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The inspiration for Can't Buy Me Love came from writer Michael Swerdlick's own experiences at a work party while he worked as a mailroom clerk at the William Morris Agency. After inviting an attractive friend to the event, he suddenly found himself climbing the social ladder within the company, sparking the idea of how perception and social status can be manipulated through association.
Initially intended as an R-rated sex comedy, the script underwent a significant restructuring to align with a PG-13 audience. Director Steve Rash, understanding the value of a broader family-friendly appeal, collaborated with Swerdlick to eliminate explicit content. What resulted was a film imbued with humor yet wrapped in life lessons, although it received mixed responses from critics upon release.