The Christmas Cabin (2019)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Peyton McDavitt and Chad Michael Collins

Synopsis: When Seth unknowingly interrupts Sammi's quiet holiday getaway at her family cabin, their hearts get more than they bargain for.

Review: This movie was cute enough. I think the biggest failing here was in developing the characters. We don’t know them enough to truly understand or care about what’s happening. I did like the end with the resolution of the property. 

Scoring: 2

Christmas Camp (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Lily Anne Harrison and Bobby Campo

Synopsis: To get a big promotion, Hayley, an advertising executive who specializes in social media and all things hip, must land a toy company that is all about traditional Christmas as an account.

Review: This is a truly special and unique story.  Hayley is portrayed as having lost the meaning of Christmas and has to attend Christmas Camp but we see that she truly has the heart of Christmas.  As I watched the different characters, all of which are so likable, participate in Christmas activities I couldn't help but feel the Christmas spirit.  Christmas is presented as a way of feeling, loving, and giving, as opposed to simply traditions.  I can't wait to see it again.

Scoring: 5

A Christmas Cancellation (2020)

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Drama

Starring: Lauren Meley

Synopsis: The fictional characters in a popular sitcom wake up to the realization that they're not real - and the show is ending. Now, with cancellation approaching, they must find a way to keep the show going or they will cease to exist.

Review: The premise sounding intriguing but failed to deliver.  There was no believable part that represented a sitcom.  I found the story more and more boring as it went on.  There isn’t enough of each character to get to know them and even care.  The only positive is the acting was pretty good.

Scoring: 1

The Christmas Candle (2013)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Religion

Starring: Hans Matheson

Synopsis: A pastor who has suffered a personal loss accepts a position in a town that believes in a Christmas miracle candle, which he strives to abolish.

Review:  I found this to be an uplifting story of faith and hope. It was well done with wonderful casting and settings. I will say that it has a strong religious tone that may make some people not like it. I believe it’s a wonderful feel-good story for the Christmas season. 

Scoring: 4

Christmas Caper (2007)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family

Starring: Shannen Doherty and Ty Olsson

Synopsis: After her latest job goes awry, a thief heads to her hometown in Connecticut to lay low over the Christmas holiday. Can the spirit of the holiday, combined with a stint babysitting her niece and nephew, rid her of her wicked ways?

Review:  I enjoyed this movie. As with so many, the children have some of the best scenes. Watching Cate try to manage boring suburbia and deal with her dilemma keeps the movie’s pace going and keeps your interest. 

Scoring: 3.5

A Christmas Carol (1954)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Musical

Starring: Frederic March and Basil Rathbone

Synopsis: An adaptation of the classic Dickens tale.

Review: This is a fairly entertaining version of the story.  Given when it was recorded the effects are pretty good.  The music is okay.  Overall, if you like the story and musicals, this may be the version for you.

Scoring: 3

A Christmas Carol (1984)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Fantasy

Starring: George C. Scott

Synopsis: Dickens’ London miser Scrooge meets Christmas ghosts.

Review: This is a typical telling of the classic story.  It almost feels more like a Jane Austen movie than the Dickens tale.  The acting is good but it’s exactly what you’d expect.  No surprises.  Well told tale.

Scoring: 3

A Christmas Carol (1999)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Fantasy

Starring: Patrick Stewart and Joel Grey

Synopsis: Scrooge receives visits from three Christmas spirits.

Review: When it first started, all I could think was oh great, another Christmas Carol. There are so many it’s monotonous. However, I quickly found myself engrossed in it. It is the original tale but it’s well done and well-acted. A very good version. 

Scoring: 3

A Christmas Carol (2000)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Ross Kemp 

Synopsis: A loan shark sees his past, present, and future after the spirit of his former partner visits him on Christmas Eve. 

Review:  It’s not a bad version but there are many I like better. It’s a modern day version of the story. Scrooge reliving Christmas Eve is a little like “Groundhog Day”. For me, it moves a little too slowly and I never quite got invested in it but I like how the end wrapped it up by showing us his happy life. 

