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It Had to Be You (2016) movie poster

Plot Summary

It Had to Be You (2016) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 85 min · English
JustWatch #5,290 21
Directed by
Sasha Gordon

A quirky jingle writer named Sonia receives an ultimatum from her relaxed boyfriend: propose marriage or face a breakup. Over three eventful days, she grapples with the possibility of losing him, leading to imaginative daydreams of independence and self-discovery. Seeking a change of scenery, Sonia impulsively travels to Rome, where she unexpectedly confronts reality and reconsiders her priorities.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like It Had to Be You
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch It Had to Be You (2016)

Where can you watch It Had to Be You? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Fawesome and Hoopla: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in It Had to Be You: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of It Had to Be You (2016) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Sonia Friedman, portrayed by Cristin Milioti, is a thirty-something woman who experiences a moment of panic when her live-in boyfriend, Chris Jensen Dan Soder, proposes to her. Unsure of the commitment, she declines his proposal, causing him to walk away hurt. Shortly after, her close friends—Nora, Halley Feiffer, Lee, Kate Simses, and Anna, Erica Sweany—come over to offer their support. Through a series of flashbacks narrated by Sonia, we learn that Lee and Anna are a married couple, while Nora is engaged to Mark [Mark Gessner], who is also their mutual friend.

A glimpse into Sonia’s past reveals that she met Chris through Mark six months before the proposal, and nostalgic moments showcase Chris teaching Sonia to dance to the romantic tune "It Had to Be You." The following morning, Chris finally confronts Sonia, reminding her that they have been together for over a year. He reflects on how their friends' marriages should have encouraged Sonia to reconsider her stance on marriage. Although she apologizes, they agree that she needs some time to reflect on her feelings.

With Sonia left in solitude, she begins an inner dialogue illuminated by flashbacks and animated sequences. This exploration prompts her to identify three key fears about entering marriage with Chris: the trepidation of their incompatibility, worries about their sexual chemistry, and her belief that she has not yet matured into "a woman." These fears manifest in a fantasy about a fellow commuter, whom she sees as having an enviable, perfect life.

As Sonia returns to reality, she logs into her personal website—a thoughtful gift from Chris that she once rejected. Despite her complexities, she decides to go out with Chris to watch a movie for which she had even created the soundtrack, leading to their first intimate night together at her place.

In the present timeline, Chris, Sonia, Nora, and Mark are together as friends, and they discuss Mark and Nora's recent purchase of a new home, motivated by Nora’s pregnancy. However, Mark ultimately encourages Chris to press Sonia for a decision about their future together. Feeling the weight of this ultimatum, Chris confronts Sonia again, expressing his love and desire for a committed relationship, yet he cannot continue their current dynamic indefinitely. This leads to a tough conversation about putting their relationship on hold until Sonia is ready.

While shopping, Sonia coincidentally meets Lara [Rachel York], a woman she often commutes with, leading to an unexpected exchange of shopping bags. When Sonia finds Lara’s blue thong in the mix and tries it on, it gives her a bold, new perspective. Prompted by Anna's suggestion for a getaway, Sonia decides to escape to Rome to reconnect with her college crush, Fabrizio [Danny Deferrari]. In Rome, she engages in a wild, reckless night with Fabrizio and his brother, Dezi [Nico Grelli], but upon waking, she discovers a note revealing Fabrizio is married and has stolen her cash and phone.

Back in New York, Nora shares that Chris has moved in with her and Mark after their breakup. She invites Sonia for dinner to reunite with Chris casually, although in a twist of fate, Chris isn’t present when Sonia arrives. When she finds herself arriving late due to work commitments, she walks into a tense scene with Nora and Mark at odds over their birthing choices, and Chris opts to go elsewhere to avoid an awkward reunion.

Three weeks post-proposal fallout, at Mark and Nora’s wedding, Sonia is eager to sit next to Mark. Although he reluctantly agrees, he remarks that he doesn't wish to converse, yet they end up dancing and reconnecting. During a vulnerable moment, Chris admits he still has feelings for Sonia. The next morning, they find themselves back together, but Chris receives a tempting job offer from Google in San Francisco. Sonia, sensing his desire for independence and fearing they’d revert to their non-committal ways, encourages him to pursue the opportunity, prompting Chris to choose the job and end their relationship.

