A Mermaid For Christmas (2019)

Rated: NR

Genres: Fantasy, Romance 

Starring: Kyle Lowder, Jessica Morris, and Arianne Zucker

Synopsis: Filled with warmth, humor, whimsy, and just a touch of magic, It combines classic Christmas themes with an escapist fantasy element that only a mermaid can provide.

Review: Completely over the top story and acting and yet the silliness just makes it fun. It was, at times, stupid. Overall, it’s one I wasn’t glued to and I won’t watch again but it wasn’t horrible to see once. The fact that there’s a mermaid isn’t even the oddest part of it. 

Scoring: 2

Merry & Bright (2019)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Jodie Sweetin and Andrew Walker

Synopsis: Cate, CEO of the Merry and Bright Candy Cane Company, meets Gabe, who works for Empire Corporate Recovery, which has been hired to  find ways to make the company more profitable. As Cate and Gabe begin to work together, they find ways to elevate the business and find that they have more in common than savvy business sense.

Review: Sweetin and Walker are delightful as always.  The movie doesn’t offer many surprises but it offers a good love story and some funny side stories.  I especially liked that it gave us a solid ending.  I wasn’t that surprised at how she chose to expand the company, as I was wanting to yell it to her from the beginning, but I was worried she wouldn’t get there.  It’s a nice sweet movie.

Scoring: 4

Merry Christmas, Baby! (2016)

Movie 4 of 5 in the series.

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: Malinda Williams and Karon Riley

Synopsis: Marci throws herself into preparing for Christmas and building her new event-planning business. But when the business gets off to a rocky start and members of her family face their own hardships, Marci steps up to help everyone have a good holiday.

Review:  The fourth movie in the series continues the Chandler family adventures. It has the same feel and meaning behind it as the first three. The personalities of the family shine.  I love the community being brought into the story.  It would be better enjoyed if you watch the whole series in order.  It's worth it.

Scoring: 4

A Merry Christmas Match (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Ashley Newbrough and Kyle Dean Massey

Synopsis: Corey who works in her mom's antique shop, puts on a Christmas pageant in honor of her late father. When a man named Ryder visits her store, she wonders if she should have left town to follow her dream of becoming a theater director.

Review: This movie has so many special aspects to it.  You know it will have a happy ending but there are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing how it will happen.  The characters are varied and interesting.  I was completely invested in the story from the beginning.  Could it use a little spice?  Sure, but that might ruin what’s great about it.

Scoring: 4

A Merry Christmas Wish (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Jill Wagner and Cameron Mathison

Synopsis: It tells the story of Janie. She returns to her hometown of Woodland Falls when her great-uncle passes away. He surprises Janie with a special gift: the family homestead, her childhood home.

Review: It’s a typical Christmas romance where you know the ending from the beginning but it’s still good thanks to Wagner and Mathison. The movie is also filled with Christmas practically everywhere you look. 

Scoring: 3

Merry Ex-mas (2014)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: Kristy Swanson, Dean Cain, Lochlyn Munro, and Jodi Lyn O’Keefe

Synopsis: During a blizzard at Christmas, a man becomes snowbound with ex-wife, her wealthy suitor, his former mother-in-law, and his daughter.

Review:  Just no. It’s so negative and awkward and just uncomfortable to watch. It’s the opposite of what a feel-good movie is. 

Scoring: 1

Merry Ex-Mas (2016)

Rated: TV-MA

Genre: Comedy

Starring: London Brown and Angell Conwell

Synopsis: A woman comes up with a diabolical plan to ruin her ex’s Christmas wedding.

Review: Sometimes sweet, sometimes funny, sometimes heartfelt. The movie has everything. The ending wraps everything up almost too perfectly. I feel we could have used a little more backstory but it’s still good. 

Scoring: 3

A Merry Friggin’ Christmas (2014)

Rated: PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: Candace Bergen, Lauren Graham, Joel McHale, Wendy McLendon-Covey, Oliver Platt, and Robin Williams

Synopsis: Boyd Mitchler and his family must spend Christmas with his estranged family of misfits. Upon realizing that he left all his son's gifts at home, he hits the road with his dad in an attempt to make the 8-hour round trip before sunrise.

Review:  First, this is NOT for children. Second, it’s hysterical. I haven’t laughed out loud that many times during a movie for a long time. It has its moments where you’re waiting for something to happen but they’re worth sitting through. 

Scoring: 4

Merry In-Laws (2012)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: George Wendt, Shelley Long, and Lucas Bryant

Synopsis: A recently engaged woman plans a get-together so her parents can meet her fiancé's family. It turns out that his parents are Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Review:  At times too at odds with itself, like the Clauses vs. non-believing parents, but Long and Wendt are fantastic. They make the movie special. You’ll want them for your family. 

