12 Movies To Watch If You Loved Look Both Ways

There is no shortage of romantic comedies on Netflix. The streaming giant has purposely invested in romance films over the years, targeting a large audience prepared to consume this type of content en masse (via The Hollywood Reporter). This has included the likes of "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" and its sequels, with the latest example being the Wanuri Kahiu-directed "Look Both Ways."

Starring Lili Reinhart in the leading role and featuring Luke Wilson, Aisha Dee, and Danny Ramirez in supporting roles, the Netflix release sees student Natalie experience two very different timelines as her life splits when she faces a pregnancy scare. In one reality, she becomes a mother and stays in her hometown, while in the other there is no pregnancy and she goes off to Hollywood to pursue the career she has always dreamed of.

It's a neat gimmick that gives viewers a unique perspective on how lives can change depending on one or two big decisions. While it's an idea that seems more at home in a sci-fi film, it isn't the only romantic film that has employed a similar plot device. If you loved "Look Both Ways," we've got 12 more movies like it to add to your watchlist.

Perhaps the most obvious choice of movie to watch if you liked "Look Both Ways" is 1998's "Sliding Doors." The 2022 Netflix release is essentially a modern version of this film (via Glamour), which stars Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah. Both films feature two parallel stories taking place at the same time, with Paltrow's character Helen Quilley seeing her life diverge into two paths depending on whether she missed a train or not, after being fired from her job.

Perhaps the biggest draw of "Look Both Ways" is the way it poses the "what if" question — something that "Sliding Doors" does beautifully. In fact, this film set the standard for the romantic comedy genre with gimmicks — giving filmmakers license to use unique plot devices and tricks to tell a more interesting story. Viewers get the chance to see how seemingly innocuous events can shape the future and have dramatic repercussions for everyone involved in the two films — although "Sliding Doors" is a slightly darker and more cynical experience than "Look Both Ways."

Led by actor and director Peter Howitt, the film was a huge financial success against its tiny budget of $6 million, making almost 10 times that at the box office (via The Numbers). It wasn't quite as successful critically, but "Sliding Doors" has had an indelible mark on popular culture, inspiring countless films and television episodes (via The Ringer).

The king of the romantic comedy, Richard Curtis, is the man responsible for both writing and directing this 2013 film that stars Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy. His name comes with a certain stamp of quality, given that the filmmaker has previously created the likes of "Notting Hill," "Bridget Jones's Diary," "Love Actually," and "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Earning widespread praise from critics for its charm and time travel mechanics — although some found there were too many plot holes to make things cohesive (via Film School Rejects) — "About Time" is another win for Richard Curtis. 

It is a movie that boils down to choices, with the protagonist making a plethora of them throughout, and then forced to make a heart-wrenching decision at the conclusion. The time travel plot device allows Tim (Gleeson) to go into his past to try and improve his relationship with Mary (McAdams) and ensure they live happily together. Ultimately though, he realizes that he has to concentrate on living in the moment and enjoying his life as it happens rather than wishing that he could change everything. It's a message that is similar to "Look Both Ways," which puts the emphasis on the journey rather than the destination.

Hitting cinema screens in 2009, "17 Again" is a time travel body-swapping comedy film that features Matthew Perry and Zac Efron playing the same character as older and younger versions. As you may have guessed from the name, the film sees Mike transformed into his 17-year-old self, giving him one last chance to get the life he always wanted. It's not quite as distinctive an approach as "Look Both Ways," but the quirky narrative technique helps it stand out from films with more traditional plots.

If you are a fan of novel storytelling then this might well work for you, especially as it features some similar elements to "Look Both Ways," such as teenage pregnancy and understanding how relationships can help transform who we are as individuals. It also gives the main character the opportunity to get a glimpse at what their life could be like if things had gone differently — a theme that is important in the 2022 film.

Some reviews — such as from Marie Claire — were positive, finding the film funny and sweet. That praise was not universal, though, as others were more critical of the perceived derivative story. That shouldn't put people off as mixed reviews are par for the course with most romantic comedies, and Zac Efron's effortless charm makes this worth a watch.

A lot of romantic comedies deal with couples becoming unexpectedly pregnant and the ramifications of this life-altering moment. "Waitress" is another example of that, with Jenna Hunterson (Keri Russell) constantly confronted by the two paths that her life can take from that point. Unlike "Look Both Ways," these two different possibilities are not shown in their entirety but the young waitress can see the likely consequences of her decision — stay in a loveless marriage or continue an affair with the handsome and charming new doctor. The 2007 film focuses more on the characters taking charge of their own destiny, with Jenna setting her own path in a satisfying moment of self-empowerment.

Filmmaker Adrienne Shelly — who was previously known best for her roles in independent films like "Trust" and "The Unbelievable Truth" — took on directing duties with Nathan Fillion, Cheryl Hines, and Shelly herself making up the main cast. It received a warm reception when it was shown at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and was a hit with critics, who were particularly impressed with the emotional heft of the narrative. The success of the film has led to a musical produced by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. It has received Tony Award nominations and quickly recouped its initial investment (via Playbill).

"Brooklyn" is a nice change of pace for a romance film as it's also a period drama set in the '50s, with gorgeously authentic costumes and locations. The main character Eilis Lacey finds herself caught between two worlds after traveling to the U.S. from Ireland in search of work. Ultimately, she must decide which life she wants — her quiet existence in her hometown, or the more exciting and independent journey she can have in New York. There are some similar themes in both movies, especially when it comes to self-empowerment and seeking a more valued role in society, but "Brooklyn" is perhaps a more thoughtful and charming tale than "Look Both Ways."

Saoirse Ronan —probably best known for her roles in "Little Women" and "Lady Bird" — stars as Eilis, with Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and Julie Walters also part of the cast. Based on a novel by Colm Tóibín, the 2015 release was nominated for a number of awards such as BATFAs, Academy Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Receiving critical acclaim upon its release, "Brooklyn" won praise for the performances of Ronan and for being faithful to the source material — making it a must-watch romance film for any fan of the genre.

"Juno" is a 2007 coming-of-age film that stars Elliot Page and Michael Cera as two teenagers who have sex and fall pregnant. The plot charts the aftermath of this, exploring the troubled relationship between Juno and Paulie as well as how the youngsters deal with the pressures of deciding what to do next while also figuring out how they feel about each other.

In some ways, "Juno" might look very similar to "Look Both Ways." Each of them features a character who becomes pregnant and is unsure of what to do and how they should proceed with the father. Both films also thrust adult decisions and issues onto very young people, exposing them to a world that isn't particularly suitable for them. Where "Juno" differs is that it portrays the lead character as an intelligent person who is able to make her own informed choices, instead of letting fate take them on a journey — as seen in "Look Both Ways."

"Juno" was released in 2007 — the same year that two other similar movies were released in the form of "Knocked Up" and "Waitress." All three included a narrative about an unplanned pregnancy, yet each offers a unique perspective, with main characters at very different stages of their lives. "Juno" may well have been the best of the lot, with Roger Ebert naming it as his favorite movie of the year, praising it as "intelligent, quick, charming, moving and yes, very, very funny."