Ready to escape to a tropical Christmas? Same Time, Next Christmas, the holiday rom-com that originally graced ABC in 2019 and now streams on Netflix, whisks you away to the sun-kissed shores of Hawaii. This movie promises a second chance at love, but does it deliver? Let's dive in!
The story centers around Olivia Anderson (played by Lea Michele) and Jeff Williams (Charles Michael Davis), childhood sweethearts who first crossed paths as youngsters on a Hawaiian beach during Christmas. Their families bonded, leading to a tradition of annual holiday meet-ups. They made a pact to reunite each year, until life threw a curveball.
The Gist: Olivia, a talented architect at Ohio Valley Architecture, is admired for her innovative designs. She's heading to Hawaii, a yearly Christmas tradition with her family (parents played by George Newbern and Nia Vardalos, and brother Drew, played by Corey Rieger). This tradition was once shared with another family, the Williams. Young Olivia and Jeff's friendship blossomed into a first love, sealed with a cliff-jumping kiss. But tragedy struck when Jeff's mother passed away, and the Williams family vanished, leaving Olivia heartbroken and confused.
Years later, the Williams unexpectedly return. Olivia and Jeff find their connection reignited. However, timing is everything. Jeff is separated but considering reuniting with his wife for their daughter. Then, a year later, Jeff is officially divorced, but Olivia is in a relationship with a coworker. Despite the obstacles, their feelings persist, pulling them together.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of? If you love a second-chance romance with a holiday twist, you might enjoy films like A Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love, The Christmas Cottage, and Catch a Christmas Star. It also shares similarities with Hawaii-set rom-coms such as Just Go With It, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and 50 First Dates.
Performance Worth Watching: Phil Morris deserves a shout-out for fully embracing the genre's cheesiness. His sports-themed lines, delivered with a smile, were surprisingly charming.
Memorable Dialogue: The exchange between Olivia and her coworker Gregg is worth noting.
"I don’t mean to hurt you. And I have no doubt that one day you will be the king of Ohio Valley River real estate, I just…"
"Sounds like I need to find a new queen."
A Holiday Tradition: The film includes a Christmas luau and hula dance, ensuring the setting is unmistakably Hawaiian.
Does The Title Make Any Sense? Absolutely! The title reflects their childhood promise to meet at the same place, at the same time, every Christmas.
Our Take: Same Time, Next Christmas is a decent holiday watch. Lea Michele and Charles Michael Davis' chemistry makes you root for them. However, the inclusion of Gregg felt unnecessary, and the story could have focused more on the central romance. The Williams family is likable, and the subplot involving the older adults' love story adds a sweet touch. Overall, it's an enjoyable, if not groundbreaking, film, earning a solid C grade.
Our Call: If you're looking for a lighthearted holiday movie, Same Time, Next Christmas is a good option. However, if you want something truly captivating, you might want to SKIP IT.
JINGLE BINGE - 2025 EDITION
The holidays are here! (Or, at least, they're coming.) It's a time for family, friends, food, and, of course, festive viewing. Whether you're snuggled up with family or enjoying a solo movie night, let Decider guide you through the holiday season.
- Hallmark’s Countdown To Christmas 2025: The network's Countdown to Christmas began on October 18, with a new lineup of holiday movies and shows. New movies will premiere every Saturday and Sunday through December 22, with new episodes of holiday series on Friday and Monday nights.
- Christmas Movies on Netflix (2025 Edition): Enjoy the best Christmas movies Netflix has to offer.
So, what do you think? Did Same Time, Next Christmas capture your heart, or did it fall flat? Share your thoughts in the comments! Do you think the 'right person, wrong time' trope is overused? Let's discuss!
