Skip to content
MovieCove
One Small Hitch

One Small Hitch

Love with strings attached.

2013105 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 65th percentile of all films
Director
John Burgess
Starring
Shane McRae, Aubrey Dollar, Daniel J. Travanti, Janet Ulrich Brooks

On a flight home to Chicago for a family wedding, childhood friends Josh and Molly innocently agree to fake a wedding engagement to make Josh's dying father happy. Things quickly get out of hand with their two boisterous families, and a series of events causes them to pretend to be a couple and start planning a phony wedding. When the playacting begins to foster real feelings, the two must make some serious decisions: Split up and return to their lives in LA, or make a life as a couple back in Chicago?

Where to watch

Where can I watch One Small Hitch?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists One Small Hitch streaming on Prime Video and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV.

Subscription

Free

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about One Small Hitch?

One Small Hitch earns 6 badges, led by Awards magnet and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is One Small Hitch worth watching?

One Small Hitch's Midcredits score is the 65th percentile of all films, from 10K ratings across 4 sources. 60% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

65th percentile

Better received than 65% of films

73rd percentile among Comedy65th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)62nd
Approval (how many liked it)66th

65 /100

62nd percentile of all films

71st percentile among Comedy62nd percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.8 — solid but not unanimous.

60% liked it

66th percentile of all films

73rd percentile among Comedy66th percentile among 2010s
60% rated it 7–1040% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 49 wins / 50 noms overall

83rd percentile

10K ratings across platforms

81st percentile among Comedy84th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 26% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$500K
Opening weekend$5.3K
Domestic gross$8K
Worldwide gross$21K

Returned 0.0× its budget — 12th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A predictable, formulaic romantic comedy that relies on the fake-engagement trope.

Fans praised

  • cute leads with strong chemistry
  • genuinely funny dialogue and humorous situations
  • heartwarming feel-good romance

Detractors panned

  • offensive male lead who sleeps around while the female lead pines
  • formulaic, predictable script with weak character logic

What stands out

ActingDivisive70

leads and supporting cast praised as charming and believable by fans; detractors find them subpar

Humor70

genuinely funny and laugh-out-loud moments praised by fans

Dialogue65

funny and witty banter, especially the 'Oh no you didn't' exchange

Pacing60

generally brisk and engaging except a filler clothing-store scene

Emotional impactDivisive50

tear-jerking for fans; detractors unmoved by sentimental manipulation

CharactersDivisive45

Molly endearing but Josh's womanizing widely criticized as unromantic

Plot and storyDivisive40

extremely predictable fake-engagement premise; logistically implausible

Originality15

formulaic rom-com with no narrative surprises

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 17 points higher than men.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 16 points higher than non-US viewers.

Watch experience

What is One Small Hitch like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
WarmJoyfulRomantic
Heaviest: middle
Dry humor
Register
WarmRomantic · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its romantic premise and family entanglements with affectionate humor and sincerity.
The rideThe film maintains a light, warm mood with joyful and romantic beats; the emotional weight is moderate and peaks during family conflicts.
StructureConventional three-act structure with setup, complications, and resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a warm, happy impression of love found through deception turned sincere.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% (this title) · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe film follows a classic romantic comedy pattern where a fake engagement leads to real love amid family chaos.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9% (this title)
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsRomantic love · 15% of filmsDeception · 9% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film revolves around family expectations and the lengths taken to preserve a dying father's peace, with a fake engagement that slowly becomes real.
StanceThe film closely observes its protagonists navigating family bonds and romantic love without strong moral judgment, keeping the focus personal.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanSuburbanDomesticIn transitRealistic
Orchestral classicalElectronicSupportive music · original score · Cody Westheimer
SettingLos Angeles and Chicago for a wedding weekend
MusicA light, playful score that underscores the comedic and tender moments.

Content guide

Is One Small Hitch okay for kids?

Not Rated

One Small Hitch is not rated. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (11/100), sexual content at moderate (48/100), language at moderate (43/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (38/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 1 other country
  • Germany6
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (30 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does One Small Hitch have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in One Small Hitch?

Cast

Shane McRae
as Josh Shiffman
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Aubrey Dollar
as Molly Mahoney
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Daniel J. Travanti
as Max Shiffman
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Janet Ulrich Brooks
as Frida Shiffman
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Robert Belushi
as Sean Mahoney
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Rebecca Spence
as Carla Mahoney
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Heidi Johanningmeier
as Giselle Brousard
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Mary Jo Faraci
as Doreen Mahoney
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Ron Dean
as Art Burke
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jen Lilley
as Larissa
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like One Small Hitch?

Movies like One Small Hitch include Look Who's Talking (1989), License to Wed (2007) and Socha Na Tha (2005). Of the 12 closest matches, most are friends-to-lovers stories, and most are films set in the suburbs.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its story type: romantic comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with One Small Hitch?

1.8K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: friends to lovers. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.