No Sleep ‘Til Christmas (2018)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Odette Annable, Dave Annable, Charles Michael Davis, and Sheryl Lee Ralph

Synopsis: During an incident, Lizzie, an engaged woman, runs into Billy, a bartender, with a similar problem. When they learn they can only fall asleep when next to each other, Lizzie realizes it may be more meaningful than she would like to admit. 

Review:  I would classify this as a rom com that just happens to take place at Christmas. This is one that can be enjoyed year-round. It was truly funny, and sweet, and original.  Makes you wonder if it’s better to be peas in a pod or go with opposites attract. 

Scoring: 4.5

No Time Like Christmas (2019)

Rated:G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Kyla Pratt and Edward Ruttle

Synopsis: A woman and her first love plan a Christmas Eve show in hope of saving the local theater.

Review: This movie has pros and cons.  The story is different than the typical Christmas romance, the girl is adorable, and the scenery is gorgeous.  The cons are the average acting (or overacting) skills often seen and the way the story seems to slow then skip ahead.  I believe the pros outweigh the cons.  It’s a sweet movie with a little Christmas magic.

Scoring: 3

The Noel Diary (2022)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Justin Hartley, Barrett Doss, Bonnie Bedelia, and James Remar

Synopsis: The story of a man who returns home on Christmas to settle his estranged mother's estate. Once there, he discovers a diary that may hold secrets to his own past and of a beautiful young woman on a mysterious journey of her own.

Review: This is a movie that takes place at Christmas but isn’t really about Christmas. That being said, I loved it. It was such a beautiful story that was told so well. I was so absorbed into the story and the characters. It’s a must-see. 

Scoring: 4.5

Noel Next Door (2002)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance 

Starring: Natalie Hall and Corey Sevier

Synopsis: It follows a single mom as she gets into a war of words with a neighbor who is ruining Christmas, only to find that this misunderstood grouch just may steal her heart.

Review: It’s very interesting. The neighbor, Jeremy, is almost like an example of someone on the nice and naughty lists. It shows how we are all flawed. The characters are relatable and likable.  They’re people you know or would want to know. They wrap it up a little too easily but it’s still very sweet. 

Scoring: 3

Noelle (2007)

Rated:  NR

Genres: Drama, Religion 

Starring: David Wall

Synopsis: A priest arrives in a tiny fishing village the week before Christmas to shut down a dying parish...and becomes entangled in the lives of the town's eccentric characters while learning the power of forgiveness and redemption.

Review:  This movie is perplexing. It’s slow and a little boring at times yet never to a point where you’re desperate to turn it off. It’s not so much about the church as it is the people and their relationships. Their happy ending is one that many wouldn’t consider happy from a religious standpoint. I wish I could say more but I’d ruin it with spoilers. It’s worth watching once but only if you have extra time. 

Scoring: 2.5

Noelle (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Billy Eichner, Michael Gross, Bill Hader, Julie Hagerty, Anna Kendrick, Shirley MacLaine

Synopsis: Santa's daughter must take over the family business when her father retires and her brother, who is supposed to inherit the Santa role, gets cold feet.

Review: I had high expectations for this movie and it was even better than that.  There are funny touches like the characters on the GPS, the sweetness of her little reindeer Snowcone (I want one by the way), and the overall message of thinking of and giving to others being so much more important than receiving.  This is an absolute must see.

Scoring: 5

Norm Of The North (2016)

Rated:  PG

Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Starring: Rob Schneider and Heather Graham

Synopsis: When a real estate development invades his Arctic home, Norm and his three lemming friends head to New York City, where Norm becomes the mascot of the corporation in an attempt to bring it down from the inside and protect his homeland.

Review:  It’s not bad for an animated film but unlike many newer animated movies this one doesn’t have much for adults. I think kids will really like it. 

Scoring: 2.5

A Norman Rockwell Christmas Story (1995)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: James T. Callahan

Synopsis: This film brings to life a famous Norman Rockwell painting. Samuel Cavanaugh, a Scrooge-like character, revisits the frozen pond each year to relive the happier moments in his life. Michael Grant is an unhappy young boy, attempting to skate with his dad's oversized skates, who was missing in action in Korea. Their paths cross several times as our story unfolds.

Review: This is clearly a low-budget film.  It’s not badly done or acted.  As the story went on I really enjoyed it.  Michael’s relationship with Samuel and his hope and belief in the return of his father is special.

Scoring: 3

Northern Lights Of Christmas (2018)

Rated: G

Genre: Drama, Romance

Starring: Ashley Williams and Corey Sevier 

Synopsis: Zoey has been working hard to own her own plane, but everything changes when she inherits a reindeer farm. Now buried in taking care of the farm and of the Christmas responsibilities, Zoey thinks life has delivered her a strange blow. 

Review:  Predictable and expected are the best synonyms to describe this movie. It’s missing that special something that makes me love Hallmark movies. It felt very slow and a little boring.  It does have tons of snow to love. **Update** I've now watched this several times and I've enjoyed it.  It is predictable but the romance is sweet and happens organically.

Scoring: 3

Nostalgic Christmas (2019)

Rated:G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Brooke D’Orsay and Trevor Donovan

Synopsis: The closing of a beloved toy store brings a city girl back to her small-town roots.

Review: Nostalgic Christmas is a good name for this movie.  It doesn’t just reflect the nostalgia of the town and main characters; it features so many Christmas and family moments that made me nostalgic.  I had a feeling how it would end from the beginning but it didn’t matter.  I was glued to it from the beginning seeing D’Orsay’s character with her dad.  This is a sweet and light-hearted movie.

