I Life or Something Like It Worth Watching in 2025?

Few movies from 2002 still spark debate the way Life or Something Like It does. A romantic comedy-drama starring Angelina Jolie at the height of her fame, it promised a thought-provoking premise but ended up with a 28% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. This article breaks down the box office numbers, audience reactions, and whether the film deserves a second look today—backed by the data that matters.

Release year: 2002 · Director: Stephen Herek · Lead actress: Angelina Jolie · Rotten Tomatoes critics score: 28% · Box office vs. budget: $16.8 million vs. $40 million · MPAA rating: PG-13

The table below compiles the key specifications that define Life or Something Like It at a glance.

Is Life or Something Like It worth watching?

What do critics say?

According to Wikipedia, the film holds a 28% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 120 reviews, with the consensus calling it “mostly negative.” The Metacritic page shows a score of 31 out of 100, indicating “generally unfavorable” reviews.

What do audiences say?

The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is 55%, according to Wikipedia. That gap between critics and viewers is typical for a film that polarizes: critics called the script formulaic, while many viewers found Jolie’s performance engaging enough to recommend.

Should I watch it today?

If you go in expecting a deep character study, you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re curious about a pre‑Oscar Angelina Jolie in a lightweight drama with a decent hook, it might scratch that itch. The trade‑off: a predictable plot for an earnest lead performance.

Was Life or Something Like It a flop?

What was the production budget?

Wikipedia reports a budget of $40 million.

What was the box office revenue?

The film grossed $16,872,671 worldwide — less than half its budget (Wikipedia). Its opening weekend earned an estimated $6.2 million, placing fifth behind Jason X (Wikipedia).

How did it perform relative to expectations?

“The film was a commercial and financial loss,” per Wikipedia, which explicitly describes it as a box‑office bomb. The implication: even with Angelina Jolie’s star power in 2002, the movie couldn’t recoup costs, and that financial failure likely killed any chance of a sequel or franchise.

Is Life or Something Like It inappropriate?

What is the MPAA rating and why?

According to The Film File, the film is rated PG-13 in the United States for “sexual content, brief violence, and language.”

What content should parents know about?

The PG-13 rating suggests mild profanity, some sexual situations (none explicit), and a brief violent encounter. No nudity or graphic violence, but the themes of mortality and casual sex may feel mature for pre‑teens.

Is it suitable for a 13‑year‑old?

Common Sense Media’s age recommendation of 14+ (cited in the content plan) aligns with the MPAA rating. A 13‑year‑old could watch it with a parent, but the adult themes and mild sexual content make it borderline for that age.

The catch: the mortality theme is thought-provoking for teens, but the PG-13 sexual situations may give conservative households pause. Watch together and discuss.

What happens in Life or Something Like It?

What is the basic plot?

The The Film File summary: Television reporter Lanie Kerrigan (Angelina Jolie) interviews a homeless psychic who predicts she will die within a week. Forced to reevaluate her shallow life and relationships, she begins making changes.

Who are the main characters?

The cast includes Angelina Jolie as Lanie, Edward Burns as Pete, Tony Shalhoub as Prophet Jack, and supporting performances by Stockard Channing and Christian Kane (The Film File).

What is the twist or climax?

The psychic’s third prediction (Seattle Seahawks win) comes true, confirming his credibility and forcing Lanie to confront her impending death — and her feelings for Pete. The climax hinges on her choosing love over career ambition.

Can my 13‑year‑old watch Life or Something Like It?

Age rating and content advisory

As noted, the PG-13 rating covers sexual content, brief violence, and language (The Film File). A 13‑year‑old may be mature enough, but parents should preview the first 20 minutes to gauge its tone.

“The film is an adroit comedy-drama… gently soul-searching, thought-provoking moments.”

— Dustin Putman, The Film File

“Wikipedia characterizes the film’s reviews as mostly negative.”

— Wikipedia

“Angelina Jolie received a Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Actress for her performance.”

— Wikipedia

The pattern is clear: Life or Something Like It is a movie that critics panned and audiences gave a lukewarm pass. For the curious viewer in 2025, the choice comes down to patience with a formulaic script versus affection for Angelina Jolie’s raw charm. If you’re a completionist, stream it. If you’re short on time, there are better romantic comedies from the same era — like Sweet Home Alabama or Two Weeks Notice — that deliver more laughs and heart. For the Jolie completist, the verdict is simple: watch it once, remember why she became a star, and move on.