Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
So-so romcom has positive messages about redemption.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
12 Dates of Christmas
What's the Story?
12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS centers on Kate (Amy Smart), a twentysomething with a life plan that hinges on winning back her ex-boyfriend and spending the rest of her life with him, even though that means disregarding the feelings of her blind date, Miles (Mark-Paul Gosselaar). But when a twist of fate causes her to relive Christmas Eve over and over again, she realizes that wanting a relationship and making one work are two very different things. Each time the clock strikes midnight and her day resets, Kate must identify where she's gone wrong and get back on track to finding -- and inspiring -- true love.
Is It Any Good?
Borrowing a page from the time-loop comedy Groundhog Day, this movie works in a sappy-sweet, opposites-attract love plot that just happens to take place on Christmas Eve. This holiday tie-in bolsters what's otherwise a lukewarm story marked by a handful of funny moments and the requisite romantic ones. There's little that's remarkable about the story itself, but that doesn't mean the mostly predictable ending won't leave you feeling warm and fuzzy nonetheless.
If your older tweens are champing at the bit for a more grown-up movie and they can handle a smattering of similarly grown-up language, then 12 Dates of Christmas might be a good option for them. The relationship at the heart of the story takes some time to develop (hence the multiple replays of Kate's day), but when it does, it's because of mutual affection and respect and Kate's newfound patience with life's unpredictability. After a few missteps, she learns to be open to change and to be more aware of how she can have a positive effect on those around her, which at the very least is a good reminder of life's learning experiences and the possibility of redemption.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about relationships. What common factors do you notice in successful relationships? How do you know when you love someone? What are some age-appropriate expressions of affection that you see among your peers? What are your family's rules about dating?
How does the media portray love and marriage? Does what you see on TV and in movies coincide with your family's values concerning relationships? Why or why not? How much of the sexual content you see is sensationalistic? Do any shows attempt to reflect reality?
Tweens: Can you think of a time in your life that you'd like to repeat and change? What would you do differently? How would you benefit from the change? Would it help others? How can we learn from the negative choices we make?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 11, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : December 16, 2016
- Cast : Amy Smart , Mark-Paul Gosselaar , Jayne Eastwood
- Director : James Hayman
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : ABC Family
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Holidays
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate