🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Martin Wood
- Genre: Comedy, Family, Romance
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 35min
- IMDb rating: 5.9/10 (14K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A congresswoman’s aide goes to Guam to shut down a military base, but falls in love with the base’s Christmas spirit (and a hunky pilot), resulting in a heartwarming change of heart and a very awkward review for her boss.
🍿 Operation Christmas Drop: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Erica’s Mission
Erica, a congressional aide, is sent to Guam by her boss, Congresswoman Bradford, just before Christmas. Her mission is to investigate the Andersen Air Force Base and find reasons to potentially defund it. This assignment forces Erica to miss her family’s Christmas celebrations.

Clash with Captain Andrew
Upon arriving at the Air Force base, Erica meets Captain Andrew Jantz, a charismatic pilot deeply involved in Operation Christmas Drop. Andrew is aware of Erica’s assignment and is determined to show her the value and impact of the base, particularly the humanitarian mission it supports.

Discovering the True Meaning
As Erica spends time with Andrew and witnesses the real-life Operation Christmas Drop in action, she begins to see beyond her initial assignment. She observes the positive impact the operation has on the local communities and starts to question her orders.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Erica (Kat Graham): A congressional aide sent to evaluate an Air Force base, who clashes with a captain and discovers the value of their Christmas tradition.
- Andrew (Alexander Ludwig): A charming Air Force captain who introduces Erica to the true spirit of Operation Christmas Drop.
- Joker (Trezzo Mahoro): A cheerful member of the Air Force who assists Andrew and welcomes Erica.
- Congresswoman Bradford (Virginia Madsen): Erica’s boss, a congresswoman with a practical approach to government spending.
- Sunshine (Bethany Brown): A supportive friend of Andrew, who also works on the Air Force base.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Andrew: “It’s not just a base, it’s a community.” – Captain Andrew explains to Erica the importance of the Air Force base to the local island communities, highlighting its humanitarian efforts.
- Erica: “I came here to do a job.” – Erica states her initial intention, driven by her career-focused mindset before experiencing the true spirit of Christmas Drop.
- Andrew: “Sometimes the best things you do are the things you weren’t planning on doing.” – Andrew speaks about the unpredictable nature of helping others and finding fulfillment in unexpected ways.
- Erica: “This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about people.” – Erica realizes the true value of Operation Christmas Drop and the impact it has on the lives of the islanders.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Operation Christmas Drop Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, ‘Operation Christmas Drop’ is definitely a sugary sweet Christmas movie. I went in expecting cheese, and I got it! But honestly, I found myself smiling throughout. The scenery of Guam is stunning, and it made me want to book a tropical vacation. Seeing the actual ‘Christmas Drop’ operation at the end gave me the warm fuzzies. Sure, it’s predictable, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need for a cozy movie night.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of cheesy Christmas romantic comedies”
- “Viewers looking for a light-hearted, feel-good movie”
- “Those interested in stories about the military and humanitarian efforts”
- “People who enjoy movies set in tropical locations”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Contains mild romantic content”
- “Some scenes depicting military activity”
- “Overall a family-friendly film with no major objectionable content”
Professional Reviews
- High on Films: “A charming holiday movie, Operation Christmas Drop delivers a heartwarming story about giving back and the importance of community. While predictable, it’s a feel-good film perfect for the Christmas season.
- IMDB: “It’s a bit early for Christmas movie with this coming out at the beginning of November. This one really missed the mark for me, I already had no real expectations going in, but this movie was over the top cheesy and predictable, not in a good way.
Audience Reactions
The movie is heartwarming and based on a true story, making it extra special.: Viewers appreciated the positive message and the beautiful scenery of Guam.
Some found the acting to be a little cheesy, but the overall message made it worth watching.: The film delivers a feel-good experience, highlighting the true spirit of giving.
Overall Consensus: A predictable but heartwarming Christmas movie based on a true story, showcasing the beauty of Guam and the spirit of giving. While some find it cheesy, it’s a decent holiday watch.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie is based on the real-life U.S. Air Force’s Operation Christmas Drop, a tradition that began in 1952.”
- “Filming took place on location in Guam, providing an authentic backdrop for the story.”
- “The ‘sorting house’ seen in the movie where the Christmas donations are organized is the actual sorting house used for the real Operation Christmas Drop.”
- “Real-life photos of the actual Operation Christmas Drop are included in the end credits.”
🖥️ How to Watch Operation Christmas Drop?
Operation Christmas Drop is available to stream exclusively on Netflix. As a Netflix original, it’s included with your Netflix subscription. Unfortunately, it’s not available for purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play Movies.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Operation Christmas Drop, you might like these similar films:
- A Christmas Prince (2017): Another Netflix Christmas movie featuring a career-driven woman who finds romance and a change of heart during the holiday season.
- Holiday in the Wild (2019): A woman travels to Africa after a breakup and discovers a new purpose and love, similar to Erica’s transformative journey in Operation Christmas Drop.
- The Holiday (2006): Deals with finding unexpected love and purpose during the holiday season, focusing on characters stepping outside their comfort zones.
- Christmas with a View (2018): A career-focused woman working at a ski resort finds unexpected romance with a new chef, echoing the dynamic between Erica and Andrew.
🛒 Operation Christmas Drop Related Products
- Operation Christmas Drop: The Real Story Behind the Movie: Learn more about the real-life Operation Christmas Drop with this documentary. It features interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the actual mission.
- USAF Operation Christmas Drop T-Shirt: Show your support for the real-life Operation Christmas Drop with this stylish and comfortable t-shirt, featuring the official logo.
- Guam Travel Guide: Explore the beautiful island of Guam with this travel guide, featuring the best beaches, historical sites, and local culture.
- Build a Christmas Care Package Kit: Create your own Christmas care package kit inspired by the film, filled with essential items and treats for those in need.
🎧 Soundtrack
Operation Christmas Drop 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
Yes, Operation Christmas Drop is inspired by the real-life humanitarian mission carried out annually by the U.S. Air Force. The actual Operation Christmas Drop is the longest-running Department of Defense mission, delivering supplies to remote islands in Micronesia.
Operation Christmas Drop was filmed on location in Guam, specifically at Andersen Air Force Base. The beautiful scenery contributes to the film’s authentic feel and showcases the real-life setting of the annual humanitarian mission.
The main actors in Operation Christmas Drop are Kat Graham, who plays Erica, the congressional aide, and Alexander Ludwig, who plays Captain Andrew Jantz, the Air Force pilot.
🔥 Bonus Content
Operation Christmas Drop 2014
Ever wondered if Operation Christmas Drop was a real thing? Turns out, it is! This video gives you a glimpse into the actual annual humanitarian mission. Honestly, it’s pretty inspiring to see the scale of it.
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