The Love Hypothesis (2026)
Fake dating. Real chemistry.
Olive Smith, a biology PhD candidate, and Dr. Adam Carlsen, a hotshot professor and well-known tyrant, enter into a fake relationship, seeing each of their carefully calculated theories on love get thrown into chaos.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 23 September 2026 |
| Genre | Romance, Comedy |
| Director | Claire Scanlon |
| Starring | Lili Reinhart, Tom Bateman and Rachel Marsh |
| Runtime | 112 min |
| Rated | R |
| Scores | TMDB users 8.2/10 |
Where to watch The Love Hypothesis
The Love Hypothesis is streaming on Prime Video ($8.99 a month) in the US. If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Prime Video is $8.99 at list price.
We check availability daily. Page last updated 30 September 2026. Prices are standard monthly plans and change often, so check with the service before you sign up.
What kind of watch this is
The Love Hypothesis is a 2026 romantic comedy about a biology PhD candidate and a tyrannical professor who agree to fake a relationship. It runs 112 minutes, which is enough time for two people to pretend they do not care and fail spectacularly. Directed by Claire Scanlon, it features Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman in a story where academic theories collide with actual feelings. It is for anyone who has tried to use logic to avoid a heartbreak and ended up explaining why the heartbreak was statistically inevitable.
What the critics said
The critics were polite but not thrilled. Rotten Tomatoes sits at 76% from 49 reviews, averaging 6 out of 10. The consensus calls it a satisfying comfort watch, citing humor and palpable chemistry. Metacritic is cooler, landing at 59 from 7 critics, which files it under mixed or average. It follows a familiar formula, but the leads keep it warm. It is the kind of movie you watch to stop thinking, not to start.
How it did with audiences
TMDB users give it an 8.2 out of 10. There is no box office data to parse, nor any budget to calculate a return on. The numbers simply do not exist, which leaves the rating standing alone in the dark.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched The Love Hypothesis.
Sources
- The Love Hypothesis on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q136540069 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “The Love Hypothesis (film)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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