The Christmas Listing

The Christmas Listing

Year: 2020

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Elizabeth Snoderly

Echo Score: 31
RomanceDrama

Julia Rogers, a driven and somewhat rigid realty owner, has lost touch with the joy of Christmas. To secure a crucial listing for the Erickson Farmstead, she must spend five days at a festive Christmas Inn alongside her business rival, Chad Everest. As they compete for the opportunity, Julia and Chad unexpectedly find common ground and begin to rediscover the magic of the season.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Christmas Listing yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Christmas Listing (2020)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Christmas Listing (2020). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events unfold in the current era, with a contemporary Christmas celebration, a department-store sweepstakes, and modern romantic entanglements. The story blends everyday work life with festive traditions, showing how small acts can spark big changes.

Location

Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington is the urban backdrop for Melody's life, centered around a busy department store perfume counter. The city’s festive Christmas season provides the setting for holiday promotions, romantic encounters, and family moments. A tree in Melody's apartment and neighborhood interactions help establish a warm, small-scale Christmas atmosphere amid the urban pace.

🏙️ Urban 🛍️ Department store setting ☕ Coffee culture

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:13

Main Characters – The Christmas Listing (2020)

Meet the key characters of The Christmas Listing (2020), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Melody Parris

A 35-year-old perfume specialist whose life starts as flavorless and controlled by others. She grows into someone who values authentic connections, generosity, and a life that may include a future with Dr. Skylar and Danny, even a baby. Over the course of the story she learns to balance ambition with emotional fulfillment and contemplates a life enriched by love and family.

🎯 Career-driven ❤️ Romantic 👩‍👧 Family-oriented

George

Melody's pompous, pushy boyfriend who clashes with her desire for romance and family. He embodies a self-centered, transactional view of relationships and ultimately fails to keep Melody's heart.

😒 Self-centered 💔 Toxic relationship

Naomi

Melody's best friend who pushes her to make a Christmas list for fun and supports her through the Dickens-style transformation. She brings warmth and lighthearted energy to Melody’s life.

🤝 Supportive 🎁 Friendship

Dr. David Skylar

A gentle, caring physician who forms a meaningful connection with Melody and shares a bond with Danny. He represents the romantic possibility that prioritizes genuine affection and family.

💉 Caring physician ❤️ Gentle

Danny Skylar

A sweet, resourceful boy who helps Melody and captivates her with his loyalty to his father. His presence catalyzes Melody’s shift toward valuing family and connection over material gain.

🧒 Sweet 🤝 Loyal

Faith

A scheming woman dating Dr. Skylar who fabricates an engagement to remove competition. Her deception creates conflict that Melody must navigate before choosing honesty and true affection.

💔 Deceptive 🗣️ Scheming

Amber Mottola

The supermodel neighbor whose glamorous life contrasts with Melody's ordinary world and helps highlight the differences between appearances and genuine happiness.

✨ Glamorous 🌟 Celebrity

Donna Erickson

Melody's overbearing mother who lives next door and pushes for a more traditional life. Through the Dickens-style Christmas, she shows a softer, more proud side as their relationship evolves.

💖 Proud mother 👩‍👧 Family-oriented

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:13

Major Themes – The Christmas Listing (2020)

Explore the central themes of The Christmas Listing (2020), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎄 Self-discovery

Melody starts the story living a safe, flavorless life under pressure from a pushy boyfriend and an overbearing mother. A Dickens-style Christmas plan and acts of generosity push her toward self-reflection about what she truly wants. Through helping others and embracing love, she learns that happiness comes from meaningful connections rather than promotion or appearances.

💖 Love and Redemption

Romance blooms in unexpected places as Melody connects with Dr. Skylar and Danny's family. She navigates deception from Faith and ultimately chooses a path that centers on genuine care and trust. The story shows that true love can heal flawed relationships and outlast conflicts.

🏡 Family and Acceptance

The Dickens-style Christmas drive pushes Melody's family toward closeness, especially as her mother shifts from critical to proud. The symbolism of the Christmas tree emphasizes growth, forgiveness, and a home filled with love rather than material gifts. The film ultimately argues that family support and shared moments matter more than possessions.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:13

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Holiday Romance Movies like The Christmas Listing

Finding love and rediscovering joy amidst the festive cheer of Christmas.If you enjoyed the festive warmth and romantic rediscovery in The Christmas Listing, you'll love these other heartwarming holiday movies. Discover similar Christmas romance stories where seasonal magic helps characters find love and transform their lives in cozy, joyful settings.

festiveromantichopefulmagicalcozygentleheartwarmingjoyful

Narrative Summary

This narrative pattern follows a protagonist, often initially disconnected from the holiday spirit, who is placed in a festive environment. Through competition, a charming rival, or community involvement, they undergo a gentle personal transformation, culminating in both romantic fulfillment and a renewed appreciation for the season's magic.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on Christmas as a catalyst for romance and positive change. They feature a light, whimsical tone, low-stakes conflict, and an unambiguously happy ending, creating a consistently comforting and hopeful viewing experience centered on festive joy.

Gentle Rivals-to-Lovers Stories like The Christmas Listing

Where professional competition gently simmers into unexpected affection and understanding.Fans of the charming dynamic between Julia and Chad in The Christmas Listing will appreciate these other movies with a gentle rivals-to-lovers plot. Explore similar stories where low-stakes professional competition blossoms into a sweet, understanding romance without heavy drama or bitterness.

romantichopefulgentleupliftingcomfortingcharminglightheartedsweet

Narrative Summary

The narrative unfolds with two competent individuals initially at odds, typically over a business goal or project. Their rivalry is characterized by banter and minor clashes, but through forced proximity and shared experiences, they uncover common ground and hidden depths in each other. The transition to romance feels natural and earned, focusing on emotional connection over dramatic obstacles.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their specific romantic arc: a low-intensity, friendly rivalry that evolves organically into love. They share a steady pace, a light emotional weight, and a focus on character chemistry and personal growth, avoiding the angst often found in more dramatic enemies-to-lovers stories.

Unlock the Full Story of The Christmas Listing

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Christmas Listing in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Christmas Listing is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Christmas Listing Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Christmas Listing, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Christmas Listing Summary

The Christmas Listing Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Christmas Listing with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Christmas Listing Timeline

The Christmas Listing Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Christmas Listing that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Christmas Listing Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Christmas Listing

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Christmas Listing: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Christmas Listing