Finding exactly where to watch 12 Dates of Christmas has become surprisingly annoying lately. You’d think a holiday title would be easy to track down, but the name is used for a cult-classic movie, a high-drama reality show, and a brand-new scripted series. Honestly, if you just search the title and click the first link, there is a 50% chance you’ll end up watching a romantic reality competition in an Austrian castle when you actually wanted Amy Smart stuck in a time loop.
It’s a mess. Let’s fix it.
Whether you are looking for the 2011 ABC Family gem, the Max (formerly HBO Max) reality seasons, or the fresh-for-2025 Mae Whitman series, the streaming rights have shifted around like fruitcake at a white elephant exchange.
The Reality Show: Where to Watch 12 Dates of Christmas (2020-2021)
This is the one people usually get confused about. This was a Max Original reality series—think The Bachelor but with significantly more tinsel and heavy knit sweaters. It ran for two seasons and was narrated by the hilarious Natasha Rothwell.
Currently, the reality version of 12 Dates of Christmas has a bit of a complicated home. While it started on HBO Max, it’s not always there depending on your region because of those weird "content purges" streamers love to do.
In the United States, you can often find the reality series on Max, but if it’s missing from the library, your best bet is Apple TV or Amazon Video, where seasons are typically available for digital purchase. If you're in Canada, Crave has been the reliable home for both seasons of this snowy dating drama.
The 2011 Movie: The Amy Smart and Mark-Paul Gosselaar Classic
If you're looking for the scripted movie where Kate keeps reliving the same blind date over and over, you're looking for the 2011 ABC Family original. It’s basically Groundhog Day but with more "mistletoe-induced" anxiety.
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For years, this lived on Disney+ because Disney owns ABC Family (now Freeform). However, it recently vanished from the US and Canadian Disney+ libraries.
Right now, you’ve basically got two choices:
- Hulu: This is the most consistent spot to stream the movie during the holiday season. It usually pops up as part of their "Hulu for the Holidays" rotation.
- Digital Purchase: You can buy or rent it on Google Play, Vudu, or Apple TV. It’s usually around four bucks to rent, which is cheaper than a peppermint mocha.
The New Kid: Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas (2025)
Wait, there's another one? Yes.
Hallmark recently launched a scripted series called Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas (note the slight name change) starring Mae Whitman and Julian Morris. This one is a limited series that premiered in December 2025.
If this is the version of 12 Dates of Christmas you’re hunting for, you won’t find it on Netflix or Max. It is exclusive to Hallmark+.
You can also find it through "Prime Video Channels" or "YouTube Primetime Channels" if you add the Hallmark subscription to your existing account. It’s probably the most polished version of the "12 dates" concept we've seen yet, mostly because Mae Whitman is charming in everything she touches.
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Why Can’t I Find It on Netflix?
You aren't crazy. You probably remember seeing a holiday dating show on Netflix and assumed it was this. You’re likely thinking of Say I Do or Love is Blind. 12 Dates of Christmas has never officially been a Netflix property.
The streaming world is basically a game of musical chairs. Shows like the reality version are "Max Originals," meaning they are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Unless they license it out to someone like Tubi or Roku (which happens sometimes with "Sunsetted" content), it stays in their vault.
International Streaming: Watching Outside the US
If you are trying to find where to watch 12 Dates of Christmas in the UK, Australia, or beyond, the rules change.
In the UK, the 2011 movie actually stayed on Disney+ much longer than it did in the States. Check there first. For the reality show, it often lands on Hayu or local platforms like Binge in Australia.
If you're traveling and your home library isn't showing the title, many people use a VPN to point their location back to the US to access their Hallmark+ or Hulu accounts. It's a bit of a hoop to jump through, but that's the state of streaming in 2026.
How to Make Sure You’re Watching the Right Version
Before you hit "play" and commit to a 45-minute episode, check the thumbnail.
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- Does it look like a movie? If you see Amy Smart or Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Zack Morris himself), you’re watching the 2011 time-loop movie.
- Does it look like a competition? If there are three "leads" in a castle and a lot of people crying over roses or ornaments, it’s the Max reality show.
- Is it a TV show with Mae Whitman? That’s the 2025 Hallmark series.
Actionable Steps for Your Watch Party
If you want to watch 12 Dates of Christmas tonight without the headache, follow this sequence:
Check Hulu first if you want the 2011 movie. If it's not there, it’s a $3.99 rental on Amazon or YouTube.
For the reality show, open the Max app and search. If it’s gone, you’ll have to buy the season on Apple TV.
For the new 2025 series, grab a 7-day free trial of Hallmark+. Just remember to cancel it before the week is up if you aren't planning on a deep dive into the When Calls the Heart cinematic universe.
Verify the release year in the metadata before you buy anything. There is nothing worse than paying for a rental only to realize you bought a reality show instead of a rom-com.