Saint Maybe (1998)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family, Religion

Starring: Blythe Danner, Edward Herrmann, and Mary-Louise Parker

Synopsis: A lonely teen troubled by a past family tragedy is suspicious of his sister-in-law, believing she is being unfaithful. His confrontation with his brother sets off a series of tragic events.

Review:  The best part of this is the relationships. The worst part is how it moves like molasses for a large portion of it. If you can push through the slow parts, you’ll enjoy knowing the family. 

Scoring: 2.5

Saint Street (2012)

Rated: NR

Genre: Drama 

Starring: Mark Webb

Synopsis: Percy has found himself caught up in the riches of the world and is neglecting his most prized possession. In a tragic event, Percy faces humble circumstances after losing his family, job, and home. It is on Saint Street where Percy sees the light and changes his ways.

Review:  While amateurish and poorly acted, this is a decent movie. The message is worth the negatives of the movie. That being said, I probably wouldn’t watch again. 

Scoring: 2

Same Time, Next Christmas (2019)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Lea Michele, Charles Michael Davis, Nia Vardalos, and George Newbern

Synopsis: Sparks fly between a young woman and her childhood sweetheart when they reunite at the same Hawaiian resort where they met earlier. 

Review: The movie was definitely a new story and different from so many others. There are a few Christmas traditions but it’s mostly about the families. I liked it but I didn’t love it. Newbern and Vardalos were the best part. 

Scoring: 2.5

Sappy Holiday (2022)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Vanessa Sears and John McLaren

Synopsis: When a sous chef accidentally discovers her boyfriend is going to propose to her on Christmas Eve, she begins doubting their future together; especially when a handsome maple farmer rescues her from a snowstorm.

Review: At first, I wasn’t sure how the families would connect but one snow bank I knew.  I loved the farm and the family. There’s tons of Christmas and love. It’s a romance and sweet family mixed into one. I’ll watch again and I hope they make a sequel.

Scoring: 3.5

Saving Christmas (2014)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Family, Religion

Starring: Kirk Cameron

Synopsis: His annual Christmas party is faltering thanks to his cynical brother-in-law. Kirk attempts to save the day by showing him that Jesus Christ remains a crucial component of the over-commercialized holiday.

Review: I, like most people, struggle with the religious vs. secular celebration of Christmas. This movie does a good job merging the two with in-depth explanations. I learned a lot but was still entertained. If you aren’t Christian, this may not appeal to you but I’d still recommend giving it a try.

Scoring: 3

Saving Christmas (2017)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Fantasy

Starring: Ed Asner, Brooke Langton, and Patrick Muldoon

Synopsis: A young boy, Danny, tries to prove the existence of Santa by using his intelligence and gadgets. He and his trusted group go on an intense journey to find the truth of Santa.

Review: I was surprised at how poor the quality seemed to be here given Asner and Muldoon being in it.  The children act the way children act especially when they reach the age where they start questioning Santa.  We have the bullying and the yearning to believe but it’s just done so poorly it’s hard to watch.  It ends with Santa showing his magic by zapping a pro wrestler with a broken foot from his home to the ring and then magically fixing the foot so they can wrestle.  This movie was a waste of two good actors.

Scoring: 1 

Saving Santa (2013)

Rated: NR

Genres: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, Musical

Starring: Joan Collins, Tim Conway, Tim Curry, Martin Freeman, and Ashley Tisdale

Synopsis: A lowly stable elf finds that he is the only one who can stop an invasion of the North Pole by using the secret of Santa's Sleigh, a TimeGlobe, to travel back in time to Save Santa, twice.

Review: This movie was very original and quite entertaining.  The underdog elf that is repeatedly told he’s no good keeps going until he succeeds.  A great message for kids.  The songs are good but you won’t find yourself singing them to yourself later.  Great for families to watch together.

Scoring: 3

Saying Yes To Christmas (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Fantasy, Romance

Starring: Erika Prevost and Romaine Waite

Synopsis: A magical Christmas wish makes a career-obsessed woman say “yes” to every invitation while she’s home for the holidays.  However, past feelings get reignited when an old flame joins her hectic schedule of yuletide activities.

Review: This was a really interesting movie and I truly enjoyed it.  Seeing her frustration as she’s trying to say no adds some comedic moments.  Her relationship with her parents and the scene where her mom talks about their heritage add real heart.  It’s a fun one with feeling.

