It’s a question that has nagged at humanity for hundreds of years: Why do we cheat? Of course, the reasons (or justifications) have evolved over the years, but somehow, even in a society that is somewhat accepting of polyamory, perpetual singledom, and other non-normative forms of loving, people still cheat on their partners all the time. You could try to understand the phenomenon by talking to a therapist or an anthropologist, but personally, I first came to understand infidelity from watching Desperate Housewives when I was 12. That’s maybe not the healthiest way to learn about it, but I do believe that cinema can help us work out our most complicated and confused feelings about everything — from grief and fear to love and heartbreak.
So, whether you’re looking for a thoughtful meditation on human relationships or an extremely satisfying revenge plot, we’ve rounded up all the best movies about cheating that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.
1.
The First Wives Club (1996)
It’s a cult classic for a reason — even if not all of the titular wives got divorced because of infidelity. The First Wives Club also has a stacked cast: Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton as the first wives; a young Sarah Jessica Parker being deliciously horrible; and cameos by everyone from the iconic Maggie Smith to Gloria Steinem. It’s worth watching for the delightful performance of Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” alone.
2.
Challengers (2024)
Tashi Duncan. Need I say more? Okay, fine, I will. Tennis is the second-hottest sport (soccer is the first), and this film is about three extremely hot people who play tennis and betray each other in hot ways. To a banger soundtrack. It’ll leave you teetering on the, um, edge.
3.
John Tucker Must Die (2006)
John Tucker Must Die is the film that introduced me to Penn Badgley as a heartthrob. It’s also a deeply satisfying watch for any teenage girl whose crush has left her heartbroken, and I find it holds up well for adults too. It is a movie best watched with several friends and at least one pint of ice cream. Go forth and seek vengeance!
4.
The Love Witch (2016)
This horror-comedy was a yearslong labor of love for its director, Anna Biller, who was also the film’s editor, writer, producer, set designer, and scorer. It centers on Elaine, a sociopathic witch with a tendency to murder her lovers, some of whom happen to be married. It combines a foundation in feminist theory and a modern setting with stylistic choices that emulate 1960s horror films: a Technicolor color palette, 35mm camerawork, and performances in the classic presentational acting style. It is a wild ride guaranteed to make you feel weird (complimentary).
5.
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Like the characters it focuses on, In the Mood for Love is quietly observant. It asks for the same careful attention director Wong Kar-Wai gives to every single shot, leaving you with a visually stunning, emotionally complex masterpiece about two people who take the pain of betrayal and transform it into a beautiful connection.
6.
Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
On its surface, Y Tu Mamá También is a fun, sexy road-trip movie in which the eventuality of cheating in a relationship is treated almost as a given. But beneath the famously explicit sex scenes and the aesthetically pleasing cinematography, there’s a complex, heart-wrenching, emotional center that will leave you stunned.
7.
The Other Woman (2014)
Starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, and Kate Upton, The Other Woman is another classic tale of three scorned women teaming up to get back at the men who broke their hearts. It is delightfully bonkers, and though it goes a little off the rails with an embezzlement subplot, it remains a fun little piece of movie candy right up to the end.
8.
Anaïs in Love (2021)
We love a horny French film, oui? The chaotic and irresistibly charming protagonist, Anaïs, initially cheats on her boyfriend, Raoul, with a much older man named Daniel. He’s cheating on his girlfriend, Emilie, who Anaïs parasocially falls for and eventually meets. It could easily be an annoying movie, but it’s not, because the performances are so good and no one is taking themselves too seriously.
9.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Stanley Kubrick’s final film is an undisputed masterpiece — and it includes one of Nicole Kidman’s all-time-best performances. It also contains oodles of cheating: thinking about cheating, talking about cheating, actually cheating. Eyes Wide Shut has it all, plus a sex cult, to boot.
10.
Fatal Attraction (1987)
Glenn Close slayed, and her character tried to! The erotic thriller also happens to be a cheating movie. The lesson: Don’t cheat on your wife because you might get violently stalked? A little flimsy, to be quite honest. But the excellent execution makes up for it. Don’t watch it if you can’t handle gore, though.