 Scoring: 2

Christmas Carol: The Movie (2001)

Rated: PG

Genres: Animation, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Simon Callow, Rhys Ifans, and Kate Winslet

Synopsis: Old bitter miser Ebenezer Scrooge who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve.

Review: It’s a little bit darker at times than some of the other animated Christmas Carol movies, hence the PG rating. It’s still a true telling of the story and would be a good family movie. Children will especially appreciate the adorable mice.

Scoring: 3

A Christmas Carol (Disney’s-2009)

Rated: PG

Genres: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, and Robin Wright

Synopsis: An animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.

Review: I think what surprised me the most about this movie was how scary some of it was.  Being a Disney film, I expected it to be for children.  I wouldn’t let younger children watch it before you preview it.  The animation effects are amazing and are truly interesting to see.  I’m not an expert on the Dicken’s book but this movie seemed to hold fairly true to the story.  If you like A Christmas Carol, you’ll enjoy this.

Scoring: 3.5

A Christmas Carol (2018)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Fantasy

Starring: Stuart Brennan

Synopsis: A contemporary retelling of the timeless Dickens tale, given a Scottish make-over. It explores the transformation of Scrooge.

Review:  I’ve seen so many versions of A Christmas Carol I’m rarely surprised.  This movie surprised me.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s far from the best I’ve seen but it has a few differences from  the classic story that keep it interesting.  Bob Cratchit is a woman.  Instead of Tiny Tim being ill it’s Bob’s husband who has cancer.  All taking place in Scotland.  I did enjoy it.

Scoring: 3

A Christmas Carousel (2020)

Rated: G

Genre: Family, Romance

Starring: Rachel Boston and Neal Bledsoe

Synopsis: When Lila is hired by the Royal Family of Ancadia to repair a carousel, she must work with the Prince to complete it by Christmas.

Review: The storyline is the much used one of a non-royal and a Royal falling in love.  Of course, the royal doesn’t want to be royal, and so on.  This, however, feels fresh.  It’s less about the royalty and more about the people.  Lila’s father’s romance gives the story a well-rounded feel.  Of course, we have the adorable little girl to complete the package.

Scoring: 3

Christmas Catch (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Emily Alatalo and Lauren Holly

Synopsis: Detective Mackenzie Bennett is hot on the trail of Carson, a suspected diamond thief, and goes undercover to catch him in the act. While undercover, Mack not only falls for Carson, but begins to suspect that he's been framed. Are feelings clouding Mack's judgment or are they focusing on the wrong suspect?

Review:  Despite having all the qualities of a B-movie, this also has a fun love story and a surprise ending. It was really slow at first but all the moments that made it seem cheesy added up to what made a wonderful ending. 

Scoring: 3

Christmas CEO (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Marisol Nichols and Paul Greene

Synopsis: A small toy company CEO gets a once in a lifetime offer to merge with a mega toy company but will need her estranged ex-business partner’s signature to seal the deal.

Review: It’s hard to put my finger on what made this so enjoyable.  I think it’s because it’s so many little things that add up to something special.  The relationships, the love, the drama, the niece, the toy drive, and the focus on people.  Definitely worth watching.

Scoring: 3

The Christmas Chalet (2019)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance 

Starring: Erica Durance and Robin Dunne

Synopsis: While at a chalet with her mother and daughter for the holidays, a woman meets a writer who despise Christmas. 

Review: A good film but there’s some adult content, like adultery and divorce, so you may not want to have young children watch it. The grandmother alone is worth watching for. She’s so funny. I laughed, I felt empathy, I felt happiness. There’s also Christmas. What more could you want?

Scoring: 3.5

Christmas Child (2004)

Rated: PG

Genre: Drama

Starring: William R. Moses 

Synopsis: A life-sized nativity leads a man to learn about his past and lost family.

