An Unexpected Christmas

Name: An Unexpected Christmas
Genre: Christmas, Small Town, Fake Relationship, Second Chance Romance, Cute Kid
Released: 2021-01-01
Duration: 1 h 23 min
Rating: 6.7
Cast: Bethany Joy Lenz, Tyler Hynes, Alison Wandzura, Lynda Boyd, Paul McGillion

6.7/10 · 3,253 ratings20211h 23mChristmasWeirdness 3/10Bingo card

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The premise

Emily works at an ad agency and is sent to her ex's hometown before Christmas. She arrives at the train station as her ex is picked up by his family. They mistakenly think Emily's still an item.

How unusual is it?

Mostly classic comfort-watch, give or take a fake relationship and a second-chance romance.

Who’s in it

Our Girl

Bethany Joy Lenz

as Emily

Our Guy

Tyler Hynes

as Jamie

Alongside them

Show all 10 cast

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Michael Robison

Written by

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 33 to find more movies that do the same thing.

Why we’d put this one on

A meet-the-family fake-relationship classic with two extremely charming leads. Bethany Joy Lenz is Emily, an ad exec sent to her ex's hometown right before Christmas, who arrives at the train station just as his family scoops him up and assumes the two are still together. Tyler Hynes is the ex, and the easy push-pull between them is the whole reason to press play. It is second-chance comfort with a mistaken-couple misunderstanding driving the laughs. At 6.9, this is one of the more beloved modern entries here, and a great showcase for a fan-favorite pairing.

33 tropes in one movie

We counted 33 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Higher-rated than 74% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog An Unexpected Christmas belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

BINGOA musical number or live performanceA relative plays matchmakerSomeone races to catch the other before they leaveA wise elder dispenses adviceA prince, princess or royal appearsOld flames reuniteA family reconcilesA heart-to-heart on a porch or benchAn ex shows up to complicate thingsA cosy interior full of warm lightingA shared meal around a crowded tableA shared errand turns into bonding★Someone gets flustered during small talkSet in winterTwo characters fake being a coupleSomeone decorates a Christmas treeA workaholic learns to slow downA quiet moment under string lightsA second chance worth takingA misunderstanding nearly ruins everythingPlans get derailed by the weatherA first impression that turns out completely wrongA change of heart by the final actSomeone proposes marriage

Hallmark Bingo

Your An Unexpected Christmas card is dealt.

Twenty-four squares pulled from this movie’s own quirks — the cosy classics, a few only-in-this-one curveballs, and a couple of decoys. Mark them as you watch.

Open your card

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

Emily
Lead
Ad agency worker
drivenwarmadaptable
Jamie
Love interest
Emily's ex
Love interest
charmingkindreflective
Becca
Supporting
Jamie's family
Jamie's relative
warm
Diane
Supporting
Jamie's family
Jamie's relative
warm
Tom
Supporting
Jamie's family
Jamie's relative
friendly
Grandma
Supporting
Jamie's grandmother
Jamie's grandmother
wise

Questions people ask about An Unexpected Christmas

Where can I watch An Unexpected Christmas?

An Unexpected Christmas is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hallmark+ Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

How long is An Unexpected Christmas?

An Unexpected Christmas runs about 1 hour and 23 minutes, and was released in 2021.

Is An Unexpected Christmas a Christmas movie?

Yes. An Unexpected Christmas is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.

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