What to Expect When You're Expecting
What to Expect When You're Expecting Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 16, 2026
Movie Overview: What to Expect When You're Expecting
| Movie | What to Expect When You're Expecting |
| Release Year | 2012 |
| Director | Kirk Jones |
| Genre | Romance / Comedy / Drama |
| Runtime | 110 minutes (1h 50m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Romance.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in What to Expect When You're Expecting are led by Jennifer Lopez . The supporting cast, including Chace Crawford and Anna Kendrick , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While What to Expect When You're Expecting does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Romance films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, What to Expect When You're Expecting has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Romance fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: What to Expect When You're Expecting
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2012, What to Expect When You're Expecting is a Romance, Comedy, Drama film directed by Kirk Jones, written by Shauna Cross. The narrative explores the complexities of love and relationships with emotional depth and authenticity. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jennifer Lopez as Holly.
What Is the Story of What to Expect When You're Expecting?
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Challenges of impending parenthood turn the lives of five couples upside down. Two celebrities are unprepared for the surprise demands of pregnancy; hormones wreak havoc on a baby-crazy author, while her husband tries not to be outdone by his father, who's expecting twins with his young trophy wife; a photographer's husband isn't sure about his wife's adoption plans; a one-time hook-up results in a surprise pregnancy for rival food-truck owners. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
How Is What to Expect When You're Expecting Structured?
- Opening Hook: What to Expect When You're Expecting establishes its world and central conflict efficiently, with Kirk Jones introducing Jennifer Lopez as Holly in the opening act, and over its 110-minute runtime, the pacing proves deliberate.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Jennifer Lopez's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings the narrative threads together, with Jennifer Lopez's arc reaching resolution. Kirk Jones's handling of the finale provides adequate resolution.
Ending Explained: What to Expect When You're Expecting
What to Expect When You're Expecting Ending Explained: Challenges of impending parenthood turn the lives of five couples upside down. Directed by Kirk Jones, this 2012 romance film stars Jennifer Lopez (Holly), alongside Chace Crawford as Marco, Anna Kendrick as Rosie Brennan, Cameron Diaz as Jules Baxter. With a 6/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of What to Expect When You're Expecting?
Challenges of impending parenthood turn the lives of five couples upside down. Two celebrities are unprepared for the surprise demands of pregnancy; hormones wreak havoc on a baby-crazy author, while her husband tries not to be outdone by his father, who's expecting twins with his young trophy wife; a photographer's husband isn't sure about his wife's adoption plans; a one-time hook-up results in a surprise pregnancy for rival food-truck owners.
Kirk Jones's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Jennifer Lopez (Holly)'s journey. Two celebrities are unprepared for the surprise demands of pregnancy; hormones wreak havoc on a baby-crazy author, while her husband tries not to be outdone by his father, who's expecting twins with his young trophy wife; a photographer's husband isn't sure about his wife's adoption plans; a one-time hook-up results in a surprise pregnancy for rival food-truck owners.
How Does Jennifer Lopez (Holly)'s Story End?
- Jennifer Lopez: Jennifer Lopez's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Chace Crawford (Marco): Chace Crawford's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Anna Kendrick (Rosie Brennan): Anna Kendrick's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of What to Expect When You're Expecting Mean?
What to Expect When You're Expecting's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Jennifer Lopez may feel rushed. Kirk Jones's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution. Based on 1,850 audience ratings, the consensus is that the ending is adequate but divisive.
What to Expect When You're Expecting Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is What to Expect When You're Expecting Based on a True Story?
No, What to Expect When You're Expecting is a work of fiction. While the romance, comedy, drama film directed by Kirk Jones and starring Jennifer Lopez may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch What to Expect When You're Expecting?
Age Advisory: Rated PG-13.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Romance films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Jennifer Lopez or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: What to Expect When You're Expecting
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $40.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $79.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
What to Expect When You're Expecting Budget
The estimated production budget for What to Expect When You're Expecting is $40.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Where to Watch What to Expect When You're Expecting Online?
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Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeWhat to Expect When You're Expecting Parents Guide & Age Rating
2012 AdvisoryWondering about What to Expect When You're Expecting age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012) is 110 minutes (1h 50m). Directed by Kirk Jones, the film runs for 110 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, What to Expect When You're Expecting is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2012 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is What to Expect When You're Expecting worth watching?
What to Expect When You're Expecting is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Romance movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find What to Expect When You're Expecting parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for What to Expect When You're Expecting identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012)?
The runtime of What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012) is 110 minutes (approximately 1h 50m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
