The Best Christmas Movie of 2024?

Netflix

So listen, if you’ve been feeling in a slump lately, I’ve got a movie for you that I just watched, and I had such an amazing time with it. It’s new on Netflix, and it’s called Meet Me Next Christmas. It stars Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, and Kofi Siriboe. Listen, this movie is directed by Rusty Cundieff. If you don’t remember Rusty Cundieff, he’s the fantastic director of classics like Tales from the Hood—OK, classic—and Sprung. Again, classic.

But listen, this movie was so good. It’s all about a woman named Layla who has a super cute meet-cute with James at an airport one Christmas. They promise each other that if they’re both single a year later, they’ll meet up at a Pentatonix concert. If you don’t know who Pentatonix is, they’re a group of five a cappella singers who’ve been around for a while. So, if you don’t know them, you’ve been living under a rock, but they’re amazing. I always forget how much I enjoy them because, to me, I totally associate them with Christmas. I don’t know—it’s just the sound of their voices. It’s such a Christmas vibe, so it makes complete sense that this movie is centered around their music.

Photo courtesy of Netflix |Photo Credit: Marni Grossman

However, when the time comes, Layla can’t get a ticket to their concert, so she hires a concierge service and meets Teddy, played by Devale Ellis. A lot of you will know him from the show Sistas. I don’t watch Sistas, but listen, this guy is one to watch. I know he has a background as a football player, but he was so cute. He should definitely be doing more romantic comedies because he was a total dork in the best way. And we’ve got a little bit of a love triangle with the mythical, mysterious James—who Layla barely knows—and Teddy, who she’s getting to know better.

There’s also Kalen Allen, who we know from his wonderful food reaction videos back in the YouTube days of 2016, then from The Ellen Show, and now on TikTok. Listen, this movie reminded me so much of one of my favorite holiday movies, Last Holiday. In fact, I felt like Devale was channeling LL Cool J from that movie. The lips! And I definitely think Rusty Cundieff made intentional artistic choices in how he shot scenes with him.

Photo courtesy of Netflix |Photo Credit: Marni Grossman
Kalen Allen joins in the antics. 


This movie has everything. It’s got a super cute montage. It’s got slow motion. Rusty pulled out all the classic romantic comedy bells and whistles, OK? You’ll be kicking your feet together, cozying up under a blanket, and watching this movie again and again and again. I’m already adding it to my yearly lineup because it’s just that cute.

Now, some people are Scrooges who don’t quite get into the Christmas spirit, and that’s OK. But if you’re a fan of movies like Snow Globe, Last Holiday, or even The Preacher’s Wife, I think you’ll love this one.

Now, is it as elevated as classics like Home Alone? I don’t know. But I think this could become a classic. It gave me such classic vibes. There are so many good moments, positive messages, and great acting. Sure, a couple of characters could’ve used a bit more, you know, acting classes. But all in all, I feel like this movie was very well done.

Honestly, we should just crown Christina Milian the queen of Christmas movies after this. But if you’ve already watched it, let me know in the comments: Who do you think Christina’s character should’ve ended up with in this movie?

Photo courtesy of Netflix |Photo Credit: Marni Grossman


And if you haven’t seen it, I tried to avoid spoilers, so go watch it, come back, and let’s chat in the comments about this movie.

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