Scoring: 3

Scentsational Christmas aka A Candlelit Christmas (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Nazneen Contractor and Mykee Selkin

Synopsis: Ellie decides to go back home for Christmas, and help her dad with the candle-making business. Little does she know, however, that her father has charming, writer Logan staying with him, looking for inspiration for his writings.

Review: It’s a great romance and a great mystery. The problem is that between the candles, the mystery, the romance, and the perfume, it was like too many separate stories. They needed some finesse to combine them better. Besides that, it had some very sweet moments and was enjoyable.  The end makes it all worth it.

Scoring: 3

Scoot And Kassie’s Christmas Adventure (2013)

Rated: PG

Genre: Family 

Starring: Luke Perry and Taylor Negron

Synopsis: Kassie rescues a retired, wounded police dog and names him Scoot. She and her friends organize a charity concert to raise money for less fortunate kids, and Scoot has to save the day when two crooks make plans to steal the donated money.

Review:  This is a good family film. The children and the dog are really the stars. I think a lot of adults will find it corny but it seems made for children. A cute story with good messages. 

Scoring: 2.5

Scrooge (1935)

Rated: NR

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Seymour Hicks

Synopsis: Scrooge, the ultimate Victorian miser, hasn't a good word for Christmas, though his impoverished clerk Cratchit and nephew Fred are full of holiday

spirit. But in the night, Scrooge is visited by spirits of another color.  Straightforward adaptation of Dickens.

Review: As advertised, this is a traditional version of the story.  It is well acted and I was quite surprised at the special effects given when it was made. If you want the true story, not an adaptation, you’ll enjoy this.

Scoring: 3

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)

Rated: TV-Y

Genres: Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Musical

Starring: Luke Evans

Synopsis: A supernatural, time-travelling, musical adaptation of Charles Dickens's cult Christmas story

Review: Despite its rating, I think it may be a little scary for younger viewers or go over their heads. You may wish to check it out first. It is a good and entertaining adaptation of the original story. It was enjoyable to watch. 

Scoring: 3

Sealed With a List (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Katie Findlay and Evan Roderick 

Synopsis: This holiday season, festive Carley sets out to conquer her list of abandoned resolutions from last year. Aided by coworker Wyatt, she finds love and the confidence to chase her dreams.

Review: I loved this movie. The story was completely fresh and original. The lead characters were perfectly cast and had such great chemistry. The movie managed to be deep but lighthearted at the same time. This is must-see. 

Scoring: 4.5

The Search For Santa Paws (2010)

Rated: G

Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy

Starring: Reese Alexander and Bill Cobbs

Synopsis: Magic dogs and an elf team up with two children to rescue Santa who has lost his memory.

Review: Like the other talking animal films this is more for children. There are some scenes that younger children may find scary. It’s too silly for adults.

Scoring: 1.5

The Search for Secret Santa (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama

Starring: Skye Coyne and Alex Trumble

Synopsis: Cub reporter Sofia thinks she's found a Christmas story that will save her career when she discovers a long-lost, undelivered Secret Santa gift addressed from B. to Claire.

Review: This movie was so different from the typical ones.  There were so many twists and turns I had no idea how it would end.  I was completely engaged in the story the entire time.  Definitely worth a watch.

Scoring: 3

A Season for Family (2023)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Brendan Penny and Stacey Farber

Synopsis: Maddy's adopted son Wesley has just one Christmas wish - to meet his brother Cody, who was adopted into a different family. Cody's father Paul is a widower who is not ready to have this conversation with his son.

Review: While there’s tons of Christmas to look at, the story is mostly about what the characters are doing leading up to Christmas. It was a charming movie but left some plot holes. Definitely worth seeing but I don’t know that it’s one I’ll watch multiple times. 

Scoring: 3.5 

A Season for Miracles (1999)

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy, Religion, Romance 

Starring: Carla Gugino, David Conrad, Laura Dern, Kathy Baker, Patty Duke, Mae Whitman, and Lynn Redgrave

Synopsis: A woman tries to save her sister’s children from foster care by taking them to a small town where she is mistaken for a missing heiress. 

Review:  This is one of my all-time favorites. Seeing the vulnerable family becoming stronger with the help of strangers in a community is endearing. Gugino plays the part with the right balance of strength and vulnerability. Whitman also gives an amazing performance. I love everything about it. 

