A Christmas Prince

A Christmas Prince

movie

TV-PG, 2017, Comedy, Family

WISE
58%

WISE Score

73

Avg. Tomatometer

Paint-by-numbers Netflix holiday rom-com where a reporter pretends to be a tutor, falls for a prince, and learns lying is bad—who knew?

IMDb5.8
RT Critics73%
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is aggressively fine. It's the cinematic equivalent of a pumpkin spice latte—you know exactly what you're getting, it's not going to challenge you, and some people genuinely enjoy it while others find it insufferable.

The critics were surprisingly generous (73%!), but audiences were less impressed (49%), and the middling IMDb (5.8) and Letterboxd (2.4/5) scores tell the real story: this is forgettable holiday fluff. It spawned two sequels, which says something about Netflix's algorithm if not about quality.

From a WISE perspective, it's very safe and reasonably wholesome, but it's neither imaginative nor particularly enriching. The plot is so predictable you could set your watch by it. That said, if you need something genuinely harmless for a mixed-age family movie night during the holidays, you could do worse. Just don't expect anyone to remember it by New Year's.

Age Fit

Best for tweens and young teens (10-14) who enjoy fairy-tale romance without any edge. Adults might tolerate it during holiday season with enough eggnog, but this is squarely aimed at the younger crowd who haven't yet developed cynicism about formulaic rom-coms.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
78

Straightforward romantic comedy with themes of honesty, kindness, and personal growth. The protagonist learns the value of truth over career ambition, and the prince character shows compassion toward his disabled sister and his kingdom. Models cooperation and redemption, though built on a deceptive premise that eventually gets resolved. Tone is light, optimistic, and family-friendly throughout.

Imaginative
42

Follows an extremely predictable Hallmark-style romance formula with minimal creative risks. The royal setting offers some fairy-tale escapism, but the plot beats are telegraphed from miles away. Doesn't invite much creative thinking or exploration—it's comfort food that asks viewers to turn off their brains and enjoy the ride. Production values are serviceable but unremarkable.

Safe
92

Exceptionally safe content with no violence, no sexual content beyond chaste kissing, no profanity, and no disturbing themes. Common Sense Media rates it for age 10+, likely due to the deception plotline and mild romantic elements. No surprise scares, death, or trauma. The main 'unsafe' element is the protagonist lying about her identity, but this is treated as a moral failing that gets addressed and resolved.

Enriching
48

Light entertainment value but minimal depth. Does touch on themes of honesty, duty versus desire, and looking beyond surface judgments. The disabled sister character (Emily) is portrayed positively. However, the film doesn't challenge viewers intellectually or offer much in terms of skill-building or meaningful insight. It's pleasant but forgettable—more cotton candy than nutrition.

Parent Info

Why It Might Be Great

  • Completely harmless family viewing—no content surprises, perfect for background holiday viewing with mixed ages
  • Positive portrayal of a character with disability (the prince's sister Emily) who's treated as fully capable and important to the plot
  • Models the importance of honesty and integrity when the protagonist faces consequences for her deception
  • Surprisingly got 73% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting it accomplishes what it sets out to do as comfort-food entertainment

What to Watch For

  • The entire premise is built on lying and deception—the protagonist goes undercover and deceives everyone, which might warrant a conversation about honesty
  • Extremely predictable plot may bore older kids or adults who've seen literally any romantic comedy before
  • Sets up some unrealistic expectations about royal life and fairy-tale romance (but honestly, what princess movie doesn't?)

Conversation Starters

  • "The main character lied to get her story—do you think the ends justified the means? When is it okay to bend the truth?"
  • "What did you think about how they showed Emily, the prince's sister? Did you like that she was just treated as a regular person?"
  • "If you could be royalty for a day, what would you actually do? (Probably not fall in love with an undercover reporter, right?)"

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