My dear readers, predictably, the second theme of my holiday watchlist was…well…holidays. If you’re looking to extend your celebrations through the weekend like we are, these movies may reinforce your cheer.
No fan of romance I, but sometimes a person’s hand is forced during the festive season, so first on my agenda was a double-bill of Haul Out the Holly (2022) and Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up! (2023).
In Haul Out the Holly, a big-city girl comes home to her parents’ for Christmas. Wanting only a relaxing holiday, she is conscripted into the Christmas-crazy neighborhood’s festivities and finds romance in the process. In Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up! a family of Christmas “influencers,” moves in and causes strife among the residents of Evergreen Lane.
At risk of damning with faint praise, both of these Hallmark offerings are…cute. If you’re looking to fully immerse in Christmas cheer without using too much brain power, you could do worse. Both are well paced, with likeable casts/characters. Even the conflict isn’t so conflicted as to harsh the holiday buzz too much.
Haul Out the Holly and Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up! run 84 minutes each, and both are rated TVG.
The Haul Out the Holly series is a bit of light, quick-moving holiday fun that doesn’t wear out its welcome. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Haul Out the Holly gets six, and Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up! gets five.
Both Haul Out the Holly movies are now streaming on Hallmark+.
Next up was Hot Frosty.
As you’ve likely guessed from the not-so-subtle title, a snowman comes to life and he’s not hard on the eyes.
Hot Frosty was a bit of a surprise. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s genuinely funny with a couple clever Easter eggs. The cast even boasts some faces that are different from the ones you see in all the Christmas romances. (I’m happy whenever and wherever Craig Robinson turns up!) Like the Haul Out the Holly movies, Hot Frosty goes full Christmas with its costumes and sets. The cast is engaging and doesn’t play it too serious or too cringey, and the movie leans into its familiar theme just enough.
Hot Frosty runs 92 minutes and is rated TVPG for “mild sex and nudity.” (When he comes to life, the snowman has no clothing save a strategically placed red scarf.
Hot Frosty is cheerful, fun, and good natured, a step up from the average holiday romance. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Hot Frosty gets seven.
Hot Frosty is now streaming on Netflix.
Taking a welcome break from romance, next on my docket was the big-screen Christmas extravaganza Red One.
When Santa is kidnapped, the head of North Pole security teams up with an infamous hacker to try to save Christmas.
I’ve heard a fair bit of grousing about Red One, but it isn’t romance, horror, or strictly for kids, and that’s hard enough to come by in a Christmas movie that I’m willing to cut it some slack. The cast features familiar and well-loved faces like Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, and JK Simmons, and if the material doesn’t stretch their talents too much, it’s still good fun. The general effects are pretty decent, though some of the non-human creatures look like someone dropped a bargain bin Star Wars cantina onto the set. The action is solid and there’s nothing so dragged out as to get boring. The movie knows exactly what it is and doesn't pretend to be more, so any small quibbles are easily forgiven.
Red One clocks in at 123 minutes and is rated PG13 for “action, some violence, and language.”
Red One is good holiday fun for the whole family. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Red One gets seven and a half.
Red One is now streaming on Prime Video.
I hope everyone has enjoyed this festive season, and that 2025 brings you all much happiness!
Until next time...
