Three years after it first hit theaters, Sydney Sweeney's raunchy romantic comedy Anyone But You is still finding new audiences. The film, which also stars Glen Powell, has climbed to No. 6 on HBO Max's most-watched movies chart in the U.S., according to FlixPatrol. It's a remarkable feat for a movie that was once considered a risky bet for reviving a genre many thought was dead.
Directed by Will Gluck (Easy A), Anyone But You takes a loose cue from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing but drops it into a modern-day nightmare: a disastrous one-night stand that turns into a forced fake relationship at a destination wedding in Australia. The result was a box office phenomenon, grossing roughly $220 million worldwide against a modest $25 million budget—making it one of the biggest rom-com successes in years.
The film's staying power on streaming is a testament to its enduring appeal. Even as Sweeney has moved on to darker projects, audiences keep coming back to this fizzy, unapologetically fun comedy. It's the kind of movie that reminds you why the genre was once a Hollywood staple, and why it's so exciting to see it make a comeback.
Why 'Anyone But You' Still Resonates
Part of the movie's magic lies in its leads. Sweeney and Powell have undeniable chemistry, and their comedic timing is spot-on. But the film also taps into a universal fantasy: the idea of pretending to be in love—and maybe, just maybe, falling for real. It's a formula that has worked for decades, and Anyone But You executes it with a modern, self-aware twist.
The renewed popularity comes as Sweeney continues to dominate HBO Max. Her psychological thriller The Housemaid is currently sitting at No. 2 on the platform's U.S. movie chart, after 21 days in the rankings. Based on Freida McFadden's bestselling novel, The Housemaid has already earned around $400 million worldwide and has a sequel, The Housemaid's Secret, in the works for a December 17, 2027 release.
A Star-Making Turn
For Sweeney, Anyone But You was a turning point. It proved she could carry a big studio movie and open it to massive numbers, not just on streaming but in theaters. It also helped launch Powell into the A-list, cementing him as a leading man after his breakout in Top Gun: Maverick.
The film's cast is stacked with talent, including Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, and Bryan Brown. But it's Sweeney and Powell who anchor the chaos, and their performances are a big reason the movie has become a repeat-viewing favorite.
If you haven't seen Anyone But You yet, now is the perfect time to catch up. It's a hilarious, heartwarming, and surprisingly rewatchable comedy that proves the rom-com is far from dead. And with Sweeney's star continuing to rise, it's a great moment to look back at the film that helped launch her into the stratosphere.
For more on the best movies to stream right now, check out our list of the top films from the last six months. And if you're in the mood for something with a bit more edge, our roundup of underrated thrillers might be just what you need.
