Hitched for the Holidays
Where to watch
United States17 ways
Canada1 way
Free
United Kingdom2 ways
Via 
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The premise
An attractive pair agrees to be each other's supposed significant other throughout the holidays to keep their meddling families at bay.
How unusual is it?
More than most. A fake relationship, mistaken identity, an actual miracle and an enemies-to-lovers arc push it well past the usual Hallmark template — the strangest 18% of everything we've logged.
Who’s in it
Behind the camera
ShowHide
Directed by
Written by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- The protagonist's mother has 'visions' and believes the love interest has healing powers.
- The Catholic family uses Kwanzaa lamps as menorahs because they couldn't find real ones.
- The protagonist steals a police horse to navigate Times Square traffic.
- The grandmother's health is tied directly to the status of the fake relationship.
- The protagonist's mother admits she used to 'disappear' to motels for days to escape her family.
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 34 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Romance7
Why we’d put this one on
A classic fake-dating setup with more chaos than usual. After both get dumped on Thanksgiving, Robbie and Julie answer a "Rickyslist" ad to be each other's pretend partner and get their meddling families off their backs. Joey Lawrence and Emily Hampshire have an easy bickering rhythm, and the families pile complication on complication: a grandmother whose health seems tied to the romance, a Catholic clan improvising menorahs out of Kwanzaa lamps, and Christmas, Chanukah, and New Year's all colliding at once. At one point a stolen police horse gets involved in navigating Times Square. It is a busy, big-hearted holiday farce that earns its happy chaos.
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
The film opens on Thanksgiving with Robbie Marino breaking up with his high-maintenance girlfriend and Julie Greene being pressured by her mother to reunite with her dull ex-boyfriend, Jeffrey the podiatrist. Facing intense family pressure—specifically Robbie's grandmother Theresa, whose dying wish is to see him settled, and Julie's mother Maxine, who won't stop matchmaking—the two strangers turn to 'Rickyslist.' They agree to a 'strictly hands-off' arrangement to act as holiday escorts through New Year's. The deception begins awkwardly when Robbie introduces Julie to his grandmother as 'Rosemary' (a name he panicked and invented), and Julie introduces Robbie to her Jewish family as a fellow member of the faith. A major turning point occurs when Grandma Theresa, previously suffering from congestive heart failure, makes a 'miracle' recovery after meeting Julie, which Robbie's mother Evie attributes to Julie's 'powers.' To keep the ruse alive, Robbie claims he is converting to Judaism to explain why his Catholic family must hide their Christmas decorations during a joint family dinner. This leads to a bizarre 'Chanukah' celebration at the Marino household featuring 'Kwanzaa lamps' used as makeshift menorahs and a 'Chanukah tree.' The tension peaks when Grandma Theresa faints, and in the ensuing hospital chaos, the truth is revealed: they aren't engaged, Robbie isn't Jewish, and Julie was the one who dumped her previous fiancé, contrary to her 'nice girl' image. The two part ways, hurt by the layers of dishonesty. However, after a heart-to-heart with his mother about her own history of 'disappearing' due to stress, Robbie realizes he loves Julie. On New Year's Eve, Robbie accepts a permanent job offer and, unable to find a taxi in gridlocked Times Square, commandeers a police horse. He chases Julie down, confesses his love, and explains that he was only afraid of commitment because of his childhood fears. Julie forgives him, and they share a kiss as the ball drops, finally starting a real relationship.
Beat by beat
Opening
Robbie and Julie both experience holiday-related breakups and family pressure on Thanksgiving, leading them to post/respond to a 'Rickyslist' ad for a fake partner.
Inciting Incident
Robbie tells his dying grandmother he is marrying a woman named 'Rosemary,' forcing Julie to adopt a secret identity when they meet.
Midpoint
Grandma Theresa makes a miraculous recovery, which the Marino family believes is due to Julie's presence, making it impossible for the couple to break up as planned.
Complication
Robbie tells his parents he is converting to Judaism to facilitate a dinner with Julie's parents, leading to a disastrously faked Chanukah celebration.
Climax
The truth about the fake relationship and Julie's past is revealed at the hospital; the couple breaks up over the lack of honesty.
Resolution
Robbie steals a police horse in Times Square to catch Julie before midnight, confessing his love and his fear of commitment.
Did you know?
A few things that make this one stand out once you stack it up against every other Hallmark movie.
It's 1 of only 14 Hallmark movies to combine a fake relationship that turns into enemies-to-lovers.
34 tropes in one movie
We counted 34 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 54% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog Hitched for the Holidays belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
- Best Hallmark Christmas MoviesIt is, of course, a Christmas movie.
- Hallmark Thanksgiving MoviesSet at Thanksgiving.
- Hallmark Hanukkah MoviesA Hanukkah story.
- Hallmark New Year's MoviesRings in the new year.
- Hallmark Fake Relationship MoviesBuilt on a fake-dating setup.
- Hallmark Enemies-to-Lovers MoviesStarts with sparks of the wrong kind.
Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“I got, Kwanzaa lamps. But on the bright side, they're exactly like the picture you showed me.”
— Evie MarinoExplaining the makeshift Chanukah decorations to Julie's Jewish parents. “Get off that horse!”
— Julie GreeneSeeing Robbie arrive on a police horse in the middle of New York City. “I'm not 'jumping ship' I'm just being realistic about our future.”
— Robbie MarinoBreaking up with his girlfriend at the start of the film.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Robbie Marino
LeadFreelance Art Director
Commitment-phobicFamily-orientedImpulsiveJulie Greene
LeadTheater Critic
Love interest
Conflict-averseDishonest about her feelingsNiceEvie Marino
SupportingHomemaker
Robbie's Mother
SuperstitiousIntuitiveEccentricTheresa Scotti
SupportingRetired
Robbie's Grandmother
ResilientTraditionalMatchmaker
Questions people ask about Hitched for the Holidays
Where can I watch Hitched for the Holidays?
Hitched for the Holidays is available via fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Philo. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is Hitched for the Holidays?
Hitched for the Holidays runs about 1 hour and 27 minutes, and was released in 2012.
Is Hitched for the Holidays a Christmas movie?
Yes. Hitched for the Holidays is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.
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Data and sources
Curated by the Talking Hallmark team.Last updated .