Holiday Hideaway (2022)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Vivica A. Fox, Camille Windbush, and Victor Sho

Synopsis: Carly Stewart is the queen of holiday celebrations, but her mistletoe misstep sends her running to a Holiday Hideaway that teaches her the importance of family, forgiveness, and fighting for love.

Review: This family is so far beyond the traditional dysfunction and Carly is the glue holding them together. I loved when she went to the hideaway. The people and the sights are interesting and feel genuine. The end wrapped up the story a little quickly but it was nice. 

Scoring: 2.5

A Holiday In Harlem (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Olivia Washington and Will Adams

Synopsis: Known for transforming fledgling businesses into moneymakers, executive Jazmin Carter returns to Harlem, N.Y., to celebrate Christmas in the neighborhood where she grew up.

Review: The movie centers around the main character learning to heal from the childhood issues of her parents’ divorce. Sadly, they merely skimmed over this. I was also disappointed in all the missed opportunities to share the culture and all Harlem has to offer. It’s a cute movie but missed a few marks. 

Scoring: 2.5

Holiday In Santa Fe (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Mario Lopez, Emeraude Toubia, Aimee Garcia, and Efrain Figueroa

Synopsis: Sparks fly when a greeting card executive arrives in Santa Fe to acquire a tight-knit family company that creates ornaments inspired by Mexican Christmas traditions.

Review: This was a very cute movie about a very lovable and loving family.  The message of togetherness is woven throughout the story.  The romance was well done as well.  I wish it showed a little more of their culture but dad being Santa and saying, “Ho-Ho-Jose” was really funny.  Enjoyable.

Scoring: 3

Holiday In The Wild (2019)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Rob Lowe and Kristin Davis

Synopsis: Jilted by her husband on the eve of embarking on an African safari, a woman travels to the continent alone where she meets an elephant conservationist.

Review: While this does partly take place during Christmas, it’s not a true Christmas movie.  However, it’s a wonderful movie.  The elephants are so sweet, the acting is wonderful, and the story unfolds at a perfect pace.  The only real minus for me was the lack of back story between Kate and her husband.  Why did they break-up and how was it resolved? 

Scoring: 5

Holiday Inn (1942)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance

Starring: Bing Crosby and Fred Estaire

Synopsis: At an inn which is only open on holidays, a crooner and a dancer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer.

Review:  A wonderful musical with songs and dances for each holiday. Christmas is, of course, only one of them but worth it to hear Crosby sing “White Christmas”. I also find the cultural differences between films today and back then an interesting history lesson. 

Scoring: 5

Holiday Joy (2016)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy

Starring: Bailee Madison and French Stewart

Synopsis: A shy high school student's Christmas wish comes true, only it isn't exactly as wonderful as she'd hoped.

Review:  Joy is envious of her neighbor’s family and being popular. Following an accident, she wakes up as a member of their family and popular at school. It’s your typical “learn the grass isn’t greener” story but told from a teen point of view. Not syrupy or sweet but filled with funny, tender, and relatable moments. That being said, younger audiences will probably enjoy it more. 

Scoring: 2.5

Holiday Road (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Sara Canning, Warren Christie, 

Synopsis: Nine strangers, stranded at an airport during the holidays, unite for a Christmas road trip to Denver. Misadventures lead to unexpected bonds and heartfelt conversations.

Review: Knowing this was inspired by real events changed the whole way I saw it. This was truly unique, fun, heartfelt, and just beautiful. It had Christmas in it but the emphasis was on people. Loving and supporting them and allowing them to do the same. Loved this movie. 

Scoring: 4.5

Holiday Rush (2019)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Deon Cole

Synopsis: After his sudden firing, a popular radio DJ moves in with his aunt, bringing along his four spoiled children, and a plan to return to the airwaves.

Review: A good family film. The only downside is how quickly the children pivot from beyond spoiled to grateful and loving. The story includes coping with loss at the holidays and the importance of family and friends. 

Scoring: 3

The Holiday Sitter (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Jonathan Bennett and George Krissa

Synopsis: Sam babysits his niece and nephew before the holidays, and when he recruits help from their handsome neighbor Jason, he finds himself in an unexpected romance.

Review: I was honestly expecting a fumbling uncle comedy.  Instead, it was truly heartfelt watching him bond with the children and find balance in his life.  The romance part was almost secondary.  The family was the focus and it was lovely.

Scoring: 3.5

A Holiday Spectacular (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Ann-Margaret, Eve Plumb, and Carolyn McCormick

Synopsis: Set in 1958, follows Maggie who sneaks up to New York City to make her secret dream come true: dancing live on stage in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, putting her high-society wedding plans on hold.

Review: This was a lovely romance set during November and December.  I loved seeing the friendships between the dancers.  There’s a little Christmas in it but it’s mostly about finding oneself and the Rockettes.  Still, I loved it and it stuck with me.

Scoring: 4

Holiday Spin (2012)

Rated: NR

Genre: Drama

Starring: Ralph Macchio

Synopsis: On Thanksgiving Eve, Blake’s Mother is killed in a car accident and Ruben is there announcing he is his father and is taking him back to Miami. At 17, Blake cannot live on his own and has no choice but to go with the man who abandoned him as a baby. Ruben owns a dance studio where he lives with his wife, Emily. Ruben is counting on his student winning a dance competition to save his failing dance studio. 

Review:  This movie is just so-so to me. If you’re a big dance fan you may enjoy it more. The relationships are the most interesting part of the movie but Christmas is just a backdrop. 

Scoring: 2.5

The Holiday Stocking (2022)

Rated: G

Genre: Family

Starring: Tamala Jones, Nadine Ellis, and BJ Britt

Synopsis: New angel R.J. returns to earth as a stranger and has the chance to help his sisters to reconcile, something he didn't accomplish in his lifetime.

Review: This movie started out very slowly. I wasn’t super motivated to keep watching. I believe the emotions would have been better if they hadn’t skipped from the sisters being little to being grown. I feel like we needed a little more backstory. I did like the end. It was very sweet. After being so ambivalent in the beginning, I was tearing up at the end. I think having a tradition like the stocking is very special.

Scoring: 3

The Holiday Swap (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama

Starring: Alex Paxton-Beesley and Morgan David Jones

Synopsis: Two strangers pick up the wrong luggage at the airport and must track down the other’s whereabouts.

Review: The premise sounded interesting, but the movie was so blah. Predictable from start to finish. The hair and costumes were worse than I could have done (and I’m not quite skilled). The acting was pretty good for what they had to work with. 

Scoring: 1.5

A Holiday To Remember (1995)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family, Religion, Romance

Starring: Connie Selleca, Rue McClanahan, and Randy Travis

Synopsis: Carolyn is leaving the big city with her daughter Jordi for her childhood village, deep in the forest. She meets her former fiancé, whom she left at the altar years ago. She also finds a lost boy who she wants to adopt, but Jordi is not too keen on the idea.

Review:  This is a very sweet story. Between the love story of Carolyn and Clay and Carolyn and little William I don’t know which is more moving. It’s gently told and unfolds at the right pace.  

Scoring: 3.5

Holiday Wishes (2006)

Rated:  PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Amber Benson

Synopsis: Danni, a girl looking for her sister, Britney, a spoiled teen, and Rachel, a foster child, make wishes at a Christmas dance and two of them switch bodies. When Danni discovers what has happened, she must figure out how to switch the girls back.

Review:  I enjoyed seeing such diverse personalities and lifestyles examine what they have and what they don’t. The messages of appreciation and what makes a family are relevant and meaningful. 

Scoring: 3