Snowflakes are swapped for sea breeze in this warm, sunlit romance where Christmas glows a little differently. Same Time, Next Christmas trades sleigh rides for surfboards, giving the classic holiday love story a fresh, tropical spin. Originally aired on ABC in 2019, the film now finds new life streaming on Netflix USA from November 11, 2025 — a cozy return for anyone who believes love can cross years, oceans, and unfinished goodbyes. The trailer is at the end of the article.
Olivia Anderson (Lea Michele), a driven architect living far from home, returns with her family to Hawaii for their annual Christmas vacation. But beneath the palm trees and mistletoe, a familiar spark reignites when she runs into Jeff Williams (Charles Michael Davis), her childhood sweetheart. Years ago, life pulled them apart — now fate seems to have a second chance in mind.
Set between laughter, longing, and lapping waves, the story unfolds with that bittersweet holiday tension: the right person, but perhaps the wrong time. Olivia’s picture-perfect life with her boyfriend Greg (Bryan Greenberg) begins to blur as old feelings surface. Surrounded by family traditions, Hawaiian warmth, and memories that refuse to fade, she must decide whether love that once slipped away deserves a new beginning.
Director Stephen Herek — known for Mr. Holland’s Opus and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure — infuses the film with lighthearted sincerity. It’s festive without being forced, romantic without being saccharine. The film’s true charm lies in its setting: a Christmas without snow, yet filled with the same wonder and emotional glow.
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Visually, Same Time, Next Christmas is a postcard of paradise. Filmed at Turtle Bay Resort and around Oahu, every shot captures the magic of sunsets, family dinners, and candlelit reunions. The Hawaiian backdrop gives this holiday romance a sun-kissed twist, offering a refreshing escape from the usual winter chill.
Critics at the time found it “predictable but pleasant,” while audiences appreciated its sincerity. The chemistry between Lea Michele and Charles Michael Davis gives the story emotional credibility, grounding it in nostalgia and what-if tenderness. For Netflix viewers today, it’s a gentle reminder that sometimes the simplest love stories — the ones wrapped in memory and timing — still matter most.
As the holidays approach, Same Time, Next Christmas joins a growing list of heartwarming seasonal favorites. It’s ideal for cozy nights and background twinkle lights, the kind of story that plays like a warm song you’ve heard before but still love to hum.
- Original title: Same Time, Next Christmas
- Genre: Romantic comedy / Holiday film
- Country of production: USA
- Year of release: 2019
- Directed by: Stephen Herek
- Main cast: Lea Michele, Charles Michael Davis, Bryan Greenberg
- Produced by: Freeform Productions / ABC
- Release date on Netflix USA: November 11, 2025
► WATCH ON NETFLIX: https://www.netflix.com/title/82131936
In the meantime, enjoy the trailer below.
A soft, nostalgic holiday romance with a tropical breeze — Same Time, Next Christmas proves that not every Christmas story needs snow to feel magical.
