You know that specific feeling when you meet someone who is the total opposite of you, but somehow you just click? That’s basically the entire energy behind the anna kendrick and blake lively movies partnership. It’s a weird, martini-soaked vibe that shouldn’t work on paper—the neurotic, perky "mommy vlogger" meets the high-fashion, gin-swilling "cool girl"—but it turned into a cult phenomenon that people are still obsessed with in 2026.
Honestly, we have to talk about how this all started. Back in 2018, A Simple Favor came out of nowhere. It wasn't just a movie; it was a mood. Blake Lively was walking around in these incredible custom suits and top hats, and Anna Kendrick was leaning so hard into her "adorkable" brand that it actually became a little bit terrifying. People keep searching for a list of movies they’ve done together, expecting a long filmography, but the reality is a bit more exclusive.
The Mystery of the Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively Movies Dynamic
Most people don't realize that for a long time, there was only one movie. Just one. Paul Feig, the guy who gave us Bridesmaids, decided to take a suburban thriller book by Darcey Bell and turn it into something that felt like Gone Girl on acid.
The plot of that first film is honestly wild if you haven't seen it recently. Stephanie (Kendrick) is this lonely widow who runs a craft vlog. She meets Emily (Lively), a PR executive who lives in a house that looks like a museum. They become "best friends" in about three seconds. Then Emily disappears. Stephanie starts "helping" the husband, Sean (played by Henry Golding), and things get very messy, very fast.
Why Their Chemistry Is Actually Legend
There’s a lot of talk online about whether these two actually like each other. If you’ve been following the 2024-2025 press cycles, you’ve seen the headlines. People love a good "feud" narrative, especially after all that drama with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni on the It Ends With Us set. But if you look at the interviews from the Another Simple Favor press tour in early 2025, the reality is more nuanced.
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- The "Mute" Incident: Back in 2018, Kendrick joked about muting Lively on Instagram because she was "too perfect."
- The "Partner in Crime" Vibe: Kendrick has described their working relationship as a "partner-in-crime" thing where they can just gossip between takes.
- The Director's Take: Paul Feig has gone on record (multiple times) saying their chemistry is "magic" and "on fire."
It’s less of a "BFF" situation and more of a "two professionals who know exactly how to push each other’s buttons for the camera" situation. And honestly? That makes for better movies anyway.
The Big 2025 Update: Another Simple Favor
For years, a sequel felt like a pipe dream. Then, in 2024, photos started leaking from Italy. Specifically Capri. We saw Blake in more suits and Anna looking slightly more "true crime chic."
The sequel, Another Simple Favor, finally dropped on Prime Video in May 2025. It took a big swing. Instead of the Connecticut suburbs, we’re on a Mediterranean island for Emily’s wedding to a wealthy Italian businessman named Dante.
What Actually Happens in the Sequel?
If you thought the first movie was convoluted, the sequel is basically a labyrinth. Stephanie is now a famous true-crime author (because of course she is), and Emily pulls her back into her orbit by threatening to sue her for using her likeness in a book.
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Here’s the breakdown of the chaos:
- The Triplets Twist: We find out there was a third sister. First there was Hope (Emily), then Faith (who Emily drowned in the first movie), and now we have Charity.
- The Mob Angle: Emily is marrying into a family with "connections."
- The Fake Deaths: There are so many fake stabbings and frame-jobs in the second half of this movie that you almost need a spreadsheet to keep track.
It’s definitely more "satire" than the first one. Some critics in 2025 called it "exhausting," while others loved that it leaned into the absolute absurdity of these characters. Kendrick's Stephanie is still doing her "I'm just a helpful mom!" routine while literally dodging international hitmen.
Addressing the "Feud" Rumors
You can't talk about anna kendrick and blake lively movies without addressing the elephant in the room: the 2025 "shelving" scare. Around January 2025, rumors exploded on X (formerly Twitter) that the sequel was being permanently shelved because the two leads couldn't stand each other.
Paul Feig had to step in personally to shut it down, calling the rumors "total BS." He explained that the delay was just standard post-production—editing, scoring, and all that technical stuff. The movie eventually premiered at SXSW 2025 and did huge numbers on streaming.
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Everything You Need to Know About Their Filmography
If you're looking to binge their collaborations, here is the actual, factual list:
- A Simple Favor (2018): The original. Available on most streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu depending on your region.
- Another Simple Favor (2025): The sequel. This one went straight to Amazon Prime Video.
That’s it. They haven't done any other projects together, which is part of why the Simple Favor brand is so tied to their names. They didn't even work together on The Accountant or any of the Pitch Perfect films, though people often mix up their "squad" of actors.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning a rewatch or diving in for the first time, keep these things in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch the Clothes: The costume design isn't just for show. In the first film, Emily's suits represent her "armour" and her masculine energy, while Stephanie’s bright, patterned clothes change as she becomes more corrupted.
- Pay Attention to the Vlogs: In both movies, the "vlog" is actually a plot device that solves the mystery. It’s a meta-commentary on how we consume true crime.
- Don't Take it Too Seriously: These aren't gritty dramas. They are "suburban noir comedies." If a plot point feels impossible, it’s probably meant to be a little bit ridiculous.
If you’ve already finished the sequel and are looking for similar vibes, you should check out Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut Woman of the Hour (2024) for a darker take on crime, or Blake Lively’s The Rhythm Section for more of that "mysterious woman with a past" energy.
To get the full experience of their screen partnership, start with the 2018 original to understand the "brother" secret—it's a plot point that comes back to haunt them in the sequel in a very weird way.