What to Expect When You're Expecting
Performance & Direction: What to Expect When You're Expecting Review
Last updated: February 2, 2026
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 Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Romance is often anchored by its ensemble, and What to Expect When You're Expecting features a noteworthy lineup led by Jennifer Lopez . Supported by the likes of Chace Crawford and Anna Kendrick , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: What to Expect When You're Expecting
Quick Plot Summary: What to Expect When You're Expecting is a Romance, Comedy, Drama film that explores the complexities of love and relationships with emotional depth and authenticity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film 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.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: What to Expect When You're Expecting
Ending Breakdown: What to Expect When You're Expecting concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to romance resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the romance themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of What to Expect When You're Expecting reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch What to Expect When You're Expecting?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Romance films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or 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.
Top Cast: What to Expect When You're Expecting
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch What to Expect When You're Expecting Online?
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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 is 110 minutes (1h 50m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
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 total runtime of What to Expect When You're Expecting?
The total duration of What to Expect When You're Expecting is 110 minutes, which is approximately 1h 50m long.
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Critic Reviews for What to Expect When You're Expecting
Decent watch, probably won't watch again, and can't recommend unless you're pregnant (or part of a couple with pregnancy). It's one of those movies where it is 4-5 stories that barely (if at all) overlap, but have some thematic connection to one another. I honestly think it's a great way to use celebrities to comprehensively cover the contents of the book of the same name. This is (clearly) targeted at pregnant women and expecting parents, and I think it does a good job of that. I don't think it does as great a job creating a decent narrative for general audiences.
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.
