intentions of taking him seriously.
Love by the 10th Date (2017)
IMDb: 5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 45%
Where to watch: Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home, Lifetime Movie Club
Love By The 10th Date follows four gal pals, Gabby (Meagan Good), Nell (Kellee Stewart), Billie (Keri Hilson), and Margot (Kelly Rowland). Each one is trying to balance their individual love lives with their professional endeavors while working for a digital Los Angeles lifestyle magazine. Gabby and Nell give themselves a due date to find their perfect match. Meanwhile, Billie must make some tough choices about her marriage. Margot, who bears some similarities to Tom in 500 Days of Summer, tries to fight off her attraction to a controversial reggae musician, who isn’t exactly boyfriend material. Thankfully, the women have one another to lean on as they work through the many matters of the heart.
Brown Sugar (2002)
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 66%
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
Childhood best friends Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) are forever connected by their love of music, particularly hip-hop. Both have found their career passions in music, with Sidney an editor-in-chief at XXL and Dre an A&R at Millennium Records. Dre falls head over heels for the entertainment of Reese (Nicole Ari Parker), though a kiss between Sidney and Dre just ahead of the wedding, only stirs up deep-rooted feelings for one another. However, both move forward with their respective relationships, though the emotions remain, and decisions must be made.
About Last Night (2014)
IMDb: 6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
Where to watch: Google Play Movies & TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
About Last Night is a hilarious story about Danny (Michael Ealy), a restaurant supply salesman, who is introduced to an unlikely love Debbie (Joy Bryant). The two were brought together by his best friend and colleague Bernie (Kevin Hart), who is dating Debbie’s best friend Joan (Regina Hall). Unlike Danny and Debbie, Joan and Bernie’s whirlwind romance is filled with passion. Danny and Debbie’s relationship is much more serious, with her wanting a much deeper connection with her man. Once they move in together, things take a dismal turn, leaving even Joan and Bernie on the rocks.
Something New (2006)
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
Where to watch: YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video
In Something New, viewers meet Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan), a career-driven Black accountant living in Los Angeles. While she is mainly focused on her profession, her friends encourage her to put herself out there in the dating world. This is when she meets Brian Kelly (Simon Baker), a white landscape architect, during a blind date. However, Kenya’s apprehension about interracial dating forces her to leave. Thankfully, that is not the last time they’ll be brought together, forcing Kenya to let her guard down for the sake of her happiness.
Breakin’ All the Rules (2004)
IMDb: 5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 31%
Where to watch: Pluto TV, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
Quincy Watson (Jamie Foxx) is faced with the heartbreak of a lifetime after his fiancée, Helen (Bianca Lawson), abruptly breaks up with him during their engagement party. This situation broke Quincy but left him channeling his emotions in a letter that evolves into a bestselling book. His cousin Evan (Morris Chestnut) then seeks his advice on how to dump his own girlfriend, Nicky (Gabrielle Union). Ironically, Quincy meets Nicky, who introduces herself under an alias and begins getting close to him, causing a hilarious, yet dramatic spiral.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
IMDb: 5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
Stella Payne (Angela Bassett) is a successful California professional who is navigating motherhood and post-divorce life with her young son. Preoccupied with life, she is convinced by her best friend Delilah Abraham (Whoopi Goldberg) to take a much-needed Jamaica vacation. She obliges and while on the beautiful island, Stella meets a young island man Winston Shakespeare (Taye Diggs), who pursues her to no end. She eventually gives in and embarks on a steamy vacation fling. Even after she leaves the island, Stella cannot get her mind off of Winston, forcing her to face her true desires.
