Netflix has definitely gotten us in the mood for love ahead of Valentine’s Day as the streaming giant added 00s romcom Sweet Home Alabama to its library. And fans have been obsessed with the film, with it shooting up to the sixth spot on Netflix’s streaming charts.

The 2002 chick flick starred Reese Witherspoon and Josh Lucas as childhood sweethearts Melanie Smooter and Jake Perry living in Pigeon Creek, Alabama who ultimately separate. Melanie moves on with her life in New York City, before needing to return back home to announce her upcoming engagement.

The film’s synopsis reads: “New York fashion designer Melanie Carmichael suddenly finds herself engaged to the city’s most eligible bachelor, but her past holds many secrets, including Jake, the redneck husband she married in high school who refuses to divorce her. Melanie sneaks back home to Alabama to confront her past.”

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Reception

Fans have been excited for the film’s comeback, with one person saying: “Hello mortals, I just wanted to tell you that they added Sweet Home Alabama to Netflix. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it because it’s one of the best romcoms out there. If you already have: You’re welcome.”

A second added: “Parish announcement: Sweet Home Alabama is now on Netflix!!! Don’t worry, no need to thank me,” while a third commented: “Who would’ve thought that someone like me would fall in love with romcoms, and now my favourite one is on Netflix after I couldn’t find it on any other platform.“

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Plenty of fans were in the mood for romance

A fourth penned: “Fantastic, had me hooked from the start, they were on to a winner as soon as they cast Dakota Fanning as ‘young’ Melanie. Now I’m a sucker for good ‘chick flicks’ and this one tops my list. If you are in the mood for a good old-fashioned romance with some great country thrown in then this is the one for you, I’ve lost count how many times I have seen this now and I’ll never tire of it. Even if this isn’t your kind of film, I challenge you to watch it and not feel good, practically impossible.”

However, feedback for the film hasn’t been universally positive, with one viewer posting: “How could anyone like this movie? I avoided this movie because I thought it would be merely fluff, but a girlfriend brought it over for movie night, so I decided to give it a try. While I generally love Reese Witherspoon in many movies neither she nor the other good actors could rescue the bad story, two-dimensional characters and poor writing in this trite movie.”

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The film had a mixed critical reception

Writing for the BBC, Jamie Russell opined: “Sweet Home Alabama is weighed down by redneck stereotypes, patronising gags, and some ludicrous feelgood moments (Melanie accidentally outs one of the town’s boys, but everyone just pats him on the back and buys him another Bud). This would never have made it to the screen if it weren’t for Witherspoon.”

Who stars in Sweet Home Alabama?

The film is led by Hollywood A-lister Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde), with a younger Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds) playing a younger version of her character. The two romantic leads in the film are played by Josh Lucas (Yellowstone) and Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy), with Thomas Curtis (North Country) playing a younger version of John’s character.

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The film starred the likes of Patrick Dempsey, Reese Witherspoon and Josh Lucas

Also featured in the film are Fred Ward (Miami Blues), Mary Kay Place (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman), Jean Smart (Frasier), Ethan Embry (Empire Records), Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men) and Courtney Gains (Children of the Corn).

The cast is rounded out by Mary Lynn Rajskub (North of North), Rhona Mitra (Boston Legal), Nathan Lee Graham (Zoolander), Candice Bergen (Starting Over) and Kevin Sussman (The Big Bang Theory).