🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Shaun Paul Piccinino
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Holiday
- Release year: 2022
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 4.6/10 (4.7K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A cynical lawyer falls for a charming man-child who genuinely believes Santa is real, leading to existential holiday relationship drama.
🍿 I Believe in Santa: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Festive Fling with a Surprising Secret
Lisa, a journalist who harbors a strong dislike for Christmas, finds herself unexpectedly falling for Tom during the festive season. Their romance blossoms quickly, seemingly perfect as they bond over their lives and Lisa introduces Tom to her daughter, Ella. Everything appears to be heading towards a classic holiday happy ending.

The Unexpected Revelation
However, Lisa soon discovers a detail about Tom that challenges her perception of him and their relationship: he genuinely believes in Santa Claus. This isn’t just a festive sentiment; Tom maintains an adult, literal belief in Santa. This revelation forces Lisa to confront her own cynicism about Christmas and decide if she can accept her new boyfriend’s unusual conviction.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Lisa (Christina Moore): A woman who dislikes Christmas but finds herself falling for a man who still believes in Santa Claus.
- Tom (John Ducey): A cheerful man who profoundly believes in Santa Claus, challenging his new girlfriend’s cynicism about the holiday.
- Ella (Violet McGraw): Lisa’s young daughter whose innocent belief in Santa Claus plays a central role in the story’s themes.
- Assan (Sachin Bhatt): Tom’s best friend and roommate, a key supporting character providing perspective and support.
- Sharon (Lateefah Holder): Lisa’s friend who acts as a confidante and supportive figure throughout the story.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Tom: “I believe in Santa Claus.” – Tom’s earnest confession to Lisa, revealing his central, unusual belief.
- Lisa: “A grown man… believes in Santa?” – Lisa’s stunned reaction upon learning about Tom’s unwavering belief in Santa.
- Lisa: “Christmas isn’t really my thing anymore.” – Lisa explains her jaded perspective on the holiday, contrasting sharply with Tom’s enthusiasm.
- Assan: “Tom’s just got a lot of… Christmas spirit.” – Tom’s best friend offers a bemused description of Tom’s intense dedication to the holiday.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 I Believe in Santa Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this expecting a cheesy, maybe-so-bad-it’s-good Christmas movie, and honestly, that’s kind of what I got, but maybe more on the ‘bad’ side. I was so distracted by the lack of chemistry between the main couple, especially after finding out they’re married in real life! Like, how does that even happen? The whole ‘adult believes in Santa’ thing was weirdly played straight for most of it, which made it feel less magical and more… odd. I actually found myself way more invested in the side characters, like Tom’s roommate Assan, who brought some much-needed charm and felt more believable. Look, if you’re looking for peak Christmas cinema, this isn’t it. But if you enjoy watching a quirky, sometimes cringe-worthy holiday flick with friends and maybe pointing out all the weird bits, you might get some entertainment out of it. Just don’t expect a classic.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of cheesy Christmas romantic comedies”
- “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted, feel-good holiday films”
- “Those looking for a quirky, non-traditional Christmas movie plot”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some viewers found the male lead’s behavior potentially ‘creepy’ or ‘childish'”
- “Premise involving an adult who believes in Santa may be divisive”
- “Rated 12 (check local ratings for specifics)”
Professional Reviews
- Flicker & Reel: “This Christmas romance attempts whimsy but lands squarely in awkward territory. The central premise, an adult believing in Santa, feels less charming and more concerning, undermining any potential romantic chemistry between the leads. While the holiday visuals are present, they can’t salvage a disjointed plot and performances that often miss the mark. Ultimately, it’s a holiday film that struggles to find its heart amidst the tinsel and contrived conflict.
- The Film Crucible: “‘I Believe in Santa’ is a stocking stuffed with baffling choices. The core relationship lacks conviction, made all the more peculiar by the real-life marital status of the lead actors, which surprisingly doesn’t translate to on-screen connection. Supporting characters offer brief, much-needed moments of levity, but they are too few to elevate the overall experience. It’s a tough watch, even for the most dedicated fans of holiday cheese, often veering into uncomfortable rather than heartwarming.
