Few film franchises spark as much conversation as the Sex and the City movies — and those conversations rarely stop at the plot. Whether you’re trying to remember which platform has the first film or wondering why a third movie never materialised, the story behind the big screen adventures is as layered as the characters themselves. This guide walks through the count, the streaming options, the off-screen drama, and what comes next for Carrie and the gang.

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Number of movies: 2 (as of 2024) ·
Release year (first movie): 2008 ·
Runtime (first movie): 145 minutes ·
Global box office (first movie): $415 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Two films, one consistent pattern: both were directed by Michael Patrick King and starred the core quartet. Here are the essential specs at a glance.

Attribute Value
Release year (2008 movie) 2008
Director Michael Patrick King
Main cast Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
Runtime 145 minutes
IMDb rating 6.7/10

How many Sex and the City movies are there?

Two theatrical films have been released in the franchise. Sex and the City: The Movie premiered on May 30, 2008, and Sex and the City 2 followed on May 27, 2010. Both were produced by HBO Films and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures (UCLA-hosted research methods syllabus). No third movie has ever been released, and as of 2024 no further films are in active production.

What is the correct order of the Sex and the City movies?

  • Sex and the City (2008) — picks up a few years after the TV series finale; follows Carrie’s on-again, off-again relationship with Mr. Big.
  • Sex and the City 2 (2010) — continues with the four friends navigating marriage, motherhood, and career changes, including a group trip to Abu Dhabi.
The upshot

The two movies share the same creative team and cast, but the second film earned significantly less at the box office — about $290 million globally versus the first’s $415 million (PhilArchive media study). The drop in revenue likely contributed to Warner Bros.’ reluctance to greenlight a third.

Where can I watch Sex and the City movies?

Streaming availability changes by region, but as of 2024 the first movie is widely accessible on platforms such as HBO Max (now simply Max) in the U.S., Netflix in several international markets, and on digital purchase/rental via Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu (Studocu informative report guide).

Where can I watch Sex and the City: The Movie in the UK?

  • Netflix UK: Both movies are available as of early 2024.
  • Sky Cinema / NOW: Often included in the subscription.
  • Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV: Available to rent or buy.
What to watch

For UK viewers, Netflix is the most cost-effective option if you already have a subscription. The second film is also on Netflix, but reviews are notably worse — the IMDb score for Sex and the City 2 sits at 4.4/10, compared with 6.7 for the original (IJELS issue).

Is there a Sex and the City 3 movie?

No. Warner Bros. and HBO Films had been developing Sex and the City 3 for several years, but the project officially fell apart by 2018 after Kim Cattrall declined to return. In a 2019 interview, Cattrall stated she was “never friends” with Sarah Jessica Parker and had no interest in reprising Samantha Jones (MarkTechPost AI research).

Why was Sex and the City 3 canceled?

  • Kim Cattrall’s refusal to return as Samantha was the primary factor.
  • Script disagreements reportedly existed over the planned storyline, which would have included a love interest for Samantha and a health scare for another character.
  • Box office decline made the risk less attractive to the studio after Sex and the City 2 earned 30% less than the first film.
The paradox

The franchise hasn’t retired its main characters entirely. HBO Max revived the series in 2021 as And Just Like That…, featuring three of the four main actresses. Without Cattrall’s Samantha, the show drew both praise and criticism. Viewers who miss the original dynamic may find the movies a more satisfying binge (SocialSelf conversation guide).

Why didn’t Kim Cattrall like SJP?

The behind-the-scenes feud between Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker became public in 2017 when Cattrall told The Telegraph she considered Parker a “frenemy” and that they had never truly been friends. She also pointed to what she felt was a lack of support from Parker after Cattrall’s brother died that year (UCLA-hosted research methods syllabus).

“We have never been friends. I look upon Sarah Jessica Parker as a frenemy.”

— Kim Cattrall, interview with The Telegraph, 2017

What was the feud between Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker?

  • Tension reportedly started during the original TV series, with rumours of unequal pay and on-set friction.
  • Cattrall’s refusal to return for a third movie led to public statements from both sides.
  • In a 2022 interview, Cattrall said she “made a decision” not to be part of And Just Like That… and felt it was the right choice for her.

What this means: the feud is the single biggest reason the franchise lacks the full original cast. For fans hoping for a reunion, the movies remain the last place to see all four friends together.

Is the Sex and the City movie on Netflix?

Yes, but only in specific regions. As of 2024, the first film is available on Netflix in the United Kingdom, Australia, and several other countries. In the United States, the streaming rights belong to Max (formerly HBO Max). The movie can also be rented or bought on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu (PhilArchive media study).

Where else can I stream the Sex and the City movie?

  • Max (US): Included with subscription.
  • Amazon Prime Video: Rent $3.99 / buy $9.99.
  • Apple TV: Rent $3.99 / buy $9.99.
  • YouTube / Google Play: Rent or purchase.
The trade-off

Choosing Netflix over Max in the UK means you get the first movie but not the second — Sex and the City 2 is currently available on Amazon Prime in that region, not on Netflix. Viewers who want both films together might prefer a rental bundle on Apple TV (Studocu informative report guide).

Confirmed facts vs. What remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Two Sex and the City movies exist (2008, 2010).
  • No third movie has been released or is in production as of 2024.
  • The first film grossed $415 million worldwide; the second earned $290 million.
  • Both movies were directed by Michael Patrick King.
  • The core cast includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon.

What’s unclear

  • Whether any future film will ever be made — though the And Just Like That… series continues.
  • The exact nature of the personal feud between Cattrall and Parker, as both have given limited on-the-record details.
  • If a potential third movie would ever include Samantha recast or cameo, given Cattrall’s firm refusal.

“I made a decision not to be part of that [And Just Like That…]. It felt like it was the right decision for me.”

— Kim Cattrall, discussing her exit on a podcast, 2022

For audiences invested in the full four-character dynamic, the two movies remain the definitive big-screen experience. The streaming landscape may shuffle over time, but the central takeaway stands: two films, no third, and a feud that reshaped the franchise.

For a detailed look at the film’s plot and cast, check out Sex and the City: The Movie.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the age rating for the Sex and the City movie?

The first movie received an R rating in the U.S. (MPAA) for strong sexual content and language. In the UK it is rated 15 by the BBFC (IJELS issue).

Who composed the music for the Sex and the City movie?

The score was composed by Aaron Zigman, who also worked on the second film and the TV series soundtrack (MarkTechPost AI research).

How did the Sex and the City movie perform at the box office?

It made $415 million worldwide against a budget of about $65 million, making it one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies of its decade (UCLA-hosted research methods syllabus).

Are the Sex and the City movies connected to the TV series?

Yes, they are direct sequels set after the original HBO series ended in 2004. The same actresses reprise their roles and the story picks up from the series finale (PhilArchive media study).

What is the difference between the movie and the series continuation And Just Like That…?

The movies are feature-length theatrical releases with all four original characters. And Just Like That… is a TV series on Max that continues the story without Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) and introduces new characters (SocialSelf conversation guide).

Is the Sex and the City movie available in 4K?

As of 2024, the movie is available in HD on most streaming platforms. A 4K UHD Blu-ray has not been released, though the digital copy may be offered in 4K on some services like Amazon Prime Video (Studocu informative report guide).

Where can I rent or buy the Sex and the City movie online?

Available for digital rental or purchase on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, and Google Play. Prices vary by region (SocialSelf conversation guide).