10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Modern Love (2019)

Description: Like 'Modern Love', 'Love Actually' is an anthology of interconnected love stories set in a bustling city (London). Both explore various forms of love—romantic, platonic, familial—with a mix of humor and heartbreak. The ensemble cast and episodic storytelling mirror the structure of 'Modern Love'.

Fact: The famous cue card scene was improvised by Andrew Lincoln. Emma Thompson's emotional breakdown scene was filmed in one take. The film's iconic airport finale featured real passengers unaware they were being filmed.

Description: An anthology like 'Modern Love', each season follows one person's romantic journey through various relationships. Both blend comedy and melancholy while examining how love evolves through different life stages in New York City.

Fact: Anna Kendrick's character was originally written as male. Features cameos from real dating app matches of the writers. The show's bookend structure was inspired by 'Sliding Doors'.

Description: Like 'Modern Love', it's an ensemble comedy about found family and romantic misadventures with quirky charm. Both celebrate the humor and heart in everyday relationships, featuring distinctive personalities navigating love in shared urban living spaces.

Fact: Zooey Deschanel was pregnant during season 2—hidden by props. The loft set had a functional bathroom. 'True American' was completely improvised in the pilot.

Description: Shares 'Modern Love's romantic comedy sensibility and NYC setting. Both feature a successful professional woman navigating the dating world with humor and heart, blending fantasy rom-com elements with realistic relationship struggles.

Fact: Mindy Kaling wrote 24 of the 26 first season episodes. Danny Castellano was originally a minor character. Many plots parody classic rom-com tropes.

Description: A darker counterpart to 'Modern Love's romantic optimism, but similarly deconstructs modern relationships with brutal honesty and humor. Both explore love between deeply flawed people in urban settings, balancing comedy with serious themes like depression.

Fact: The theme song was recorded in the creator's closet. The infamous 'Sunday Funday' episode was filmed in sequence. Many cast members were writers on the show.

Description: Shares 'Modern Love's raw, honest portrayal of relationships with sharp humor. Both explore how love survives life's messy realities rather than idealized romance, featuring flawed but relatable characters navigating commitment.

Fact: The leads wrote most scenes together in real pubs. Many plotlines came from the actors' actual marriage. The title refers to both the pregnancy and Greek tragedy structure.

Description: While more dramatic, it shares 'Modern Love's emotional authenticity in exploring relationships across timelines. Both use unconventional narrative structures to reveal how small moments shape love and family bonds over years.

Fact: The 'Big Three' actors didn't meet until the 10th episode. Mandy Moore had to wear aging makeup for 4+ hours daily. The crockpot becomes a recurring ominous symbol.

Description: Like the more comedic 'Modern Love' episodes, it blends humor and pathos in exploring modern love and loss. Both feature fourth-wall-breaking narration and complex female protagonists navigating relationships in contemporary London.

Fact: Phoebe Waller-Bridge developed the show from her one-woman play. The 'Hot Priest' was written specifically for Andrew Scott. Those iconic haircuts took 3 hours per episode.

Description: Shares 'Modern Love's New York magazine world setting and feminist perspective on modern relationships. Both show career-driven women navigating love and friendship with aspirational fashion and heartfelt storytelling about self-discovery.

Fact: Inspired by former Cosmopolitan editor Joanna Coles' life. The Scarlet magazine office was modeled after Hearst Tower. Many episodes feature real-life journalists as guest stars.

Description: This gender-swapped remake (like some 'Modern Love' episodes reimagining stories) explores modern relationships through music and pop culture references. Both feature neurotic protagonists analyzing their love lives with witty narration, set against an urban backdrop (Brooklyn vs Modern Love's NYC).

Fact: Zoë Kravitz is the real-life goddaughter of Lenny Kravitz who appeared in the original film. The vinyl shop set was modeled after actual Brooklyn record stores. Episode titles reference classic songs like the original film's 'Top 5' concept.