The Good Witch's Destiny

7.1/10 · 1,812 ratings20131h 22mHalloweenWeirdness 7/10Bingo card

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The premise

Cassie is having a birthday party with family and friends invited. For school, Lori researches Cassie's great aunt, who disappeared. She finds similarities to Cassie.

How unusual is it?

More than most. Magic and an actual miracle push it well past the usual Hallmark template — the strangest 12% of everything we've logged.

Who’s in it

You’ve seen this pairing before: Catherine Bell and Chris Potter have made 7 Hallmark movies together.

Behind the camera

Show

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

  • A magical satchel with a secret pocket that ruins a multi-million dollar business deal
  • A supernatural curse involving a 'Grey Lady' who fainted and disappeared on her birthday
  • Incense that smells like a skunk when used incorrectly
  • A 100-degree heatwave in October in a small Illinois-style town

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 28 to find more movies that do the same thing.

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 begins with Cassie Nightingale receiving a shipment of antique magic props at her shop, Bell, Book, and Candle. She expresses a deep desire to have her entire family together for her birthday on October 24th, sensing that her children, Lori and Brandon, are growing up and moving toward different futures. Meanwhile, Gwen’s estranged son, Drew, returns to Middleton with his fiancée Helen to finalize a major business deal for a financial app he developed. Martha Tinsdale, the eccentric mayor, has pivoted into wedding planning but is plagued by a foul odor in her shop from a nearby leak. Cassie attempts to help both: she gives Drew a vintage magician's satchel and provides Martha with a 'cleansing' incense. However, the 'magic' seemingly backfires. Drew loses a critical page of his contract in a secret pocket of the satchel, leading him to accidentally sign away his rights and lose his fortune, which prompts Helen to leave him. Martha uses too much incense, resulting in a smoke-filled shop that smells like a skunk. As a heatwave grips the town, Lori researches the 'Grey Lady' (Elizabeth Merriwick), who disappeared on her birthday—the same day as Cassie’s. Lori becomes convinced that Cassie is in danger of repeating history. Tensions rise when Brandon and Tara impulsively decide to elope, and Jake blames Cassie for encouraging their 'perfect moment.' A fire breaks out at Cassie's shop, and Cassie suffers a fainting spell from the heat, further mirroring the Grey Lady's legend. Drew, bitter and broke, is arrested by Jake on suspicion of arson after being seen loitering near the shop. On the day of her birthday, Cassie seemingly vanishes, leaving her phone behind. Jake and Lori frantically search for her, fearing the worst. Lori's research eventually reveals that the Grey Lady didn't die but escaped an oppressive father to become a successful writer under a pseudonym. The mystery of Cassie's disappearance is resolved when the family finds her at Grey House; she had secretly arranged the entire party there because Gwen's cottage was unavailable. The arson is debunked as an accident caused by a painter's rag. Drew reconciles with his mother and his former love, Mia, after George helps him fix his legal contract. Brandon and Tara decide to postpone their wedding for two years, and the family celebrates together, breaking the perceived curse of the Grey Lady.

Beat by beat

  1. Opening

    Cassie receives magic props and announces her wish for a full family gathering for her birthday on October 24th.

  2. Inciting Incident

    Drew returns to town and receives a magician's satchel from Cassie, which contains a secret pocket that causes him to lose his business deal.

  3. Midpoint

    A record heatwave hits Middleton as Lori discovers the 'Grey Lady' disappeared on her birthday, which is also Cassie's birthday.

  4. Rising Action

    A fire breaks out at Cassie's shop and she faints from dehydration, heightening fears of a curse; Drew is arrested for arson.

  5. Climax

    Cassie disappears on her birthday, leading Jake and Lori to believe the Grey Lady's fate has befallen her.

  6. Resolution

    Cassie is found hosting a surprise party; the arson is proven accidental, and Drew reconciles with his family and his ex-girlfriend.

28 tropes in one movie

We counted 28 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

The backstory

The Good Witch's Destiny is a 2013 Canadian-American television film and Hallmark Channel original movie written by Annie Young Frisbie and directed by Craig Pryce. The film stars Catherine Bell, Chris Potter, Hannah Endicott-Douglas, Matthew Knight, Peter MacNeill, Catherine Disher, Robin Dunne, and Elizabeth Lennie.
From Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

How it stacks up

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

Rating 7.1 vs every rated Hallmark moviemedian 6.4This movie · 7.1567

Higher-rated than 95% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog The Good Witch's Destiny belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

The Good WitchPart of the 12-film The Good Witch series.

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

  • “One day you're gonna stop surprising me.”
    — Jake RussellJake reacting to Cassie's sudden setup of magic props.
  • “Destiny is not something within anyone's power.”
    — Cassie NightingaleCassie explaining her philosophy to a bitter Drew.
  • “Never let anybody tell you to give up a story. That just means the story has just begun.”
    — Lori RussellLori quoting her professor's own book back to her.

Meet the characters

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

  • Cassie Nightingale

    Lead

    Shop Owner

    IntuitiveCalmMysteriousNurturing
  • Jake Russell

    Love interest

    Chief of Police

    Husband

    ProtectiveSkepticalDevoted
  • Lori Russell

    Supporting

    Student/Journalist

    Stepdaughter

    InquisitiveAnxiousDetermined
  • Drew Wyatt

    Supporting

    Software Developer

    Son of Cassie's friend Gwen

    BitterAmbitiousMisguided
  • Martha Tinsdale

    Supporting

    Mayor/Wedding Planner

    Friend/Town Mayor

    EccentricDramaticWell-meaning

Questions people ask about The Good Witch's Destiny

Where can I watch The Good Witch's Destiny?

The Good Witch's Destiny is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hallmark+ Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

Is there a sequel to The Good Witch's Destiny?

Yes. The Good Witch's Destiny is followed by The Good Witch's Wonder.

How long is The Good Witch's Destiny?

The Good Witch's Destiny runs about 1 hour and 22 minutes, and was released in 2013.

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Data and sources

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Sources:IMDbTMDBWikipedia