Official Rating: TV-PG

Screenwise Take: Safe for ages 10+, ideal for 12+

Here's what parents need to know:

Romance & Kissing: There's romantic tension and a few kisses, but nothing remotely steamy. The most intimate moment is a sweet kiss at the end. No bedroom scenes, no innuendo that would make you uncomfortable watching with your middle schooler.

Language: Squeaky clean. Maybe one or two mild exclamations like "oh my god" but truly minimal. No profanity.

Scary/Intense Content: Zero. The "magical" element is whimsical, not spooky. The calendar is mysterious but never creepy or dark. No jump scares, no supernatural horror vibes.

Themes: Following your dreams vs. playing it safe, friendship evolving into romance, trusting your gut, believing in magic and possibility. All positive, wholesome stuff.

Diversity: The lead is a Black woman, and the cast is reasonably diverse for a 2018 Netflix holiday rom-com. Not groundbreaking representation, but better than your average Hallmark movie.

If you've got a tween or teen who's into rom-coms, this hits that sweet spot of being age-appropriate while still feeling like a "real" romance movie—not a Disney Channel original.

The magical advent calendar is a fun hook that keeps the story from being just another "which guy will she choose?" plot. Each day brings a new little mystery, which makes it engaging even for kids who aren't typically into romance.

It's also genuinely funny in places. Abby's best friend Kat (played by Aisha Dee) is the standout—she's sarcastic, supportive, and gets most of the best lines. The banter between Abby and Josh feels natural and sweet rather than forced.

And honestly? It's just nice. The stakes are low. Nobody's mean. The "rival" love interest isn't a jerk—he's actually a good guy, just not the right guy. In a media landscape where even kids' content can feel harsh or cynical, this movie is a warm hug.

It's formulaic, and that's fine: You will predict every single plot point. The "wrong" boyfriend is obvious from minute one. The magical calendar's endgame is transparent. But sometimes predictable is exactly what you want for a cozy movie night.

The career messaging is... okay: Abby's arc is about pursuing her dream of being a photographer instead of playing it safe with retail work. The movie handles this reasonably well—it's not preachy about "following your passion" but does emphasize taking risks. That said, it glosses over practical realities (how does she afford her apartment? what's her actual plan?). If you've got a teen thinking about careers, it might be worth a brief chat about balancing dreams with pragmatism.

The "magical thinking" element: The calendar predicts the future, and Abby has to decide whether to trust it or make her own choices. The movie ultimately lands on "magic can guide you, but you still have to act"—a decent message about agency. But if your family is uncomfortable with any magical/mystical content in media, heads up that this is a central plot device.

Best friend representation: Abby's bestie is in a same-sex relationship, shown casually and positively. It's brief and matter-of-fact—a few scenes with her girlfriend, zero drama about it. For most families this will be a non-issue (or a positive!), but flagging it for those who want to know.

Here's the thing: this isn't winning any Oscars. The dialogue is sometimes clunky. The plot is paint-by-numbers. Some of the acting is... fine.

But it's not trying to be a masterpiece. It's trying to be a warm, fuzzy holiday movie you can put on while wrapping presents or recovering from a big dinner, and at that, it succeeds completely.

Kat Graham is genuinely charming, and she and Ethan Peck have nice chemistry. The movie looks pretty—lots of twinkly lights and cozy coffee shops. The soundtrack is pleasant. It moves at a good pace and doesn't overstay its welcome at 95 minutes.

If you're comparing it to actual good rom-coms like When Harry Met Sally or even Netflix's better entries like Set It Up, it falls short. But if you're comparing it to the average Netflix holiday movie? It's solidly above average.

If your family enjoys The Holiday Calendar, here are some others in the same vein:

For more options, check out cozy holiday movies for families.

The Holiday Calendar is perfectly pleasant family viewing for ages 10 and up. It's sweet without being saccharine, romantic without being inappropriate, and magical without being scary.

Is it memorable? Not particularly. Will your kids quote it for years? Probably not. But will it give you 95 minutes of wholesome, low-stress entertainment that won't make you dive for the remote when a questionable scene comes on? Absolutely.

It's the cinematic equivalent of hot chocolate with marshmallows—not fancy, not complex, but exactly what you want when you want it.

Perfect for: Tweens and teens who love rom-coms, families looking for genuinely age-appropriate holiday content, anyone who enjoys Hallmark-style movies but wants slightly better production value and more diversity.

Skip if: Your kids need high-stakes action to stay engaged, you can't stand predictable plots, or you're looking for something with more substance.

Want to explore more family-friendly holiday content? Check out our guide to the best Christmas movies for every age or cozy shows for winter break.