Abbott & Costello Christmas Show (1952)

Rated: NR

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello

Synopsis: This delightful Christmas special stars the brilliant comedy team of Abbott and Costello as they perform on The Colgate Comedy Hour.

Review: This is not just Abbott and Costello doing comedy.  There are dancers, singers, and acrobats.  It is both funny and entertaining.  It’s just not really Christmassy. 

Scoring: 3

Abominable Christmas (2019)

Rated: NR

Genres: Animated, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Ariel Winter, Drake Bell, Emilio Estevez, Jane Lynch, Matthew Lillard, and Ray Liotta

Synopsis: Despite repeated warnings about humans from their father, the Abominable Snowman, two Abominable Snowkids find themselves in a sleepy Colorado mountain town after being chased out of their hideaway by a scientist determined to capture them.

Review:  I really enjoyed this movie.  It is one of those that appeals to children as well as adults.  The story keeps moving, the characters and plot are interesting, and it has a great message about family being the most important part of Christmas.

Scoring: 3.5

An Accidental Christmas (2007)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Cynthia Gibb and David Millbern

Synopsis: Parents are tricked into spending Christmas together by their children. The children spend the vacation trying to get the parents back together. 

Review:  While it’s not unusual to have a story about children trying to get their parents back together, this is done with a different feel. It’s a fairly accurate look at what many couples and families go through. Despite the theme it’s still not very deep or dark. It’s an easy watch. 

Scoring: 3.5

Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights (2002)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Musical

Starring: Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Kevin Nealon, Jon Lovitz, and Tyra Banks

Synopsis: Davey Stone, an alcoholic with a criminal record, is sentenced to community service under the supervision of an elderly referee. Davey is then faced with trying to reform and abandon his bad habits.

Review: This is mainly focused on Hanukkah, as indicated by the title. It’s definitely not a movie for young children. Tweens may love the potty humor. I found it to be okay but for me it’s just a one and done.

Scoring: 2.5

Adventures in Christmasing (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Kim Fields and Adrian Holmes

Synopsis: Parker Baldwin finds her Christmas plans upended when her network persuades her to spend three days in the wild with survivalist Finn Holt for a holiday television event.

Review: I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but it blew all my expectations away. The power of Fields and Holmes together is palpable. When Finn talks about his father, I got goosebumps. It’s not a lighthearted fun movie. It’s an emotional drama but they take you on their emotional journey. 

Scoring: 4

Aisle Be Home for Christmas (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Jennifer Freeman and Garrett Watson

Synopsis: Two exes finally reconnect when a snowstorm leaves them stranded in a superstore (without mobile service or Wi-Fi) just before Christmas.

Review: This is a sweet story. I think they’d have a great comedy if they took the romance part out. It’s fun watching them entertain themselves in the store. It just felt like it needed a little something more. 

Scoring: 3

Albert (2016)

Rated: G

Genres: Animated, Fantasy

Starring: Katie Crown

Synopsis: Albert, a little Douglas fir tree who loves Christmas more than anyone, goes on a road trip from his little nursery to the big city to make his dreams come true.

Review: This reminds me of Toy Story but with plants instead of toys.  It’s a sweet adventure for children and families.  There are good messages, like everyone is important.

Scoring: 3

Alien Xmas (2020)

Rated: TV-Y

Genres: Animation, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Dee Bradley Baker

Synopsis: When extraterrestrials attempt to steal Earth's gravity, only the gift-giving spirit of Christmas -- and a small Alien named X -- can save the world.

Review: A delightfully original and entertaining movie.  It has fun little touches all throughout the movie to keep you amused and engaged.  Things like guns that shoot wreaths and ribbon, Santa’s candy cane turning into nunchucks, and the adorable little puppies.  The message of greed making our lives colorless and how giving and receiving makes our lives colorful and special.  This is one the whole family should enjoy.

Scoring: 3.5

All About Christmas Eve (2012)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Haylie Duff, Chris Carmack, Connie Sellecca, and Patrick Muldoon

Synopsis: Evelyn’s future depends on whether or not she makes a flight to Los Angeles. She lives out both futures in parallel. In one she plans a huge Christmas event, and in the other she becomes an artist.

Review:  This is the Christmas version of Sliding Doors. It’s interesting to see how different and yet similar the paths are that Evelyn takes in each future and how she handles them. I found myself not sure of which path I was rooting for. It kept me interested and paying attention. Either way, I was rooting for her to find her happy ending.

