Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Borget
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Charming holiday tale with heartfelt message; mild language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Saving Christmas
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In SAVING CHRISTMAS, Nick Baker (Ricardo Ortiz), a 16-year-old with a passion for film and presents, becomes frustrated with the countless Christmas chores his mother assigns. One night, he wishes for Christmas to disappear, and to his shock, it does. Now, Nick is the only one who remembers Christmas, and his family and friends have drastically changed without the holiday spirit. With the help of his loyal best friend, Ben (Josh Zaharia), Nick embarks on a quest to bring back Christmas and restore the joy it brought to his loved ones. Through this journey, he learns the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of giving and gratitude.
Is It Any Good?
Saving Christmas is a heartwarming holiday film that captures the spirit of the season through an engaging, although familiar, story. Ricardo Ortiz delivers a relatable performance as a teen who must learn that Christmas is about more than gifts and decorations. The movie is sprinkled with humor and tender moments as Nick realizes how much the holiday means to his family and community. The dynamic between Nick and his best friend Ben provides comic relief and showcases the value of friendship in times of change.
The movie has clever and funny moments, like when Nick hilariously pitches the idea of Christmas on a reality TV show called Gator Tank, a playful nod to Shark Tank. There are also humorous references to Die Hard being a Christmas movie, a running joke in holiday discussions. While the film takes a bit of time to jump into the magical aspect of everyone forgetting Christmas, and has a slow start, it keeps viewers invested overall with its blend of heartwarming and comedic scenes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Nick took Christmas for granted at the beginning of the movie. How did his perspective change throughout the film?
What did Nick learn about the importance of giving versus receiving? How can we apply that message in our own lives during the holiday season?
How does Nick's realization about the true meaning of Christmas relate to real-life situations where we might take things or people for granted?
Nick's mother, Carol, put a lot of effort into Christmas traditions and activities. What do you think the movie is trying to say about family traditions and why they matter?
What do you think were some of Nick's character strengths?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 5, 2024
- Cast : Ricardo Ortiz , Josh Zaharia , Casey James
- Directors : Marcelo Ricardo Ortiz , Rafael Nani
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , South American Movie Director(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , South American Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Latino Movie Writer(s) , South American Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Vision Films
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Holidays
- Character Strengths : Gratitude
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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