Scoring: 5

Seasons Of Love (2014)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance 

Starring: Taraji P. Henson and Gladys Knight

Synopsis: Set in the picturesque backdrop of New York, "Seasons of Love" is a romantic, soulful holiday drama about two people who struggle to find love against the odds, while reconciling with the past and learning the true value of family.

Review:  Christmas is a small part of the movie but I wouldn’t count this as a Christmas movie. It’s more a relationship movie where you're watching people navigate different situations. It fell a little flat for me. 

Scoring: 2.5

A Second Chance Christmas (2014)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Michael Rainey, Jr. and McKinley Freeman

Synopsis: A widower tries to bond with his young stepson during the holidays.

Review: The relationship between Lawrence and Malcolm is so moving.  Seeing them go from coexisting to not wanting to be apart really got to me.  Lawrence’s belief in the true meaning of Christmas is an underlying theme of the movie. I won’t spoil the ending but I needed a tissue.

Scoring: 3.5

Second Chance Christmas (2017)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance 

Starring: Katrina Begin, Tilky Jones, and Charlene Tilton 

Synopsis: In this Christmastime romantic comedy, Caroline is unhappy in her marriage and makes her way to file for divorce. On the way, an accident occurs and everything in her love life is about to change, as amnesia is now setting in.

Review:  I know amnesia is often overused but here it is used well. We get to see a couple falling apart fall in love all over again. Enchanting. 

Scoring: 3

Secret of Giving (1999)

Rated: PG

Genre: Drama

Starring: Reba McEntire and Thomas Ian Griffith

Synopsis: A young widow, aided by a lone rider, overcomes hardship to restore the faith of a town in time for Christmas.

Review: This movie was lacking something.  I didn’t feel invested in the story or the characters.  It felt like a superficial story lacking depth and layers.  We never really get to know the characters well which takes away from any emotional reaction.  It’s not the worst but I suggest skipping it.

Scoring: 2

The Secret of the Nutcracker (2007)

Rated: NR

Genres: Family, Fantasy

Starring: Brian Cox

Synopsis: In this innovative version of the world-famous Christmas story, 12-year-old Clara takes a magical journey on Christmas Eve to find her father in a World War II Prisoner of War camp.

Review: We start with a family in Canada during WWII while the father is a prisoner of war in Germany.  This concept alone may require explaining and be difficult for younger children to understand but would be a good history lesson for older children.  I will say this is a little odder of the versions I’ve seen.  Uncle Dross is the owl from the woods and his friends are birds (people dressed as birds).  There’s plenty of the classic music and a few scenes with ballet.  Overall, I think it suffers from too many storylines at once.  It’s all over the place.  One of my least favorite nutcracker stories.

Scoring: 2

Secretly Santa (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Romance

Starring: Alicia Dea Josipovic and Travis Nelson

Synopsis: Mirand and Paul, two business rivals who playfully despise each other, work together on a holiday gift-giving app, and unexpected feelings develop for one another.

Review: The movie felt sort of stale and predictable in the beginning. It’s stayed predictable but got more enjoyable as it went on and I got to know the characters. The ending is clear from the beginning but still sweet. 

Scoring: 2.5

The Secrets of Christmas Revealed! (2021)

Rated: PG

Genres: Comedy

Starring: Harvey Levin, Chrishell Stause, Sophia Shoate, Chris Down, and John Smoltz

Synopsis: A massive data breach results in the release of millions of secret documents revealing the confidential innerworkings and mysteries of Santa’s entire Christmas operation.

Review: Let me start by saying I wouldn’t have children, especially those who still believe, watch this.  It’s a mockumentary that supposedly exposes all of Santa’s secrets.  Things like the ugly Christmas sweater tradition starting due to Mrs. Claus’ addiction to knitting or Rudolph having a red nose due to FAA guidelines.  It’s so ridiculous but I was laughing out loud.  I think this is one people will love or hate.

Scoring: 3

Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen (2019)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Erin Krakow, Luke Macfarlane, and Kimberley Sustad

Synopsis: Ella Dashwood and her sister Marianne are huge Christmas enthusiasts and own a party-planning business. One of their new clients is a toy company and they don't see eye-to-eye with Edward Ferris, the company's C.E.O.

