One Day (2011)
Kernel Score: 83% · 4,481 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, Romance
Released: 2011-03-02
Runtime: 107 minutes
Is One Day worth watching?
Worth watching. Two friends meet on the same date each year across decades. It's an easy, often touching romance, and the premise lets you feel time passing, though it's more soap than great drama.
Watch it if you
- like romances that follow people over many years
- enjoy a good cry
- want a bittersweet British-flavoured love story
Skip it if you
- want tough-minded realism
- dislike sentimental endings
Best for: Rainy-day weepie
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch One Day
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
A romantic comedy centered on Dexter and Emma, who first meet during their graduation in 1988 and proceed to keep in touch regularly. The film follows what they do on July 15 annually, usually doing something together.
One Day parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that One Day is a PG-13 romantic drama following two friends over decades, including references to divorce and missed romantic opportunities.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Rated PG-13 with romantic and sexual references between the two leads over their evolving relationship.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like One Day
If you liked One Day, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Love, Rosie (2014) — 86%: Best friends missing their chance over many years.
- Before Midnight (2013) — 86%: Honest look at a long relationship across years.
- The Bridges of Madison County (1995) — 86%: Grown-up romance about missed chances and lasting feeling.
- The Apartment (1960) — 91%: Bittersweet romance that's funny and sad at once.
- An Education (2009) — 77%: Coming-of-age romance with a British period setting.
- The Time Traveler's Wife (2009) — 75%: Love story stretched across time.
Director
Lone Scherfig
Cast
- Anne Hathaway as Emma Morley
- Jim Sturgess as Dexter Mayhew
- Tom Mison as Callum O'Neill
- Jodie Whittaker as Tilly Shaw
- Rafe Spall as Ian Whitehead
- Patricia Clarkson as Alison Mayhew
- Ken Stott as Stephen Mayhew
- Romola Garai as Sylvie Cope
- Matt Berry as Aaron
- Toby Regbo as Samuel Cope
One Day FAQ
Is One Day worth watching?
Worth watching. Two friends meet on the same date each year across decades. It's an easy, often touching romance, and the premise lets you feel time passing, though it's more soap than great drama.
Where can I watch One Day?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is One Day OK for kids?
One Day is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that One Day is a PG-13 romantic drama following two friends over decades, including references to divorce and missed romantic opportunities.
What movies are like One Day?
If you liked One Day, try Love, Rosie, Before Midnight, The Bridges of Madison County and The Apartment.