As corny as this watered-down version of Cinderella is, I still liked it. We know the Cinderella story so we know how it’s going to go but that doesn’t take away from the experience.

A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Musical, Romance 

Starring: Laura Marano, Greg Sulkin, and Barclay Hope

Synopsis: Despite her vain stepmother and mean stepsisters, an aspiring singer works as an elf at a Christmas tree lot and finds her own holiday miracle. 

Review: This is a little over the top in its portrayal of the stepmother and sisters. At times it borders on ridiculous. But the music is fairly good and it’s a new Cinderella adaptation. I think the best audience for this is tweens. 

Scoring: 2.5

Clara’s Ultimate Christmas (2018)

Rated: NR

Genre: Family

Starring: Kearstin Moore

Synopsis: A tech savvy ten year old video blogger's "Ultimate Christmas" unravels into chaos when her dad leaves to NY two days before Christmas and her dog, Luke, runs away leaving her in utter despair.

Review: This was really cute for a low budget indie film.  The kids were really good.  The main downsides were how horrible the mom’s acting and monotone voice were and how they celebrated without the father.  I think this would be a good film for families.

Scoring: 2.5

The Claus Family (2020)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Jan Decleir and Mo Bakker

Synopsis: After discovering his grandfather is Santa Claus, Jules has to help him deliver his presents all around the world.  But Jules’ hatred for Christmas might make that more difficult than Santa thought.

Review: The first thing is that it has subtitles so you have to be able to focus and read, which means younger children can’t watch it.  Secondly, it’s a different view of Santa.  There are no reindeer, no sleigh, and he travels by magic snow globe.  There are no elves but there are a few helpers which are simply miniature people.  Merely inches tall.  If you can suspend belief, like Santa getting hurt, his son dying, and things slightly different from what you’re used to, it has a certain magic to it.  I did enjoy it.  It’s a unique and interesting story.  I just wish they didn't add in the                                                                  story of the mother and the cookies.  It didn't blend with the rest.

                                                            Scoring: 3.5

The Claus Family 2 (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring:  Jan Decleir and Mo Bakker

Synopsis: The delivery of the gifts turns into a disaster and Santa Claus is in trouble. Will his grandchildren, Jules and Noor, manage to team up to save the day?

Review: The same feelings about the idea of Santa being different from what we’re used to applies to this sequel.  It’s in another language but Netflix has settings to make the speech English.  There’s no recap so I’d watch them in order.  I had the same issue as the first movie.  The mother’s new cookie shop and the Santa Claus story seem like different stories.  There isn’t enough connection.  Other than all that, it’s a sweet story like the first.  Santa and Jules learn how to accept each other.

Scoring: 3.5

Cloudy With a Chance of Christmas (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Brandon Quinn and Valery M. Ortiz 

Synopsis: When a weather forecaster is asked to host her network's annual snow-cast in the wintry town of Leavenworth live with the network's morning show host and a longtime rival of hers, tension brews and romantic sparks fly between them on air.

Review: First I’ll say I’ve loved everything I’ve seen Brandon Quinn in. This is the exception. It’s very slow and a little colorless. It’s missing real oomph. It’s still cute and worth a watch, but maybe just one. 

Scoring: 2.5

A Clüsterfünke Christmas (2021)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Comedy, Family

Starring: Cheyenne Jackson, Ryan McPartlin, Ana Gasteyer and Rachel Dratch

Synopsis: A go-getter real estate exec from New York City heads to a small town and meets a woodsman.

Review: This satire contains every cliche Christmas movies have to offer. They even have the coffee and other products advertisement placements. If you’re familiar with Gasteyer and Dratch you’ll know what to expect. At times it was corny, at times weird, but it was never boring. 

Scoring: 3

Coins for Christmas (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Essence Atkins and Stephen Bishop

Synopsis: A desperate single mother takes a job working for a retired football player.

Review: This movie is a gem.  The children being so selfless and aware of the mom’s sacrifices is a good lesson for everyone.  All the characters learn and grow as people.  I was completely sucked into this story.  This is a great movie for families to watch.  The only thing I would say is it starts with talking about Santa not being real so young children shouldn’t watch.  I wish there had been a resolution to the romance but maybe there will be a sequel.

