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Romantic comedy

Holidate (2020): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Holidate (2020) movie poster

Holidate is a 2020 romantic comedy directed by John Whitesell, starring Emma Roberts as Sloane, Luke Bracey and Frances Fisher. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. Critics gave it 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Stream it on Netflix.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
46%
Echo Score
65
Metascore
44
Holidate (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
John Whitesell
Genres
Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Holidate About?

The premise of Holidate without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Two strangers, Sloane and Jackson, despise the holidays and the pressure to be in a relationship during those times. To avoid unwanted family gatherings and awkward encounters, they make a deal to be each other's "holidate" for a year. This arrangement, initially devoid of romantic intention, sees them attending festive events as a couple. As the year progresses and they navigate increasingly absurd holiday situations, an unexpected connection begins to develop, potentially leading them to find something they didn't anticipate.

Holidate Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • holiday
  • christmas
  • date
  • love
  • unwanted gift
  • halloween
  • easter
  • mother's day
  • fourth of july
  • new year's eve
  • thanksgiving
  • cinco de mayo
+38 more
  • valentine's day
  • single woman
  • single man
  • wedding
  • ex boyfriend
  • home for the holidays
  • ugly christmas sweater
  • dysfunctional family
  • kiss
  • labor day
  • unmarried woman
  • golf pro
  • chicago illinois
  • cigarette smoking
  • tic tacs
  • family relationships
  • clapper
  • tiara
  • pants
  • pajamas
  • reference to starbucks
  • marriage proposal
  • reference to matt lauer
  • tattoo
  • reference to tiger woods
  • new year's eve party
  • reference to john lennon
  • reference to carrie
  • giant bubble
  • reference to lebron james
  • box of candy
  • easter bunny costume
  • rabbit ears
  • alcohol
  • drinking shots
  • the morning after
  • smoking marijuana
  • fireworks
Where to watch

Where to Watch Holidate

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Holidate Cast & Characters

Emma Roberts leads the cast as Sloane, with Luke Bracey as Jackson and Frances Fisher as Elaine. Directed by John Whitesell; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Holidate

· 8 more
Ratings

Holidate Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Holidate 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in sensory experience (50).

65 /100

Holidate Echo Score Breakdown

Holidate delivers a playful romantic comedy that balances lively performances with a familiar narrative. The film’s standout feature is the chemistry between its leads, which injects energy into seasonal vignettes, while production elements remain functional though unremarkable. Some viewers appreciate the brisk humor and festive variety, but the repetitive structure and reliance on genre tropes dampen sustained engagement. Ultimately, Holidate offers lighthearted enjoyment despite narrative predictability.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, Holidate demonstrates competent execution without notable distinction. The film employs straightforward framing, cohesive production design, and clean editing that support the narrative flow. Cinematography favors bright, saturated palettes consistent with holiday rom-com conventions, though few sequences stand out as visually striking. Overall, the art and craft serve the story adequately but rarely elevate the viewing experience.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, Holidate is buoyed by the engaging chemistry of its leads. Performances are energetic and often grounded in relatable mannerisms, which foster moments of genuine warmth. However, uneven depth in supporting roles and inconsistent sincerity occasionally hinder emotional resonance. Despite these fluctuations, the principal duo’s rapport sustains much of the movie’s charm and invites viewer investment in their dynamic.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, Holidate follows a predictable holiday rom-com structure with intermittent creative diversions. The pacing remains brisk, moving through seasonal vignettes, but narrative repetition and cliché plot devices limit originality. Moments of sharper humor and reflective observations emerge sporadically, yet the framework often reverts to familiar formula. Overall, the story provides light entertainment but falls short of delivering a consistently engaging journey.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When it comes to sensory experience, Holidate delivers serviceable audio and visual design without standout elements. The soundtrack consists of upbeat holiday tunes that complement the tone but rarely surprise. Sound mixing is clear, and visual styling employs vibrant color schemes typical of seasonal fare. Overall, the sensory components align with expectations for a streaming rom-com, offering cohesion but limited memorability.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch value, Holidate offers moderate appeal for subsequent viewings. The humorous holiday set pieces and lead chemistry can provide light enjoyment on repeat, particularly for those seeking background entertainment. However, repetitive plot structure and familiar comedic beats may limit long-term curiosity. Despite these recurring strengths, the film’s reliance on genre tropes suggests limited lasting appeal for broad audiences.

Plot

Holidate Plot Summary

What happens in Holidate from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Almost in her thirties, Sloane Benson (Emma Roberts) finds herself dreading the holiday season, primarily due to the relentless judgment she faces from her family for being single. After experiencing a recent breakup, her mother, Elaine (Frances Fisher), relentlessly attempts to set her up with new suitors, much to Sloane’s irritation.

Full summary

The whole story of Holidate, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Holidate Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette Kristin Chenoweth is Hilarious in Holidate
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Holidate?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Sloane's main reason for disliking the holidays?

Cars

Cars in Holidate

17 cars on screen, including the 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and the 2018 Toyota Sienna.

All 17 cars
  • 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer in Holidate 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Important role
  • 2018 Toyota Sienna in Holidate 2018 Toyota Sienna Important role
  • Chevrolet Camaro in Holidate Chevrolet Camaro Minor role
  • 2018 Chevrolet Traverse in Holidate 2018 Chevrolet Traverse Minor role
Details

Holidate Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Плюс один на свята” and “节日限定之恋”.

Also known as
  • Плюс один на свята
  • 节日限定之恋
  • 佳节限定恋人
  • 节日情侣
  • Хлопець на свята
  • ホリデーオンリー: とりあえずボッチ回避法?:2020
  • Amor com Data Marcada
  • 홀리데이트
  • 佳節限定戀人
  • Sváteční rande
  • Пара На Праздники
  • Alkalmi randevú
+14 more
  • Amor de calendario
  • הולידייט
  • 假日约会
  • Randki od święta
  • Hẹn Hò Ngày Lễ
  • Ραντεβού στις Γιορτές
  • ホリデーオンリー: とりあえずボッチ回避法?
  • Пара на свята
  • Pasimatymas per atostogas
  • ฮอลิเดท
  • تعطیلات از دست رفته
  • Iubiți de sărbători
  • 節日限定之戀
  • Празнични пар

Seen Holidate?

FAQ

Holidate FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Holidate, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Holidate?

Holidate runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Holidate released?

Holidate was released on October 28, 2020.

Who directed Holidate?

Holidate was directed by John Whitesell.

More films by John Whitesell

Who is in the cast of Holidate?

Holidate stars Emma Roberts as Sloane, Luke Bracey as Jackson and Frances Fisher as Elaine, among 12 credited actors.

Where can I watch Holidate?

In the US, Holidate is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

How is Holidate rated?

Holidate has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 46% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does Holidate have a post-credit scene?

No. Holidate has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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