Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sentimental holiday fare with strong messages about family.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Coming Home for Christmas
Parent and Kid Reviews
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 : Benjamin Hollingsworth , Britt McKillip , Carly McKillip
- Director : Vanessa Parise
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Nasser
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Holidays
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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