Scoring: 4

Coming Home For Christmas (2013)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Ben Hollingsworth, Carly McKillip, Britt McKillip, and Amy Jo Johnson

Synopsis: After their parents separate, two estranged sisters who haven't been on speaking terms reunite in hopes that having a family Christmas all together for the first time in years will bring their Mom and Dad close again. They plan to do this in their old family home... the only problem is someone else lives there now.

Review: The beginning moved so quickly through time I felt it wasn’t letting us get to feel for the characters. About halfway through I starting understanding them better. I liked the sisters joining forces, with help, for their parents. The side story of Mike and his store added another layer. 

Scoring: 3

Cooking Up Christmas (2020)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Meagan Holder and Lamman Rucker

Synopsis: An Atlanta-based chef gets fired just weeks before Christmas and reluctantly takes a job with a pro baseball player who is a single dad of three and needs a live-in-chef to get him through the holidays with the kids.

Review: I love how Chloe is a match for Donovan and teaches him to step back and listen to the people around him. The kids are all amazing and have a nice variety of personalities. I was engrossed in the story the whole time. Great movie. 

Scoring: 3.5

Coopers’ Christmas (2008)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Comedy, Family

Starring: Jason Jones, Samantha Bee, and Mike Beaver

Synopsis: Using a secondhand camcorder, a family member documents his dysfunctional clan’s holiday.

Review: Wow.  Another horrific movie.  It’s shown from the point of view of what the camcorder records so it’s shaky and moves around a lot.  The story is dumb, the characters are poor and exaggerated stereotypes, and it’s just plain stupid.  It was a punishment to sit through.

Scoring: 1

A Country Christmas (2013)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Joey Lauren Adams

Synopsis: When Santa Claus loses his magical powers and becomes stranded in their barn, two children from a small farming community help him save Christmas before it's too late.

Review:  This is a sweet story.  The children even take on the mayor.  When they find out their mother’s cancer is back, they face doubts about Christmas magic.  I won’t ruin the ending but you can guess.  This would be a good family movie.

Scoring: 3

Country Christmas Album (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Musical, Romance

Starring: Hannah Barefoot and Evan Gamble

Synopsis: A country music starlet and an ex-teen heartthrob fall in love while recording an album. 

Review:  I believe the two main faults here are (1) they didn’t take the time to let us know and care about the characters at the beginning, and (2) there was too much time spent on music and not enough on the people. It just felt disjointed. That being said, music lovers and musicians may forgive them their faults. 

Scoring: 2

A Country Christmas Harmony (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Musical

Starring: Brooke Elliott and Brandon Quinn

Synopsis: Follows Luke and Chrissy, a former country music duo and ex-sweethearts who run into each other years later after Chrissy disappeared on Luke, but now they realize they can only survive the holidays with the other one's help.

Review: I should start by saying this movie did something that bothers me. The two leads play a married couple on Sweet Magnolias so the whole movie I’m seeing those characters and it’s all blending. I think if you like heavier dramatic romances, it gets lighter as it goes, you’ll like it. It’s what you’d expect from a Christmas romance. 

Scoring: 2

A Country Christmas Story (2013)

Rated:  PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Musical

Starring: Dolly Parton, Megyn Price, Brian McKnight, and Mary Kay Place

Synopsis: A teenage chorister from a small Appalachian town dreams of becoming a country music star.

Review:  While Grace’s determination and love for music is a beautiful story, her mother’s bitterness and anger are handled in a way that takes away from the story rather than adding to it. I enjoyed most of it but rooting for Grace was the best part.

Scoring: 3

A Cowboy Christmas Romance (2023)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Jana Kramer and Adam Senn

Synopsis: When pro real estate 'closer' Lexie Crenshaw is sent to her hometown of Tubac, AZ to close on a big ranch before Christmas, she is soon forced to confront former family drama as well as the sexy ranch owner who refuses to sell his home.

Review:  The plot was complex enough to keep my attention even though it felt a little too obvious at points. I liked the family. It’s interesting but I’m not sure if I’ll watch again. 

Scoring: 3

Coyote Creek Christmas (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Janel Parrish and Ryan Paevey

Synopsis: The fate of the Coyote Creek Inn and Paige’s relationships are both left to the magic of the holiday season to decide.

