A large part of the appeal of Netflix's Nobody Wants This (2024) is how real the characters feel. They might have quintessential millennial humor and provide the nostalgia for those of us who obsessed over Adam Brody's Seth Cohen in The OC (2003), but the relationship between Joanne and Noah feels grounded in the fact that we could very likely meet people like them in the real world. In addition, the opposites attract trope is one that always provides the necessary angst to make a couple's journey extra enticing and juicy.
In their case, religion and the lack thereof play a huge factor in how they go about their interactions, but the trope always makes a ship intriguing enough to keep watching. From When Harry Met Sally (1989), the legendary archetype of the opposites attract trope, to the underrated gem that is Starstruck (2021), here are five opposites attract shows and movies to watch if you love the dynamics in Nobody Wants This, as well as where to stream them on HBO Max, Hulu, and more.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
When Harry Met Sally is a classic for countless reasons now, and it's entirely because Nora Ephron knows how to deliver incomparable banter. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal set the blueprint for how to effectively showcase how opposites in a relationship can be perfectly suited for one another, and also why friends-to-lovers is the best trope when paired with a slow, steady progression.
They may not have obstacles standing in their way the same way that Joanne and Noah do, but their personalities are so vastly different, and since they consistently meet at different points in their life, those moments also serve as roadblocks until the very end. Still, if you love how real and relatable Nobody Wants This is, no film establishes a similarly grounded couple quite like When Harry Met Sally, making it a must-watch for every kind of romance fan.
New Girl (2011-2018)
As a comedy, New Girl gets plenty right in its realistic depiction of people in their late 20s and early 30s, by giving us different types of characters and various romances. Whether it's Nick and Jess, Schmidt and Cece, or Winston and Aly, the show gives us multiple types of opposites attract relationships to make every episode a blast, while shipping them becomes an absolute joy throughout.
Plus, New Girl really is the first show to give us realistic depictions of what it's like for characters in this demographic while also living in LA. As much as Friends (1994) gets a lot right, there's also an expectation set that simply doesn't work for the time period we're living in, but New Girl really nails similar struggles that are also present in Nobody Wants This.
10 Things I Hate About You (2009)
What many people don't know is that once upon a time, there was also a TV show adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You. It's likely that fans of the original film probably weren't ready for a different approach, and it really wasn't all that necessary if we're being honest, but it was good. Actually, genuinely so good, and it was mostly due to Ethan Peck's gripping performance as Patrick Verona.
It's imaginable that it'd be challenging to fill the shoes of an already beloved character, led by a beloved actor, but Peck never tried to replicate Heath Ledger's legacy. Instead, he made the character his own while honoring what the late actor also established with various mannerisms. Though the series was short-lived and cancelled after its first run, it's still worth watching how it nails the opposites attract trope.
Normal People (2020)
Normal People is far more serious and achingly heartbreaking compared to the shows on this list, but the depiction of real, nuanced characters finding themselves as they grow older is something I still think about. Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones deliver the type of performances that will stay with you for years to come. The story is so tender, so honest, that it's almost painful to watch at times.
But more than anything, Connor and Marianne are the type of opposites-attract pairing that shows viewers how deep connections are made beyond our upbringings. It might not be an overt happy ending to qualify it as a true romance, but it's a hopeful one that feels deeply earned with everything that's explored throughout the limited series. Against all odds, the real beauty is in the fact that their connection changes them both for the better. For viewers who want something poignant and raw, look no further.
Starstruck (2021-2023)
Never have I seen such a realistic depiction of one of the rarest tropes: the celebrity romance. But Starstruck (not to be confused with Disney's Starstruck (2010) movie) was a relatable and honest gem from the very beginning, giving us worthwhile comedy from Rose Matafeo and Nikesh Patel that also contributed to making the show achingly heartfelt. It's perfect for viewers who love how grounded Nobody Wants This feels with its characterizations, and it's especially worthy as a story about two opposites finding so much comfort together.
The writing is sharp, hilarious, and tonally unique, delivering something that may not be replicated for a long, long time. The British comedy flew under the radar for so many people, but it's one that I can never stop singing praises for as a hidden gem that deserves more praise.
