Is Think Like A Man Based On A Book? Steve Harvey Connection & Inspirations Explained

The 2012 romantic comedy Think Like a Man is making the rounds on Netflix, leaving many audiences wondering whether it’s based on a book. The film, directed by Tim Story, received mixed reviews upon its release over a decade ago, though it still managed to find significant commercial success. Like many old movies that end up on Netflix, Think Like a Man is finding a second life on the streaming service, with the movie and its 2014 sequel, Think Like a Man Too, attracting attention. The latter is currently in the top 10 Netflix movies in the United States.

Like many of the best rom-coms of all time, Think Like a Man boasts a stellar ensemble cast, with Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union, Michael Early, and more in significant roles. It’s centered around four narratives, each focusing on separate couples with unique dichotomies. The connective factor is a book titled Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, which each woman in the various couples is reading. It makes for a captivating, unique premise to the rom-com that also has meta elements to it.

Think Like A Man & Its Sequel Are Based On A 2009 Steve Harvey Self-Help Book

There are many phenomenal romance book-to-movie adaptations, but it’s far less common in the romantic comedy genre. As for Think Like a Man, the 2012 film and its sequel are both adapted from Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, a Steve Harvey-written self-help book that was released in 2009. So, not only are the characters in the movie reading the book, but the movie itself is also based on concepts and ideas from the book.

Many audiences will recognize Steve Harvey as the television personality who hosts Family Feud, though, like many celebrities, he is also an author. From 2009 to 2016, he wrote four books, all of which were self-help books, generally leaning toward romance as a central premise. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man has been particularly well-reviewed, and the idea of adapting a self-help book into a feature film is fascinating.

Steve Harvey Cameos As Himself In Think Like A Man

Not only is Steve Harvey responsible for Think Like a Man’s source material, but he also cameos as himself in the movie. As the film cuts between its different narratives, the various characters are all watching the same television program where Steve Harvey is on a talk show, answering questions about relationships from the audience. As each character watches the segment, they all react to his words, which pertain to their individual plot lines. It’s a fun way to tie Think Like a Man together, with Harvey and his book as the connecting element.