Love Don't Co$t a Thing

Alvin Johnson is an unpopular high school student who struggles with his grades, is shut out by his classmates, and has no luck with girls. When Paris Morgan, a popular cheerleader, damages her mother's car, Alvin helps her cover up the accident, and in return she agrees to pose as his girlfriend for two weeks. The arrangement gives Alvin the popularity he wanted, but it also strains his friendships and leaves Paris searching for something real in a relationship built on a deal. The film is a loose remake of the 1987 teen comedy Can't Buy Me Love, relocated to a Black high school setting.

Troy Byer directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Swerdlick, working from a story originally written by Swerdlick. The film was produced by Mark Burg, Broderick Johnson and Andrew A. Kosove, and it runs 100 minutes. Nick Cannon stars as Alvin, with Christina Milian as Paris, Kenan Thompson as Walter Colley, Kal Penn as Kenneth Warman, Steve Harvey as Alvin's father Clarence, and Vanessa Bell Calloway as his mother Vivian, among a credited cast of 44. It was released in December 2003 and grossed about 22 million dollars worldwide.

Reception was split along audience lines. On IMDb it holds 5.2 out of 10 from more than 9,200 votes, while on TMDB it stands at 7.7 out of 10 from 735 votes. A critics' rating of 3.7 out of 10, drawn from 72 reviews, is well below both audience scores.