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What's After the Movie?
Romantic comedy

Boxing Day (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Boxing Day (2021) movie poster

Boxing Day is a 2021 romantic comedy starring Aml Ameen as Melvin, Aja Naomi King and Leigh-Anne Pinnock. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $878,769 worldwide. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
83%
worldwide gross
$878.8K
Echo Score
59
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Boxing Day (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Genres
Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Boxing Day About?

The premise of Boxing Day without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Melvin brings his American fiancée, Lisa, to London for Boxing Day to meet his large and eccentric Caribbean family. As traditions and cultural differences collide, Lisa finds herself navigating the complexities of Melvin's heritage and the dynamics of his close-knit relatives. What begins as a festive gathering quickly becomes a series of hilarious misunderstandings and unexpected challenges, testing the strength of their budding relationship and forcing them to confront the importance of family and belonging.

Boxing Day Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • london england
  • christmas
  • boxing day
  • family relationships
  • written and directed by star
  • los angeles california
  • plane
  • airport
  • baggage claim
  • agent
  • book tour
  • writer
+38 more
  • actor
  • hotel
  • rapper
  • marriage proposal
  • pregnancy test
  • apple facetime
  • london taxi
  • nativity play
  • mother son relationship
  • pop star
  • return home
  • hotel room
  • chat show
  • transatlantic flight
  • job offer
  • tabloid newspaper headline
  • engagement break up
  • family home
  • convenience store
  • christmas party
  • food fight
  • dominoes game
  • tower bridge
  • busker
  • surprise marriage proposal
  • bar
  • drinking in a bar
  • hangover
  • moving to a new country
  • swimming pool
  • crying in bed
  • inspired by a true story
  • cue cards
  • large family
  • bedroom
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • goat curry
  • holiday romance
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Cast & crew

Boxing Day Cast & Characters

Aml Ameen leads the cast as Melvin, with Aja Naomi King as Lisa and Leigh-Anne Pinnock as Georgia.

Also Starring in Boxing Day

· 6 more
Ratings

Boxing Day Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Boxing Day 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 59/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in story & flow (40).

59 /100

Boxing Day Echo Score Breakdown

Boxing Day generates a mixed reception that balances visual and tonal strengths against narrative shortcomings. Critics highlight its vibrant cinematography, lively soundtrack, and strong cast chemistry, while users frequently note a convoluted plot and uneven character depth. The film succeeds in delivering seasonal energy and occasional emotional moments, yet its pacing and story coherence undermine sustained engagement. Consequently, the overall impression is that the movie offers modest entertainment value but falls short of a compelling, repeatable holiday staple.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film presents a high‑gloss aesthetic with striking overhead shots of iconic locations and a vivid color palette. Critics commend the lively production design and smooth editing that support its festive tone. Some reviewers, however, note a lack of innovative techniques beyond conventional holiday motifs. Overall, the artful elements are competent and enhance the viewing experience despite limited originality.

  • Character & Emotion 58

    When evaluating character work, performances receive praise for energy and chemistry, especially among the lead cast. The ensemble is described as charismatic, helping to offset narrative flaws. Conversely, several commentators criticize thin characterisation and reliance on stereotypes, reducing emotional resonance. The mixed feedback reflects solid acting foundations that are weakened by underdeveloped arcs, resulting in a modest overall character score.

  • Story & Flow 40

    Regarding plot and pacing, the movie is frequently described as overstuffed and disjointed, with contrived story beats that hinder coherence. Critics point to uneven storytelling decisions that detract from engagement, and users echo these concerns, noting a convoluted narrative and lack of clear conflict. While occasional moments of charm appear, the dominant impression is that the story structure fails to sustain interest throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 73

    In the sensory domain, the soundtrack is highlighted as lively and groovy, complementing vibrant visual styling that captures festive ambience. Reviewers appreciate the bright color schemes and cohesive aesthetic that reinforce the film's holiday setting. A minority of viewers express limited enthusiasm for certain musical numbers, but the overall sensory execution is regarded as effective and appealing.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Assessing rewatch potential, the film offers moments of holiday cheer and engaging scenes that can entertain casual viewers during the season. However, narrative inconsistencies and uneven character depth diminish its lasting appeal, leading many to view it as a one‑time festive option rather than a perennial favorite. The balance of strengths and flaws positions its replay value at a moderate level.

Plot

Boxing Day Plot Summary

What happens in Boxing Day from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Melvin ‘Smelly’ Mckenzie [Aml Ameen] is a British immigrant living in Los Angeles, who has just released a debut book that propels him back to his homeland. After the book tour hits a snag in the U.S., he must return to London for the first time in two years to promote the work and reconnect with a family he left behind. The journey back is charged with nostalgia, awkwardness, and a sense that a lot has changed, yet some bonds stay stubbornly intact.

Full summary

The whole story of Boxing Day, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Boxing Day Box Office

Boxing Day grossed $878,769 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$878.8K

International
$878.8K
Videos

Boxing Day Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Boxing Day - Official Trailer - Warner Bros. UK & Ireland
  • Featurette Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Aml Ameen and Aja Naomi King on new film Boxing Day | Film4
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Boxing Day?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
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  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
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  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the nickname of the main character Melvin McKenzie?

Details

Boxing Day Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “Karácsonyi szívügyek” and “El día después de Navidad”.

Also known as
  • Karácsonyi szívügyek
  • El día después de Navidad
  • День подарков
  • 박싱 데이
  • בוקסינג דיי
  • El segundo día de Navidad
  • Um Natal Entre Nós
  • 节礼之日
  • 聖誕大考驗
  • Karácsony másnapján

Seen Boxing Day?

FAQ

Boxing Day FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Boxing Day, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Boxing Day released?

Boxing Day was released on December 17, 2021.

Who is in the cast of Boxing Day?

Boxing Day stars Aml Ameen as Melvin, Aja Naomi King as Lisa and Leigh-Anne Pinnock as Georgia, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Boxing Day make at the box office?

Boxing Day grossed $878,769 worldwide.

How is Boxing Day rated?

Boxing Day has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66% on TMDB and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Boxing Day have a post-credit scene?

No. Boxing Day has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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