By popular demand, the sister duo is back for another year of Christmas movie reviews! And as always, with a focus on corny rom-coms! We watch new and traditional holiday movies and give them our honest reviews on a candy-cane scale of 1-5 (well, technically 0.5-5 because some of them suuuuuuck). Extra points for amazing Christmas decor and original characters! We don’t hold much hope for any plot twists, but that would be worth at least an extra half a candy cane!
Whether you’re a fan of mistletoe moments or snowflake serendipity, join us as we unwrap the magic and rate these Christmas movies in the sweetest way possible!
***We know some people struggle with certain griefs, triggers, etc., especially during the holidays. If you have something specific you are trying to avoid, please leave a comment or send us a private message and we can let you know if there are any movies you shouldn’t watch.***
Best. Christmas. Ever!
Where to watch: Netflix
Movie Description: After a twist of fate brings their families together for Christmas, Charlotte sets out to prove her old friend Jackie’s life is too good to be true.
Starring: Heather Graham, Brandy Norwood, Jason Biggs
What we loved: Christmas decorations everywhere! They were not lacking there. That’s about it. But you know the best part? We (the reviewers) were actually together to watch this one! We live in separate states and typically just talked about the movies later. This time, we got to sit side-by-side under a fluffy blanket, with a snoring dog between us. We got to make fun of the movie and share our predictions. Which is really what this is all about. Sharing good times and laughs with loved ones.
What we didn’t love: Ridiculously stupid plot. I mean, absolutely RIDICULOUS. At one point, I said (in a spoiler-free way) “you know, they are going to tell us this thing,” Nikki was like ‘that is way too stupid. I will be So. Freaking. Angry. if that is the case. It makes no sense at all! No one would hide that from family.” But she knew it was going to be that way. She got her moment to yell at this candy cane catastrophe of a movie. It really wasn’t the Best. Christmas. Ever!
Was it predictable? Yuuuup
Christmas Casanova
Where to watch: Paramount+
Movie Description: Elise is a podcaster in need of catchy Christmas content. Elise agrees to be Daniyal’s wing woman and guide. As the two scramble to build the best Christmas ever, it becomes clear that Daniyal might be trying to win over the wrong woman.
Starring: Kalinka Petrie, Fuad Ahmed, Samantha Brown
What we loved: The plot wasn’t the same single plot that most other Christmas rom-coms have, which was a welcome change! Not that it deviated too much 😉 We liked the characters (finally we didn’t have one of the two love interests be a complete asshole in the beginning). And there were some super sweet romantic moments that really had us rooting for things to work out.
What we didn’t love: The main dude guy was stiff and robotic at the end scene. Maybe he wasn’t comfortable with emotions. Maybe he had gas. The world may never know. A little more originality would have been welcome.
Was it predictable? We definitely knew what the ending was going to be, but it didn’t follow the time-honored trope of girl going to a small town and falling in love and leaving all her previous dreams behind (SPOILER: if you want that, watch the next movie on the list)
Just Like a Christmas Movie
Where to watch: Paramount+
Movie Description: On the verge of a massive deadline, a cynical workaholic is zapped by faulty Christmas lights while stranded in a small Colorado town. She finds herself cast as the lead in an over-the-top Hallmark-style holiday movie.
Starring: Marlie Collins, Brad Harder, Stephanie Izsak
What we loved: what the h-e-double-candy-cane! Who doesn’t love a parody of a stereotypical Christmas romance movie!? There was one a few years ago. Honestly can’t remember it, but it was probably exactly like this one. Good Christmas decor. A few chuckles. No false advertising: it is exactly what the movie title says it is.
What we didn’t love: The main character was rude and disrespectful (guess she had to be so they can shove character development in our faces). Everyone was flat with no distinguishing characteristics. And what was with the really stupid, stiff dancing? You’ll understand when you get to that spot. Lastly, the ending was very unclear, like what is the next step for the protagonist? Is she leaving behind her career for some guy she barely knows in a fake town? We have so many questions.
Was it predictable? Very much so.
Dashing Through the Snow
Where to watch: Disney+
Movie Description: A separated social worker takes his daughter on a ride along with him on Christmas Eve.
Starring: Lil Rel Howery, Ludacris, Madison Skye Validum
What we loved: Santa! He was funny and different from the normal, boring Santa’s. Quirky and unpredictable!
What we didn’t love: The villains were stupid. Literally. This movie would have been so much better with real villains and a bit more believability (aka, remove the crazy Christmas family). The father and daughter were a bit lackluster, but not terrible.
Was it predictable? Not every step was predictable. But no big plot twists.
Dolly Parton’s Christmas On The Square
Where to watch: Netflix
Movie Description: An embittered scrooge of a woman plans to sell her small town, regardless of the consequences to the people who live there. However, a kindhearted angel arrives and shows her what would happen before she mends her ways and redeems herself.
Starring: Dolly Parton, Jenifer Lewis, Josh Segarra
What we loved: Dolly Parton is an icon. We just needed to say that. She is a wonderful human-being, and we hate to bash her movie….But we have to be brutally honest. Even during Christmas-time.
What we didn’t love: this movie is only for a teensy tiny niche of people. If you are a pray-to-Jesus, thank-God-not-the-doctors-who-did-the-saving, singing, dancing, miracles-happen-let’s-just-pray-instead-of-doing-something person, then you might like it. But the singing and dancing…yeah, you better like high school musical effort (like, actual high school, not the Disney movie). Though I’m not a dancer or a singer, so I can’t accurately judge how well that was. Maybe college level. Didn’t sound bad to my untrained ear, so that’s something. Nikki (one of the two sisters doing this review series – and who could judge singing) couldn’t make it through a couple minutes. Trigger warning for anyone experiencing infertility.
Was it predictable? Very much so.
Holiday in the Vineyards
Where to watch: Netflix
Movie Description: While on a secret job for his mother’s wine company, a man falls for the widow whose place he’s renting. But will the truth spoil their yuletide romance?
Starring: Josh Swickard, Sol Rodríguez, Eileen Davidson
What we loved: shirt-off scenes. Heeeheee. But seriously. It wasn’t overly cringy, and there was some good dialogue. Quite a few chuckles (especially with the supporting characters).
What we didn’t love: Not enough Christmas feel! Most of the movie felt like a regular rom-com. The vineyard settings just never do well with Christmas. Guess everyone is too busy sipping wine and can’t bother to decorate!
Was it predictable? Every moment!
Previous Years’ Reviews:
2022 Holiday Movie Reviews
Tis the Season For Holiday Romance Movies