In another turn of events, Lee discloses her own pregnancy to Sonia, catalyzing Sonia’s realization that it’s time to take action. She resolves to propose to Chris and prepares a sentimental DVD showcasing their memories set to "It Has to Be You." However, Mark informs her that Chris is in Pennsylvania visiting family. In a moment of spontaneity, Sonia boards a bus to catch up with him, accidentally running into Lara once more. This encounter leads Sonia to understand that Lara's seemingly perfect life is not what it appears to be.

Meanwhile, tension builds as Nora goes into labor, and Sonia is disconcerted to learn that Mark has left the family visit to be there for the birth. In a burst of determination, Sonia persuades the bus driver to let her off early, making a dash to the hospital to witness the birth. As Chris prepares to leave the room, Sonia begs him to watch her proposal video. Unfortunately, the DVD fails to play the sound, causing her to sing "It Has to Be You" on the spot. The room gradually joins in, creating a heartwarming moment filled with emotion. Finally, when the words "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" flash on the screen, Sonia drops to her knees and asks the pivotal question. Chris responds joyfully, "Of course I will," leading to a beautiful kiss and the beginning of their new chapter together.

Last updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

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Plot questions answered

It Had to Be You Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about It Had to Be You (2016): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Sonia reject Chris's marriage proposal?

Sonia panics when Chris proposes because she has deep-seated fears about marriage, including worries about their incompatibility, concerns about their sexual chemistry, and a feeling that she hasn't matured into 'a woman' yet. These anxieties cause her to reject him in the moment, though she still loves him.

Foreshadowing: Earlier flashbacks show their happy moments together, suggesting her fears are internal rather than based on actual relationship problems.

  • sonia friedman
  • chris jensen
  • marriage proposal
  • rejection
  • fears about marriage
Q2

What happens when Sonia travels to Rome?

Sonia impulsively visits her college crush Fabrizio in Rome seeking clarity about her feelings. She spends a reckless night with him and his brother Dezi, but discovers the next morning that Fabrizio is married and has stolen her cash and phone, leaving her feeling betrayed and confused about her romantic choices.

Foreshadowing: Anna's suggestion for a getaway and Sonia's fantasy about a perfect commuter hint at her desire to escape her current life.

  • rome
  • fabrizio
  • college crush
  • infidelity
  • betrayal
Q3

Why does Chris move in with Nora and Mark after the breakup?

After Sonia rejects his proposal and they decide to pause their relationship, Chris moves in with their friends Nora and Mark in New York. This happens as Sonia is dealing with her conflicted feelings about commitment, leaving Chris without a home in their shared apartment.

Foreshadowing: Mark and Nora's discussion about buying a new home and Nora's pregnancy sets up this living arrangement.

  • chris jensen
  • nora
  • mark
  • breakup
  • living situation
Q4

What are Sonia's three main fears about marrying Chris?

Through inner dialogue with flashbacks and animated sequences, Sonia identifies three fears: (1) worry about their incompatibility as a couple, (2) concerns about their sexual chemistry, and (3) her belief that she hasn't yet become 'a woman' mature enough for marriage. These fears manifest in a fantasy about an enviable commuter whose life appears perfect.

Foreshadowing: The animated sequences and flashbacks throughout the film visualize these anxieties before Sonia explicitly names them.

  • sonia friedman
  • fears
  • marriage
  • commitment anxiety
  • self-identity
Q5

Why does Chris receive a job offer from Google?

Chris receives a job offer from Google for a position in San Francisco. After reconnecting with Sonia at the wedding and their brief reunion, the offer represents a new chapter and independence. Sonia, fearing they'd return to their non-committal dynamic, encourages him to take the opportunity, leading him to choose the job and end their relationship.

Foreshadowing: Chris's earlier frustration with waiting for Sonia's decision sets up his willingness to pursue this new opportunity.

  • chris jensen
  • google
  • job offer
  • san francisco
  • career
Q6

How does Sonia end up proposing to Chris at the hospital?

After learning that Lee is pregnant and feeling motivated to take action, Sonia prepares a DVD of their memories set to 'It Had to Be You' and heads to Pennsylvania to find Chris. She arrives at the hospital where Nora is giving birth, and when the DVD fails to play sound, she spontaneously sings the song. The room joins in, and Sonia drops to her knees asking 'Will you marry me?'

