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Rescuing Christmas

  • TV Movie
  • 2023
  • TV-G
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
958
YOUR RATING
Rachael Leigh Cook and Sam Page in Rescuing Christmas (2023)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer0:36
1 Video
32 Photos
Holiday RomanceComedyDramaRomance

It follows an anti-Christmas photographer as she wishes Christmas would disappear.It follows an anti-Christmas photographer as she wishes Christmas would disappear.It follows an anti-Christmas photographer as she wishes Christmas would disappear.

  • Director
    • Emily Moss Wilson
  • Writers
    • Sarah Montana
    • Jim Head
  • Stars
    • Rachael Leigh Cook
    • Sam Page
    • Bailey Stender
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    958
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Emily Moss Wilson
    • Writers
      • Sarah Montana
      • Jim Head
    • Stars
      • Rachael Leigh Cook
      • Sam Page
      • Bailey Stender
    • 16User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 0:36
    Official Trailer

    Photos32

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    + 27
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    Top cast33

    Edit
    Rachael Leigh Cook
    Rachael Leigh Cook
    • Erin
    Sam Page
    Sam Page
    • Sam
    Bailey Stender
    Bailey Stender
    • Debbie
    Patrick Thomas O'Brien
    Patrick Thomas O'Brien
    • Chuck
    • (as Patrick O'Brien)
    T. Mychael Rambo
    T. Mychael Rambo
    • Santa
    Kathryn Fumie
    Kathryn Fumie
    • Maria
    Rod Kasai
    Rod Kasai
    • Taylor
    Mika Bella Flanagan
    Mika Bella Flanagan
    • Olivia
    • (as Mika Flanagan)
    Melinda Kordich
    Melinda Kordich
    • Diana
    Chase Marcotte
    Chase Marcotte
    • Jonah
    Jim Cunningham
    Jim Cunningham
    • Lou
    Sarah Agnew
    Sarah Agnew
    • Mayor
    Greta Oglesby
    Greta Oglesby
    • N.P. General Counsel
    Ahmed Mawas
    Ahmed Mawas
    • Archie
    • (as Ahmed El-Mawas)
    Agatha Rae Pokrzywinski
    Agatha Rae Pokrzywinski
    • Bakery Worker
    • (as Agatha Pokrzywinski)
    Rae Dastoor
    Rae Dastoor
    • Bakery Owner
    Jake Lieder
    • Radio Intern
    • (as Jake Leider)
    Jesse Bakken
    • North Pole Elf
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Emily Moss Wilson
    • Writers
      • Sarah Montana
      • Jim Head
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews16

    6.4958
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    Featured reviews

    VetteRanger

    Many amusing moments

    Two elves convince (an unconventional) Santa Claus to let them rekindle Christmas spirit by giving someone three wishes ... as long as the wishes aren't outrageous ... like wishing for a million dollars.

    The only issue with the movie is that it takes far too long to get to the crux of the story, which is when our female lead wishes away Christmas. This is a bit too similar to another 2023 film where the female lead ALSO wishes away Christmas. In both movies, they have to start convincing people to take the holiday back on ... albeit in slightly different ways.

    But ... no outrageous wish ... yet wishing away Christmas is allowed. LOL

    This movie doesn't really hit its stride until the third wish which cancels out Christmas and she has to try to recreate the holiday using whatever they can find, since dedicated Christmas decorations don't exist. That gets a bit humorous.

    Dialogue is also good. Definitely worth the watch.
    8athompsonblue

    Clever Concept

    A jaded, stressed out woman wants a break from all the festivities and obligations of Christmas. In a moment of fury, she wishes for it to all just go away. The next morning, she wakes up to find that all the Christmas decorations in town are gone, and nobody except her has any memory of the holiday. She then scrambles to revive Christmas.

    It's a funny idea -- having the protagonist reintroduce Christmas to her family and to the town, and they point out how absurd the holiday traditions sound.

    The male love interest is very likable in this movie. And the actor playing jolly old Saint Nick did an excellent job.
    6natmavila

    Jingle Bells and Wishes Well

    "Rescuing Christmas" is the kind of movie that you watch with a mug of hot chocolate and zero expectations. It's a classic Hallmark-style holiday film that doesn't reinvent the sleigh but offers a cozy, predictable ride. The plot is as fluffy as freshly fallen snow - Santa wanting to boost holiday spirit is heartwarming, and the choice of Erin, a Christmas grinch, as the recipient of three wishes is a neat twist. The elves, Chuck and Debbie, are delightfully quirky, adding a sprinkle of elfish charm to the story.

    The film's strength lies in its simplicity. It's a feel-good, easy-watch movie that doesn't demand much from its audience. Erin's journey from a Scrooge-like character to someone who embraces the holiday spirit is predictable, yet satisfying. The chemistry between Erin and Sam, the charming love interest, is sweet, albeit a tad cliché. It's the kind of film where you know exactly what you're going to get, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

    However, there's a surprising edge to this G-rated holiday fare - a rogue "damn" that slips through. It's a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but it's amusing to think how this little slip-up got past the censors. It doesn't detract from the film's family-friendly vibe, but it does raise an eyebrow. Overall, "Rescuing Christmas" is like a well-worn Christmas sweater - familiar, comfortable, and just right for a lazy December evening. Just don't expect it to be the star on top of your holiday movie marathon.
    10reginabernaldo

    Xmas RESCUED!!!

    Omg. So...I LOVED this movie! It's so hard when it's a great story, but an actor-or many- just kind of aren't into it and are just not right for the role/s. I'm a Hallmark movie connoisseur due to being on the spectrum, and I appreciate predictable plots...however this was a pleasantly surprising Xmas movie and everything was PERFECT! Loved the original plot, the great acting and writing... the flow, editing? This is a well-rounded holiday movie that I plan to watch every Xmas. But seriously... I watch Xmas movies all year round, so... this movie just bought my hallmark subscription for the next year. Thanks to all who made it- keep making magic please! ✨
    5ircregister-zulu

    Interesting concept that felt bland

    Wanted to love it, but the cast didn't grab, hold my attention. I found myself doing other tasks while checking back in periodically. Sam Page is a good anchor, but felt monotonic in this particular offering. Rachel Leigh Cook appeared a bit off, perhaps being executive producer took away from her usual shine. The ending seemed to be a bit of cut ins pasted together to wrap up the ends. The elves were annoying which in an odd way brought some sort of emotion. The optics of a non White Santa was irksome. Non White, female, Christmas overlord was bothersome. In fact, a good reason to downgrade further.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In May, 2023, a scene was filmed at the former Bagley & Co. Jewelers site on West Superior Street in Duluth. One hundred eight years earlier, in September, 1915, a movie titled "Lou's Last Venture" was filmed at this same location, it believed to be the first movie filmed in Duluth and one of the earliest movies filmed in Minnesota.
    • Goofs
      At 0:03:34 in the movie, Erin passes by an ice cream vendor in the town square that is surrounded by snow. Just four seconds later that snow is completely gone and some new Christmas decorations like a big red box and jumbo candy suddenly appear on the side of the ice cream vendor.
    • Connections
      References Groundhog Day (1993)

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    FAQ

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 7, 2023 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • YouTube link to film trailer/promo
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Kuda je nestao Božić?
    • Filming locations
      • Duluth, Minnesota, USA(Duluth exteriors)
    • Production companies
      • Hallmark Media
      • MarVista Entertainment
      • Mandy June Turpin Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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