Scoring: 4

All American Christmas Carol (2015)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Family

Starring: Taryn Manning, Beverly D'Angelo, Wendi McLendon-Covey. Shiri Appleby, Eric Roberts, and Meatloaf

Synopsis: A white-trash mom is visited by three ghosts intent on showing her a path to a brighter future.

Review: I don’t like them using the term white-trash.  She is a woman with three children, all with different fathers.  She doesn’t work and if she has a dime, she spends it on herself and neglects her children.  The ghosts show her how her behavior impacts others, especially her children.  It’s definitely a fresh take on the old tale.

Scoring: 3

An All Dogs Christmas Carol (1998)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy

Starring: Ernest Borgnine, Dom Deluise, Sheena Easton, Bebe Neuwirth, Charles Nelson Reilly, Steven Weber

Synopsis: Canines Charlie and Itchie try to stop bulldog Carface from ruining the holidays.

Review: I felt like I was missing something because I hadn’t seen All Dogs Go To Heaven, part 1 or 2.  This felt like a continuation of those stories.  This expected you to know the characters and their relationships.  If you can watch the others first, I think you’ll like this more.  Even still, I enjoyed it.  The music is good.  It’s got sweet and funny.  It’s a children’s movie that many adults will enjoy.  Good for families.

Scoring: 3

All I Didn’t Want for Christmas (2022)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Darin Baker, and Loretta Devine

Synopsis: In a bid to make this Christmas not suck, Emily drunkenly writes a letter to Santa.

Review: There were some slow moments but most of it was really funny.  We were laughing out loud.  There’s also a little bit of drama but mostly comedy.  This is the movie for people who don’t like romcoms and want something different.

Scoring: 3.5

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Genres: Family, Romance

Genre: Comedy, Family

Synopsis: An attractive young woman unexpectedly meets Santa's helper who grants her an extraordinary Christmas wish with a pin that allows her to hear the thoughts of others.

Review: Very cheesy movie but a good message. It feels like it is quite slow and goes back and forth between silly and serious. It was okay but I wouldn’t watch it again.

Scoring: 2

All I Want For Christmas Is You (2017)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Family

Starring: Mariah Carey, Henry Winkler, and Lacey Chabert

Synopsis: The film centers on young Mariah, a little girl who dreams of getting a dog for Christmas year after year. This Christmas her dream is fueled after seeing a puppy named Princess at the local pet store. To see if she's ready for the responsibility, Mariah is tasked with dog-sitting her uncle's crazy canine Jack, who upends the family's holiday preparations with his various shenanigans.

Review:  It’s a cute animated film for children and Mariah fans. I found Mariah’s presence distracting in what was otherwise a typically adorable story.

                                                                Scoring: 3

All I Want Is Christmas (2012)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family

Starring: Elliott Gould and David DeLuise

Synopsis: A Christmas obsessed Jewish boy on his way to sunny Florida figures out how to get the Christmas of his dreams by trading airline tickets and places with another boy on his way to snowy Christmastown, WA.

Review: I enjoyed how each boy wanted what he didn’t have but then realized the joy of what he did have.  It wasn’t hysterical but it was funny and I really enjoyed it.  It looks at families and how each person affects others.  This would be a good family film.

Scoring: 3

All Is Bright (2013)

Rated: R

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Starring: Paul Giamatti, Paul Rudd, and Sally Hawkins

Synopsis: While out on parole, Dennis reluctantly takes a job selling Christmas trees with his old buddy Rene in order to make enough money to buy his estranged daughter the piano she's always wanted.

Review: I did not like this movie at all.  It’s so depressing.  The drama isn’t the make you feel emotions type, it’s just overdone and ridiculous.  The actors are good but they didn’t have a good story to work with.

Scoring: 1

All Saints Christmas (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Ledisi and Roger Cross

Synopsis: It tells the story of Lisette, a popular singer who's getting ready to travel home for Christmas. When the media mistake a photo of her with her ex as an engagement announcement, her family insists that he join her on the trip.

Review: This is a wonderful story.  Lisette’s relationship with Matthew takes center stage, but all the other relationships provide a beautiful harmony.  While music unites the characters, it doesn’t take over the movie.  It’s very enjoyable even with the predictable ending.

Scoring: 3

Alone At Christmas (2019)

Rated: NR

Genre: Comedy

Starring: The Wright Family

Synopsis: Three girls, home alone, have to defend their house, and presents against an obviously fake Santa Claus who has come to steal all of their presents.