Scoring: 4

A Not So Merry Christmas (2022)

Rated: TV-MA

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Mauricio Ochmann

Synopsis: In this heartwarming comedy, a grumpy man is cursed at Christmas time and wakes up a year later, only to find he's doomed to relive Christmas Eve over and over again.

Review: I saw a movie with a similar plot but it was done well. This felt disjointed and not well done. None of the characters were likable and it wasn’t enjoyable. 

Scoring: 1.5

A Not So Royal Christmas (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Brooke D’Orsay and Will Kemp

Synopsis: Tabloid journalist Charlotte attempts to land an interview with a reclusive Count. In response, the royal family has a groundskeeper pose as the Count since the real one fled years ago.

Review: I like that it’s not a typical royal Christmas movie. If you like romcoms, you’ll enjoy this. It’s sweet and interesting and the characters have many layers to them. It’s the type of movie you can watch repeatedly and still enjoy. 

Scoring: 3.5

The Note (2007)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Genie Francis and Ted McGinley

Synopsis: After a tragic plane crash, a local journalist discovers a note that she believes was written by one of the passengers. She seeks the note's intended receiver, but the journey is more revealing of her own past.

Review: During the first half of the movie I was bored and couldn’t understand why it’s considered a Christmas movie.  Then, as the story slowly unfolded, using flashbacks to fill in the blanks, I couldn’t stop watching.  Peyton’s search for the intended receiver of the note and how it affects her life became so moving.  It isn’t really a Christmas movie, rather it’s a movie that ends at Christmas. 

Scoring: 3

Nothing Like The Holidays (2008)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: John Leguizamo, Alfred Molina, Freddy Rodriguez, Elizabeth Peña, and Debra Messing

Synopsis: A Puerto Rican family living in the area of Humboldt Park in west Chicago face what may be their last Christmas together.

Review:  There’s lots of drama and love in this family. The son returning from Iraq is a particularly interesting storyline. The characters are all realistic and relatable. It is a drama but there’s enough light moments to balance it. 

Scoring: 3.5

November Christmas (2010)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Sam Elliott, John Corbett, Sarah Paulson, and Karen Allen

Synopsis: A community works together to help a couple bring an early Christmas to their sick 8-year-old daughter.

Review: I honestly didn’t expect to like this movie based on the description.  It seemed like it would be so bleak and dark.  The superb cast, along with a great story, changed my mind.  I loved it.  It was so well done.  You felt the emotions, and it is a drama, but not in a negative way.  I won’t spoil it but I recommend giving it a try.

Scoring: 4

The Nutcracker And The Four Realms (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Mackenzie Foy, Helen Mirren, Keira Knightly, Morgan Freeman, and Matthew Macfadyen

Synopsis: A girl ventures into a magical land of imaginative characters as she searches for the key to the jeweled egg that was once her deceased mother’s. 

Review: A delightful adaptation of the Nutcracker. It’s an original take on the story with some twists so you won’t know what to expect. My only issue with it is all the yucky mice and scary clowns. Well, scary to me at least. 

Scoring: 3

The Nutcracker in 3D (2010)

Rated: PG

Genre: Fantasy

Starring: Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane, and John Turturro

Synopsis: An enchanted nutcracker takes a girl to his magical world of sugarplum fairies and other delights. 

Review:  I kept waiting to get swept up in the music and/or the magic but it never happened.  It’s a bizarre take on the story.  It’s almost like a Jackson Pollack painting in movie form.  Even Tchaikovsky’s music can’t save it.  Elle Fanning’s acting was good but that’s the only bright spot in the movie. 

Scoring: 1

The Nutcracker Sweet (2015)

Rated: NR

Genres: Adventure, Animated, Fantasy

Starring: Alicia Silverstone and Ed Asner

Synopsis: It is Christmas Eve and the Silberhaus children are excited for the festivities to begin. Their godfather Drosselmayer arrives and presents them with an early Christmas gift, a Nutcracker. Marie witnesses a great battle between a vast army of toy soldiers led by the Nutcracker against a terrible platoon of mice commanded by the Mouse King.

Review: I believe this would be a good introduction to the story of The Nutcracker. The mice are less frightening than in many other versions. The basic classic story is there with a few lighthearted moments. It’s more for children than adults but you may enjoy it as a family.

Scoring: 2.5

Nutcracker The Motion Picture (1986)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical

Starring: Hugh Bigney

Synopsis: The colorful holiday classic is finally brought to the big screen, designed by famed children's story author and artist Maurice Sendak, and written for the first time to be as close as possible to the original story. A lavish, exciting and heart-warming celebration of dance, of music, and of life. Based upon the Pacific Northwest Ballet's original production.

Review:  If you enjoy ballet and the Nutcracker, you’ll enjoy this. I found it to be a little dark and despite its G rating a little scary for young children.  For me the ballet loses something when it’s not live but this is a nice alternative. 

Scoring: 3

The Nuttiest Nutcracker (1999)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Starring: Jim Belushi, Phyllis Diller, and Cheech Marin

Synopsis: Transported to a magical land, a girl and a nutcracker must save Christmas. 

Review:  I think younger children will like it. It’s not the worst but the animation is poor, the characters are quite silly, and it’s too far from the original ballet and music. It’s as if you’re watching a new story. 

Scoring: 1.5