Review: This was a lovely movie. Ella’s Christmas spirit and joy are contagious (and I love her scarves). All the characters are so wonderfully similar yet unique. It’s sweet watching their evolutions. It’s definitely a feelgood romance. 

Scoring: 3

Serving Up the Holidays aka A Christmas to Savor (2022)

Rated: PG

Genre: Romance

Starring: Britt Irvin and Zach Roerig

Synopsis: Scarlett is a chef and co-owner of a restaurant. This year, her best friend buys her a ticket to a holiday cooking getaway, where Scarlett will relearn festive cooking, and maybe find love in a handsome rival chef from her past.

Review: It was interesting watching Scarlett make peace with her past, both with her mother and her cooking rival.  The people in the cooking class had eclectic personalities and added an amazing layer to the story.

Scoring: 3

A Sesame Street Christmas Carol (2006)

Rated: TV-Y

Genres: Fantasy

Synopsis: Oscar the Grouch is visited by three ghosts in an attempt to teach him the true meaning of Christmas.

Review: This would be a great way to introduce the Christmas Carol story to young children. It also teaches about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. 

Scoring: 4

Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas (1996)

Rating: TV-Y

Genres: Family, Fantasy

Starring: Charles Durning, Maya Angelou, and Harvey Fierstein

Synopsis: Elmo wishes that it would be Christmas every day, but with the help of Santa’s reindeer-in-training, Lightning, he learns that might not be such a good idea when he sees the future.

Review: I think little children will love this just because they love Elmo. I personally don’t like the message that it’s too much of a good thing, but I don’t think kids will get that. 

Scoring: 3

Shadow Island Mysteries: The Last Christmas (2010)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Jennifer Finnigan and Natalie Brown

Synopsis: A writer must solve a puzzle after the death of her grandfather.

Review: It’s hard to review this without giving anything away.  It’s suspenseful but not to the point of frightening.  The story unfolds at a decent pace, if not an odd order.  It kept my attention and interest as I tried to solve the mystery.  If you like mysteries and suspense this is for you.

Scoring: 3

Shelby: The Dog Who Saved Christmas (2015)

Rated: NR

Genres: Comedy, Family

Starring: Chevy Chase, Rob Schneider, Jefferson Brown, and Tom Arnold

Synopsis: When stray pup Shelby runs away from the pound and ends up in the home of aspiring magician Jake, the whole family pulls off an ultimate magic trick to rescue him from the local dogcatcher.

Review: This is a good movie for family viewing.  It’s fun without being too silly.  The characters are very relatable and fairly straightforward.  The dog doesn’t talk.  You’re hearing his thoughts.  Yes, the story is a little typical, but it’s well done and entertaining.

Scoring: 2.5

A Shoe Addict’s Christmas (2018)

Rated: G

Genres: Fantasy, Religion, Romance 

Starring: Candace Cameron Bure, Luke Macfarlane, and Jean Smart

Synopsis: Noelle, a holiday hater who toils in a department store in which she is accidentally locked on Christmas Eve. There, she meets a woman who identifies herself as Noelle's guardian angel and introduces her to several "ghosts" of Christmases past, present, and future.

Review:  A fresh new take on the Christmas Carol theme. It’s as good as all of Bure’s movies. I liked how the story unfolded subtly. It’s hard to discuss without spoilers but if you like feel-good movies you’ll love it. 

Scoring: 4.5

Shoelaces for Christmas (2018)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance

Starring: Bailey Chase and Jessica Morris

Synopsis: A self-absorbed teenager learns to true meaning of Christmas spirit through the support of her family and an unexpected encounter with a special young girl.

Review: I loved this movie.  It had me from the very beginning.  It has relatable characters dealing with issues many can relate to.  The beautiful messages of kindness and love are woven throughout the story.  Very young children may not understand it but for older children and teens this would help open conversations about compassion, empathy, and giving.

Scoring: 4.5

A Show-Stopping Christmas aka A Playful Romance (2022)

Rated: PG

Genres: Drama, Family

Starring: Thomas McDonell and Caroline Portu

Synopsis: Regina, the owner of a Theatre in Massachusetts is preparing to sell the property before the holiday performance and Riley, the artistic director, must call upon the ghosts of Regina's past, present, and future to change her mind.

Review: It started very slowly but got a little more interesting. Unfortunately, the woman playing Regina was so completely unlikable it took away from the movie, especially the ending. 

Scoring: 2