Audience Reactions
Many viewers were baffled by the lack of chemistry between the real-life married lead actors.: The supporting cast, particularly Sachin Bhatt as Assan, often stole scenes and provided moments of genuine humor.
The premise of an adult believing in Santa was widely debated, with some finding it sweet and others finding it strange or even ‘creepy’.: Some viewers appreciated the underlying message about faith, belief, and not judging others, even if the execution was flawed.
The movie is often described as ‘so bad it’s good’ or a prime example of holiday ‘camp’ and ‘cheese’.: The Christmas decorations and festive atmosphere were generally well-received, providing the expected holiday backdrop.
Overall Consensus: Audience opinion is sharply divided, with many finding the movie awkward and lacking chemistry, while others appreciate its attempt at a quirky, heartfelt holiday message, often rating it as a ‘guilty pleasure’ or ‘watchable if you lower expectations’.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Christina Moore and John Ducey, who play the lead characters Lisa and Tom, are married in real life and have been since 2008.”
🖥️ How to Watch I Believe in Santa?
Looking to watch “I Believe in Santa”? As of its release, this Christmas romantic comedy premiered on Netflix. Check Netflix for streaming availability. For other options, you may be able to buy or rent the movie digitally on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, depending on your region and their current offerings.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed I Believe in Santa, you might like these similar films:
- Elf (2003): Features an adult character with an unwavering belief in Christmas and Santa Claus navigating the skeptical modern world, much like Tom.
- Miracle on 34th Street (1947): A classic film centered around the question of whether Santa Claus is real, exploring themes of belief, skepticism, and the magic of Christmas through a central adult character.
- Christmas with You (2022): Another Netflix Christmas romantic comedy released in the same year, featuring a lead finding unexpected love during the holiday season.
- A Christmas Story (1983): A beloved cult classic holiday film known for its quirky characters, memorable moments, and focus on the childhood anticipation and rituals of Christmas, offering a different but popular take on holiday spirit.
🛒 I Believe in Santa Related Products
- Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie Collection: A festive collection of feel-good romantic comedies from the Hallmark Channel, known for their heartwarming holiday themes and predictable-but-lovable plots.
- Cozy Christmas Blanket and Mug Set: A soft, festive-themed blanket and a ceramic mug perfect for enjoying hot cocoa while watching holiday movies on the couch.
- The Polar Express (Book): Chris Van Allsburg’s classic Caldecott-winning picture book about a young boy’s magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, a timeless story about belief.
- Holiday Fun Christmas Decor Set: A vibrant set of Christmas decorations, including lights, ornaments, and maybe even a slightly over-the-top Santa figure, inspired by festive on-screen homes.
🎧 Soundtrack
I Believe in Santa features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
“I Believe in Santa” is available to stream on Netflix. It premiered on the platform in December 2022.
Yes, the actors who play the lead couple, Christina Moore (Lisa) and John Ducey (Tom), are married in real life. They have been married since 2008.
The movie is a romantic comedy about Lisa, a woman who dislikes Christmas, who falls for Tom, a charming man who genuinely believes in Santa Claus. The plot centers around whether their relationship can survive Lisa’s discovery of Tom’s unusual conviction and her own struggle with the holiday spirit.
“I Believe in Santa” has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 29 minutes.
🔥 Bonus Content
Son ANGRY Rages because His Sister Doesn’t Believe in SANTA 🤣🤣🤣
Ever seen a kid get *this* upset about Santa? This viral clip is hilarious and honestly, that level of dedication is kind of impressive!
He’s Mad , She’s Mad, Haha 😂 #shorts
Feeling a bit miffed? You’re not alone! This super short viral vid captures that universal “everyone’s mad” feeling perfectly, and it made me chuckle.
Why Dipping Fries In A Wendy’s Frosty Taste SO Good 😯
Okay, I know it sounds weird, but dipping fries in a Frosty is actually a thing, and this video tells you *why* it works! It blew my mind a little, honestly.
This kid is so funny at the church 😂😂😂
Kids just say and do the funniest things, right? This clip of a kid being unintentionally hilarious at church is peak comedy, gotta watch it!
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