Lights, Camera, Christmas!

6.5/10 · 1,365 ratings20221h 25mChristmasWeirdness 6/10Bingo card

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The premise

When Kerry steps in as costume designer for a holiday rom-com movie shooting in her town, she rediscovers her passion for costume design and finds herself falling for Brad, the film's famous leading man.

How unusual is it?

More than most. Santa himself and an actual miracle push it well past the usual Hallmark template — the strangest 18% of everything we've logged.

Who’s in it

Behind the camera

Show

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 movie is a meta-commentary on Hallmark movies, featuring a character literally called the 'King of Christmas Movies'.
  • The production uses potato flakes and foam to create fake snow, which is explicitly discussed on screen.
  • The producers are a divorced couple who refuse to speak to each other directly, using an assistant as a human telephone.
  • Brad Baxter's former alias was the 'Prince of Pine' because he designed furniture.

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 38 to find more movies that do the same thing.

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)
The film begins at the premiere of 'My Favorite Santa,' where producer Caleb Turner introduces the cast and crew, including local-turned-costumer Kerry Devine. Kerry recounts the story of how the movie changed her life. A year prior, Kerry is struggling to keep her vintage shop, Retro Fit, afloat in Twelve Oaks, Colorado, while her Christmas-obsessed mother, Nancy, remains optimistic. The arrival of a film crew led by divorced-but-partnered producers Caleb and Jill Turner brings Hollywood to town. Kerry first meets the leading man, Brad Baxter, when he rudely borrows her phone after his dies. When the production's original costume designer leaves for a big-budget film in Spain, Caleb buys out Kerry's entire store inventory and hires her as a temporary replacement. Kerry quickly proves her worth by suggesting a comedic 'jacket gag' for a romantic scene and redesigning the traditional Santa suit into a 'hip, elevated' version that the network, Dazzle Plus, loves. As they work together, Kerry and Brad grow close; Brad reveals he was once a furniture designer known as the 'Prince of Pine' and regrets passing on a prestigious indie film ('Sunrise Highway') for a paycheck. Kerry admits she dropped out of fashion school in New York because she felt she didn't belong. Their romance blossoms during a private pizza date with food flown in from New York, but professional tensions arise when Kerry is offered a design interview in New York and Brad is offered a gritty role in London. A subplot follows Caleb and Jill, who communicate only through their assistant Jamie due to their bitter divorce. Through the stress of production, including a minor fire that forces the crew to move the set to Kerry’s shop, Caleb and Jill realize they are still in love and decide to give their marriage a second chance. However, Kerry and Brad's relationship hits a snag when Brad impulsively backs out of his indie film role due to fear, leading Kerry to believe he is still just 'Showbiz Brad' who only cares about his image. They part ways as the movie wraps. One year later at the premiere, Brad approaches Kerry and apologizes for his cowardice, revealing he eventually took the indie role in London. He confesses that Kerry made him feel 'real' for the first time. The two reconcile with a kiss in front of the paparazzi, and Kerry moves to LA to continue her career as a professional costume designer.

Beat by beat

  1. Opening

    Kerry is hired as a last-minute costume designer for 'My Favorite Santa' after the original designer quits for a Matt Damon film.

  2. Rising Action

    Kerry gains the respect of the director and the network by redesigning the Santa suit into a modern, 'hip' version.

  3. Midpoint

    Brad and Kerry share a romantic pizza date where they both confess their past failures and professional regrets.

  4. Conflict

    A fire at the original filming location forces Kerry to offer her struggling boutique as the new set for the movie's climax.

  5. Climax

    Brad backs out of a career-defining role in London, causing a rift with Kerry who fears he hasn't actually changed his 'showbiz' ways.

  6. Resolution

    At the movie premiere one year later, Brad and Kerry reconcile after Brad proves he took the risk and Kerry has found success in LA.

38 tropes in one movie

We counted 38 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.

Rating 6.5 vs every rated Hallmark moviemedian 6.4This movie · 6.5567

Higher-rated than 56% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog Lights, Camera, 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.

  • “They don't call me the King of Christmas movies for nothing.”
    — Brad BaxterExplaining his status in the industry to Kerry.
  • “With the right person on your side, anything is possible.”
    — Jill Turner (Script)A line from the movie-within-a-movie that reflects the real-life reconciliation of the producers.
  • “I was the coward. That's on me. But I am so sorry that I hurt you.”
    — Brad BaxterBrad's apology to Kerry at the premiere.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

  • Kerry Devine

    Lead

    Boutique Owner / Costume Designer

    TalentedInsecurePragmaticCreative
  • Brad Baxter

    Love interest

    Actor

    CharismaticSelf-absorbedVulnerableRisk-averse
  • Nancy Devine

    Supporting

    Shop Assistant / Mother

    Mother

    Christmas-obsessedOptimisticSupportive
  • Caleb Turner

    Supporting

    Film Producer

    Employer

    StressedBusiness-mindedSentimental
  • Jill Turner

    Supporting

    Film Director

    Employer

    PerfectionistAssertiveTalented

Questions people ask about Lights, Camera, Christmas!

Where can I watch Lights, Camera, Christmas!?

Lights, Camera, Christmas! is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hallmark+ Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

How long is Lights, Camera, Christmas!?

Lights, Camera, Christmas! runs about 1 hour and 25 minutes, and was released in 2022.

Is Lights, Camera, Christmas! a Christmas movie?

Yes. Lights, Camera, Christmas! is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.

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