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Romantic film

Dear Christmas (2020): Cast & Ratings

Dear Christmas (2020) movie poster

Dear Christmas is a 2020 romantic film directed by Emily Moss Wilson, starring Ed Begley Jr. as Randy Morgan, Melissa Joan Hart and Faith Prince. It runs 1 hour 20 minutes. Its Echo Score is 62/100.

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Dear Christmas (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 20m (80 min)
Genre
Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dear Christmas About?

The premise of Dear Christmas without spoilers.

Natalie Morgan, a successful author and host of the popular podcast "Holiday Love," shares inspiring stories of holiday romance with her listeners. Despite her expertise, Natalie has never found her own romantic experience. Returning home for Christmas to celebrate her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary and a promotional tour for her new book, she unexpectedly finds romance with Jack, a local firefighter. As Natalie navigates family celebrations and her book promotion, she begins to discover the possibility of a holiday romance of her own.

Dear Christmas Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • pregnancy
  • pregnant woman
  • sister sister relationship
  • two word title
  • holiday in title
  • christmas eve
  • christmas romance
  • chicago illinois
  • podcaster
  • home for christmas
  • lake tahoe nevada
  • road service
+38 more
  • parents daughter relationship
  • bookstore
  • glass heart
  • book author
  • testimonial
  • videos
  • reference to 8th grade
  • school friend
  • inflatable santa
  • sing along
  • common interest
  • ugly christmas sweater
  • volunteer fireman
  • glass blower
  • bridesmaid's dress
  • dancing
  • baby boy born
  • secret crush
  • girl's diary
  • live podcast
  • looking for true love
  • character says i love you
  • unicorn
  • kiss
  • reference to a shooting star
  • star sticker
  • male female relationship
  • christmas
  • christmas movie
  • christmas season
  • title directed by female
  • podcast host
  • holiday season
  • female lead
  • romantic comedy
  • love interest
  • scene during opening credits
  • pregnant sister
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Cast & crew

Dear Christmas Cast & Characters

Ed Begley Jr. leads the cast as Randy Morgan, with Melissa Joan Hart as Natalie Morgan and Faith Prince as Jenny Morgan. Directed by Emily Moss Wilson; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dear Christmas

· 7 more
From the director

More from Emily Moss Wilson

More films directed by Emily Moss Wilson: Inheritance, Rescuing Christmas, My Southern Family Christmas and A Christmas Open House.

Full filmography
Ratings

Dear Christmas Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (55).

62 /100

Dear Christmas Echo Score Breakdown

Dear Christmas delivers a festive visual package and lively chemistry between its leads, which sustain audience interest despite a thin narrative structure and uneven audio production. Reviewers appreciate the holiday‑centric set design, warm performances, and occasional humor, yet criticize the lack of substantive conflict, loud soundtrack, and low‑budget props that detract from immersion. The film remains an agreeable seasonal option for viewers seeking light romance, though its replay value is limited by its narrative shortcomings.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases attractive set decoration, colorful cinematography, and a coherent Christmas aesthetic that many reviewers found appealing. The production design succeeds in creating a festive atmosphere, though occasional cheap‑looking props and limited extras reveal budget constraints. While visual composition is generally praised, the overall craftsmanship reflects a competent yet modest TV‑movie standard.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When evaluating character and emotion, the leads’ chemistry is highlighted as a central strength, with Melissa Joan Hart and Jason Priestley delivering relatable performances. Supporting actors receive mixed feedback, with some deemed unconvincing or poorly cast. Acting quality varies across the cast, producing a balanced impression where main characters engage viewers, but secondary roles sometimes weaken emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The story and flow of Dear Christmas are described as warm and charming yet lacking depth and tension. Reviewers note a predictable, thin plot with minimal conflict and a hastily resolved ending, which undermines narrative engagement. Some appreciate its deviation from formulaic holiday tropes, but the overall lack of substantive storytelling limits its impact.

  • Sensory Experience 58

    Sensory experience combines pleasant visual style with problematic audio elements. The film’s color palette and festive scenery are praised, while the soundtrack is frequently cited as excessively loud, obscuring dialogue. Sound design inconsistencies detract from immersion, resulting in a mixed sensory assessment that balances attractive visuals against audio shortcomings.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Rewatch factor is moderately strong for audiences seeking light holiday entertainment; the film’s cheerfulness and occasional humor encourage repeat viewings in a festive setting. However, narrative thinness and technical flaws reduce its long‑term appeal for some viewers. Overall, it offers reasonable replay value for fans of uncomplicated Christmas romances.

Videos

Dear Christmas Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Dear Christmas.

Lifetime Movie Moment: Holiday Love Isn't So Easy | Dear Christmas | Lifetime
Details

Dear Christmas Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Querido Natal” and “Querida Navidad”.

Also known as
  • Querido Natal
  • Querida Navidad
  • Cher Noël
  • Naladení na Vianoce
  • Naladěni na Vánoce
  • Kochane święta

Seen Dear Christmas?

FAQ

Dear Christmas FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Dear Christmas, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dear Christmas?

Dear Christmas runs 1 hour 20 minutes (80 minutes).

When was Dear Christmas released?

Dear Christmas was released on November 27, 2020.

Who directed Dear Christmas?

Dear Christmas was directed by Emily Moss Wilson.

More films by Emily Moss Wilson

Who is in the cast of Dear Christmas?

Dear Christmas stars Ed Begley Jr. as Randy Morgan, Melissa Joan Hart as Natalie Morgan and Faith Prince as Jenny Morgan, among 11 credited actors.

Does Dear Christmas have a post-credit scene?

No. Dear Christmas has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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