Magic in Mistletoe

Name: Magic in Mistletoe
Genre: Christmas, Small Town, Enemies to Lovers, Cute Kid, Colleagues/Coworkers
Released: 2023-01-01
Duration: 1 h 30 min
Rating: 6.2
Cast: Lyndie Greenwood, Paul Campbell, Oliver Rice, Robyn Bradley, Amy Trefry

6.2/10 · 1,031 ratings20231h 30mChristmasWeirdness 4/10Bingo card

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The premise

Harrington is the author of a book series but commercial success has left him a bitter recluse. As he returns to his hometown for an annual Christmas festival, he's joined by April, a publicist for the publishing house he works with.

Themes:Processing grief Authenticity vs. Commercialism Rediscovering holiday spirit The power of storytelling

How unusual is it?

Middle of the road, with a twist — an enemies-to-lovers arc keeps it from being totally by-the-book.

Who’s in it

Our Girl

Lyndie Greenwood

as April

Our Guy

Paul Campbell

as Harrington

Alongside them

Show all 10 cast

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Paula Elle

Written by

Skyy Blair

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

The town of Mistletoe has essentially rebranded its entire economy and physical appearance to match a fictional book series.
The protagonist carries a 'Mary Poppins' style bag with specific items like gel permanent ballpoint pens and peppermint tea for every occasion.
The author is referred to as 'America's saltiest author' and the 'Christmas King' simultaneously.

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 34 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 opens with a media firestorm after Harrington Davis, the reclusive author of the worldwide phenomenon 'Magic in Mistletoe,' posts a cynical message on social media claiming 'Christmas is a joke.' April Collins, a high-powered PR executive at Silver Spark Publishing, is tasked with managing the disaster before the release of the final book in the series. She tracks Harrington to a diner and bluffs him into returning to his hometown for the Mistletoe Christmas Festival by threatening a breach of contract lawsuit. Upon arriving in Mistletoe, Harrington is reunited with his childhood friends Chris and Lindsay, who were the inspirations for his characters Sully and Misty. Harrington is initially resistant to the festivities, viewing the town's transformation into a tourist destination as a commercialized 'farce.' However, April encourages him to engage with his fans, leading to a successful Q&A panel where Harrington begins to open up about his late parents' love for the holiday. As they spend more time together—judging a dessert contest, eating cinnamon-sugar s'mores, and visiting the tree farm where he used to write—the romantic tension between April and Harrington grows. The relationship hits a snag when April confesses she lied about the publishing house's intent to sue him, and Harrington reacts poorly to a surprise Christmas tree April and his friends set up, as it triggers his guilt over not being present when his mother passed away. After some soul-searching and encouragement from his friends, Harrington realizes April's intentions were pure. At the final Christmas Eve banquet, he discards his prepared PR speech to deliver a heartfelt tribute to the town and April. The film concludes with Harrington taking April to the secret location that inspired his 'Christmas Fairy' character, where they confess their feelings and share a kiss under the magical lights.

Beat by beat

Opening
Harrington Davis goes viral for a cynical social media post claiming Christmas is a scam, threatening his book sales.
Inciting Incident
April Collins tracks Harrington down and uses a legal bluff to force him to attend the Mistletoe Christmas Festival.
Midpoint
Harrington begins to soften during a town Q&A, admitting his cynicism stems from the loss of his parents.
Climax
April admits she lied about the lawsuit, and Harrington has an emotional breakdown over a surprise Christmas tree.
Resolution
Harrington delivers a public apology and tribute to April at the banquet, and they share a kiss at his secret writing spot.

34 tropes in one movie

We counted 34 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.

Higher-rated than 28% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog Magic in Mistletoe belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

BINGOA big public romantic gestureA publicist pulls supplies from an overstuffed bagAn old keepsake or photograph turns upA cup of cocoa, coffee or ciderA classic Hallmark meet-cuteA meaningful look held a beat too longSomething magical or supernatural happensA first impression that turns out completely wrongA scenic spot becomes their meeting placeA long-distance relationshipA visit to the tree farm where he wroteA toast at a celebration★Santa Claus appearsReal friends turn out to be character inspirationsA calendar reminder raises the stakesA cosy interior full of warm lightingA family reconcilesA change of heart by the final actThe love interest is a writerA reclusive author dodges his publicistA musical number or live performanceSomeone apologises and means itAn author dismisses the festival as commercializedA misunderstanding nearly ruins everything

Hallmark Bingo

Your Magic in Mistletoe card is dealt.

Twenty-four squares pulled from this movie’s own quirks — the cosy classics, a few only-in-this-one curveballs, and a couple of decoys. Mark them as you watch.

Open your card

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

“There's no magic in Mistletoe. Christmas is a joke. It's all about money.”
— Harrington DavisThe viral social media post that starts the film's conflict.
“I don't care if you like me, but you will dazzle this crowd because after all, 'Christmas is more than just magic.'”
— April CollinsApril quoting Harrington's own book back to him to motivate him.
“It took a very persistent and caring and wildly over-prepared woman to help me see that again.”
— Harrington DavisHarrington's public tribute to April during the banquet.

Meet the characters

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

April Collins
Lead
PR Executive
Publicist and eventual love interest
AmbitiousOver-preparedCaringStrategic
Harrington Davis
Love interest
Author
The 'Christmas King' author April is managing
CynicalReclusiveGrievingTalented
Chris Massey
Supporting
Museum Caretaker/Driver
Childhood friend of Harrington; inspiration for 'Sully'
LoyalWitty
Lindsay
Supporting
Local Resident
Childhood friend of Harrington; inspiration for 'Misty'
PerceptiveFriendly
Lisa Moore
Supporting
Mayor
Town leader and festival organizer
EnthusiasticCommunity-oriented

Questions people ask about Magic in Mistletoe

Where can I watch Magic in Mistletoe?

Magic in Mistletoe is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hallmark+ Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

How long is Magic in Mistletoe?

Magic in Mistletoe runs about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and was released in 2023.

Is Magic in Mistletoe a Christmas movie?

Yes. Magic in Mistletoe is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.

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