Never Been Kissed

Right now you can watch Never Been Kissed in Australia on Disney Plus and Stan, and in the US on Disney Plus and YouTube TV — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 1,591 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Drew Barrymore leads a cast with real comic timing. Start it on Disney Plus whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Never Been Kissed is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Never Been Kissed from the crowd. Josie Geller, a baby-faced junior copywriter at the Chicago Sun-Times, must pose as a student at her former high school to research contemporary teenage culture. With the help of her brother, Rob, Josie infiltrates the inner circle of the most popular clique on campus. But she hits a major snag in her investigation -- not to mention her own failed love life -- when she falls for her dreamy English teacher, Sam Coulson. Drew Barrymore and David Arquette lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1999. What keeps Never Been Kissed from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Never Been Kissed. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Drew Barrymore sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.