Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Positive messages in warm festive family comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
All I Want for Christmas
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, Hallie (Thora Birch) and her older brother Ethan (Ethan Embry) are facing the first Christmas since their parents' divorce. Not keen on their mother Catherine's (Harley Jane Kozak) new boyfriend, Tony (Kevin Nealon), Hallie asks Santa (Leslie Nielsen) to perform a Christmas miracle and get their parents to remarry. But when it seems like the message got lost in translation, and their mother announces plans to marry Tony, the two siblings take matters into their own hands with an elaborate Christmas Eve plan.
Is It Any Good?
This 1990s Christmas film may be a little contrived and not wildly original, but it's a reliably fun family movie with plenty of holiday spirit. All I Want for Christmas transports the setup of The Parent Trap to snowy New York City, where likable brother and sister duo (Birch and Embry) are about to get up to all manner of mischief in the interest of reuniting their divorced parents and shaking their mother's annoying fiancé. The screenplay is full of funny, smart lines, which push the kids a little too wise for their years at times, but Birch in particular makes for a memorably spunky character with the mature acting talent to match her knowing looks. Lauren Bacall also makes an impact as their wise, ex-actor grandmother, and there's a cute musical number between the two that will likely warm frosty hearts. Beyond the acting, the snow-filtered cityscapes are stunning, and there's sparkle and baubles galore in homes, stores, and parties the characters visit. It's predictable stuff, and the relationship between the parents isn't particularly developed beyond the bare minimum, but viewers will happily enjoy the world through the kids' eyes in this warm festive tale.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of family in All I Want for Christmas. The central unit features parents going through a recent divorce. How is their relationship portrayed and how do the kids feel about the changes? Do you think the movie's focus on reuniting the parents sends a healthy message or not?
The movie shows kids taking matters into their own hands, without the involvement of adults. Why do you think this is a common trope in family films? What does removing adults from the picture allow children to do? Did you think the kids in this film acted safely and responsibly?
Hallie, Ethan, and their friends showed teamwork and perseverance in carrying out their Christmas Eve plan. Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 8, 1991
- On DVD or streaming : October 5, 2004
- Cast : Thora Birch , Ethan Embry , Harley Jane Kozak , Jamey Sheridan
- Director : Robert Lieberman
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Holidays ( Christmas )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : December 15, 2025
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