Each movie listed includes: 

(1) Title (2) Rating (3) Genres (4) Starring (5) Synopsis (6) My Personal Review (7) Scoring 1-5

 

 Click on the pictures to pin them on Pinterest for later.

Miser Brothers’ Christmas (2008) A

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Mickey Rooney

Synopsis: Santa Claus and the mischievous brothers Heat Miser and Snow Miser are the targets of yuletide treachery.

Review: I love the Miser Brothers, Heat Miser and Snow Miser.  I really love their song.  The character of North Wind was done in such an annoying way he actually takes away from the story.  I didn’t enjoy this as much as I expected to but for me it’s worth it to see the Miser Brothers and get the nostalgia from The Year Without A Santa Claus.

Scoring: 3

Miss Christmas (2017)
Rated: G
Genres: Drama, Family, Romance
Starring: Brooke D’Orsay and Marc Blucas
Synopsis: The tree finder for Chicago's renowned Radcliff Tree lighting is left desperate to find the perfect tree. A letter from a boy promising his tree is perfect for the ceremony sends her to a small town where she learns that his dad is not willing to part with the tree.
Review:  Sweet love story about a family’s love for their mother as well as Holly and Sam’s budding romance. Predictable but a feel-good movie. 
Scoring: 3
 

Miss Me This Christmas (2017)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Erica Ash

Synopsis: Before finalizing their divorce on Christmas Day, Regina returns to the Chesterton Hotel where Franklin and she were originally married, only to meet an eccentric millionaire whose affection towards her forces Regina to come to grips with the choice she's facing.

Review: I thought this movie was dreadful.  The plot, the acting, everything was bad.  There are so many moments where I couldn’t believe what was happening.  The fighting and drama feel manufactured.  Skip this one.

Scoring: 1

Mister Scrooge to See You (2013)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Religion

Starring: David Ruprecht, Matt Koester, and Shannon Moore

Synopsis: Sent on a journey 170 years into the future, Scrooge encounters a world even colder and greedier than his own, a world that includes a cutthroat businessman named Timothy Cratchit VI.  Will Scrooge be able to turn Cratchit from his selfish ways and teach him the true meaning of Christmas?

Review: This was a truly original take on the original.  In this movie the book hasn’t been written.  I found it to be an interesting and sweet movie if a little light.  It delves into too many subjects without getting deep enough into any.  Belle’s kindness is worth watching for.  The topic of religion is throughout but isn’t the theme.  I’d watch again.

Scoring: 3

Mistletoe & Menorahs (2019)

Rated: PG

Genre: Romance

Starring: Jake Epstein and Kelley Jakle

Synopsis: A determined toy company executive must learn about Hanukkah in a hurry in order to land a big account. 

Review: I loved it!  They started each day with an advent calendar to let us know what day it was and track the time left to the holiday. The two people teaching each other about their traditions and show such respect to other cultures was done well. There was a sense of fun and friendship. Check this one out. 

Scoring: 4

Mistletoe & Molly (2021)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Eden Broda and Zach Smadu

Synopsis: Molly Bishop is counting on a big career opportunity to come through before the holidays without using her family’s name to get there.

Review: It’s not a bad movie just a very blah one. I never got emotionally invested and it seemed to last forever. The acting isn’t bad, but they didn’t make me care about the characters. It’s okay to watch once but I probably won’t watch again. 

Scoring: 2

Mistletoe in Montana (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Melissa Joan Hart, Duane Henry, Jamey Sheridan, and Sam Marra

Synopsis: Merry owns the ranch and has been unlucky in love, but that’s about to change when a single father, Mark, and his two kids book the ranch for Christmas week.  The holiday spirit is everywhere, and love is in the air.

Review: There were times where it really felt like the movie was dragging. Sadly, most of those times were during the romance scenes. The rest, with the family and all the Christmas was wonderful and helped make up for where it lagged. I especially loved the ending. 