Scoring: 3

Merry Kiss Cam (2022)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Jesse Bradford and Katie Lowes 

Synopsis: When Jess and Danny go on a first date to a hockey game, their team scores a winning goal after their "kiss cam" smooch. Now, Jess and Danny must continue attending the games or risk the wrath of fans who believe their kisses are a good luck charm.

Review: I’ll start by saying I don’t think this is truly a Christmas movie. It had small dabs of Christmas but it’s really a romance. That aside, it’s a great movie. I loved it all the way through. The main characters are done in a very relatable way and I couldn’t help rooting for them.

Scoring: 3.5

Merry Liddle Christmas (2019)

Movie 1 of 3 in the series.

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Kelly Rowland and Debbi Morgan

Synopsis: This story of a woman trying to get her dysfunctional family to look picture perfect for the holidays, who falls in love with her neighbor amidst the chaos.

Review: The first time I watched I felt so horrible about how the family behaved.  They didn't respect Jacquie.  I didn't get how she got over it so quickly.  After watching the trilogy together, I realized the answer was family.  She put her hurt feelings aside. because she loves her family, and they love her.  And her family really gets into shenanigans.

Scoring: 4

Merry Liddle Christmas Baby (2021)

Movie 3 of 3 in the series

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Kelly Rowland and Debbi Morgan

Synopsis: The Liddle family has much to be merry about this Christmas as Jacquie and Tyler prepare for the arrival of their first baby, while her sister, Treena and her husband Julian are planning to adopt a baby.

Review: I think part of the enjoyment here is already knowing the family and picking up with them again.  It’s typical Liddle antics.  The only thing that didn’t really seem normal was the mom being trapped in Utah.  Other than that, it’s all the Liddle madness you’re used to but tamed down and even more love.  Watching this as a stand-alone movie might be okay but I highly recommend watching the series.  I’m hoping for another. 

Scoring: 4

Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding (2020)

Movie 2 of 3 in the series

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Kelly Rowland and Debbi Morgan

Synopsis: A couple try to plan the perfect destination wedding amid family chaos and drama.

Review: The Liddle family is at it again. I have to say Jacquie Liddle is a far better person than me. If my family showed up for my wedding, did everything I asked them not to, and ruined my wedding, I wouldn’t just smile because they had good intentions. Luckily, she does. This movie has tons of Christmas activities and fun even though it’s mostly about the wedding. A sweet sequel. 

Scoring: 4

A Merry Single Christmas (2022)

Rated: PG

Genre: Romance

Starring: Chelsea Gipson and Andrew Rogers

Synopsis: Morgan escapes to a single's retreat to rekindle her Christmas spirit, but things get complicated when her Ex, Liam, shows up.

Review: This is a darling romance. The pace is uneven at times but it’s worth it. The concept of singles finding the joy at Christmas without couples reminding them they’re single is unique. Fun watch. 

Scoring: 3

Merry Swissmas (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Jodie Sweetin and Tim Rozon

Synopsis: It follows Alex as she returns home to spend Christmas with her mother, and she finds out her best friend and her ex-boyfriend, who are now dating, are also visiting.

Review: I enjoyed learning about Swiss Christmas traditions.  There was just one too many relationships that took focus away from the main couple.  There’s the former best friend, the friend’s boyfriend, the friend’s mom who just got divorced, the mom opening an inn after losing her husband, the brother with his wife and child, the chef, and the widowed male lead with a son.  I wished it had focused more on the leads.  Besides that, it’s a layered and interesting movie.  I liked it a lot.

Scoring: 3

Merry Switchmas (2021)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Rebekah Aladdin, Rachel Aladdin, Joel Harold, and Joseph Harold

Synopsis: Two identical sisters play identity switch during their family Christmas party, finding out more about their family and themselves before the night ends.

Review: The beginning seemed slow and silly, the middle was confusing-two sets of identical twins switching places back and forth-and the end unrealistic.  No group of people just all say they were wrong and apologize.  With all that said, it was still somewhat entertaining.  Even when I wasn’t sure who was who I wanted to see how it ended.

Scoring: 3 

Merry Textmas (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Rodrigo Massa and Ariana Ron Pedrique

Synopsis: Every year, the family gathers at Abuela's house in Mexico. When Gaby accidentally adds Alex to the family group-chat, her well-meaning family decides to secretly invite him to join them for Christmas.

