25 Best Movies With the Fake Dating Trope We Secretly Love

'Moonshot' (2022)

'Moonshot' takes place in an alternative reality where it is possible for humans to visit Mars. In this movie, a young boy manages to get on board the spacecraft because he manages to pass off his association with one of the passengers as being real. The movie does not belong to the fake dating category entirely but uses deception and pretenses to tell its tale in a similar fashion. As the story unfolds, the lies told become true feelings.

'The Perfect Date' (2019)

The film revolves around a teenager who designs an application where he plays the role of a fictional boyfriend for several purposes. Each relationship is built on a lie because he pretends to be something he is not, which links with the fictional dating theme. During these fake relationships, he starts forgetting who he truly is, ultimately coming to a realization that reality is more important than pretense when real emotions arise.

'About Fate' (2022)

'About Fate' is a film which revolves around two individuals who are complete strangers but their paths cross due to a number of coincidences during the festive period. It can be said that although the movie does not revolve around fake dating, there are instances where the two individuals engage in a relationship that has been formed for the sake of deception, similar to the plot line in fake dating.

'The Decoy Bride' (2011)

In this delightful British romantic comedy film, a renowned actress is persuaded by a local girl to pretend to be her wife in an effort to avoid her relentless paparazzi. This film provides for a perfect example of a forced romance setup that forces the pretended-to-be-wife to convincingly pretend in her new position. However, this scenario soon develops real feelings in the most unlikely places.

'Dating Amber' (2020)

'Dating Amber' takes place in 1990s Ireland, where the film revolves around two teenage boys who feign dating to protect their sexuality from the judgmental society in which they live. This fake relationship is not meant to be romantic but, instead, a form of protection for the two boys who develop an intimate connection amidst all the challenges presented to them by society.

'Failure to Launch' (2006)

This romantic comedy is set up about a woman who is employed by the concerned parents of an adult man to go on a date with him and persuade him to leave their house. The movie begins with a planned setup that fits perfectly into the fake dating category. As the movie goes forward and the couple is together for long hours, the emotional line between them starts to get blurred.

'Blended' (2014)

While not quite being a fake dating movie, Blended follows two single parents who are forced to act like they are part of a family on a holiday. This includes all of the characteristics that make the fake relationship movie theme possible. However, through a series of embarrassing and difficult moments, they become friends, and finally fall for each other.

'The DUFF' (2015)

In the movie 'The DUFF,' there is a situation where a high school girl agrees to make a deal with an attractive boy to raise her social status, which results in an atmosphere that can be compared to fake dating. Although the two aren’t pretending to be dating each other, the relationship develops into something that looks like acting in public for both of them.

'Single All the Way' (2021)

The theme of this romantic comedy revolved around the main character asking his best friend to pose as his boyfriend while visiting his family for Christmas. It would serve as the crux of the movie where funny and touching situations would arise because of their fake couplehood. In due time, as the film goes on, a transformation in their longtime friendship becomes evident.

'Love Hard' (2021)

The movie 'Love Hard' deals with current internet dating, and it is done in such a way that a character realizes she had been catfished all along. In order to get back at her crush, she ends up agreeing to pretend to date the one who tricked her into loving him. The fake dating trope is used creatively, thus adding a twist to the plot.

'Holidate' (2020)

The two strangers enter into an agreement where they will become “holidates,” which means that they will spend their holiday season together but not with any romantic expectations. It can be said that it is like fake dating that has been done by the two with the purpose of avoiding any social pressure. However, after continuous meetings, they both develop an emotional connection between themselves, making it hard for them to keep the promise they made.

'Purple Hearts' (2022)

This movie is about the love story of a troubled artist and an American marine who engage in a sham marriage to secure benefits for themselves. This kind of marriage is purely for selfish motives and thus falls under the category of fake relationships. As they encounter life together, however, they find a true connection amidst all the difficulties they go through. This movie touches on class differences, politics, and self-discovery issues.