Scoring: 3.5

The Mistletoe Inn (2017)
Rated: NR
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Starring: Alicia Witt and David Alpay
Synopsis: Kim, an aspiring romance novelist, finds herself dumped by her soon-to-be-published romance novelist boyfriend, Garth. She decides to take a leap and signs up for a romance writing retreat at a quaint Vermont Inn shortly before Christmas. Shortly after Kim's arrival she meets Zeke, who ends up being her assignment partner and worse yet, the ex-boyfriend is also at the retreat. 
Review:  This movie isn’t bad but it’s not great.  It’s slow and expected.  Zeke’s lying to Kim and her ex-boyfriend make the movie awkward. It was okay to watch but I wouldn’t watch it again. 
Scoring: 2

Mistletoe Magic (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Jessica Sippos and Stephen Huszar

Synopsis: When Harper realizes that she accidentally donated her family’s beloved magic mistletoe to a charity, she enlists the help of thrift store owner and old friend Luke to help her retrieve it.

Review: Magic is a good title for this film.  It’s sweet yet lighthearted.  Seeing them search for the mistletoe meant seeing touches of Christmas all around town.  Huszar does an excellent job as Luke.  He brings depth to the movie and the romantic tension.  It’s a pleasurable watch.

Scoring: 3

Mistletoe Match (2023)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Romance 

Starring: Elena Juatco and Ryan Bruce

Synopsis: Journalist Olivia goes undercover to the successful Mistletoe Match event. There, she meets single dad, widower Thomas. Sparks soon fly, but with a promotion on the line, will she risk losing it all for the romance she never saw coming?

Review: At first it seemed like a negative and kind of boring movie. Then quickly it became interesting. It’s not as deep with the background characters but it’s there where it matters. Super cute. 

Scoring: 3.5

Mistletoe Mixup (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Danielle C. Ryan, Joey Lawrence, Matthew Lawrence, and Andrew Lawrence

Synopsis: A workaholic with no time for romance, or the holidays, ends up meeting two potential suitors on the same day, but unbeknownst to her, they turn out to be brothers.  A sibling squabble commences in this holiday romance.

Review: If this happened in real life, I would be judging everyone. For a movie, it made an interesting premise. It was really enjoyable to watch. I wish the humor of the beginning was still there at the end but still fun to watch. 

Scoring: 3

Mistletoe Over Manhattan (2011)
Rated: G
Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Starring: Tricia Helfer and Greg Bryk
Synopsis: Lucy and Joe, who are getting a divorce, get the surprise visit of Mrs. Claus in disguise. Mrs. Claus is on a mission to find the true spirit of Christmas that can inspire Santa Claus. Both Lucy and Joe are consumed by their professional commitments. Lucy's interest in her boss, Parker, makes things more complicated. Can Mrs. Claus accomplish her mission, and spread the joy of Christmas?
Review:  This is a sweet movie focused on the relationships of Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as Lucy and Joe. Watching Lucy and Joe decide whether or not to divorce is sad but I loved the ending. 
Scoring: 3.5

The Mistletoe Promise (2016)

Rated: G
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Starring: Jaime King, Luke MacFarlane, and Lochlyn Munro
Synopsis: Two strangers, who don't enjoy Christmas, meet and to avoid being lonely during the holidays make a pact to deal with holiday events together. But as they get to know each other they are able to begin enjoying Christmas. They soon realize that their contract may lead them down a road that neither expected resulting in questionable feelings.
Review:  It’s hard not to love a movie where the good guys win. I enjoyed watching Elise and Nicholas go through the farce of a relationship while traversing the pitfalls of personal and professional problems. The best part, of course, was waiting for them to realize the farce had become real. Spoiler: They learn to love each other, themselves, and Christmas. 
Scoring: 4.5
 

The Mistletoe Secret (2019)

Rated: G

Genre: Drama, Romance

Starring: Kelly Pickler and Tyler Hynes

Synopsis: Aria hopes being selected for Sterling Masters' Big Holiday Adventure will save Christmas in Midway.  Little does she know that Alex Bartlett i the voice behind Sterling Masters.

Review: This movie is chock filled with Christmas spirit and tradition.  Add in a myth about a bad prince and a knight in shining armor with characters who fill that role and you have a love triangle.  We have a bad guy to dislike but not to the point it ruins the movie and a good guy who is interesting and you want to root for him the whole time.  This small town knows Christmas and I’d love to have a Christmas like they do. 

Scoring: 4

Mistletoe Time Machine (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy 

Starring: Mega Sandhu, Erika Prevost, Alicia Richardson

Synopsis: It follows a group of ex-best friends who are forced back together when a magical incident sends them back to an important moment in their past.