Foreshadowing: Lee's pregnancy disclosure and Mark mentioning Chris is visiting family in Pennsylvania create the path to this moment.

  • hospital proposal
  • sonia proposes
  • chris accepts
  • imperfect proposal
  • birth scene
Q7

What is the significance of the song 'It Had to Be You' in the movie?

The song 'It Had to Be You' serves as a recurring motif representing Sonia and Chris's relationship. Chris first teaches Sonia to dance to this romantic tune when they met, and it's featured in the proposal DVD she creates. The title also reflects the film's theme, that their connection was inevitable despite the obstacles they faced.

Foreshadowing: Their first dance scene appears early in flashbacks, establishing the song's emotional importance for the climax.

  • it had to be you
  • song
  • romance
  • dance
  • memories proposal
Q8

What causes Sonia to change her mind and decide to propose to Chris?

Sonia's change of heart comes from multiple factors: learning that Lee is pregnant inspires her to take action, realizing that Chris might leave for San Francisco triggers urgency, and her chance encounter with Lara shows that seemingly perfect lives have struggles too. These realizations push her to stop waiting and pursue what she wants.

Foreshadowing: Lara's admission about her difficult life and Lee's pregnancy news directly precede Sonia's decision to propose.

  • sonia friedman
  • proposal decision
  • motivation
  • growth
  • personal journey
Q9

What does Sonia realize about Lara and her 'perfect' life?

When Sonia coincidentally meets Lara again on the bus to Pennsylvania, she discovers that Lara's seemingly enviable, perfect life is actually not what it appears to be. This encounter helps Sonia realize that comparing her own life to others' appearances is misleading, and she should pursue what genuinely makes her happy.

Foreshadowing: Sonia's earlier fantasy about the commuter with the perfect life sets up this revelation about comparing herself to others.

  • lara
  • perfect life
  • comparison
  • realization
  • bus encounter
Q10

Why is Nora in labor at the hospital during Sonia's proposal?

Nora goes into labor at the hospital, creating the chaotic setting where Sonia's proposal takes place. This event brings all the main characters together in one place, and Sonia's rush to be there and win Chris back coincides with the birth, adding emotional intensity to her spontaneous proposal moment.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish Nora's pregnancy and Mark and Nora's discussions about their birthing choices create tension.

  • nora
  • labor
  • hospital
  • birth
  • mark
  • proposal timing

Movie threads

More Movies Like It Had to Be You, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes It Had to Be You tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical Journeys of Self-Discovery like It Had to Be You

Characters finding themselves through imaginative, lighthearted adventures. Discover movies like It Had to Be You where quirky characters embark on heartfelt journeys of self-discovery. These similar romantic comedies and dramas blend imaginative storytelling with light emotional weight, perfect for viewers seeking uplifting and whimsical tales about finding one's path.

  • whimsical
  • quirky
  • reflective
  • upbeat
  • dreamy
  • heartfelt
  • Tone: whimsical, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically centers on a character at a crossroads, prompted by an external event or internal doubt to re-evaluate their life. Their journey is punctuated by flights of fancy, humorous introspection, and encounters that help them gain clarity, leading to a positive, self-affirming conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared whimsical tone, light emotional touch, and focus on a character's internal journey of growth. They balance relatable doubts with charming, often visually inventive storytelling, resulting in an consistently uplifting and reflective experience.

Romantic Ultimatums and Second Chances like It Had to Be You

Love stories where a final demand forces a reevaluation of the heart. If you liked the relationship dilemma in It Had to Be You, explore these movies about romantic ultimatums and second chances. These similar stories focus on commitment fears, impulsive decisions, and the journey to a heartfelt reunion, offering satisfying and romantic conclusions.

  • romantic
  • sentimental
  • reflective
  • heartfelt
  • hopeful
  • relationship drama
  • Tone: romantic, sentimental
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story begins with a stable but potentially stagnant relationship disrupted by a partner's demand for commitment, creating immediate tension. The protagonist then grapples with their fears, leading to a period of separation and reflection that tests the relationship's foundation, culminating in a decisive gesture that solidifies their choice.

Why they belong together: These films share a core plot device—the romantic ultimatum—that drives character development and conflict. They explore the anxiety and clarity that such a demand brings, blending relatable relationship drama with a steady pace and a guaranteed focus on achieving a happy romantic resolution.

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Every angle

It Had to Be You (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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