12 Movies Like One Night Only You Must See

Directed by Will Gluck, ‘One Night Only’ is a rom-com that revolves around Owen (Callum Turner), a heartbroken pizza shop owner, and Allie (Monica Barbaro), an optimistic commercial singer, who cross paths in NYC on the only night of the year when the government temporarily lifts its ban on premarital sex. While most people are searching for casual encounters, Owen and Allie are looking for something more meaningful. An instant connection sparks between them, but a string of unexpected moments, chance encounters, and unfortunate timing repeatedly pulls them apart.

As they continue crossing paths throughout the night, both begin to realize that the relationship they have been searching for may be different from what they ever imagined. With fate playing its own role and the desires of their hearts puzzling them, Owen and Allie may have to take a leap of faith to understand what love truly means to them. Featured in this list are movies similar to ‘One Night Only’ that intricately explore the complexities of romance and the power of human connection through the experiences of vivid individuals.

12. Love, Rosie (2014)

‘Love, Rosie’ centers on Rosie Dunne (Lily Collins), whose dreams for the future are unexpectedly derailed when an unplanned pregnancy changes the course of her life. While she embraces the challenges of single motherhood, Rosie continues to share an enduring bond with her lifelong best friend, Alex Stewart (Sam Claflin). Although their feelings for one another never truly fade, poor timing, misunderstandings, and the twists of life repeatedly keep them apart.

Over the years, their relationship evolves through moments of reunion and separation as they struggle to recognize what they have always meant to each other. Crafted by Christian Ditter, the British romantic drama film is based on Cecelia Ahern’s novel ‘Where Rainbows End.’ At the heart of both ‘Love, Rosie’ and ‘One Night Only’ is the idea that genuine connections are often tested by unfortunate timing. The characters repeatedly find themselves close to romance, only for unexpected circumstances to pull them in different directions.

11. The Sure Thing (1985)

Brought to life by Rob Reiner, ‘The Sure Thing’ is a rom-com that deals with college freshman Walter Gibson, AKA Gib (John Cusack), who sets out on a cross-country trip to California after a friend promises to introduce him to the perfect romantic prospect. To save money, Gib reluctantly shares the journey with his classmate Alison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga), who is traveling to visit her boyfriend. As the two encounter one mishap after another on the road, their constant disagreements gradually give way to an unexpected connection.

By the time they near their destination, Gib begins to question whether the romance he has been chasing all along is actually sitting beside him. The journey itself becomes the foundation of romantic trials and tribulations in both ‘The Sure Thing’ and ‘One Night Only.’ Rather than rushing the relationships, the narratives allow characters to grow closer through unexpected moments.

10. Eternity (2025)

‘Eternity‘ is the tale of Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), who arrives in the afterlife and is given one week in a place known as the Junction before deciding where she will spend eternity. Her impossible choice becomes even more complicated when she is reunited with both her present husband, Larry (Miles Teller), and her first husband, Luke (Callum Turner). Joan revisits memories from different chapters of her life and is forced to confront unresolved questions and what love truly means to her. Helmed by David Freyne, the fantasy rom-com, akin to ‘One Night Only,’ explores people searching for a love that feels genuinely right, emotional vulnerability, meaningful connections, and a world with strange rules.

9. Plus One (2019)

In ‘Plus One,’ longtime friends Ben King (Jack Quaid) and Alice Mori (Maya Erskine) reunite at a wedding just as the wedding season arrives. To avoid attending every marital event alone, they strike a simple deal to accompany each other as platonic plus-ones throughout the season. The arrangement seems effortless at first, allowing them to avoid awkward situations without emotional commitments. But as they spend more time together, their easy friendship begins to evolve into something far more complicated, forcing both to question whether risking their friendship is worth the possibility of love. Shaped by the directorial vision of Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer, the rom-com celebrates love that grows from genuine connection, shared experiences, and emotional truths, much like ‘One Night Only.’

8. Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)

Penned and helmed by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont, ‘Can’t Hardly Wait’ unfolds over the course of a graduation night party where high school seniors hope to begin the next chapter of their lives on the right note. Among them is Preston Meyers (Ethan Embry), who sees the celebration as his last chance to confess his long-hidden feelings to Amanda Beckett (Jennifer Love Hewitt) after learning she has broken up with her longtime boyfriend. As classmates pursue their own goals and unexpected situations unfold throughout the night, friendships and romances are put to the test. Along the lines of ‘One Night Only,’ the rom-com allows relationships to develop through honest conversations, awkward moments, and emotional sincerity. Both films also explore how one night can completely alter the direction of a person’s love life.

7. About Fate (2022)

‘About Fate’ centers on Margot Hayes (Emma Roberts) and Griffin Reed (Thomas Mann), two hopeless romantics whose carefully planned futures begin to unravel after their marriage proposals to others fail. A series of unlikely coincidences brings the strangers together on New Year’s Eve, leading them on an unexpected adventure that neither anticipated. While the night unfolds, what begins as a chance encounter gradually develops into a meaningful connection, prompting both to question their judgments on love.