Review: I don’t know if it’s my affinity for the two leads or if the movie was that good but I was hooked from the start. Little Noah was precious and all the cast was fantastic. I loved their unique Christmas traditions. The only con was that the story seemed to suddenly wrap up. It was like all this build up and the ending didn’t do it justice. 

Scoring: 4.5

A Cozy Christmas Inn (2022)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Jodie Sweetin, David O’Donnell, Brian Doyle-Murray, and Vivica A. Fox

Synopsis: Real estate exec Erika travels to Alaska during the holidays to acquire a bed and breakfast, only to discover it's owned by her ex. Soon she is falling in love with the town and quite possibly him.

Review: I think how I viewed this movie was affected by how many times I’ve seen “Christmas Under Wraps,” the first movie in Garland. One of the main issues in the first movie was that their town was mostly secret. The visiting doctor couldn’t even order clothes to be delivered. Now we have that same town worried about its low tourism numbers. It gnawed at me the whole movie. Other than that, I loved it. It had all the charm of Garland. We finally find out whether it’s Santa or not and lots of “that’s Garland for you.”

Scoring: 4

A Crafty Christmas Romance (2020) aka Crafting Christmas

Rated: PG

Genre: Romance

Starring: Nicola Posener and Brad Johnson

Synopsis: A craft store owner finds a 70-year-old letter to Santa and a valuable coin in an old book.

Review: This is a wonderful story. Sadly, the poor casting diminishes the power of it. It could’ve been one of the best. The story has some lovely, albeit subtle, twists and turns.  It’s enjoyable to watch once but I probably won’t watch again. 

Scoring: 2.5

Cranberry Christmas (2020)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Benjamin Ayres and Nikki Deloach

Synopsis: A separated couple feign marital bliss on television to help their town’s Christmas special.

Review: I think just hearing the word cranberry evokes a feeling of the holidays. This movie with its family and community Christmas traditions just adds even more of that feeling. Even a couple struggling to maintain their marriage doesn’t take away from it. I especially liked their proposal story. 

Scoring: 3.5

Crashing Through The Snow (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: Amy Acker, Warren Christie, Brook Nevin

Synopsis: Maggie and Sam are crashing Christmas.  When he proposes that they team up against his sister’s perfect Christmas, neither of them are prepared for the blended family challenges that lie ahead.

Review: I loved this movie.  It has just enough drama to be interesting, just enough comedy to keep it lighthearted, just enough romance to move you, and tons of fun and Christmas.  The casting is perfect and the story is well written.  This is one I could watch over and over again.  The one thing I will say is that while it has a G rating, it’s not for young children.  The topics of divorce, remarriage, dating, etc. may be too mature for them and you should use your judgement with what you know your children will be able to understand.

Scoring: 4.5

Cross Country Christmas (2020)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Rachael Leigh Cook and Greyston Holt

Synopsis: When a snowstorm disrupts holiday travel, a mand and a woman must work together to find a way home.

Review: It’s a journey with an unexpected cast of character met along the way. They manage to keep it fun while having enough emotion and drama to make it meaningful and the main characters important. The Santa bobble head was a fun touch. Cook and Holt are a delightful pairing.

Scoring: 4

Crown Prince of Christmas (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Cindy Busby and Jilon VanOver

Synopsis: Madison, a musician, jokingly says she is dating the prince of a small European nation. Her friend Sebastian is roped into impersonating the prince while visiting her family.

Review: This is one of those movies I expect to like more each time I watch it.  Cindy Busby does an amazing performance, as always.  You can feel Madison’s stage fright and she’s a kind character.  Sebastian made me wonder, is he or isn’t he the prince.  You’ll have to watch to find out.  Very sweet romantic comedy with plenty of Christmas.

Scoring: 3.5

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Fantasy

Starring: Frank Welker

Synopsis: George and The Man In The Yellow Hat are having a merry time counting down to Christmas. But neither can decide what to give each other. Will they find the answers before Christmas morning?

Review: I haven’t seen any video or movie with Curious George for so long I can’t remember but I have read the books.  I found it to be absolutely charming.  The theme of happiness coming from giving is a wonderful reminder for all of us.  Curious George gets into his usual well-intentioned trouble.  Children will really like it and adults should, too.

Scoring: 3.5