Review: There’s one major problem with this movie. A good portion of it is in Spanish and the translation is in small white, barely readable, text. If I didn’t speak enough Spanish to get it I would have been lost. Other than that, I enjoyed the story and the 12 challenges. I do wish I had learned more about Mexican traditions, but I loved the family. 

Scoring: 3

Merry Wishmas (2018)

Rated: PG

Genre: Family, Religion, Romance

Starring: Tamela Mann and David Mann

Synopsis: A successful Atlanta businesswoman reunites with an old high school friend at his wellness facility.

Review: The main part of this is saving the center. There’s a lot of faith in God and a learned faith in family. Characters, like the secretary, are funny but not too over the top. Sweet movie but a little all over the place. 

Scoring: 2.5

Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2001)

Rated: G

Genres: Adventure, Animation, Comedy

Starring: N/A

Synopsis: Mickey and all his friends hold their own Christmas party at the House of Mouse, after being snowed in.

Review:  This is a movie for younger children who still enjoy the simplicity  of Mickey Mouse stories.  They’ll enjoy the various characters who appear at the party.  When they get snowed in Mickey decides to entertain everyone with videos of short stories.  This is one I think will bore most adults.

Scoring: 3

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas (1999)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Family

Starring: Kelsey Grammer

Synopsis: A Christmas themed, three-part anthology-style video. The first part, "Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas", is essentially a retelling of Groundhog Day (1993), with Huey, Dewey, and Louie reliving Christmas ad infinitum. Next is "A Very Goofy Christmas", in which Goofy tries to overcome his son's skepticism about Santa Claus. Finally, "Mickey & Minnie's Gift Of The Magi" recreate the classic tale of ironic Christmas selflessness. 

Review: This is a movie for young children.  The stories are good but not told in a way to be of much interest for adults.  There are good topics for family conversations.

Scoring: 3

Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas (2004)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Family

Starring: N/A

Synopsis: In this sequel to Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas, Mickey and friends gather again to discover the true joys of Christmas.

Review: Like the first movie, this is best for young children.  Older children and adults may not enjoy it as much.  The stories have a silliness that appeals to the younger Mickey fans.

Scoring: 3

Middleton Christmas (2020)

Rated: NR

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Eileen Davidson, Michael Pare, Kennedy Tucker, and Michael Varde

Synopsis: As two single parents try to save their teens’ high school and their alma mater at Christmas, a warm romance is kindled between them.

Review: There were times where the story felt like it needed some gaps filled but I loved it.  I was completely absorbed in the story, even though it took a little while for that to happen.  The characters are likable (if not a little too perfect) and relatable.  A story about giving and love.

Scoring: 3

Midnight At The Magnolia (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Starring: Natalie Hall and Evan Williams

Synopsis: Longtime friends and local radio hosts, Maggie and Jack, fake it as a couple for their families and listeners in hopes of getting their show syndicated.

Review: The music is horrific, the acting is mediocre, but the story is wonderful. It saves the movie. It started out kind of blah and slow but once I got to know the characters and their stories, I was completely invested in how it ended. 

Scoring: 3

Midnight Clear (2006)

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Drama

Starring: Stephen Baldwin

Synopsis: The lives of an unemployed divorcee, his suicidal mother, and a couple, intersect during Christmastime. 

Review:  This movie is so dark and dreary. Unfortunately, it’s also horribly slow and boring. It was painful to have to sit through. 

Scoring: 1

A Midnight Kiss (2018)

Rated: G

Genres: Romance

Starring: Adelaide Kade and Carlos PenaVega 

Synopsis: With only one week to prepare, party planners land the biggest job in their company’s history; a New Year’s Eve party for a tech entrepreneur. 

Review:  Hallmark had this as a Christmas movie and the beginning of the movie is at Christmastime but most of it is about planning the party. It’s a sweet romcom that’s different than the typical one. Even though you know the kiss is coming it’s still moving. 

Scoring: 3.5

Mingle All The Way (2018)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Jen Lilley, Lindsay Wagner, and April Telek

Synopsis: "Mingle All the Way" is a new networking app designed to pair busy professionals together for upcoming events, without long-term romance. Molly, founder of the app, is determined to prove to her family that it is a success. Therefore, she joins the app, and meets another busy professional, Jeff. As the pair gets closer, perhaps their business arrangement might turn into something more this holiday season.

Review:  This is very much like Hitched For The Holidays. Just add an app and make the people a little more Christmas movie-ish instead of every day relatable. It did have all the wonderful aspects of a Hallmark Christmas love story with a modern-day technology twist.

Scoring: 4

Miracle at Gate 213 (2013)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Religion

Starring: Mackenzie Astin, Louis Gossett, Jr., Shirley Jones, Della Reese

Synopsis: Holiday travelers are stranded at an airport on Christmas Eve.

