10 Movies Like Regretting You You Must See

Based on the eponymous novel by Colleen Hoover, ‘Regretting You’ follows the life of a teenager named Clara Grant (Mckenna Grace). She has a complex relationship with her mother, Morgan Grant (Allison Williams), and her dad, Chris Grant (Scott Eastwood). When Morgan’s sister Jenny (Willa Fitzgerald) dies along with Chris, it leaves Jenny’s fiancé Jonah Sullivan (Dave Franco) and Morgan alone, grieving the deaths of their partners. This leads to an emotionally tumultuous journey for Clara, who develops feelings for her schoolmate Miller Adams (Mason Thames).

With tragedy taking its toll and relationships facing crisis, the mother and the daughter find themselves in a difficult spot, where they have to choose between love and isolation, while also dealing with each other. Directed by Josh Boone, the romantic drama film is an intricate examination of trauma, loss, love, and redemption. In this list, we bring you movies similar to ‘Regretting You’ that deal with emotional chaos, difficult relationships, and the nuances of love.

10. The Way, Way Back (2013)

Directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, ‘The Way Way Back’ centers on a teenager named Duncan (Liam James). He deals with trauma due to the divorce of his parents. He is forced to spend summer vacation at a beach house with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), who also brings along her lover, Trent Ramsey (Steve Carell). At his lowest emotional point, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen (Sam Rockwell), the manager of the local water park, who gives him a fresh perspective on life. Akin to ‘Regretting You,’ the coming-of-age comedy-drama film is a commentary on growing up, facing the challenges of the parent-child relationship, and dealing with trauma.

9. Tully (2018)

‘Tully’ is the story of Marlo Moreau (Charlize Theron), a struggling mother, and Tully (Mackenzie Davis), a caretaker. When she gives birth to her third kid, the mother reluctantly accepts a gift from her brother Craig (Mark Duplass), who hires Tully with his own money to be a responsible nanny. With one of her kids facing a health issue and the responsibility of the new baby, the difficulties of motherhood challenge Marlo. However, she builds an emotionally complex bond with the nanny that changes her perspective. Helmed by Jason Reitman, the comedy-drama film is a layered commentary on maternal health, trauma, and familial bonds, which makes it spiritually complementary to ‘Regretting You’ and its characters.

8. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

‘The Fault in Our Stars,’ a romantic drama adapted from John Green’s eponymous novel, focuses on the poignant love story of teenagers Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) and Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort). Both of them have cancer and initially cross paths at a cancer support group. As they connect, they navigate their difficult reality, preparing to accept death. With their fates seemingly decided, they have to risk extreme emotional vulnerability to find true love before it is too late. Helmed by Josh Boone, the narrative, like ‘Regretting You,’ is a keen exploration of the trauma of death, teenage angst, and the difficulties of emotional dependence in the modern world.

7. The Last Song (2010)

Helmed by Julie Anne Robinson, ‘The Last Song’ chronicles the lives of siblings Ronnie Miller (Miley Cyrus) and Jonah Miller (Bobby Coleman), who deal with the aftermath of their parents’ divorce. In the summer, they are sent to live with their father, Steve Miller (Greg Kinnear), in a Southern beach town. With relationships strained between the parent and the children, it looks like the family is headed towards emotional distance. However, both Ronnie and Steve share a passion for music, which might be their last hope to save their bond. The coming-of-age teen romantic drama film, based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name, is a poignant take on familial issues. The themes of teenage angst, insecurities, and the redemptive power of love establish a connection between ‘Regretting You’ and the movie.

6. All the Bright Places (2020)

Netflix’s ‘All the Bright Places’ follows high school students Violet Markey (Elle Fanning), who grieves the death of her sister, and Theodore Finch (Justice Smith), who deals with his own personal struggles. Their paths cross, leading them to form a profound connection. Based on Jennifer Niven’s eponymous novel, the story depicts their journeys as they help each other find new meaning in life and deal with the insecurities of the past. However, they must also be ready to face the new challenges that life brings them. The teen romantic drama film, directed by Brett Haley, is a poignant navigation of trauma, loss, and connection, on the lines of ‘Regretting You.’ Both films deal with the issues faced by teenagers and parent-child relationships.

5. It Ends With Us (2024)

Based on Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name, ‘It Ends With Us’ is the tale of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), who opens a flower shop in Boston. She encounters a handsome doctor named Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni), who has certain behavioral traits that trouble her for mysterious reasons. Despite forming a romantic relationship with Ryle, Lily feels isolated and troubled. Matters are further complicated when her former lover, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), returns to her life. As she struggles with the past and the present, she is plunged into a significant dilemma in the romantic drama film. The Justin Baldoni directorial, akin to ‘Regretting You,’ is a navigation of insecurities, commitment issues, guilt, and trauma. Anxiety and isolation are also common themes that the stories explore.

4. The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

In ‘The Edge of Seventeen,’ high school junior Nadine Franklin (Hailee Steinfeld) feels isolated when her awkwardness peaks and her popular older brother Darian (Blake Jenner) dates her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). She sees her father, Tom (Eric Keenleyside), as her only ally and support system. Nadine finds an unexpected friendship with Erwin Kim (Hayden Szeto) and an unlikely conversational bond with her teacher, Max Bruner (Woody Harrelson), which may take her out of her troubles. Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, the coming-of-age comedy-drama film sheds light on the realities of parent-child relationships, while also examining the importance of mental health, communication, and trust in relationships, like ‘Regretting You’ does.

3. Waves (2019)

Directed by Trey Edward Shults, ‘Waves’ deals with popular high school senior and wrestler, Tyler Williams (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), who is in a relationship with Alexis Lopez (Alexa Demie). He constantly faces intense pressure from his domineering father, Ronald Williams (Sterling K. Brown). This leads to difficulties in the family, which also includes Tyler’s sister Emily Williams (Taylor Russell). As the father has a hard time coping with the different wavelengths of his children, they must forge their own path in life. The psychological drama film, akin to ‘Regretting You,’ delves into expectations, trust issues, trauma, and liberation in parent-child bonds.

2. If I Stay (2014)

‘If I Stay,’ a romantic fantasy film directed by R. J. Cutler and based on the Gayle Forman novel of the same name, centers on Mia Hall (Chloë Grace Moretz). Following a tumultuous accident, Mia enters the astral realm where she must decide between life and death. Plagued by sadness and regrets, the protagonist, in deep sync with her soul, faces the difficult choice of recovering at the hospital or accepting death. She also faces the trials and tribulations of a romantic relationship with Adam Wilde (Jamie Blackley), which makes her life-and-death scenario more layered. On the lines of ‘Regretting You,’ the narrative explores pertinent questions related to life, death, and love. The stories also delve into the intrigues and insecurities of teenagers in the modern world.

1. Lady Bird (2017)

Helmed by Greta Gerwig, ‘Lady Bird’ is the story of teenager Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan), who lives a life of supposed mundanity in Sacramento. She shares a volatile bond with her mother, Marion McPherson (Laurie Metcalf). As she goes through the ups and downs of youth, she feels the desire to leave her hometown and pursue higher education in New York City. While the main character hopes to break free, her insecurities, romantic issues, and friendships challenge her. The coming-of-age comedy-drama film sheds light on the art of growing up, the handling of parent-child relationships, and the chaos of romance in the tender phase of teenage years, resembling ‘Regretting You.’ Both films feature similar visual elements and quirky characters that connect them on a spiritual level.