Let’s be honest. Most modern romantic comedies feel like they were assembled by a committee in a boardroom trying to figure out what "the kids" like. They’re often glossy, a bit hollow, and forgettable by the time the credits roll. But every once in a while, a movie comes along that reminds you why we loved star-driven cinema in the first place.
The Lost City is exactly that.
When you pair Sandra Bullock with Channing Tatum, you're not just getting two famous faces; you're getting a masterclass in what happens when two people actually vibe on screen. Released in 2022, this flick didn't just survive the tail end of a pandemic cinema slump—it thrived. It raked in over $190 million worldwide. For an original, non-franchise rom-com in this day and age? That’s basically a miracle.
What is The Lost City actually about?
Loretta Sage (played by Bullock) is a brilliant but deeply reclusive author. She’s spent years writing these wildly popular romance-adventure novels that she secretly kind of despises. She’s a widow, she’s grieving, and she’d much rather be studying actual history than writing about a fictional hunk named Dash.
Enter Channing Tatum as Alan.
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Alan is the cover model for Loretta’s books. He’s essentially a "himbo" in the purest sense—gorgeous, seemingly dim-witted, and obsessed with his own brand. But he’s also surprisingly sweet. When Loretta gets kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire named Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe, who is clearly having the time of his life being a weirdo), Alan decides he needs to prove he’s a real-life hero.
He heads into the jungle to save her. It goes about as well as you’d expect for a guy whose primary skill is looking good in a wig.
The Chemistry Factor
Honestly, the plot is just a clothesline to hang the banter on. The real reason The Lost City works is the friction between Bullock and Tatum. Bullock does that "high-strung, stressed-out intellectual" thing better than anyone else in Hollywood. Watching her try to navigate a literal jungle in a sparkling purple sequin jumpsuit—which she wears for about 90% of the movie—is physical comedy gold.
Tatum is the perfect foil. He plays Alan with this earnest, puppy-dog energy that makes it impossible to dislike him.
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The Brad Pitt Cameo Everyone Talks About
You can't discuss this movie without mentioning Jack Trainer. Brad Pitt shows up for a glorified cameo as a professional rescuer, and he basically steals every scene he's in. There’s a specific sequence where he’s effortlessly taking out bad guys while flipping his hair in slow motion, and it perfectly parodies the very action movies it's imitating.
It’s meta, it’s silly, and it works because the movie knows exactly what it is. It isn't trying to be Inception. It’s trying to be a fun Saturday night at the movies.
Why It Hit Different in 2022
The film felt like a throwback to Romancing the Stone. We haven't had a good "adventure-romance" in years. Most big-budget movies now are tied to superheroes or 40-year-old franchises. This was just a standalone story about two people who are wildly incompatible trying not to die in the woods.
Critics liked it too. It’s sitting at a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s pretty rare for a broad comedy. Most reviewers pointed out that while the CGI can be a little dodgy sometimes (that jungle definitely looks like a soundstage in a few spots), the "screwball chemistry" carries the whole thing.
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Is there a sequel coming in 2026?
People are constantly asking if we’re getting The Lost City 2.
As of right now, there hasn’t been an official greenlight from Paramount for a 2026 release. However, Sandra Bullock has famously said she usually hates sequels (looking at you, Speed 2), but she’s hinted that she’d be open to this one because of how much fun she had with Tatum.
There are plenty of "concept trailers" floating around YouTube right now claiming a 2026 release is happening in Peru or Rio, but take those with a grain of salt. They’re fan-made. That said, given the first movie's $192 million box office haul against a roughly $70 million budget, a sequel makes a lot of financial sense.
What You Should Do Next
If you haven't seen it, go find it on Paramount+ or rent it. It’s the ultimate "comfort movie." If you’ve already seen it, pay attention to the mid-credits scene involving Brad Pitt—it changes the entire ending in the best way possible.
- Check the streaming status: It’s frequently moving between platforms, so use a site like JustWatch to see where it's currently free.
- Watch the bloopers: The chemistry between the leads is even more obvious in the outtakes; they genuinely seem to crack each other up.
- Keep an eye on trade publications: Follow Variety or The Hollywood Reporter for actual news on a sequel, rather than trusting the "leak" videos on social media.
This movie proved that "star power" isn't dead. You just need the right stars and a script that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you're looking for a laugh and some genuinely charming performances, The Lost City is probably the best bet you've got from the last few years of comedy.