If you spent any time in a movie theater during the mid-2000s, you probably remember the chaotic energy of Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris. They weren't just "co-stars." They were a specific kind of comedic lightning in a bottle that defined a very specific era of R-rated humor and slapstick romance.
Honestly, people still talk about their chemistry. It wasn't the "will-they-won't-they" tension of a classic rom-com. It was something weirder. It was more like two of the class clowns being let loose in a script and told to just go for it. And they did.
The Year Everything Clicked: 2005
The weirdest part about their professional history is that they basically dropped two movies in the same year and then... well, not much else together for a long time.
First, there was Waiting.... It’s a cult classic now, especially for anyone who has ever worked a double shift at a chain restaurant. Reynolds played Monty, the charismatic, slightly sociopathic waiter, and Faris was Serena. It was gritty, gross, and surprisingly accurate about the service industry.
But then came the big one.
Just Friends.
If you haven't seen it in a while, go back and watch the scenes between Reynolds’ Chris Brander and Faris’ Samantha James. Anna Faris basically reinvented the "insane pop star" trope. She was playing a version of a Paris Hilton-type celebrity, but with the volume turned up to eleven.
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Why Samantha James Still Rules the Internet
You’ve probably seen the "Forgiveness" music video clip or the scene where she tries to play charades while high on painkillers. That wasn't just good writing; it was Faris being a genius.
Ryan Reynolds has said it himself. He’s gone on record multiple times—as recently as 2023 for her birthday—calling Faris one of the funniest people he has ever worked with. Think about that. The guy is Deadpool. He works with everyone. And yet, he points back to Anna.
The Teeth Incident
There’s a legendary bit of trivia from the Just Friends set that fans always bring up. During one of their more aggressive "romantic" scenes, Faris was so committed to the bit that she actually bit Reynolds’ lip. Hard.
"I almost take Ryan's lower lip off with my teeth," she told Watch What Happens Live years later. Reynolds was apparently in genuine pain, but they kept rolling. That’s the kind of working relationship they had—absolute commitment to the joke, even if it meant a little bit of accidental dental trauma.
Did They Ever Date?
Basically, no.
The internet loves to ship people who have great chemistry, but Ryan and Anna have always been strictly platonic. Back in 2005, Reynolds was actually engaged to Alanis Morissette. He’s talked about how weird it was when Alanis showed up to set while he was in the full "Fat Chris" makeup and prosthetics.
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Faris, meanwhile, has always been a vocal supporter of Reynolds' actual relationships. She even spoke at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2016. She stood there and told the world how he’s a "leader" and "brilliant." It’s a real-deal friendship that has outlasted most Hollywood marriages.
The "TMI" Project: The Sequel That Never Was?
For years, there were rumors about a third movie called TMI.
The premise was basically: what happens when a couple decides to be too honest with each other? It was announced. Variety reported on it. Fans got excited. Then, the Hollywood machine did what it does, and the project seemed to vanish into development hell.
It’s a bummer.
Seeing them reunited in 2026 would be incredible because their styles have evolved. Reynolds has mastered the meta-commentary, fast-talking hero. Faris has developed this incredible, grounded-but-quirky energy from her years on Mom and her podcast, Unqualified.
What We Get Wrong About Their Career Peak
People often think Just Friends was a massive blockbuster. It wasn't. It made about $50 million. At the time, critics were actually pretty mean to it. They called it "broad" and "unfunny."
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But the fans? The fans turned it into a holiday staple.
It’s now considered a "Christmas Movie" by default because of the New Jersey winter setting. Director Roger Kumble recently admitted that it wasn't even meant to be a Christmas movie initially. They just kept adding more decorations and snow until it felt right.
How to Channel That 2005 Energy
If you're looking to revisit this duo or understand why they still matter in the 2026 landscape of comedy, here is how to actually dive back in:
- Watch the Just Friends Bloopers: Honestly, the gag reel is better than most modern comedies. You can see the exact moment Reynolds breaks because of something Faris improvised.
- Listen to Anna’s Podcast: She occasionally talks about her early career days. It gives a lot of insight into how stressful those high-energy comedy sets were.
- Look for the Subtlety: In Waiting..., pay attention to the background. Their chemistry isn't just in the dialogue; it's in the way they react to the chaos of the restaurant around them.
The reality is that we might not get another Reynolds and Faris movie anytime soon. Ryan is busy running a gin empire and a football club, and Anna is selective about her projects. But the two films they gave us? They’re gold. They represent a time when comedy didn't have to be "important"—it just had to be funny.
Keep an eye on their social media interactions; that's usually where the best modern "collaborations" happen anyway.