Review: This is yet another takes place at Christmas but isn’t about Christmas. I did really enjoy it. It made me wonder what I’d do if I redid high school. I loved watching their relationships. It a real friendship movie. 

Scoring: 3

The Mistle-Tones (2012)
Rated: PG
Genres: Drama, Family, Musical, Romance
Starring: Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Tori Spelling
Synopsis: Holly, is all set to audition for the newly vacated spot in a legendary local Christmas group which was founded by her late mother years ago. Shocked and upset when the slot goes to the barely talented best friend of the group's leader, Marci, Holly sets out to create her own musical group, The Mistle-Tones. After challenging their rivals to a sing-off on Christmas Eve, Holly finds herself on a journey to the real meaning of Christmas with some new friends and a new love thrown in for good measure.
Review:  I really want to like this movie more but it’s just kind of blah.  Spelling makes a good villain.  The group of misfits in Holly's group are so lovable and they show true acceptance for people as they are.  There are a few interesting moments and it’s okay but not a must see. 
Scoring: 2.5

Mitch Albom’s Have A Little Faith (2011)

Rated: PG

Genre: Drama

Starring: Bradley Whitford, Laurence Fishburne, and Martin Landau

Synopsis: Cleric Henry Covington and Rabbi Albert Lewis profoundly affect the life of write Mitch Albom.

Review: First of all, this isn’t a Christmas movie.  I’m not sure why Hallmark includes it in their Christmas line up.  It is a very deep and meaningful movie about faith and a person’s ability to change.  It also really emphasizes human connection and how others affect us.  It’s a great movie, just not a Christmas one.

Scoring: 3

Mixed Nuts (1994)
Rated: PG-13
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Starring: Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Rita Wilson, Adam Sandler, Robert Klein, Anthony LaPaglia, Juliette Lewis, Rob Reiner, and Liev Schreiber
Synopsis: Christmas Eve in Venice Beach, California. A serial strangler is on the loose. A crisis hotline, staffed by three inept counselors, faces eviction. Each of the three is lovelorn. They and their non-profit program need a miracle. Their paths cross those of Gracie and Felix, penniless lovers who are fighting with each other and are about to become parents; Chris, an unhappy man in drag; Louie, their loopy song-writing neighbor; a man walking his dogs; a veterinarian; and, their landlord. A Christmas tree, an elevator, a fruit cake, and a pistol also figure in this night before Christmas. Are any miracles in the offing?
Review:  One of the funniest movies. This is an annual must see for me. The zany cast of characters and all their predicaments keep me laughing.  Just when you think you've seen it all, there's another hysterical moment.  This one is funny no matter what time of year.
Scoring: 5

A Mom For Christmas (1990)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Olivia Newton-John and Doris Roberts

Synopsis: A young girl who wants a mom for the Christmas holidays gets her wish when a department store mannequin comes to life.

Review:  There’s something moving about a little girl wanting a mom to fill that void. It’s a little too sweet but it’s sentimental and it's a good family film. 

Scoring: 3

 

Mom’s Christmas Boyfriend (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Jeananne Goossen and Zach Smadu 

Synopsis: Single mom Emma always puts others first, especially her daughter, Lily, whom she adopted on her own. But when the precocious Lily wins a contest to have her Christmas wish granted, Emma's life gets turned upside down.

Review: While this is a really cute movie, and I love the mother and daughter together, I wasn’t able to really enjoy it. Why?  Because it’s basically the same story as Gail O’Grady’s All I Want for Christmas (2007) which I’ve seen numerous times. There are only small changes like a daughter instead of a son. If you don’t know the other movie, you’ll like it. 

Scoring: 3

Monster & Me AKA Santa & Me (2013)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Athena Baumeister

Synopsis: A mean and spoiled 13-year-old girl is turned into a "monster" by Santa. She must get a real present from a real friend by Christmas or she'll stay a monster.

Review:  By monster, they mean “ugly”.  Santa, in a departure from the traditional looking Santa, makes Rubie’s outsides match her insides.  Rubie learns what true friends are when her popular group wants nothing to do with her when she isn’t pretty anymore.  It has a good message about treating everyone with kindness and respect.  I think it would be valuable to watch as a family and discuss.

