40 Dates and 40 Nights is a 2026 romantic comedy that arrived in select US theaters on June 26, 2026, before moving to digital and VOD platforms on June 30, 2026. Starring Bailee Madison, the film follows a burned-out single woman who accepts her grandmother’s outrageous challenge: go on 40 dates in 40 nights in exchange for a full year of paid rent.
Release Date Timeline
40 Dates and 40 Nights had a somewhat evolving release schedule, with early reports citing a June 16, 2026 theatrical date before the film ultimately opened in select theaters on June 26, 2026, distributed by Brainstorm Media. The movie then became available on digital and video-on-demand platforms on June 30, 2026, giving audiences who missed the limited theatrical run a quick path to streaming access.
The Plot
The story follows Leah, played by Bailee Madison, who is exhausted by modern dating and ready to give up entirely. When her roommate suddenly moves away, leaving her unable to cover rent, Leah turns to her eccentric grandmother, Gigi, played by Annie Potts, for help. Gigi proposes an unusual wager: if Leah goes on 40 dates in 40 nights, Gigi will cover a full year of her rent. What starts as a financial arrangement turns into a journey of self-discovery as Leah realizes her biggest obstacle to love might be herself.
Cast and Crew
The film stars Bailee Madison, known for Pretty Little Liars, in the lead role of Leah, alongside Joel Courtney of The Kissing Booth fame as a potential love interest. Annie Potts, recognized from Young Sheldon and Ghostbusters, plays Leah’s grandmother Gigi, and Jai Rodriguez of Queer Eye also appears in the cast. The movie is directed by British indie filmmaker Andy Delaney, previously known for Love Is Blind, with a screenplay written by Sarah ‘Howie’ Howard.
Where to Watch 40 Dates and 40 Nights
After its limited theatrical run, 40 Dates and 40 Nights became available to rent or purchase on major digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home starting June 30, 2026. The film runs approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes and carries a rating suitable for audiences 13 and older, with some content involving drinking and mild language.
How It Compares to the 2002 Film 40 Days and 40 Nights
The title 40 Dates and 40 Nights is a playful spin on the 2002 romantic comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights, which starred Josh Hartnett and Shannyn Sossamon in a story about a man giving up sex for Lent. Beyond the similar-sounding title, the two films share no direct connection in plot or characters, with the 2026 film instead centering entirely on the dating challenge premise rather than any religious or abstinence theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was 40 Dates and 40 Nights released? It opened in select US theaters on June 26, 2026, and became available on digital and VOD on June 30, 2026. Who stars in 40 Dates and 40 Nights? Bailee Madison leads the cast as Leah, alongside Joel Courtney, Annie Potts, and Jai Rodriguez. Is 40 Dates and 40 Nights related to the 2002 movie 40 Days and 40 Nights? No, aside from a similar-sounding title, the two films are unrelated and have entirely different plots.
The Bottom Line
40 Dates and 40 Nights delivers a lighthearted, familiar romcom premise that leans into its kooky central wager for laughs while still making room for genuine emotional growth in its lead character. With its short theatrical window and quick digital release, most viewers looking to catch the film should expect to find it available for rental or purchase online rather than in theaters at this point, making it an easy watch-at-home option for fans of the genre.