Review: This was a very sweet movie.  It teaches us how very similar we are and how all those things that seem to make us different are the same things we have in common.  It shows kindness, forgiveness, love, decency, and the Christmas spirit.

Scoring: 4

Miracle At Sage Creek (2005)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: David Carradine

Synopsis: Two families overcome prejudice and tragedy in 1888 Wyoming when a special Christmas miracle saves the life of a small boy.

Review: Wow.  I thought it would be great to have a western-themed Christmas movie.  It’s just boring.  It feels like it starts mid-story, the effects are bad, and a lot of the acting is over the top.  It’s just not worth watching.

Scoring: 1

A Miracle Before Christmas (2022)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy 

Starring: LeToya Luckett

Synopsis: With a little help from an angel, Mercedes Wright, a fast-talking popular relationship therapist with all the answers when it comes to fixing everyone else's marriage, must now use the magic of Christmas to find the secret to save her own.

Review: This has the “It’s a Wonderful Life” tinge to it. She has to see that she’s be super successful without her family but happier with them. It just doesn’t have any magic. It’s very hum drum. 

Scoring: 2

Miracle In Motor City (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Religion, Romance

Starring: Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Smokey Robinson, and Mark Taylor

Synopsis: Amber finds herself in trouble when she promises to create the Christmas pageant no one will forget, with the special appearance of Motown legend, Smokey Robinson.  She and Eddie will go to great lengths, while reconnecting, to make it happen.

Review: This is a very sweet and heartfelt story about love and life.  As with so many movies, the little girl was the heart of the movie.  It’s not solely about religion but the purpose of the fundraiser is the church and Amber’s father is the pastor so it is subtly woven throughout.  The children signing is a special part of it.  It didn’t knock my socks 

off, but it left me with warm and fuzzy feelings.

                                                 Scoring: 3

Miracle Maker (2015)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family, Religion

Starring: Brian Krause and Jake Stormoen

Synopsis: Woodhaven, a tiny town on the edge of the American frontier, needs a Christmas miracle and it may have arrived in the form of a ragged traveler.

Review: While the religious message is not overt, it runs throughout the movie.  From acts of kindness to forgiveness to the metaphor of planting seeds.  It’s slow but well done with a lovely feel to it.

Scoring: 3

The Miracle on 34th Street (1955)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance

Starring: Macdonald Carey

Synopsis: One Kris Kringle, a department-store Santa Claus, causes quite a commotion by suggesting customers go to a rival store for their purchases. But this is nothing to the stir he causes by announcing that he is not merely a make-believe St. Nick, but the real McCoy.

Review:  This is pretty much exactly the same as the 1947 movie but shorter and missing the magic of the other movies. It’s like a Cliff’s Notes version of the story. The actors aren’t bad it’s just missing the parts of the story that allow you to feel Christmas and the beauty of their relationships. 

Scoring: 2

Miracle On Christmas (2020)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family, Religion

Starring: Erin Bethea, Jason Burkey, and Brett Varvel

Synopsis: The holiday spirit seems distant for the Boyce family until an unexpected visitor and miracle change everything on Christmas Day.

Review: Despite the negative storyline of illness and death, there’s a feeling of hope throughout the movie and never feels dark.  It shares a message of hope and of faith without being preachy.  I thought the acting was phenomenal.  I wouldn’t watch with young children as they may not understand some of the content but other than that it’s a good Christian family film.

Scoring: 4

A Miracle On Christmas Lake (2016)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Religion

Starring: Will Sasso, Kristian Wang, and Siobhan Williams

Synopsis: A teenager heads to the pond where he and his best friend, now deceased, used to play hockey together. He’s shocked to discover a magical, perfectly groomed rink, which only appears at night in his presence. 

Review:  The story unfolds slowly, sometimes too slowly, but with drama and feeling. I was really invested in the story and the characters.  Children most likely won’t be able to follow the story but teens will. It’s a beautiful story about recovering from loss and finding Christmas joy again. 

Scoring: 3

Miracles Across 125th Street (2021)

Rated: TV-14

Genres: Family, Religion

Starring: Nick Canon, Lil’ Kim, Chrisette Michelle, Tommy Davidson, and Luenell

Synopsis: After battling drug addiction, a Harlem rapper returns to his family’s church to confront his past on Christmas Eve.

Review: The beginning is rather dumb, the middle is sometimes moving and sometimes funny, the end is good and makes up for the weaknesses at the beginning.  It just goes back and forth between exaggerated and funny and super serious to quickly.  The story needed some fine tuning.

Scoring: 2