**Same Time, Next Christmas: Stream It or Skip It?**

First aired on ABC in 2019, *Same Time, Next Christmas* is back and streaming on Netflix, ready to transport you to Hawaii for a second-chance rom-com. The movie stars Lea Michele and Charles Michael Davis as childhood sweethearts who first met coincidentally on the beach as little kids while their families were both vacationing in Hawaii for Christmas.

The two form a quick bond and pledge to meet up at the resort each year for the holidays—until one of them suddenly cuts contact after a personal tragedy. Years later, they unexpectedly meet again as adults, with sparks flying all over. Is it meant to be, or is this a classic case of “right person, wrong time?”

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### The Storyline

Their usual promise of “same time, next Christmas” is suddenly broken when Jeff and his family fail to return the next year after the sudden death of Jeff’s mom, Katie. Unfortunately, timing proves to be an issue as a separated Jeff opts to get back together with his wife for the sake of their four-year-old daughter, Madelyn Williams (played by Dannah Lane).

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### What Movies Will It Remind You Of?

*Same Time, Next Christmas* might recall other second-chance romance holiday movies like *A Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love*, *The Christmas Cottage*, and *Catch a Christmas Star*. It also fits nicely alongside Hawaii-set rom-coms such as *Just Go With It*, *Forgetting Sarah Marshall*, and *50 First Dates*.

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### Performance Worth Watching

A special shout out goes to Phil Morris for embracing the cheesiness of this genre wholeheartedly. He delivers many sports metaphor-filled lines with a smile and twinkle in his eye, adding a charming touch to the film. His performance stands out as a highlight in this holiday rom-com.

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### A Holiday Tradition

The movie features an annual Christmas luau and hula dance, so there’s never any doubt that the characters are firmly rooted in Hawaii’s festive spirit.

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### Does the Title Make Any Sense?

Absolutely. The title *Same Time, Next Christmas* refers to the pact between the young couple to reunite each Christmas at the same place and time—though life’s complications test that promise.

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### Our Take

*Same Time, Next Christmas* is just okay. It’s your standard holiday rom-com fare, but the filmmakers spice things up by setting the main action in Hawaii and using a series of occasionally jarring time jumps.

I appreciate the committed acting from Lea Michele and Charles Michael Davis. Their solid chemistry makes it easy to root for their characters to have a happy ending. However, some story elements, like the character Gregg, felt unnecessary and detracted a bit from the overall experience.

On the positive side, the Williams family is likable, and the older adult love story budding between Alec and resort manager Mariel (Christina Souza) felt natural and sweet.

Overall, though, the film is fine but not exceptional. The script is sometimes clunky and sports-metaphor dense, and the storyline is predictable. It’s an easy watch that you can enjoy here and there—not terrible, but not particularly memorable either.

If I had to give it a grade, it’d be a solid C.

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### Our Call

*Same Time, Next Christmas* is a decent enough mindless holiday watch, and the main couple is one you want to end up together. It’s a pretty good movie to have on in the background while you’re doing something else.

But if you’re looking for something to really grab and hold your attention this holiday season, you can probably **skip it**.
https://decider.com/2025/11/11/same-time-next-christmas-netflix-review/