FORGOTTEN HOLIDAY
A sweet second-chance romance with plenty of Christmas cheer.
Should You Watch It?
Yes, especially if you’re a fan of holiday romance. This sweet holiday movie follows a couple as they navigate an unexpected challenge in their relationship. While the setup seems a bit unbelievable, the story focuses on romance and reconnecting rather than over-the-top drama. Although the story gets a bit repetitive, it remains a charming watch for genre fans.
The movie emphasizes strong family relationships, kindness, and caring for others. The characters take part in an annual cookie-making event that donates to churches and shelters, along with a charity auction. These moments add a heartwarming touch and reinforce the importance of family and community.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESRob and Kathryn’s holiday romance takes an unexpected turn when a car accident leaves Rob with amnesia, wiping away his memories of the past year. Suddenly, he must piece together a missing chapter of his life, including the important relationships that shaped it. As the holidays bring opportunities for connection, Rob and Kathryn face an unusual challenge that could change how they see their relationship. Can love find its way through the fog of forgotten memories?
Is It Any Good?
Three stars for this Christmas romance, which earns points for its creative setup and quietly emotional story about the connection between two people. Janel Parrish and Daniel Lissing have great chemistry and deliver grounded performances that help make the romance feel genuine, even when the story stretches believability.
The movie finds tenderness in the little moments that bring two people closer, giving viewers a chance to root for the characters as they navigate an unexpected challenge. Fans of the genre will enjoy this heartfelt second-chance romance.
However, the movie gets somewhat repetitive. Some scenes revisit familiar romantic moments as the characters work to reconnect, and while these dates are sweet and help build their connection, they can make the story feel a little drawn out. A bit more variety in the middle would have helped keep the story moving.
Still, the strong performances and gentle holiday atmosphere give this romance plenty of heart, making it a pleasant choice for fans looking for a charming Christmas love story.
The Worldview
The movie has a light moral worldview that values strong family ties and service to others. Rob and Kathryn both share close bonds with their parents and spend meaningful time with their families. Generosity also runs through the story.
Every year, Rob’s family bakes cookies together and donates them to local churches and shelters; later, the characters attend a charity auction. Kathryn also agrees right away to help Rob recover his memories, even though the two broke up earlier.
This setup leads to some light immoral behavior. Kathryn deliberately deceives Rob, who doesn’t remember the breakup, and his family, who never learned about it. Still, Kathryn acts out of love for Rob and a sincere desire to help him and do the right thing.
The movie also includes light Christian elements, since all the characters celebrate Christmas. Their celebrations stay mostly secular, but a few Christian carols play, such as “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Joy to the World.” These songs quietly remind viewers that Christmas centers on the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
A light moral worldview, promoting strong family relationships and helping others, whether it’s through charity work, or in your own personal relationships. There are also some light Christian elements, such as the celebration of Christmas and Christian Christmas songs, like “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Joy To The World”;
Foul Language
No foul langauge;
Violence
No violence;
Sex
A couple kiss several times;
Nudity
No nudity;
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use;
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug abuse; and,
Miscellaneous Immorality
Deception and lying, though all is forgiven.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Kathryn deceives Rob and his family, choosing not to reveal that the couple broke up before his car accident, but does so because she wants to help him recover his memories. When two biblical commands clash, like “do not lie” and “be kind,” how do we as Christians decide what to do? Proverbs 3:5-6
Rob and Kathryn’s relationship gets a second chance, as Rob forgives Kathryn for her rejection and later deception. As Christians, how does knowing that we have God’s forgiveness influence the way you view forgiving others? Ephesians 4:32
There is a running theme of helping others throughout this movie. What are some ways you can help people in your life or community as we enter the holiday season? Galatians 6:2
The Final Word
FORGOTTEN HOLIDAY delivers a sweet second-chance romance that celebrates strong families and service. The story gets a little repetitive at times, and Kathryn’s deception adds a touch of light immorality, but the movie remains a safe pick for viewers of all ages. Along the way, its classic carols remind families of the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ, whom God sent to bring hope and redemption to the world.
