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One Magic Christmas

Play trailer Poster for One Magic Christmas G 1985 1h 28m Kids & Family Holiday Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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47% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Ginny (Mary Steenburgen) has a difficult time mustering Christmas spirit due to her husband Jack's (Gary Basaraba) unemployment and her humble position as a grocery store clerk. With the holiday fast approaching, Ginny and Jack's daughter, Abbie (Elizabeth Harnois), goes to deliver her letter to Santa. On her way, Abbie meets Gideon, an angel intent on saving Christmas from Ginny's poor attitude. With Gideon's magical assistance, Ginny learns how things could be much worse.
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One Magic Christmas

Critics Reviews

View All (17) Critics Reviews
Paul Attanasio Washington Post It's a godsend for parents, a movie you can take the kids to, but which won't leave you gnashing at the armrest halfway through. Jan 4, 2018 Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times An affecting, well-played film. May 20, 2003 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Rated: 2/5 Jan 30, 2003 Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times Far too downbeat for the festive season. Rated: 2/5 Nov 16, 2017 Full Review TV Guide Has the bite of a toothless old dog. Rated: 1/4 Nov 16, 2017 Full Review Dorothy Woodend The Tyee (British Columbia) Phil Borsos' take on Christmas is a somewhat odd movie, but it does have a slow charm, not unlike It's a Wonderful Life by way of Wim Wenders. Aug 24, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (154) audience reviews
Gary T Absolutely, my favorite Christmas Movie. The ending makes the entire movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/21/24 Full Review Andrew L This movie truly shows how the 1980s were: Unemployment was everywhere and those who were employed worked minimum-wage jobs with no benefits. But this movie does give those of us who lived through the 80s hope. It is the story of a little girl who befriends a guardian angel and the two of them hope to show the girl's mom the true spirit of Christmas. Sure, the ending is completely far-fetched but still it's a wonderful movie full of emotions that shows even in the hardest of hearts, The Christmas Spirit is still alive. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/01/24 Full Review Luke E One of my favourite Christmas films, unfortunately its rare to see it on TV in the UK. Not your usual Christmas film, i can see why some may find it depressing at times. Its also very clear that it hasn't got the biggest budget, but its good story and message, i even find it quite nostalgic especially with the old 80s/90s Christmas feel. Even at 30 odd years old it still makes me shed a tear everytime. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/23/23 Full Review Richard B I liked this movie growing up but it did not age well at all. Plot is too cheesy and acting is pretty bad. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 12/15/23 Full Review Marjolein D It portrays a poor, stressed mother as a Scrooge and a creepy, lurking man as a child-friendly, magical angel, it's very strange to me. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/14/23 Full Review Terry P This is one of my favorite Christmas Movies! It has a very Canadian look and feel to it, particularly an Ontario, Canada feeling, as it was shot in three or more Ontario locations. I have been to all the locations listed, Meaford, Owen Sound and Scarborough myself. It is similar to "It's a Wonderful Life" in many ways, with a more modern take and like I said a definate Canadian feel to it. The director Phillip Borsos was a masterful director and producer and even wrote the original one page story idea that later became the movie. His cinematography, camera angles etc. were unique giving his films a great original feel. Unfortunately after making several excellent movies and shorts Phillip got sick with leukemia and passed away at the age of 41. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/04/23 Full Review Read all reviews
One Magic Christmas

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Ginny (Mary Steenburgen) has a difficult time mustering Christmas spirit due to her husband Jack's (Gary Basaraba) unemployment and her humble position as a grocery store clerk. With the holiday fast approaching, Ginny and Jack's daughter, Abbie (Elizabeth Harnois), goes to deliver her letter to Santa. On her way, Abbie meets Gideon, an angel intent on saving Christmas from Ginny's poor attitude. With Gideon's magical assistance, Ginny learns how things could be much worse.
Director
Phillip Borsos
Producer
Peter O'Brian
Screenwriter
Thomas Meehan
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures, Telefilm Canada
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Holiday, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$12.4M
Runtime
1h 28m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround
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