Review: Clearly a low budget film made by a family, this is the weirdest movie I may have ever seen.  Mom leaves the girls to go to work with orders not to answer the door.  Of course, they do.  It doesn’t matter.  The fake Santa who at times seems drunk and at other times seems to be under the influence of drugs including hallucinogenics, gets in anyway.  The girls don’t call 911 or their mom.  They capture him using “Home Alone” type antics.  Mom gets home and lectures the Santa about the birth of Jesus.  Turns out, the fake Santa is really the dad and mom was dreaming.  I don’t mind spoiling the ending because you shouldn’t waste your time with this movie.

Scoring: 1

Alone For Christmas (2013)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: David DeLouise and Kevin Sorbo

Synopsis: When a family visits Grandma's house on Christmas Eve, they leave their dog at home alone. And when burglars try to take the presents from under the tree, the dog must use every trick it knows to stop them.

Review: Yet another boring dog movie. They tried to make a dog version of Home Alone but it didn’t work.  The only possible positive thing is children may enjoy the dogs. Of all the talking dog movies I’d save this one for last. 

Scoring: 1

A Lot Like Christmas (2019)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Jonathan Robinson, Calvin Hall, and Helaina Simon

Synopsis: After not seeing his family for seven years, PJ gets talked into going home for Christmas by his coworkers.  There he’s confronted with a surprise.  His father who left when he was a child has returned to reconcile.

Review: This was painful to sit through it was so bad.  The acting was horrible and the story was almost as bad.  Please save your time.  

Scoring: 1

A Lot Like Christmas (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Maggie Lawson and Christopher Russell

Synopsis: A new big box chain store threatens Jessica’s Christmas tree lot when it begins to sell trees.

Review: This movie is filled with loving characters and more trees than you can count.  Unfortunately, the plot of saving the family business from the big conglomerate feels stale here.  The story needs a little something.  It’s still nice to watch and Lawson and Russell are a good pair.

Scoring: 3

Always and Forever Christmas (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

Starring: Lexi Lawson and Mark Ghanimé

Synopsis: When a marketing executive learns that she's inherited her grandfather's year-round Christmas store, she makes a trip back home to support the store during its final Christmas season before she sells it to a hip athletic leisurewear company.

Review: This is a very sweet and light-hearted movie.  It mixes in a few fun characters, an amazing small town, lots of Christmas tradition, and some subtle Christmas magic.  It doesn’t have a lot of surprises and is a little sappy at times but it’s really enjoyable.  I wasn’t completely happy with the ending but I’ll watch again.

Scoring: 3.5

American Christmas (2019)

Rated: TV-MA

Genres: Comedy, Family

Starring: Robert Carradine, Tara Reid, and Clint Howard

Synopsis: After another ruined Christmas dinner, a mother is determined to make her family reflect on their misdeeds.

Review: Wow.  This movie created new levels of horrible.  There wasn’t a single likable character.  Mom doing a Christmas Past revenge Christmas goes horribly wrong, of course, and only shows how awful the whole family is.  It doesn’t even get interesting until Clint Howard shows up and he has a small part.  Do yourself a favor and skip this one.

Scoring: 1

An American Christmas Carol (1979)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Fantasy

Starring: Henry Winkler

Synopsis: In an American town, an old bitter miser is given a ghostly chance at redemption on Christmas Eve. 

Review: This is an adaptation of the original that takes place in New England during the depression. It’s an interesting look at the story and American history. It’s a little slow but a lot of the Christmas Carol movies are. Overall, it’s worth watching. 

Scoring: 3

An American Girl Holiday: Samantha (2004)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Mia Farrow, Jordan Bridges, and Rebecca Mader

Synopsis: A wealthy child befriends three poor sisters. 

Review: This movie isn’t about Christmas. The end includes Christmastime.  But it’s educational and teaches about turn of the century society. It also includes good messages, like kindness, giving, and equality. It would be a good family film to start discussions. 

Scoring: 3

An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955 (2016)

Rated: TV-Y 

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Mary McCormack

Synopsis: Maryellen discovers that the best gift is thinking of others first and is determined to make the holiday special for those who need it most.

Review: Full disclosure, I’ve never seen anything American Girl before. I did like this film. It’s very wholesome and full of positive messages about giving and treating the disabled with dignity. This would be a wonderful movie for families to watch together and talk about.

Scoring: 3