Skip to content
MovieCove
The Wedding Planner

The Wedding Planner

A romantic comedy about love, destiny and other events you just can't plan for.

2001103 minPG-13Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
Director
Adam Shankman
Starring
Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Justin Chambers, Joanna Gleason

San Francisco's premiere wedding planner, Mary Fiore is rescued from an accident by the man of her dreams, pediatrician Steve Edison, only to find he is the fiancé of her latest client. As Mary continues making their wedding arrangements, she and Steve are put into a string of uncomfortable situations that force them to face their mutual attraction.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Wedding Planner?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Wedding Planner streaming on Netflix, Paramount+ via Prime Video and Sony Pictures Core via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The Wedding Planner?

The Wedding Planner earns 8 badges, led by Overhyped and Box Office Hit.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is The Wedding Planner worth watching?

The Wedding Planner's Midcredits score is the 25th percentile of all films, from 308K ratings across 6 sources. 30% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

25th percentile

Better received than 25% of films

26th percentile among Comedy24th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)29th
Approval (how many liked it)23rd

55 /100

29th percentile of all films

32nd percentile among Comedy29th percentile among 2000s

Critics 33 · Audience 57

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.6 — solid but not unanimous.

30% liked it

23rd percentile of all films

23rd percentile among Comedy20th percentile among 2000s
30% rated it 7–1070% rated it 1–6

Critics 17% · Audience 59%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 2 wins / 6 noms overall

97th percentile

308K ratings across platforms

98th percentile among Comedy95th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 6% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$35M
Opening weekend$14M
Domestic gross$60M
Worldwide gross$95M

Returned 2.7× its budget — 95th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A formulaic romantic comedy that is watchable but predictable, with a likeable cast and some fun moments.

Fans praised

  • likeable supporting cast (Wilson, Rocco, Chambers)
  • watchable and cute despite formula
  • Lopez and McConaughey have some chemistry and look good together

Detractors panned

  • predictable plot and obvious ending
  • little chemistry between leads
  • perceived lack of wit and emotional impact

What stands out

Acting55

likeable supporting cast, but lead chemistry questioned

Characters50

strong lead but poorly written love interest

HumorDivisive50

some funny scenes but inconsistent

Dialogue40

some fun moments, but overall lack of wit

Plot and story35

predictable and formulaic story

Emotional impact35

viewers did not care about the romance

Originality30

derivative of romantic comedy formula

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 12 points higher than men.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 8 points apart
  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is The Wedding Planner like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Romantic: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in the mood for a love story.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Romantic.

The answer rests on this: Moods
RomanticJoyfulMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Romantic · 8% of filmsWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its romantic comedy material straight with earnest emotion and mild comedy, never undercutting its own story.
The rideThe film maintains a light, romantic feel throughout, with brief moments of conflict that give way to a warm, resolution-heavy final act.
StructureConventional beginning-middle-end told in chronological order.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves the viewer with a warm, optimistic feeling about love and fate.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% (this title) · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe film follows a classic romantic comedy structure where a professional wedding planner meets her perfect match only to discover he is the groom of the wedding she is planning.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of filmsAmbition · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the tension between professional ambition and romantic love, and what it means to value oneself enough to pursue genuine connection rather than settling.
StanceThe film celebrates romantic love as the ultimate goal, affirming that true love is worth pursuing even at the cost of a comfortable, arranged marriage.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticWildernessRealistic
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · hybrid · Mervyn Warren
SettingSan Francisco's wedding industry and high-society circles in the early 2000s.
MusicThe score is a mix of light orchestral pieces and early-2000s pop songs that underscore the romantic and comedic moments.

Content guide

Is The Wedding Planner okay for kids?

PG-13

The Wedding Planner is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for language and some sexual humor” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (3/100), sexual content at mild (22/100), language at moderate (43/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (28/100) and frightening material at minimal (0/100). Overall it is heavier than 7% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 21 other countries
  • UKPG
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany6
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandPG
  • JapanG
  • South Korea12
  • BrazilL
  • ArgentinaATP
  • BelgiumAL
  • CzechiaU
  • FinlandS
  • Hong KongIIA
  • ItalyT
  • NetherlandsAL
  • PhilippinesPG
  • SingaporePG
  • SpainA
  • SwedenBtl
  • Taiwan6+
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 9% of all filmsHeavier than 7% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 2%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 34%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 53%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 36%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 1%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 53% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The Wedding Planner have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Wedding Planner?

Cast

Jennifer Lopez
as Mary Fiore
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Matthew McConaughey
as Steve Edison
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Justin Chambers
as Massimo
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Joanna Gleason
as Mrs. Donolly
Lou Myers
as Burt Weinberg
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Kathy Najimy
as Geri
Charles Kimbrough
as Mr. Donolly
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Judy Greer
as Penny
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Bridgette Wilson-Sampras
as Fran Donolly
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Alex Rocco
as Salvatore

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The Wedding Planner?

Movies like The Wedding Planner include 27 Dresses (2008), Blind Dating (2006) and The Bachelor (1999). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films set in San Francisco, and half are films about self-worth.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its subject: romantic love. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Wedding Planner?

2.5K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: love triangle. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.