A Merry Little Ex-Mas (2025)
Film · Romance, Comedy
Stream it, ifif you enjoy lighthearted holiday friction and don't mind a predictable, trope-heavy festive plot.
A chaotic holiday comedy that thrives on awkward family dynamics and romantic mishaps. It is a brisk, lighthearted watch that trades in familiar tropes but benefits from a charismatic cast and high-spirited energy.
What it is about
Recently separated, Kate hopes to celebrate one last perfect family Christmas with her soon-to-be ex-husband Everett and their kids before their divorce is final and the house is sold. But her holiday plans are hilariously derailed when Everett unexpectedly brings his younger, successful new girlfriend.
Trailer
What A Merry Little Ex-Mas is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
This is a high-energy, brightly lit holiday farce that moves at a brisk clip. It leans heavily into the discomfort of forced proximity, relying on slapstick mishaps and sharp verbal sparring to drive the narrative. The tone is consistently upbeat despite the underlying theme of divorce, prioritising colourful festive aesthetics and zippy pacing over deep emotional resonance or quiet moments.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
It is tailor-made for fans of traditional seasonal rom-coms who appreciate a 'clashing personalities' dynamic. Those seeking a sophisticated subversion of the genre should look elsewhere, as the film embraces familiar archetypes and tidy resolutions. A significant caveat is the reliance on the 'new girlfriend' trope, which occasionally veers into caricature rather than grounded conflict.
The right evening for it
This suits a casual midweek evening when you want something undemanding to accompany a hot drink. It is a reliable choice for a low-stakes family viewing that provides a predictable dose of holiday cheer.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
How A Merry Little Ex-Mas leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
Expect to come away feeling light and festive, with the breezy, hummable energy of a classic holiday sitcom that resolves exactly as you anticipate.
How A Merry Little Ex-Mas ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
On Christmas Eve, a fire breaks out in the family home, which Gabriel successfully extinguishes. Following the chaos, Tess leaves Everett, and Kate rejects Chet. The family reunites as Everett arrives, having closed his clinic early to spend the night reading a scrapbook with Kate and the children. After a snowstorm leaves the rest of the town without power, Kate’s solar-powered home becomes the local hub for holiday celebrations, where she finally makes amends with Sienna and Gabriel.
Later that night, Everett and Kate meet on the balcony. Everett confesses he wants to cancel the divorce and offers to quit his medical career to stay with her. Kate reveals she no longer wishes to move to Boston, and the couple kiss after throwing away their divorce papers. The film ends a year later with the entire family gathering to celebrate another Christmas together.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Happiest Season (2020)
the same mix of awkward family dinner tension and hidden agendas during the holidays
The Family Stone (2005)
the discomfort of an outsider trying to fit into a tight-knit family's Christmas traditions
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A Merry Little Ex-Mas soundtrack
Music by Jeff Cardoni
Questions people ask
- Is A Merry Little Ex-Mas a funny film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Funny, with a romantic streak. A chaotic holiday comedy that thrives on awkward family dynamics and romantic mishaps. It is a brisk, lighthearted watch that trades in familiar tropes but benefits from a charismatic cast and high-spirited energy.
- How long is A Merry Little Ex-Mas?
- A Merry Little Ex-Mas runs 91 min and was released in 2025.
- Where can I watch A Merry Little Ex-Mas in Canada?
- In Canada, A Merry Little Ex-Mas is included with Netflix (all plans).
- Who composed the music for A Merry Little Ex-Mas?
- The music for A Merry Little Ex-Mas is by Jeff Cardoni.
- Is A Merry Little Ex-Mas worth watching?
- It depends: if you enjoy lighthearted holiday friction and don't mind a predictable, trope-heavy festive plot. Rotten Tomatoes gives it 56% and TMDB users 6.0.
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