The defence The Sentimental Softie
“Sincerity is not manipulation.”
The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.
Back to trending 
A Merry Little Ex-Mas
Romance · Comedy · 2025
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.
Movie details
A Merry Little Ex-Mas
2025 Romance · Comedy 1h 31m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.0 / 10
Community rating
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.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over A Merry Little Ex-Mas?
For the defence
The Sentimental Softie
“You came to feel something, and you will.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Cool Ironist
“Feeling things is a little embarrassing.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Where it lives
Watch in your region.
Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.
Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.
Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Steve Carr
Written by
Holly Hester
Alicia Silverstone
Kate Holden
Oliver Hudson
Dr. Everett Holden
Jameela Jamil
Tess Wiley
Pierson Fodé
Chet Moore
Wilder Hudson
Gabriel Holden
Emily Hall
Sienna Holden
Bert Cardozo
August
Court is in session
Put A Merry Little Ex-Mas on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Cool Ironist
“The strings are showing.”
Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.