My Christmas Guide

7.0/10 · 1,294 ratings20231h 24mChristmasWeirdness 3/10Bingo card

Where to watch

Search Amazon.com

Amazon

Search Amazon.com for this title. Availability varies by country.

Search Amazon.com

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The premise

A college professor connects with a guide dog trainer after losing his eyesight and adopting a seeing eye dog.

How unusual is it?

Honestly? Not very — and that's the charm. It plays the hits, which is exactly the point for a cozy night in.

A rare specific

Tap to find the other Hallmark movies that share it.

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 antagonist is a 'golf bro' who prioritizes Rory McIlroy clubs over his girlfriend's father's visit
  • A high-stakes subplot involving a middle-schooler threatening to reveal a bully's bed-wetting secret
  • The protagonist identifies his love interest by her specific perfume, 'Soleil du Matin'

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 26 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 Trevor Donovan, a literature professor, navigating his daily life with a mobility cane after losing his sight to retinitis pigmentosa. His daughter, Annie, is deeply concerned for his safety, especially after he sustains a head injury by walking into a construction pole at the university. Peyton Lewis, a guide dog trainer and founder of Best Friend Guide Dogs, notices Trevor's struggle and leaves information at Annie's school. Though initially hesitant and protective of his independence, Trevor is persuaded by Annie to visit Peyton's training center. There, he meets Max, a highly trained guide dog. Peyton begins a rigorous training program with Trevor, teaching him not just how to handle Max, but how to trust the dog's 'intelligent disobedience' to stay safe. As they spend time together, Peyton and Trevor bond over shared interests in classic literature and music, and Peyton even helps Annie with her math struggles. However, Peyton is currently dating Chad, a self-absorbed golfer who frequently prioritizes his friends and trips over her, even missing her father's visit to go to Florida. Meanwhile, Trevor faces pressure at work from Dr. Shaw, who suggests he take a leave of absence due to the construction hazards. The tension peaks when Chad, feeling threatened by Trevor's presence, lies to him, claiming Peyton views him as 'just another client' and that they are moving to the next level in their relationship. Discouraged by this and a bullying incident involving Annie at school, Trevor attempts to return Max to Peyton, intending to withdraw from his teaching position. Peyton, alerted to Chad's behavior through a recording and his general dismissiveness, breaks up with him. She attends Trevor's final lecture, where he delivers a moving speech about the power of literature and resilience, quoting Dickens and Harper Lee. Inspired by his own words and Peyton's support, Trevor decides to keep Max and continue teaching. The film concludes on Christmas Day with Trevor, Annie, and Peyton celebrating together, looking forward to a future as a family.

Beat by beat

  1. Opening

    Trevor, a blind professor, hits his head on a construction site, prompting his daughter Annie to seek help.

  2. Inciting Incident

    Peyton introduces Trevor to Max the guide dog, and the two begin a rigorous training and bonding process.

  3. Midpoint

    Trevor and Peyton's relationship deepens through shared activities like a cooking class and a visit to a music venue, while Peyton's boyfriend Chad remains distant.

  4. Conflict

    Chad confronts Trevor and lies about his relationship with Peyton, causing Trevor to lose confidence and try to return Max.

  5. Climax

    Trevor delivers a powerful final lecture on literature and resilience; Peyton dumps Chad after realizing his true nature.

  6. Resolution

    Trevor decides to stay at the university, keeps Max, and begins a romantic relationship with Peyton on Christmas.

26 tropes in one movie

We counted 26 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 7.0 vs every rated Hallmark moviemedian 6.4This movie · 7.0567

Higher-rated than 92% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog My Christmas Guide 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.

  • “A classic is a book nobody reads.”
    — Trevor DonovanQuoting Mark Twain while discussing his profession with Peyton.
  • “Max is a professional obstacle-avoider.”
    — Peyton LewisExplaining Max's role in helping Trevor navigate the construction site.
  • “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
    — Trevor DonovanQuoting Charles Dickens during his final lecture to his students.

Meet the characters

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

  • Trevor Donovan

    Lead

    Literature Professor

    IntellectualResilientProtectiveInsecure
  • Peyton Lewis

    Love interest

    Guide Dog Trainer

    Trainer and eventual romantic partner

    CompassionatePatientObservantDedicated
  • Chad

    Antagonist

    Sales/Golfer

    Peyton's initial boyfriend

    Self-centeredImmatureManipulative
  • Annie

    Supporting

    Student

    Daughter

    CaringDeterminedSmart
  • Max

    Supporting

    Guide Dog

    Service animal and companion

    LoyalObedientIntelligent

Questions people ask about My Christmas Guide

Where can I watch My Christmas Guide?

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

How long is My Christmas Guide?

My Christmas Guide runs about 1 hour and 24 minutes, and was released in 2023.

Is My Christmas Guide a Christmas movie?

Yes. My Christmas Guide is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.

Browse all movies

If you liked this one, you’ll probably like these. The chips show what they have in common.

Talking Hallmark

Love talking about these as much as watching them?

So do we. Come hang out on the Talking Hallmark channel, where we dig into movies just like this one, episode after episode.

Watch the latest episode
This Hallmark Christmas movie is aggressively stupid

“This Hallmark Christmas movie is aggressively stupid”

Data and sources

HallmarkDB catalogue. How we research filmsData refreshed .

Search JustWatch for current viewing options.

Sources:IMDbTMDB