A Merry Little Ex-Mas is worth adding to your holiday watchlist if you want a cozy, familiar romantic comedy and enjoy its nostalgic cast. If you’re hoping for a surprising plot or a fresh spin on Christmas-movie conventions, its predictable turns may leave you cold.
What is A Merry Little Ex-Mas about?
Netflix describes the 2025 romantic comedy this way: “All Kate and Everett want for Christmas is an amicable divorce and one last holiday as a family, but new flames and old feelings complicate their plans.” The production announcement adds that the separated couple intends to spend one last Christmas with their children before Kate sells the family home and starts over. Their plan gets messier when Everett brings his new girlfriend into the holiday.
The premise puts a familiar holiday-rom-com setup—family traditions, new relationships and lingering feelings—inside a divorce story. The appeal is less about an entirely new formula than watching this family navigate an awkward, emotionally charged Christmas.
Who stars in it, and who made it?
Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson lead the cast as Kate and Everett. Jameela Jamil and Melissa Joan Hart are also among the principal cast. Netflix’s title page additionally lists Pierson Fode, Linda Kash, Geoffrey Owens, Wilder Hudson, Emily Hall and Timothy Innes.
#1 Best Overall
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Steve Carr directed the film, and Holly Hester wrote it. Melissa Joan Hart and Paula Hart produced for Hartbreak Films; Alicia Silverstone is an executive producer.
What do the reviews say?
A knowingly over-the-top holiday movie
TechRadar’s Jasmine Valentine called the film “Objectively dreadful, subjectively brilliant.” Her review criticizes its predictability and implausible plot turns, while praising its picture-perfect holiday look, camp sensibility, representation and Jameela Jamil’s performance. Valentine’s verdict captures the possibility that a movie’s flaws can be part of its seasonal fun, rather than a reason to reject it outright.
Rank #2
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Comfort viewing, not a fresh take
Tom’s Guide reviewer Rory Mellon likewise describes the movie as familiar and trope-heavy, but calls it “warm and watchable” for someone looking for seasonal comfort while wrapping gifts or hanging lights. Taken together, these two reviews point to a conventional, easygoing watch rather than an inventive holiday romance. They are individual critical reactions, not evidence of universal agreement.
Is it right for your holiday watchlist?
Think about what you want from a Christmas rom-com:
- Choose it for comfort and familiarity: The holiday setting, family tensions and unresolved feelings suit a relaxed seasonal watch, and the cast may have nostalgic appeal.
- Look elsewhere if you want plot surprises: Valentine’s review flags predictable storytelling and implausible turns, while Mellon emphasizes how familiar the tropes feel.
- Try it for the tone and performances: The camp holiday atmosphere and Jamil’s performance are particular strengths noted by Valentine.
In short, the case for watching is its cozy, knowingly familiar holiday mood—not the promise of a genre-bending story.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you watch A Merry Little Ex-Mas?
Netflix’s U.S. title page lists the film as available to stream and download. Availability and plan details can vary by country and change, so check the listing in your local Netflix catalog.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
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