Sex and the City (2008)

Last updated:
August 13, 2025

Sex and the City (2008), directed by Michael Patrick King, serves as both a continuation and a reunion for fans of the iconic HBO series. The film brings back Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha for a feature-length exploration of love, friendship, and life changes in New York City.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Reunion of the Girls

The movie picks up a few years after the TV series ended. Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) is still a successful writer and is now living happily with Mr. Big (Chris Noth). Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) is blissfully married to Harry (Evan Handler) and raising their adopted daughter, Lily. Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) is married to Steve (David Eigenberg) and juggling work, motherhood, and marriage. Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) is living in Los Angeles with her younger boyfriend, actor Smith Jerrod (Jason Lewis), but feeling restless.

The Engagement and Wedding Plans

Big proposes to Carrie in a spontaneous moment, initially without a ring but later with a large black diamond. The couple plans an intimate ceremony, but as Carrie gets swept up in the media attention and her own fashion-forward wedding plans (including a stunning Vivienne Westwood gown), the event becomes a huge spectacle.

Cold Feet and Disaster

On the wedding day, Big starts doubting himself after multiple conversations about the pressure of marriage. When Carrie calls him from the car to reassure him, he fails to respond. Big arrives at the venue late and finds Carrie furious and heartbroken. She refuses to go through with the wedding, leaving him humiliated. The image of Carrie hitting Big with her bouquet on the street is one of the film’s most memorable moments.

Picking Up the Pieces

Carrie retreats to Mexico with her friends, where they try to help her recover from the public humiliation. She spirals into depression, wearing no makeup and avoiding fashion altogether. Miranda, dealing with her own marriage crisis after Steve admits to cheating, tries to support Carrie but hides her own issues at first. Charlotte remains the most stable, offering emotional support, while Samantha feels increasingly disconnected from her LA life.

Self-Discovery and Friendship

Months pass. Carrie throws herself into work, taking on a personal assistant, Louise (Jennifer Hudson), who becomes a source of encouragement. Miranda eventually reconciles with Steve after couples counseling. Charlotte gets pregnant unexpectedly, something she thought might never happen. Samantha realizes she’s been sacrificing too much of herself for her relationship and breaks up with Smith to reclaim her independence.

Movie Ending

The movie ends on a note of closure and renewal. After a year apart, Big reaches out to Carrie to meet at the same place where they were supposed to marry. He apologizes sincerely, and Carrie forgives him. They marry in a small, intimate ceremony at New York’s City Hall, wearing simple yet stylish outfits, with only their closest friends as witnesses.

Charlotte gives birth to her second daughter, fulfilling her long-held dream of having a biological child alongside her adopted one. Miranda and Steve reaffirm their commitment, and Samantha celebrates her 50th birthday single, confident, and surrounded by her closest friends. The final scene shows the four women together in a restaurant, toasting to love, friendship, and living life on their own terms.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Sex and the City (2008) does not feature any post-credits or mid-credits scenes. Once the story ends, the credits roll without extra material.

Type of Movie

Romantic comedy-drama with strong friendship themes and a continuation of a beloved TV series.

Cast

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw
Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones
Kristin Davis as Charlotte York Goldenblatt
Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes
Chris Noth as Mr. Big (John James Preston)
David Eigenberg as Steve Brady
Evan Handler as Harry Goldenblatt
Jason Lewis as Smith Jerrod
Jennifer Hudson as Louise

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack features a mix of pop, R&B, and classic ballads. Original score was composed by Aaron Zigman. Songs by artists like Fergie (Labels or Love) and Jennifer Hudson are included, matching the movie’s stylish and modern tone.

Filming Locations

Primarily shot in New York City, with key scenes in Manhattan landmarks such as the New York Public Library, Bryant Park, and various high-end boutiques. Some sequences were filmed in Mexico (vacation scenes) and Los Angeles (Samantha’s life with Smith). New York itself is practically a fifth character, symbolizing the glamour and vibrancy of the women’s lives.

Awards and Nominations

Winner: People’s Choice Award for Favorite Cast
Nominations: Golden Raspberry Awards (worst sequel/spin-off for some critics), MTV Movie Awards (Best Kiss), and Teen Choice Awards in multiple categories.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Sarah Jessica Parker’s wedding dress scene featured a genuine Vivienne Westwood gown, valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
Jennifer Hudson joined the cast partly to attract a younger audience unfamiliar with the TV series.
The original script had a slightly different wedding ending, but it was changed after early feedback from test audiences.
Filming in NYC often drew huge crowds of fans trying to catch glimpses of the cast.

Inspirations and References

The film is directly based on the HBO TV series Sex and the City, which was adapted from Candace Bushnell’s 1997 book of essays. Many storylines in the movie are loosely inspired by the later seasons of the series but condensed into a single film arc.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Early drafts included a longer sequence of Carrie confronting Big after the failed wedding, but it was shortened for pacing.
A deleted scene shows Carrie visiting her old apartment one more time before deciding to sell it.
Samantha’s breakup with Smith was originally more heated but was softened in the final cut.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While the film draws on the characters from Bushnell’s book, it doesn’t adapt a specific plot from the original text. The movie instead functions as a sequel to the TV series finale, imagining where the characters would be four years later.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Carrie trying on wedding dresses for a Vogue photoshoot.
The bouquet confrontation scene after Big bails.
Charlotte screaming at Big in the street after the failed wedding.
Samantha eating alone with sushi on her body as a statement of freedom.
The City Hall wedding.

Iconic Quotes

“Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours.” – Big quoting Beethoven.
“I’m looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love.” – Carrie.
“I’ve been in a relationship with myself for 49 years, and that’s the one I need to work on.” – Samantha.

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Louise’s name could be a subtle nod to Louise from St. Louis, a reference Carrie makes in the series.
The “black diamond” ring was meant to represent Carrie’s unconventional approach to love and fashion.
The apartment makeover scene parallels the pilot episode’s emphasis on Carrie’s space as a reflection of her emotional state.

Trivia

The film grossed over $415 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful R-rated comedies at the time.
Kim Cattrall initially resisted doing the movie but agreed after salary negotiations and script rewrites.
The Mexico scenes were actually filmed in Malibu, California, for logistical reasons.

Why Watch?

For fans of the series, the film offers closure, big emotional moments, fashion spectacle, and the comfort of seeing beloved characters again. For newcomers, it’s a glamorous yet emotional look at friendship and relationships in adulthood.

Sex and the City (2008)