Scoring: 3

Moonlight And Mistletoe (2008)
Rated: G
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance
Starring: Tom Arnold, Candace Cameron Bure, and Barbara Niven
Synopsis: In 'Saint' Nick Crosby's old-fashioned year-round Christmas village Santaville, working as an elf on Christmas preparations all year killed his daughter Holly's seasonal spirit. So, she moved out, feeling neglected since her mother's death, to become a Boston toy firm's hardest-working sales executive. When Nick has a bad injury, she returns to help out and finds Santaville outdated and near bankruptcy despite much generous help, especially from shy Peter. She tries to save it, counting on a plan proposed by charming financial advisor Ben Richards.
Review:  This movie is sweet and enjoyable. We get to see Holly get her Christmas spirit back. New, old, and changing relationships keep me involved. A reminder of the importance of family and friends. I'd love to live in Santaville.
Scoring: 4

The Most Colorful Time of the Year (2022)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Christopher Russell and Katrina Bowden

Synopsis: It follows Ryan, an elementary school teacher who learns that he is colorblind. Michelle, an optometrist and mother of one of his students, helps bring color into his life in time for the holidays.

Review: While there’s tons of Christmas, the main heart of the story is Ryan and Michelle. Ryan seeing color that opens him up to the world in every way. The romance is so delightful and happens at a perfect pace.  This is one of those movies you feel.  I loved it. 

Scoring: 3.5

Most Wanted Santa (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Romance

Starring: Denyce Lawton, Donnell Turner, Teresa Castillo, and Mark Lawson

Synopsis: An FBI agent and police detective must work together to find the criminal stealing rare artwork.  Santa Claus is their number one suspect. 

Review: Other than the major plot hole of Santa’s criminal activities being ignored in the end, it was a cute movie. I liked seeing a female duo who build each other up and can be strong and feminine at the same time. 

Scoring: 3

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year (2008)
Rated: PG
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance
Starring: Brooke Burns, Henry Winkler, and Warren Christie
Synopsis: A snowbound stranger brightens the holidays for a retired police officer and his niece. 
Review:  I really like this movie. An opposites attract theme. The relationships between the characters are fun to watch. Henry Winkler is especially wonderful. 
Scoring: 5

Mr. Christmas (2005)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Jace McLean and Jen Celene Little

Synopsis: In 1941, a young father can't afford to buy his 5-year-old daughter the bicycle she expects Santa Claus to bring her for Christmas.

Review: The film quality looks like it’s a home video but don’t let that stop you. I enjoyed all the props and costumes for the era.  Everyone brings their characters to life.  I won’t spoil it but there is a happy ending.  There are references to Pearl Harbor and WWII so you may have to explain that to young children but the references are so brief they may not even notice.

Scoring: 3

Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol (1962)

Rated: G

Genres: Animation, Fantasy

Starring: Jim Backus

Synopsis: Mr. Magoo plays Ebenezer Scrooge and learns the meaning of Christmas.

Review: If you’re familiar with Mr. Magoo, you may find this lacking some of the silliness he is known for.  It’s a fairly classic retelling of the story.  A good version for kids or families. 

Scoring: 3

Mr. Miracle (2014)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Religion

Starring: Britt Irvin and Rob Morrow 

Synopsis: A Guardian Angel, posing as an English teacher, helps a young woman find her way before Christmas.

Review:  I was so disappointed. I thought it would be as good as the Mrs. Miracle movies. Unfortunately, Rob Morrow plays a new angel but rather than appearing to be excited experiencing things for the first time he comes off as unintelligent with some issues. Sadly, the story seems good and would’ve made a good movie if the angel wasn’t so distracting. 

Scoring: 1.5

Mr. St. Nick (2002)
Rated: NR
Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Elaine Hendrix, Ana Ortiz, and Wallace Shawn
Synopsis: King Nicholas XX is ready to retire and pass the throne to his son, Nick St Nicholas. But Nick is a no-show, preferring his lavish seaside lifestyle and his sexy girlfriend. Only a miracle can save Christmas.
Review:  Interesting take on Santa. Fun to see his son be fallible like the rest of us.  His struggle between wanting independence and family obligations is something we can relate to. Cool tropical setting. Enjoyable. 
Scoring: 3.5