Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mild language, kissing, drinking in light holiday romcom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Merry Little Ex-Mas
What's the Story?
Kate (Alicia Silverstone) and Everett (Oliver Hudson) are "consciously uncoupling" (read: getting a divorce) in A MERRY LITTLE EX-MAS. But it's obvious to almost everyone that the pair still have a lot of love between them—not to mention a well-worn house where their two beloved children, high school senior Gabe (Wilder Hudson, Oliver's son) and college student Sienna (Emily Hall), grew up. As the family gathers to celebrate holiday traditions—with new romantic interests in the mix (Jameela Jamil and Pierson Fodé)—Kate and Everett will have to decide once and for all if they're truly ready to move on.
Is It Any Good?
Silverstone brings both Clueless charm and middle-aged intelligence to her starring role as a frustrated mother and ex-wife in this frothy but gratifying holiday romcom. By keeping the characters light and the storyline moving quickly, A Merry Little Ex-Mas avoids getting bogged down in the kind of overly sentimental mush of many seasonal films. Instead, the quirky cast of characters endear themselves over the course of the film, with occasional laugh-out-loud antics (mostly at the hand of Fodé, who seems to be having a blast playing the dense stud).
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the holiday traditions are so important to Kate in A Merry Little Ex-Mas. What holidays does your family celebrate, and what are your favorite traditions?
Did you find this film predictable? Did that undermine your enjoyment of it? Why or why not?
What role does the small town play in this film? How does Kate's attitude toward the town change over the course of the film?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 12, 2025
- Cast : Alicia Silverstone , Oliver Hudson , Pierson Fodé
- Director : Steve Carr
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Activism , Baking , Family Stories , Holidays ( Christmas )
- Run time : 91 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : December 4, 2025
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