Review:  I like the story, especially the ending, very much. That being said, there are points in the story where it slows and I start to lose interest but it’s worth hanging in there for. We get to see a man journey to find and understand his past in order to secure his future.

Scoring: 3.5

Christmas Chowdown (2022)

Rated: G

Genre: Documentary

Starring: Carla Hall

Synopsis: ‘Tis the season for eating and Carla is ready for a food-filled Christmas.

Review: They showed the food being made but in an abridged version, so it didn’t become a how-to show. It was interesting seeing different foods from different parts of the country. 

Scoring: 3

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Kurt Russell, Oliver Hudson, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley

Synopsis: The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about.

Review:  I’m not sure how to explain it. Slapstick seems like an understatement. It borders on ridiculous at times.  I really didn't like it at all the first time I watched it so I decided to give it a second chance.  It was still a little odd but I was able to appreciate the family and the children more.  Santa was still too quirky, ordinary and, well, human rather than magical.  A lot of people I know loved it.  Give it a shot and see how you feel.

Scoring: 1.5

The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020)

Rated: PG

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Tyrese Gibson, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley

Synopsis: Kate Pierce, now a cynical teen, is unexpectedly reunited with Santa Claus when a mysterious troublemaker threatens to cancel Christmas - forever.

Review: I think this was a vast improvement from the first one. It captures Christmas magic. I will say the elves looked a little sinister and when they turned bad I realized they reminded me of Gremlins. Note for parents, there’s lot of elvish speaking where you have to read the words in English so young children will need you to watch with them. They will love the North Pole.

Scoring: 3

The Christmas Clapback (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family

Starring: Candace Maxwell, Nadine Ellis, and Porscha Coleman

Synopsis: Every year, three sisters battle each other for a chance to win the Christmas cook-off competition. However, when a vivacious social media influencer, enters the competition, the sisters must choose to rise together or fall divided.

Review: I loved the Miles sisters. Yes, they’re flawed, as we all are, but they keep going and trying to improve themselves. Their love for their mother and their bond together was enjoyable to watch. 

Scoring: 3

Christmas Class Reunion (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Starring: Aimee Teegarden, Stephanie Bennett, and Chris McNally

Synopsis: A group of friends reunite for their 15th high school reunion at Christmas ready to ignite unrequited loves, reconnect with new friends and enjoy the holiday season.

Review: If you’ve ever gone to or planned a reunion, which I have, there’s some nostalgia in this movie. There’s also some romance that you can relate to if you have one who got away. It was a fun movie and sweet, too. 

Scoring: 3.5

The Christmas Club (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Elizabeth Mitchell and Cameron Mathison

Synopsis: Two busy strangers meet when they help an elderly woman find her lost Christmas savings. Thanks to fate and Christmas magic, they also find something they were both missing, true love. 

Review: This movie has so much Christmas and Christmas magic. From traditions like baking cookies and a tree lighting to the $20 bills bringing people together and spreading cheer, it’s so uplifting. Mitchell and Mathison were perfectly cast for these roles. Watch for the ballet recital. 

Scoring: 4

Christmas Collison (2021)

Rating: NR

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Sebrina Scott and Vernon Wells

Synopsis: Theodora, a time consumed professional, crosses paths with Charlie, a writer, when she travels to his hometown for business just before Christmas.  Both are taken by surprise when unexpected circumstances present themselves.

Review: Clearly a low budget movie, it still has redeeming qualities.  The characters are likable and relatable.  It was slow at points, but I enjoyed the ending, as corny as it was.

Scoring: 2

The Christmas Colt (2013)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: Sherrill Silk and Tyrone Power, Jr.

Synopsis: An unexpected detour at a ranch on their way to grandma’s house gives a dad and his children a life-changing lesson about the meaning of Christmas. 

Review: The acting is below average, and the horse rustlers are mind numbingly stupid. It’s a cute movie that families may enjoy but keep your expectations in mind. 

Scoring: 2.5

Christmas Comes To Willow Creek (1987)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: John Schneider, Tom Wopat, and Kim Delaney

Synopsis: Feuding brothers and teen son truck toys to Alaska. 

Review:  At first, I didn’t think this movie would be much. Between the age of it and it starring the two stars of “Dukes of Hazzard” I started out expecting to be bored. Turns out it’s an amazing movie. The story is phenomenal and it even has a little Christmas magic. The way the story unfolds allows you to get lost in it. 

Scoring: 4

Christmas Comes Twice (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Tamera Mowry-Housley, Michael Xavier, and Sheryl Lee Ralph

Synopsis: Cheryl is an astrophysicist who reviews grant applications for the NSF but has regrets about the guy who got away five years earlier. When the Christmas carnival comes to town, a ride around the carousel takes her magically back in time - giving her a second chance at love before she returns to Christmas present.

Review: While I really liked the movie there were parts I just didn’t get.  She knows her favorite teacher is going to die but doesn’t suggest she see a doctor.  Why did she realize the things she wanted to do differently but make the same decisions?  And why did she get on the carousel without George or at least finishing her conversation with him?  Even with all these questions it is a lovely story about exploring what ifs with a lovely romance.

Scoring: 3.5

The Christmas Contest (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Candace Cameron Bure, John Brotherton and Barbara Niven

Synopsis: Exes Lara and Ben compete in a Christmas contest to win money for the charity of their choosing.  The city watches them battle and choose what is more important, victory or love.

Review: This was a pretty good movie but not the best of Candace Bure’s movies.  Ben was a very unlikable character until the end of the movie.  It made Lara less likable for having been with him.  I enjoyed the seniors and the kids competing.  It’s cute and fun but needed a little oomph.

Scoring: 3

The Christmas Contract (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Danneel Ackles, Hilarie Burton, Bruce Boxleitner, Cheryl Ladd, Jason London, and Jordan Ladd

Synopsis: A recently-single woman dreads the thought of going back to her home town in Louisiana for Christmas when she finds out her ex-boyfriend will be there with his new girlfriend.

Review:  This movie started out quite blah. It was awkward and a little boring. I’m glad I stuck with it. As it went on, I started to like it more and more and I got sucked into the story. Very charming. I’d like to see it again next year. 

Scoring: 3.5

A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Rachel Boston and Victor Webster

Synopsis: Sparks fly between the new CEO of a small-town cookie company and the owner of a local bakery,

Review:  I enjoyed this from the beginning to the end. I loved wondering who the thief was and watching the relationships evolve. It’s fun and just lovely. 

Scoring: 3

Christmas Coupon (2019)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Courtney Mathews and Aaron Noble

Synopsis: Alison Grant begins teaching ice skating students on a friend's frozen pond after being fired from her rink job. On the first day of class her old high school sweetheart and now famous hockey player, Ivan Hall, unexpectedly shows up when he brings his niece for her skating lessons. While an initially cold reunion ensues, eventually Alison warms up to Ivan again.

Review: Sadly, this movie is slow and predictable.  It has all the makings of a good movie.  With a little extra oomph and adding some more emotion and it would be something.  The story skips over possible dramatic moments and the characters are superficial and don’t demonstrate the emotional depth necessary.

Scoring: 1.5

Christmas Crash (2009)

Rated: NR

Genres: Adventure, Drama

Starring: Michael Madden and Brendan Penny

Synopsis: An unhappily married couple reconnect after surviving a plane crash.

Review:  The only thing the movie truly offers is beautiful scenery. Other than that, it is predictable and not in a good way. There’s arguing and a crash. Surprise. The movie seems so slow it's almost difficult to sit through.

Scoring: 1.5

Christmas Crime Story (2017)

Rated: TV-MA

Genre: Drama

Starring: Adrian Paul and Eric Close

Synopsis: A botched Christmas Eve robbery leads to disaster for a group of strangers. 

