Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Childhood friends find love in wholesome holiday romcom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Same Time, Next Christmas
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In SAME TIME, NEXT CHRISTMAS, Olivia (Lea Michele) and Jeff (Charles Michael Davis) have been vacationing with their families in Hawaii every Christmas for 20 years. Once, long ago, they kissed as teens. They lived far from each other so maintaining the friendship was not possible when they were young. A death in one family disrupted their meetings and life in general intervened. When they finally see each other back in Hawaii, Jeff's been unhappily married and Olivia's devoted herself to work. They can't seem to commit to each other and one is about to marry. Can they work things out before it's too late?
Is It Any Good?
This predictable holiday romance is not great, but it's watchable. Like other movies of the holiday genre, it prioritizes being inoffensive above all else. The content is well-meaning—prioritizing love, recognizing soulmates. Beyond the focus of the plot, the movie is notable for a particularly close and loving depiction of the relationship between a father and his adult son. Performances are competent in the diverse cast. Charles Michael Davis stands out for his natural charm and ease.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the term "soulmate." What do you think a soulmate is? Do you think everyone has one?
Do you think if Olivia and Jeff had told each how they felt about each other long before they might have gotten together sooner?
Why is that sometimes people don't always express their deep feelings?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 5, 2019
- Cast : Lea Michele , Charles Michael Davis , Bryan Greenberg
- Director : Stephen Herek
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , Family Stories , Friendship , Holidays ( Christmas ) , Travel
- Run time : 78 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : November 16, 2025
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