A highly successful rom-com, starring Will Smith and Paula Patton, is set to arrive on Netflix soon. The film centers on a dating coach who suddenly loses his cool after meeting a woman who challenges all the ideas he teaches other men.
Will Smith’s Hitch to stream on Netflix this weekend
Netflix will add Will Smith’s Hitch to its library on Friday, May 1, 2026 (via What’s on Netflix).
Andy Tennant directed the film based on a story by Kevin Bisch. Alongside starring in the film, the Men in Black star also co-produced it under his banner, Overbrook Entertainment. James Lassiter and Teddy Zee were the other producers. Reportedly, the film was originally named The Last First Kiss before it was ultimately renamed Hitch (via Entertainment Weekly).
The story centers on Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a smooth-talking “date doctor” who helps men win over women. His latest client is an accountant named Albert, who is smitten with glamorous celebrity Allegra Cole. With Hitch’s help, Albert gradually gains confidence and forms a real connection with her. However, Hitch’s life takes a turn when he meets Sara Melas, a columnist. Despite his expertise, he struggles to woo her as his usual tricks fail with Sara.
Hitch features Smith as the titular character. The rest of the cast includes Paula Patton as Mandy, Eva Mendes as Sara, Kevin James as Albert, and Amber Valletta as Allegra, among others.
The filmmakers consciously chose Mendes, a Latina actress, fearing that casting a white or black actress might “put off” some audience. “There’s sort of an accepted myth that if you have two black actors, a male and a female, in the lead of a romantic comedy, that people around the world don’t want to see it,” the I, Robot actor reportedly said while promoting the film. “So the idea of a black actor and a white actress comes up — that’ll work around the world, but it’s a problem in the U.S.” (via Today).
Hitch debuted in theaters on February 11, 2005. It became a surprise hit on both the commercial and critical fronts owing to its release around Valentine’s Day. In terms of ratings, critics’ approval averages 68%, while the user score sits at a close 62% on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, the film ended its theatrical run, earning $371.5 million globally against a $70 million budget.