Review: The story keeps jumping around in the timeline.  I can’t decide if that took away from the movie or if it was what keep me so riveted.  It was like a putting a puzzle together starting in the middle rather than the edges.  You slowly start to see how the stories are related.  I won’t give away the ending but it changed the meaning of the whole movie.  I was engaged the whole time and wanted to keep watching.

Scoring: 3

Christmas Crossfire aka Wir können nicht anders (2020)

Rated: TV-MA

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Kostja Ullmann, Alli Neumann, and Sascha Alexander Gersak 

Synopsis: A man foils an attempted murder, then flees the crew of would-be killers along with their intended target as a woman he’s just me tries to find him.

Review: This movie is in German with subtitles.  It’s trying to hover between drama and comedy like a Tarantino film.  I sort of liked it after I got into the story.  It’s missing some of the character backgrounds that would round out the story.  There’s a lot more violence than Christmas.  We go from suicide to everyone sitting at Christmas mass.  It’s okay.

Scoring: 2

A Christmas Cruise (2017)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Vivica A. Fox, Jessica Morris, Kristoff St. John,

Synopsis: When her best friend invites her along on a holiday-themed sail, an aspiring novelist unexpectedly finds the love of her life onboard.

Review:  There’s something sweet about the way this love story enfolds. It’s not the best Christmas movie I’ve seen but it’s worth checking out. 

Scoring: 3

Christmas Crush AKA Holiday High School Reunion (2012)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance

Starring: Rachel Boston, Jonathan Bennett, Marilu Henner, and Harry Hamlin

Synopsis: When a woman learns of her high school reunion a week before Christmas, she's ecstatic to finally have her chance to win back the one "that got away".

Review:  I found this to be very uncomfortable to watch. It’s got awkward situations and it seems to take forever to get to the point. The cast is good and there are redeeming scenes. It’s worth a try. 

Scoring: 3

Christmas Crush (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Paul Constable, Robin Dunne, Cindy Sampson and Erica Deutschman

Synopsis: When Addie makes a Christmas wish for her neighbor, Sam, to fall in love with her, she’s not expecting anything to happen-and she definitely isn’t expecting the wish to go awry and cause her other neighbor, Pete, to fall in love with her instead.

Review: The story is so far beyond reality it’s a little kooky.  I enjoyed the acting, except for Pete who acted like a clown.  As bizarre as it was, I actually enjoyed it.  File this under the guilty pleasure category. 

Scoring: 2.5

Christmas Cupcakes (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Cindy Busby and Erin Karpluk

Synopsis: Two sisters enter a TV baking contest in a last-ditch effort to save the family bakery.

Review: This movie is so disappointing.  The characters are either bad or good, no in-between.  It feels fictional rather than real and relatable.  The baking contest host and judges are like caricatures of people.  There was real potential here with this story.  Too bad it wasn’t realized. **UPDATE** I must have been in a really bad mood when I watched this the first time.  Lol!  While I do feel it could've dug a little deeper with the emotions, I really liked it.  Busby and Karpluk have a wonderful chemistry and I want to root for them.

Scoring: 3

Christmas Cupid’s Arrow (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Romance

Starring: Elisabeth Harnois, Jonathan Togo, and Chad Michael Collins

Synopsis: Holly, a single college professor, signs up for an online dating service, but begins to grow suspicious when the guy's beautifully-written texts don't match his actions.

Review:  This movie starts out slow. I really wasn’t interested. I’m glad I hung in there. It’s a modern take on Cyrano de Bergerac. Worth watching. 

Scoring: 3

Christmas Curfew (2013)

Rated: TV-MA

Genre: Family

Starring: Tracey Birdsall

Synopsis: A young adult brother and sister get grounded at Christmas so they find ways to sneak out.

Review: I’m having trouble coming up with an adjective to accurately describe how awful this movie was.  The plot, the writing, the filming, the editing, all of it.  It’s beyond boring, it’s dreadful.

Scoring: 1