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The Christmas Wish

  • TV Movie
  • 1998
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
813
YOUR RATING
The Christmas Wish (1998)
Drama

Intent on fulfilling his grandma's Christmas wish, a man sets out to find the woman mentioned in his late grandfather's journals. He learns the secrets of his past and the true meaning of Ch... Read allIntent on fulfilling his grandma's Christmas wish, a man sets out to find the woman mentioned in his late grandfather's journals. He learns the secrets of his past and the true meaning of Christmas.Intent on fulfilling his grandma's Christmas wish, a man sets out to find the woman mentioned in his late grandfather's journals. He learns the secrets of his past and the true meaning of Christmas.

  • Director
    • Ian Barry
  • Writers
    • Richard Siddoway
    • Beth Polson
    • Greg Taylor
  • Stars
    • Neil Patrick Harris
    • Debbie Reynolds
    • Naomi Watts
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    813
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ian Barry
    • Writers
      • Richard Siddoway
      • Beth Polson
      • Greg Taylor
    • Stars
      • Neil Patrick Harris
      • Debbie Reynolds
      • Naomi Watts
    • 17User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos4

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    Top Cast21

    Edit
    Neil Patrick Harris
    Neil Patrick Harris
    • Will Martin
    Debbie Reynolds
    Debbie Reynolds
    • Ruth
    Naomi Watts
    Naomi Watts
    • Renee
    Alexandra Wilson
    Alexandra Wilson
    • Julia
    Beverly Archer
    Beverly Archer
    • Miss Enid Cook
    Ian Meltzer
    • Justin
    Gary Bayer
    • Jimmy Hanning
    James Greene
    James Greene
    • Warren Martin
    Jerry Douglas
    Jerry Douglas
    • Mr. Askou
    Michael Fairman
    Michael Fairman
    • Mr. Connor
    Adilah Barnes
    Adilah Barnes
    • Mary
    Frank Birney
    Frank Birney
    • Ray Spellman
    Ismael 'East' Carlo
    Ismael 'East' Carlo
    • Jose Rivera
    Jan Hoag
    Jan Hoag
    • Mrs. Baker
    Stuart Mitchell
    • Mr. Quinn
    Alexander Zale
    Alexander Zale
    • Mr. Taylor
    Rebecca Codling
    • Lucy Askou
    • (uncredited)
    Phil Gold
    • Christmas Caroler
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Ian Barry
    • Writers
      • Richard Siddoway
      • Beth Polson
      • Greg Taylor
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    6.9813
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    10

    Featured reviews

    9Freddie-6

    A pleasant surprise

    This is a movie I switched onto by accident,and then really enjoyed it.OK so the storyline was predictable and provided an excuse for the viewers to feel sad and shed a few tears.It is one of those movies that has no violence or sex and can be enjoyed by the whole family.Maybe I am too sentimental but I gave it 9/10.
    9kga58

    An intimate, heartfelt Christmas movie

    This is one of my favorite Christmas movies. It is slow, to be sure, but the whole feel of it and the ambiance created are beautiful. It is such a heartfelt story and the cast is excellent. Neil Patrick Harris still comes off very young, but his work as Will is multi faceted. Debbie Reynolds is, as always, a joy to watch, and her restrained performance helps anchor the story. I usually can figure out plot twists from the get-go, but the final revelation of who Lillian is was a complete surprise--heart wrenching and uplifting all at once. If you want an intimate, heartfelt holiday movie don't miss THE Christmas WISH.
    10ahight-1

    One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies...

    Debbie Reynolds and Neil Patrick Harris make this show wonderful. The plot and the way it plays out was new and different and really touched me, deeply, having lost all my own parents and grandparents. I can imagine being in the role of the son/grandson and wanting to know...

    The twists and turns as he searches for the needed information from the journals was beautifully thought out. A great story, for all generations to enjoy, together, as a family... It speaks of family bonds and things more important than the almighty dollar.

    The very believable performances by Neil Patrick Harris and Debbie Reynolds as grandson and grandma put this movie in my top 5 favorites.

    I watch this every time I can catch it on TV.
    10ydarbd

    a great great movie

    chased this little gem down, had to buy it on DVD and closest place to purchase was America. lovely film.. saw it years ago on TV and always wanted to share the experience with friends that never got an opportunity to watch it themselves.never have i forgotten the story or the film's name , waited years to see would it appear on TV again. i honestly never considered buying it on DVD. have a packet of hankies ready as even a brute like me shed a tear at the twist in the story line. a real Christmas story, very true to life with a lesson for everyone. you would never catch the twist near the end. being placed in a similar situation to the characters in the movie it is easy to see how quick it would be to pre-judge somebody without knowing all the facts.this film first appeared in 1988 (ian Barry), be careful there are similarly named movies out there.....
    10kennyfone

    I bought the DVD

    One Great movie, I've watched it several times. The music in the background is moving---it might not win any awards but if the spirit of Christmas is in your heart, you'll like this movie. I wish I could find the soundtrack.

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    Related interests

    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In one scene a character asks for an address. It was given as 7800 Beverly Blvd. In real life that is the address for CBS Television City in Hollywood CA. This film premiered on CBS Television.
    • Goofs
      At the restaurant, Will and Julia's ice cubes sit at the bottom of their water glasses. This reveals them to be prop ice cubes, as real ice floats in water.

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 6, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Un regalo de Navidad
    • Production companies
      • Bonneville Worldwide Entertainment
      • Madison Avenue Productions Inc.
      • The Polson Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 33m(93 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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