If you’ve spent any time scrolling through the endless grid of holiday rom-coms on Disney+ or Hulu, you know the vibe. Usually, it's a big-city girl heading to a small town where everyone is obsessed with peppermint. But Same Time Next Christmas isn't exactly that. It's different. Honestly, it’s a bit of a throwback to that 2019 era when ABC was trying to compete with the Hallmark juggernaut by throwing actual musical theater royalty into the mix.
Lea Michele stars as Olivia Henderson. She’s a high-powered architect—classic trope, right?—who returns to the same Hawaiian resort every single year with her family. That’s the hook. It’s not about a one-off snowy weekend. It’s about the slow burn of a decade-long connection that only breathes once every twelve months.
People still talk about this movie because it resists the urge to be "gritty." It’s pure, unadulterated escapism. You get the tropical scenery of O'ahu, the nostalgia of childhood crushes, and a plot that moves at the speed of a lazy beach day.
The Hawaii Setting vs. The Standard Snowbank
Most Christmas movies rely on the "Winter Wonderland" aesthetic to do the heavy lifting. You know what I mean. Fake snow, heavy coats, and cocoa. Same Time Next Christmas flips the script by leaning into the tropical Christmas. It was filmed at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of O'ahu. If that place looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen it in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Using Hawaii isn't just a gimmick. It changes the psychology of the movie. There is something inherently more relaxed about a holiday where the characters are in swimwear rather than parkas. It shifts the focus from "surviving the cold" to "rekindling a flame."
Jeff (played by Charles Michael Davis) is the counterpart to Olivia’s frantic energy. Davis brings a grounded, effortless charisma that actually makes you believe he’s been waiting around for this girl for years. Their chemistry is the engine. Without it, the movie would just be a very long tourism brochure for Marriott.
Why the "Yearly Meeting" Trope Actually Works
The structure of the film is built on the passage of time. We see them as kids. We see them as awkward teens. Then we see them as adults with complicated lives.
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This isn't Before Sunrise, but it plays with similar themes of "what if" and "wrong timing." Olivia has a boyfriend back in the "real world" (played by Bryan Greenberg), which adds the necessary friction. Most viewers find Greenberg’s character, Gregg, to be a bit of a stick-in-the-mud, but that’s the point. He represents the clinical, structured life Olivia thinks she wants, while Jeff represents the soul of her childhood.
The "Same Time Next Year" concept—which obviously borrows its DNA from the 1978 play and film—works because it highlights how much we change while our traditions stay the same. It’s relatable. Everyone has that one person they only see during the holidays, or that one place that feels frozen in time.
Lea Michele and the Post-Glee Pivot
At the time this was released, everyone was curious about Lea Michele’s move into the TV-movie space. She’s a powerhouse vocalist, and yes, she does sing in the movie. It wouldn’t be a Lea Michele vehicle if she didn't.
Her performance as Olivia is surprisingly nuanced for a holiday rom-com. She dials back some of the "Rachel Berry" intensity, replaced by a sort of weary professionalism. You actually feel her internal conflict. She’s caught between the "correct" life path and the one that actually makes her happy.
Critics at the time were split. Some felt it was too predictable. Others praised the diversity of the cast and the breath of fresh air provided by the Pacific setting. But let's be real: you don't watch a Christmas movie for a plot twist that breaks your brain. You watch it for the comfort. Same Time Next Christmas delivers that in spades.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending
There’s a common critique that the resolution happens too fast. Some say Olivia’s choice is impulsive.
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I disagree.
If you watch closely, the movie lays the groundwork from the first flashback. The "choice" isn't just about a guy; it's about a lifestyle. It’s about choosing Hawaii over the grind. It's about choosing the version of herself that exists when she’s at the resort.
The movie manages to avoid being overly cynical about her city life while still making the tropical alternative feel earned. It’s a delicate balance. If Gregg was a complete monster, the choice would be easy. But he's just... fine. And sometimes, "fine" is the hardest thing to walk away from.
The Supporting Cast is Secretly the Best Part
George Newbern and Nia Vardalos play Olivia’s parents. They are fantastic. Vardalos, especially, brings that My Big Fat Greek Wedding energy that grounds the family dynamic in something that feels real. They aren't just background props; they represent the history that keeps Olivia coming back to the island.
Then you have Phil Morris and Didi Conn (yes, Frenchy from Grease!). The pedigree of the supporting cast is actually quite high for a made-for-TV movie. It gives the whole production a polished, "prestige" feel that you don't always get with the lower-budget holiday fare.
How to Actually Watch It in 2026
If you’re looking to stream Same Time Next Christmas right now, your best bets are usually Disney+ or Hulu, depending on your region and current licensing deals. It originally aired on ABC, which means it stays within the Disney ecosystem.
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It’s a great "middle of the season" watch. When you're tired of the snow and the stress of shopping, the sight of the Pacific Ocean and a slow-burning romance is a legit mental reset.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Movie Night
If you’re planning to add this to your rotation, keep these things in mind:
- Watch for the flashbacks: The movie uses a non-linear setup early on to establish the bond between Olivia and Jeff. Don't skip the first 15 minutes, or the emotional payoff at the end won't land.
- Pay attention to the music: Beyond Lea's singing, the soundtrack incorporates a lot of Hawaiian holiday slack-key guitar, which is a vibe all its own.
- Check the filming locations: If you ever visit O'ahu, you can actually visit most of the spots seen in the film. The Turtle Bay Resort has specific tours and areas that look exactly as they do on screen.
- Manage your expectations: It’s a rom-com. It’s meant to be sweet, slightly cheesy, and ultimately heart-warming. Go in with a "vacation mindset."
Ultimately, the movie succeeds because it understands that the holidays aren't just about the date on the calendar. They're about the people we return to. It’s about the person who knew you before you were "successful" or "busy."
Same Time Next Christmas might not reinvent the wheel, but it definitely makes the wheel feel like it’s rolling across a beautiful sandy beach.
To make the most of your holiday viewing, start by checking the current availability on your streaming platforms. If you have Disney+, it's often tucked away in the "Holidays" collection rather than the main carousel. Once you've got it queued up, pair it with something tropical—maybe skip the hot chocolate for once and go with a chilled juice or a Mai Tai to really lean into the O'ahu atmosphere. Use this film as the "bridge" movie between your heavy hitters like Home Alone and your newer Netflix releases to keep the holiday energy from feeling too repetitive.