---
title: "The Next Best Thing"
year: 2000
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/the-next-best-thing-2000"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 1831
imdb_id: "tt0156841"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 108
community_rating: 5.2
vote_count: 207
content_rating: "PG-13"
---

# The Next Best Thing (2000) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/the-next-best-thing-2000

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

The Next Best Thing is a 2000 comedy-drama film directed by John Schlesinger, following best friends Abbie, a straight woman, and Robert, a gay man, who decide to have a child together. Five years into raising their son Sam, complications arise when Abbie falls in love with a straight man and wants to relocate with the boy, triggering a contentious custody battle.

As the final film of veteran director John Schlesinger, the production was co-financed by Lakeshore Entertainment and Paramount, carrying a budget of $25 million. The narrative balances comedic moments with heavier dramatic conflicts regarding parenthood, friendship, and legal disputes.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "Best friends Abbie and Robert have a child, leading to a bitter custody battle years later."

### Why Watch
- Explores an unconventional family dynamic between best friends
- Features a dramatic and emotional custody dispute
- Combines comedic and dramatic elements over a multi-year story

### Caveats & Content Note
- It was the final film of veteran director John Schlesinger and faced a messy production history
- Tone & Suitability: The tone shifts between comedy and drama as a friendship is tested by romance and legal conflict over a runtime of one hour and forty-eight minutes.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: #best-friends, #custody-battle, #comedy-drama, #family-dynamics, #romance

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: John Schlesinger
- **Networks / Studios**: Paramount Pictures, Lakeshore Entertainment

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Madonna** as *Abbie Reynolds*
- **Rupert Everett** as *Robert Whittaker*
- **Benjamin Bratt** as *Ben Cooper*
- **Malcolm Stumpf** as *Sam*
- **Josef Sommer** as *Richard Whittaker*
- **Suzanne Krull** as *Annabel*
- **Linda Larkin** as *Kelly*
- **Illeana Douglas** as *Elizabeth Ryder*
- **Michael Vartan** as *Kevin Lasater*
- **Lynn Redgrave** as *Helen Whittaker*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where to stream The Next Best Thing?
Streaming availability for The Next Best Thing is not specified in the provided sources.

### Q: Is The Next Best Thing worth watching?
It may appeal to viewers interested in character-driven comedy-dramas about unconventional families and legal battles.

### Q: What is the binge duration for The Next Best Thing?
The film has a runtime of one hour and forty-eight minutes.

### Q: What are the essential episodes of The Next Best Thing?
The Next Best Thing is a feature film rather than a television series, so it does not have episodes.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [The Next Best Thing — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1831)
- [The Next Best Thing (2000): John Schlesinger's Final Film | Bomb Report](https://bombreport.com/yearly-breakdowns/2000-2/the-next-best-thing/)
- [The Next Best Thing](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Main_Page)
- [The best thing about sci-fi films? The corridors](https://www.ft.com/)
- [10 Best Oscar Nominated Animated Movies That Lost, According To IMDB](https://screenrant.com/)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*