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Wanderlust

Wanderlust

Leave your baggage behind

201298 minRMidcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
Director
David Wain
Starring
Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Malin Akerman, Justin Theroux

Rattled by sudden unemployment, a Manhattan couple surveys alternative living options, ultimately deciding to experiment with living on a rural commune where free love rules.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Wanderlust?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Wanderlust to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Wanderlust?

Wanderlust earns 5 badges, led by Award Winner and Box Office Flop.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Wanderlust worth watching?

Wanderlust's Midcredits score is the 27th percentile of all films, from 132K ratings across 6 sources. 32% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

27th percentile

Better received than 27% of films

29th percentile among Comedy28th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)31st
Approval (how many liked it)26th

56 /100

31st percentile of all films

34th percentile among Comedy34th percentile among 2010s

Critics 53 · Audience 56

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.8 — solid but not unanimous.

32% liked it

26th percentile of all films

26th percentile among Comedy25th percentile among 2010s
32% rated it 7–1068% rated it 1–6

Critics 58% · Audience 39%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 0 noms overall

96th percentile

132K ratings across platforms

96th percentile among Comedy96th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 43% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$6.5M
Domestic gross$17M
Worldwide gross$24M

84th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A raunchy, offbeat comedy about a couple torn between mainstream materialism and hippie communal living.

Fans praised

  • Strong improv and comedic timing from Rudd
  • Clever satire of both hippie and capitalist lifestyles
  • Enjoyable quirky ensemble characters

Detractors panned

  • Gratuitous male nudity and crudeness
  • Predictable plot and weak character development
  • Uncomfortably long scenes that overstay humor

What stands out

ActingDivisive65

Rudd's improv praised; Aniston comfortable but critics cite lazy performance

AtmosphereDivisive60

Commune setting believably quirky but not deeply immersive

HumorDivisive55

Some laugh-out-loud moments buried in inconsistent joke quality

DialogueDivisive55

Rudd's mirror monologue cited as hilarious by fans, cringe by detractors

CharactersDivisive45

Ensemble colorful but shallow; Theroux and Alda stand out, brother overly obnoxious

OriginalityDivisive40

Derivative of Apatow/Wain earlier work, hippie satire feels stale

Plot and storyDivisive35

Simple fish-out-of-water setup, thin and predictable

PacingDivisive35

Dragged-out scenes and second-half meanderings

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 6 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s even
  • Critics vs users 7 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Wanderlust like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdWarmJoyfulContemplative
Heaviest: throughout
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its characters and situations with good-natured humor, gently satirizing both corporate and commune lifestyles without malice.
The rideConsistently light, offbeat comedy with occasional moments of reflection, ending on a hopeful note.
StructureThe story is told in a conventional linear fashion from New York to Atlanta to the commune and back, following the couple's journey.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film resolves with the couple reconciled and starting a new venture, leaving a light, upbeat impression.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Voyage
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4% (this title): Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% (this title) · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Voyage and return: Into a strange world and back again, changed. · Fish out of water: Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).

4% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

Why this archetypeThe film follows a married couple who, after losing their jobs and apartment, stumble upon a hippie commune where they experience a fish-out-of-water journey that ultimately leads to personal and marital renewal.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfMarriageBonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% (this title) · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5% (this title)
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Marriage · 2% of filmsPurpose · 9% of filmsFreedom · 5% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores a marriage tested by financial collapse and contrasting desires for security versus liberation.
StanceThe film affirms marriage and personal fulfillment over material success and societal pressures, without mocking the commune lifestyle.

The world

ContemporaryRuralDomesticRealistic
FolkSupportive music · original score · Craig Wedren
Settinga hippie commune in rural Georgia and a micro-loft in New York
MusicLight folk-infused score complements the film's laid-back commune setting.

Content guide

Is Wanderlust okay for kids?

R

Wanderlust is rated R: “Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, language and drug use” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (23/100), sexual content at intense (67/100), language at intense (67/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (57/100) and frightening material at minimal (14/100). Overall it is heavier than 30% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 15 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaMA15+
  • Germany12
  • France16
  • Ireland16
  • JapanR18+
  • Brazil16
  • Denmark15
  • Hungary16
  • MexicoC
  • Netherlands12
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/16
  • RO15
  • Sweden15
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 56% of all filmsHeavier than 30% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 8%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 84%
Profanity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 52%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 72%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 6%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is language and sexual content. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Wanderlust have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Wanderlust?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Paul Rudd
as George Gergenblatt
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jennifer Aniston
as Linda Gergenblatt
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Malin Akerman
as Eva
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Justin Theroux
as Seth
Alan Alda
as Carvin Waggie
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Ken Marino
as Rick Gergenblatt
Joe Lo Truglio
as Wayne Davidson
Kathryn Hahn
as Karen
Kerri Kenney
as Kathy
Lauren Ambrose
as Almond Cohen

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Wanderlust?

Movies like Wanderlust include Role Models (2008), You're Cordially Invited (2025) and Funny Farm (1988). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films by David Wain, and several are fish-out-of-water stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

8 of these 12 share its world: suburban middle class. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Wanderlust?

3.2K other films share the rarest tag below, premise: road trip. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.