How to Deal
2003, English. Directed by Clare Kilner.
Rule #1: There are no rules.
For teenager Halley, love seems like an alien concept. Her mother is divorcing her father, who is dating a younger woman Halley can't stand. Her sister is about to get married and doesn't realize that her fiancé is not the man of her dreams. And her best friend has fallen madly in love for the first time, leaving Halley to feel even more alone. But, when she meets edgy Macon, she learns what love is really all about.
- Runtime
- 1h 39m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
Start now and it ends at ….
Snoozefest
Your time is worth more.
5.5/10 from 170 TMDB viewer ratings.
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Where to watch How to Deal
How to Deal is streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Howdy in India.
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Fandango At HomeAvailability in India as of 11 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Clare KilnerDirector
- Mandy MooreHalley Martin
- Trent FordMacon Forrester
- Allison JanneyLydia Martin
- Alexandra HoldenScarlett Smith
- Dylan BakerSteve Beckwith
- Nina FochGrandma Halley
- Mary Catherine GarrisonAshley Martin
- Connie RayMarion Smith
- Mackenzie AstinLewis Warsher
- Charlotte SullivanElizabeth Gunderson
- Ray KahnertDonald Sherwood
- Andrew GilliesBuck Warsher
Details
- Released
- 18 July 2003
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Neena Beber
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News & fan talk
What How to Deal is based on
How to Deal is based on Someone like You, a 1998 young adult novel by Sarah Dessen and That Summer, a 1996 young adult novel by Sarah Dessen.
Young adult novel · 1998
Someone like You
By Sarah Dessen
Young adult novel · 1996
That Summer
By Sarah Dessen
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
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How to Deal: quick answers
Is How to Deal worth watching?
Our verdict is Snoozefest: Your time is worth more. It scores 5.5/10 from 170 TMDB viewer ratings.
How long is How to Deal?
How to Deal runs 99 minutes (1h 39m).
Does How to Deal have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for How to Deal. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
How to Deal parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
How to Deal is rated PG-13 in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is How to Deal on?
How to Deal is streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Howdy in India. (Checked 11 November 2026.)
What movies are like How to Deal?
If you liked How to Deal, try LOL, The Big Picture, Tall Girl.
Who directed How to Deal?
How to Deal (2003) was directed by Clare Kilner and stars Mandy Moore, Trent Ford, Allison Janney.
What is How to Deal based on?
How to Deal is based on Someone like You, a 1998 young adult novel by Sarah Dessen and That Summer, a 1996 young adult novel by Sarah Dessen.