A Cheerful Christmas
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The premise
A woman and her best friend think they landed the job of their dreams by giving people a great Christmas until they get a client who doesn't feel the same way.
How unusual is it?
Middle of the road, with a twist — royalty keeps it from being totally by-the-book.
Who’s in it
Alongside them
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Behind the camera
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Directed by
Written by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- The concept of a 'Christmas Coach' who provides professional holiday lifestyle training.
- The specific detail that the family is 53rd in line for the British throne.
- A contract clause that legally requires clients to help pick out their own Christmas tree.
- The existence of a 'College of Christmas' as a joke that Lauren takes semi-seriously.
Every trope, all in one place
Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 31 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Time & season3
Premise1
Romance6
Tone & quirks8
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
Beat by beat
Opening
Lauren and Colleen are hired by the Andersons, a family with royal connections, to be their 'Christmas Coaches.'
Inciting Incident
Lauren meets James, the workaholic son, who is initially resistant to any holiday 'coaching' or changes to his routine.
Midpoint
James begins to thaw as he and Lauren build snowmen and go tree shopping, rediscovering his childhood love for the holiday.
Complication
The arrival of Miriam, James's lawyer and childhood friend, makes Lauren feel inadequate and out of place in his social circle.
Climax
At the Anderson Christmas party, Lauren reinstates the family's charity envelope tradition, and James chooses Lauren over Miriam.
Resolution
James surprises Lauren by bringing her father home for Christmas, and the two share a romantic kiss in the snow.
31 tropes in one movie
We counted 31 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.
How it stacks up
Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.
Among the lower-rated Hallmark movies — the median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog A Cheerful Christmas belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“We are the Christmas coaches.”
— Lauren DaleIntroducing her business to the Anderson's housekeeper. “Work helps build character and leisure softens it.”
— James AndersonExplaining his father's philosophy while building a snowman. “I think technically he's a lord but he doesn't like it when people call him that.”
— ColleenDiscussing James's royal status. “Clearly I need more coaching.”
— James AndersonJust before kissing Lauren at the end of the film.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Lauren Dale
LeadChristmas Coach
EnthusiasticTraditionalEmpatheticFestiveJames Anderson
Love interestBusinessman / Lord
Client and romantic interest
WorkaholicReservedAthleticSecretly SentimentalColleen
SupportingChristmas Coach
Best friend and business partner
SupportiveBusiness-mindedLoyalMiriam
SupportingLawyer
Childhood friend and romantic rival
SophisticatedCompetitiveAmbitiousJoyce Hughes
SupportingHousekeeper
James's housekeeper and confidante
KindObservantNurturing
Questions people ask about A Cheerful Christmas
Where can I watch A Cheerful Christmas?
A Cheerful Christmas is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hoopla. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is A Cheerful Christmas?
A Cheerful Christmas runs about 1 hour and 23 minutes, and was released in 2019.
Is A Cheerful Christmas a Christmas movie?
Yes. A Cheerful Christmas is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.
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Our review
We watched A Cheerful Christmas so you don’t have to
Alanna sat through every minute of this one and recapped the whole thing — the plot holes, the chemistry, the parts that made no sense — over on the Talking Hallmark channel.

“I watched Hallmark’s WORST Christmas movie (so you don’t have to)”
Data and sources
HallmarkDB catalogue. How we research films












