Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Coming Home for Christmas
By Tracy Moore,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sentimental holiday fare with strong messages about family.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Coming Home for Christmas
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Sisters Kate (Carly McKillip) and Mel (Britt McKillip) haven't talked in five years since a big argument at Mel's wedding, but the news that their parents are separating has brought them back together, ready to reunite their folks. They have a plan to host Christmas in the family home -- the one they had to sell during the bad economy. The only problem is, a mysterious and friendly young man named Mike (Ben Hollingsworth) has just bought it.
Is It Any Good?
COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS offers several strongly positive messages about family unity, especially during the holidays. It promotes the idea that family can take many shapes and that the important thing is to support the ones you love, forgive quickly, and not hold grudges. There's a particular focus on singing, dance, and music, and it's nice to see such positive relationships and community-minded messages. That said, the characters are all a bit too pure of heart, the conflict feels a bit forced, and the resolutions are extraordinarily tidy. The reuniting of separated or divorced parents as a film trope can be particularly misleading for kids with divorcing parents and may warrant discussion. But for parents and kids with a high tolerance for sentiment looking for some wholesome entertainment, it's wrapped neatly here in a lovely Canadian setting with snow, Christmas lights, and lots of holiday cheer.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about resolving conflict. Why do you think the sisters waited so long to talk again? Was it worth it to stay mad at each other? Have you ever stayed mad at someone for a long time? What happened? Did you ever work it out?
Families take different shapes in the film. What are some of the different versions of family the characters form?
How important is your childhood home in your family? Do you still live in it? If not, do you ever go back and visit?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: August 12, 2014
- Cast: Ben Hollingsworth , Britt McKillip , Carly McKillip
- Director: Vanessa Parise
- Studio: Nasser
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters , Holidays
- Run time: 95 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 19, 2023
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Best Holiday Movies for Kids
Best Holiday TV Specials
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