Can't Buy Me Love | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

50% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings

Nerdy high schooler Ronald Miller (Patrick Dempsey) rescues cheerleader Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson) 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.

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Can't Buy Me Love

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Critics Consensus

While Can't Buy Me Love gets some value out of its plucky leads, this romantic comedy struggles to find grace in a cynical conceit that belongs in the bargain bin.

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Critics Reviews

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Can't Buy Me Love | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Time Out A slight but not unenjoyable movie. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Can't Buy Me Love | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Caryn James New York Times The film thinks it wants to be sincere, when all it truly wants is to be popular, just like the other kids' movies, so it sells off its originality. Rated: 2.5/5 May 20, 2003 Full Review Can't Buy Me Love | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Rita Kempley Washington Post As written by Michael Swerdlick and guided by Rash, the theme dissolves into a bland parody of pubescent pain. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Can't Buy Me Love | Rotten Tomatoes (4) David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a mostly watchable comedy that benefits substantially from the affable work of its two stars... Rated: 2.5/4 Mar 6, 2021 Full Review Can't Buy Me Love | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Ángel Fernández-Santos El Pais (Spain) Its conformist happy ending negates the initial nonconformist feeling of the original premise. [Full Review in Spanish] Apr 1, 2020 Full Review Can't Buy Me Love | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Fred Topel We Live Entertainment Sadly, I feel the message of Can't Buy Me Love is more relevant than ever. Hopefully it shows young viewers that they can empower themselves if they're surrounded by adults who look the other way when they're being mistreated. Sep 10, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Christian K Doesn't do enough for me to break away from being another just good enough high school movie, with nothing really memorable besides some of Dempsey's hair styles. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/24/24 Full Review Ma'ark T This movie gets a good rating purely for making me laugh out loud a few times. It was just an enjoyable Saturday night comedy. Patrick Dempsey played his part well. As far as 80s comedies go, it's actually aged fairly well. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/24 Full Review Emery A Despite the mega cliché romance with agreements between the nerd and the popular girl and he gets lost in the character, the final lesson of accepting who you are and not seeking acceptance at any cost, friendship and self-esteem, is essential. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/29/23 Full Review Joel H I used to watch Can't Buy Me Love a lot when I was younger. Back then, I thought it was hilarious, and I had a big crush on Cindy Mancini. Watching it as an adult was a little different. The humor doesn't feel as clever and it definitely feels dated, but it's still a good movie. It's not just another mindless teen comedy. This movie has heart and it has a message. Also, the plot brings up some interesting social questions. Plus, Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson do some legitimate acting in their respective roles. I don't care too much for the raunchy parts, but I really enjoy Can't Buy Me Love. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/03/23 Full Review Jonathan W Um dos mais lembrados da minha infância, filme que ensina valores como lealdade e humildade. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/08/23 Full Review Audience Member This is my personal #1 favorite movie of all time Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Can't Buy Me Love

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Cast & Crew

Steve Rash Director Patrick Dempsey Ronald Miller Amanda Peterson Cindy Mancini Courtney Gains Kenneth Wurman Tina Caspary Barbara Seth Green Chuckie Miller
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Can't Buy Me Love

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Synopsis Nerdy high schooler Ronald Miller (Patrick Dempsey) rescues cheerleader Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson) 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.

Director
Steve Rash

Producer
Thom Mount

Screenwriter
Michael Swerdlick

Production Co
Touchstone Pictures

Rating
PG-13

Genre
Comedy

Original Language
English

Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 28, 2015

Box Office (Gross USA)
$31.6M

Runtime
1h 34m
Most Popular at Home Now
Can't Buy Me Love | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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