Review

Movie Review: The Christmas Contest
Subtitle: “When Two Exes, A Christmas Competition, and Way Too Much Eggnog Lead to Unexpected Holiday Magic.”

Love holiday movies? The Christmas Contest is Hallmark’s delightful mix of romantic rivalry, holiday chaos, and the kind of Christmas contest that only Hallmark could dream up. It’s a movie that asks the big question: Can two exes who clearly still have feelings for each other really compete in a holiday contest without rehashing every old argument, rekindling every old spark, and maybe even winning a trip to somewhere that’s definitely not the North Pole?

The story follows Lara (Candace Cameron Bure) and Ben (John Brotherton), a once-in-love couple who have since parted ways but are now forced to reunite for the ultimate Christmas contest. The catch? The contest is ridiculously over-the-top, requiring the contestants to compete in everything from decorating a tree to writing the most heartwarming holiday letter. Cue the very obvious emotional drama, awkward conversations, and that feeling of, “I’m not in love with you, but why does this snowball fight feel like foreplay?”

Candace Cameron Bure is her usual charming self as Lara, balancing her professional drive with her old-school Christmas nostalgia. John Brotherton’s Ben is every Hallmark hero you’ve ever wanted: good-looking, sweet, and conveniently capable of everything from carpentry to romantic speeches. Their chemistry is predictably electric (mostly because they’re both actively avoiding the fact that they still like each other). Watching them try to win a holiday competition while also pretending they don’t want to rekindle their romance is equal parts ridiculous and endearing.

The humor in the movie comes from the many absurd moments in the competition itself—because why wouldn’t two exes compete in a Christmas tree decorating contest that’s more intense than the Olympics? Whether they’re having a passive-aggressive gingerbread house-building battle or trying to outdo each other with overly sentimental holiday letters, the rivalry is as hilarious as it is heartwarming. And, of course, the town is entirely too invested in the outcome, which means everyone gets involved in their holiday drama.

The supporting cast is classic holiday movies—well-meaning relatives, overenthusiastic neighbors, and a group of friends who are so eager to see Lara and Ben get back together that they might as well be waving pom-poms. And, naturally, there's a cute little pet (because no Hallmark movie is complete without one) that provides both comedic relief and a gentle nudge toward love.

The small-town setting is your typical Hallmark paradise: snow-dusted streets, twinkling lights, and a local diner where you can buy hot cocoa from the nicest people in the world. The Christmas decorations are so perfect they could have been stolen directly from Santa’s workshop, and the community events are so festive that even the most Grinchy characters end up getting roped in.

By the time the grand finale rolls around, the tension is so thick you could cut it with a candy cane. But don’t worry—this is a Hallmark movie, so everything wraps up with a predictably sweet moment under the mistletoe (with a perfectly timed snowfall, of course). The emotional rollercoaster ends in the kind of big, heartwarming gesture that will leave you with a smile on your face and a renewed belief in Christmas miracles.

The Christmas Contest is a funny, feel-good holiday movie that combines competition, romance, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit. It’s perfect for anyone who loves a little holiday rivalry, second chances, and the idea that the best way to find love is by accidentally falling back into it over a gingerbread house. So grab your cocoa, your most competitive spirit, and settle in for this merry little Christmas showdown! 🎄🏆❤️