'Just Go with It' (2011)

The plastic surgeon makes his assistant pretend to be his former wife to hide a falsehood that he told his girlfriend. This results in the creation of an intricate web of lies by several individuals. Comedy is created in this movie through misunderstandings and developing stories. As the lies continue, true emotions start to arise, proving the old romantic comedy theme of love and honesty.

'The Wedding Date' (2005)

This romantic comedy features a woman who pays for a man to act as her pretend boyfriend at her sister’s wedding. It is a perfect demonstration of the Fake Dating theme in that it has all the emotional elements that make up this trope right from the start. In time, during their stay on the weekend, it starts blurring lines of fiction and truth in their interactions.

'Marry Me' (2022)

A global pop icon spontaneously gets married to an unknown person on stage in order to save himself from public embarrassment. Even if it is legally considered as marriage, the whole event was initially a performance meant for the audience, and is thus highly similar to the fake dating story line. However, while getting used to their new situation, the couple starts feeling genuine love towards each other.

'What Happens in Vegas' (2008)

Following an eventful evening in Las Vegas, two complete strangers find themselves married, and bound by law and money, they have no choice but to be with one another. The pairing thus becomes a farce in which they try to convince everyone that they truly are in a relationship in order to claim a winning pot. The idea is quite similar to that of the fake dating trend.

'Man Up' (2015)

The story revolves around a girl who finds herself sitting in the wrong place at a blind date and proceeds to continue her lie instead of informing the man of her mistake. She establishes a romance completely based on lies and deception, making it one that falls within the realm of the fake dating trope. Their bond grows stronger even as the lie continues throughout the night.

'No Hard Feelings' (2023)

This movie is about an arranged fake relationship between a man who is shy because he was raised in wealthy surroundings and a young woman who helps him gain confidence before he goes off to college. Their relationship is purely business-oriented, which makes it a perfect example of fake dating. Both the man and woman undergo emotional development throughout the course of the movie.

'Easy A' (2010)

In Easy A, a teenage girl attempts to create a positive social image for herself by fabricating romantic liaisons. Although it is not a story based around one fake relationship, the concept of fabrication is prevalent throughout the movie. It becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the invented image as rumors begin to spread.

'We’re the Millers' (2013)

A local drug dealer creates an artificial family in order to facilitate his drug transportation across the border. Although there is no romantic connection between them, the relationship they have is similar to the fake dating scenario because of the deception involved in the process. Over time, they develop real connections with each other, thereby making their roles more than what they appeared to be at first.

'The Proposal' (2009)

A domineering boss tricks her secretary into entering into a sham marriage so that she does not get deported. As they pretend to have a relationship, things become more difficult between them as they meet his family members and try to keep up the pretense. This movie is an excellent combination of humor and romance, and one of the best examples of the genre.

'To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before' (2018)

A young lady engages in a fabricated romance to deal with any awkwardness that may arise due to the revelation of her secret romantic letters. This works out well for both individuals, although eventually, it develops into a real relationship. The movie brought back the concept of the fake dating genre for a new generation.

'Anyone But You' (2023)

Two ex-lovers act like a couple at a destination wedding ceremony. The reason for their charade lies in social pressures and pent-up emotions, causing them to engage in humorous interactions and self-discovery. Using the formula of traditional rom-coms, the movie presents an updated version of the genre with fresh comedy and excellent chemistry among its main characters.

'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' (2003)

Both lead actors start their love affair with ulterior motives and actually create an illusion of a fake love affair between themselves. With each attempt to manipulate the other for his/her own personal benefit, real feelings start blossoming. One can say that this smart storyline along with excellent acting made this film one of the best romantic comedies ever.

'Pretty Woman' (1990)

The story is about a businessman who asks a woman to go to parties and social gatherings with him, leading to a business-like relationship that eventually turns into true love. This movie is one of the most representative movies that have been produced based on the fake relationship trope. The themes of class conflict, vulnerability, and self-discovery make it an influential work of art.