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Overnight Delivery

Overnight Delivery

They've got 24 hours to stop a package, prevent a disaster, and fall in love.

Video199887 minPG-13Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films
Director
Jason Bloom
Starring
Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Larry Drake, Christine Taylor

A man suspects his girlfriend of being unfaithful, so he sends her a letter, but then finds out that he was wrong. He has 24 hours to stop the package, prevent a disaster, and fall in love. The only problem is the delivery man will not stop until the package has been delivered.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Overnight Delivery?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Overnight Delivery streaming on The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free).

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Your rating, lists and review

Reception

Is Overnight Delivery worth watching?

Overnight Delivery's Midcredits score is the 44th percentile of all films, from 12K ratings across 4 sources. 45% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

44th percentile

Better received than 44% of films

50th percentile among Comedy47th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)43rd
Approval (how many liked it)45th

60 /100

43rd percentile of all films

49th percentile among Comedy47th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.3 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

45% liked it

45th percentile of all films

50th percentile among Comedy48th percentile among 1990s
45% rated it 7–1055% rated it 1–6

Critics 43% · Audience 52%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

80th percentile

12K ratings across platforms

77th percentile among Comedy73rd percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 22% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$12M

What reviewers say

Common ground

A formulaic, low-budget teen road-trip comedy that coasts on the likability of its two leads.

Fans praised

  • Reese Witherspoon's charming, energetic performance anchors the film
  • Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon have great on-screen chemistry
  • Lighthearted, fun road-trip comedy with surprising laughs

Detractors panned

  • Obnoxious, unlikable lead characters with no chemistry
  • Predictable, cliché-ridden plot lifted from better films
  • Paul Rudd's overacting and grating performance ruin the comedy

What stands out

ActingDivisive59

Witherspoon praised as saving grace; Rudd divisive—charming to some, overacting to others

PacingDivisive55

Short runtime keeps energy up for fans; some critics find it disjointed or draggy

Emotional impactDivisive50

Fans find it warm and feel-good; detractors see no emotional connection

CharactersDivisive45

Wyatt called naive and likeable by fans, idiotic and grating by detractors; Ivy seen as fun or underwritten

HumorDivisive45

Funny for fans with some good laughs; detractors find it forced and unfunny

Plot and storyDivisive35

Premise promising but executed with predictable clichés and implausible coincidences

DialogueDivisive35

Some witty Kevin Smith remnants, but often deemed unnatural, forced, or obnoxious

Originality20

Widely noted as derivative of The Sure Thing and later ripped by Road Trip

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 4 points apart
  • Critics vs users 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Watch experience

What is Overnight Delivery like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something that leaves you smiling.

It has a few laughs and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
TenseRomantic
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulRomantic · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
TonePlays its romantic farce straight, with lighthearted energy and sincere romantic stakes.
The rideThe chase builds tension throughout, with romantic warmth underlying the race against time.
StructureConventional linear race-against-time structure with a beginning, middle, and end.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves the viewer with a light, upbeat feeling and a smile.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% (this title) · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA man races against time to intercept a letter he sent in anger, a classic romantic comedy chase.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsIdentity · 14% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe protagonist must realize his mistake and discover what he truly wants in love.
StanceAffirms romantic love and the value of second chances.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanIn transitRealistic
PopRockSupportive music · original score · Andrew Gross
SettingA small American town and surrounding roads during a 24-hour delivery chase

Content guide

Is Overnight Delivery okay for kids?

PG-13

Overnight Delivery is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for some crude sexual material” (MPAA). As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (67/100), sexual content at moderate (47/100), language at intense (67/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (83/100) and frightening material at moderate (50/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
Intense · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Profanity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (4 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (17 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Overnight Delivery have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Overnight Delivery?

Cast

Reese Witherspoon
as Ivy Miller
Paul Rudd
as Wyatt Trips
Larry Drake
as Hal Ipswich
Christine Taylor
as Kimberly Jasney
Tobin Bell
as John Dwayne Beezly
Carl Anthony Payne II
as Wheels
Gary Wolf
as Snake
Sarah Silverman
as Turran
Jack McGee
as Stanley
Buffy Sedlachek
as Teacher

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Overnight Delivery?

Movies like Overnight Delivery include Home Again (2017), It's a Boy Girl Thing (2006) and Little Italy (2018). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Steve Bloom, and all are romantic comedies.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its subject: romantic love. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Overnight Delivery?

2.5K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: road movie. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.