![\"Film](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PRI_209377505-7a37.jpg\")
\n\t\tSteve Carell stars in the 2005 hit (Picture: Netflix UK)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tSteve Carell stars in the 2005 hit (Picture: Netflix UK)<\/p>\n
One of the most influential comedies of all time is now available to stream on Netflix<\/a> in the UK.<\/p>\n Starring Steve Carell<\/a> as unlucky-in-love Andy Stitzer, it launched countless imitators and propelled its frontman to leading man status.<\/p>\n Released in 2005, The 40-Year-Old Virgin became an instant hit with audiences and film critics alike.<\/p>\n Over 20 years on from its release, and it\u2019s still considered to be a classic of the genre.<\/p>\n Director Judd Apatow <\/a>went on to make follow-ups Knocked Up, This is 40, Funny People, and Superbad, but many will tell you The 40-Year-Old Virgin remains his greatest achievement.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tGet personalised updates on all things Netflix\t\t\t<\/p>\n Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro\u2019s TV Newsletter.<\/p>\n Sign up to our newsletter<\/a> and then select your show in the link we\u2019ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.<\/p>\n The film is now streaming on Netflix, allowing audiences to dig in and fall in love all over again.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t Itself halfway to 40 years old, the film still enjoys an overwhelmingly fresh score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Those who recognise its importance include GQ<\/a>, which described it as \u2018the most influential comedy<\/a> in a decade\u2019 back in 2015.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Empire <\/a>called it \u2018delightfully disgusting,\u2019 with Variety <\/a>also praising its consistent \u2018belly laughs.\u2019 <\/p>\n Wider audiences largely agreed with critical opinion<\/a>, with Rotten Tomatoes user Blake-N calling it \u2018one of the funniest comedies of the 2000s.\u2019<\/p>\n Diane S went a step further, describing it as \u2018one of the funniest movies of all time,\u2019 while Spencer H said that it was a \u2018masterclass in comedy.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/p>\n However, the film has been met with some backlash, with audiences at the time describing some of its humour as \u2018homophobic.\u2019<\/p>\n This includes a lengthy exchange between Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen\u2019s characters in which the pair accuse each other of being \u2018gay\u2019 for, among other things, enjoying Maid in Manhattan and liking Coldplay.<\/p>\n These comments didn\u2019t get past writer and director Apatow, who was quizzed on the film\u2019s screenplay<\/a> in an interview last year.<\/p>\n \u2018It was all done with a very positive spirit,\u2019 he told The Hollywood Reporter<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018Looking back, it\u2019s hard to know if we would do it again. There\u2019s just no way to be sure about that. I felt like all of the comments were meant as compliments.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Rogen also reflected upon the film\u2019s \u2018you know how I know you\u2019re gay\u2019 scene, telling GQ <\/a>that he regretted how its banter had been taken.<\/p>\n He told the publication: he said: \u2018I think if you actually care, then it\u2019s easy. We do not want people to feel bad when they\u2019re watching our movies.<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019ve had people come up to me and be like, \u201cThat made me feel like s**t when I was in the movie theater and everyone was laughing about that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Like the \u201cHow I know you\u2019re gay\u201d thing\u201d, it\u2019s something people have been like, \u201cIt\u2019s not fun to be in the theater when people are laughing at that, knowing what they\u2019re probably actually laughing at.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018And I don\u2019t want anyone to have that experience watching our movies.\u2019<\/p>\n Some of its humour might not hold up, but\u2026 well, we can\u2019t all be so lucky to age as gracefully as Paul Rudd.<\/p>\n The 40-Year-Old Virgin is streaming now on Netflix.<\/p>\n Got a story?<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Editorial](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PRI_120664678-d966.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe 40-Year-Old Virgin marked Steve Carell\u2019s transition to leading man (Picture: Moviestore\/REX)<\/p>\n![\"Editorial](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SEI_40797732-0552-e1780775315651.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe film is perhaps best remembered for its traumatic waxing sequence (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n![\"Editorial](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PRI_209512515-b5ed-e1780775361186.jpg\")
\n\t\tNot all of the film\u2019s humour has aged well (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
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