Jingle Bell Heist

I was expecting Hallmark level fluff but this movie actually had a decent plot and interesting characters. It won't knock your stockings off, but it's a nice way to pass an evening leading up to Christmas.

The story reveals itself gradually with a few plot twists that, in retrospect, were satisfyingly predictable, leaving you to feel that everything was tidily wrapped up with a big bow.

Not sure if this is a romcom or an Xmas flick, but, you know what? I don't care. This film is a little heartwarmer, with a couple of snot- laugh moments included (I still haven't found where some of that landed!)

Will it win awards? No, but does that matter really?

Solid performances from Conner Swindells and Olivia Holt, with a nice onscreen chemistry going on between them.

And, come on! Lucy Punch AND Peter Serafinowicz in the same film? How can that be a bad thing?

Nice to see James Dryden too!

Sweet film. Nuff said?

Jingle Bell Heist (2025) is a Christmas romantic comedy movie streaming on Netflix and it follows two strangers teaming up to rob one of London's most famous department stores while accidentally falling in love. While this movie is like the other romantic comedy movies, this is one of the better and more fun movies to come from Netflix.

Positives for Jingle Bell Heist (2025): The initial setup of this movie is good enough to have your usual Netflix romantic comedy movie set during the holiday season. The two leads in Olivia Holt as Sophie and Connor Swindells as Nick are fun and have great chemistry with each other. The movie is paced very well and I was able to keep up with the story. There is some good enough comedy and action sprinkled throughout the movie. And finally, I really enjoyed the heist at the department store especially during the final act of the movie.

Negatives for Jingle Bell Heist (2025): This is still a Netflix romantic comedy movie that is very predictable with the story. The villains are not that much of a threat to our main characters.

Overall, Jingle Bell Heist (2025) is another Netflix romantic comedy movie that you've many times before, but it is definitely one of the better movies and I would rewatch it during the holiday season.

Sophia works two jobs to make ends meet, her mother is sick in hospital, and she gets by by pinching. Nick, a former employee at Sterlings department store, has access to the cameras, spots Sophia pinching, and makes her an offer.

It's very likeable - a definite mix of genres: part crime caper, part seasonal romance, part comedy, and there's just enough to tug at the heartstrings too.

It's a British Christmas film, so there's a faint whiff of cynicism. Sometimes you need a festive film that isn't quite Hallmark, and all its syrupy charm. Don't get me wrong, it's goofy, but even the outlandish Sterlings are grounded.

I love the idea of a chic UK department store, where all the glamorous assistants wore neckerchiefs. Sadly, those days ended with Thatcherism, although it is short-staffed, so that rings true. It's like an export version of Britain, with dry martinis and tuxedos - but it works.

Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells were a cracking duo, combining so well. Not your usual Christmas movie hires - two people who don't feel as if they're living inside a snow globe. Lucy Punch knows how to give us a spoilt princess, but this one has a twist.

Heart and humour - this one's a cut above the usual selection of festive flicks.

8/10.

This is enjoyable enough.

It builds gradually revealing bits of the story. Its unlikely to amaze you with its originality. There are several bits that don't ring true and stick out - but thats artistic license I suppose.

We were trying to work out whether the same story would work if it wasn't set at Christmas and decided yes, it probably would.

Theres action. Theres humour. Theres peril. IIRC it is largely family friendly.