With Marius Vaysberg in the director’s chair, the rom-com is a remake of the Soviet film ‘The Irony of Fate.’ The element of fate plays a pivotal role in both ‘About Fate’ and ‘One Night Only.’ The stories bring strangers together through a chain of unexpected coincidences, allowing a single unforgettable night to transform the way they view the future.

6. Serendipity (2001)

‘Serendipity’ is a Peter Chelsom directorial that explores the lives of Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale), two strangers whose chance meeting in a New York department store sparks an instant connection. Although both are already in relationships, they spend an unforgettable day together before Sara insists that fate should determine whether they are truly meant to be together. Instead of exchanging contact information, they leave behind subtle clues and go their separate ways.

Years later, as they prepare to marry other people, Jonathan and Sara begin searching for one another, hoping something will bring them together once again. The emotional core of ‘Serendipity’ and ‘One Night Only’ is the belief that chance encounters can change a person’s life forever. The two rom-coms follow strangers whose instant chemistry is repeatedly tested by circumstances, leaving destiny to decide whether their paths will ultimately converge.

5. Love at First Sight (2023)

In ‘Love at First Sight’, Hadley Sullivan’s (Haley Lu Richardson) flight from NYC to London introduces her to Oliver Jones (Ben Hardy), a fellow passenger with whom she shares an immediate connection. Their journey together leaves both wondering where the unexpected romance might lead, but they are separated at the airport before exchanging contact information. Suddenly left to rely on chance, Hadley and Oliver search for one another across London, hoping they cross paths again.

Directed by Vanessa Caswill, the romantic drama film is based on Jennifer E. Smith’s novel ‘The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.’ Like Owen and Allie in ‘One Night Only,’ Hadley and Oliver also experience an instant connection that is repeatedly interrupted by circumstance. Both films follow strangers who share unforgettable moments while also grappling with their own insecurities about love.

4. Two Night Stand (2014)

‘Two Night Stand’ revolves around Megan (Analeigh Tipton) and Alec (Miles Teller), two strangers who arrange a casual hookup after meeting through an online dating website. Expecting to part ways the next morning, they instead find themselves trapped inside Alec’s apartment when a massive snowstorm brings NYC to a standstill. Forced to spend far more time together than either had anticipated, the pair gradually moves beyond awkward first impressions and begins to open up about their feelings. With Max Nichols behind the lens, the rom-com, similar to ‘One Night Only,’ thrives on unpredictability and explores how an unexpected situation can transform a fleeting encounter into something far more meaningful for the complex characters.

3. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)

‘Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist’ follows Nick O’Leary (Michael Cera), a heartbroken high school musician still struggling to move on from his recent breakup. During a night out in NYC, he unexpectedly meets Norah Silverberg (Kat Dennings), who impulsively asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for a few minutes. What begins as a harmless favor quickly turns into an unforgettable night as the two wander the city searching for a secret concert, helping friends out of trouble, and discovering how much they have in common.

Crafted by Peter Sollett, the romantic comedy-drama film is an adaptation of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan’s novel of the same name. Along the lines of ‘One Night Only,’ the narrative transforms a single night into an emotional adventure filled with chance encounters, spontaneous detours, and growing romance. Both films show how two strangers can forge a meaningful connection while navigating the unpredictable energy of NYC at night.

2. Before We Go (2014)

‘Before We Go’ tells the story of Brooke Dalton (Alice Eve), whose plans are thrown into disarray after she misses the last train home from NYC. Stranded for the night after losing her belongings, she unexpectedly receives help from Nick Vaughan (Chris Evans), a street musician who offers to get her back to Boston. As the two wander through the city searching for solutions, casual conversations gradually turn into deeply personal exchanges, encouraging them to confront fears, regrets, and the choices that have shaped their lives. Chris Evans steers this romantic drama film, which reflects the essence of ‘One Night Only’ through its portrayal of two strangers who share a special night that challenges their perspectives. Along with the conversations between the characters, the stories are also characterized by their depiction of NYC’s magic.

1. Before Sunrise (1995)

Guided by the directorial vision of Richard Linklater, ‘Before Sunrise’ centers on Jesse (Ethan Hawke), an American traveler, and Céline (Julie Delpy), a French student, whose chance meeting aboard a train leads to an impulsive decision to spend a day and night together in Vienna. While they wander through the city, the two strangers form an intimate connection through conversations about love, life, art, and their dreams for the future. With sunrise drawing ever closer, Jesse and Céline must come to terms with the uncertainty of whether their brief but meaningful encounter is destined to end.

The romantic drama film is one of the most recognized and celebrated works in the genre. Much like ‘One Night Only,’ it beautifully captures the magic of spontaneous human connection between two unlikely strangers. The stories include heartfelt conversations, emotional honesty, and shared experiences, as well as intimate visual aesthetics.