Honestly, the "unlikable" protagonist is a risky move in any genre, but doing it in a holiday flick? That takes guts. Most people searching for a sarah jessica parker christmas movie are really looking for The Family Stone. Released back in 2005, it didn't just give us SJP in a rare, non-Carrie Bradshaw light—it basically redefined the "meet the parents" trope by making it incredibly uncomfortable.
It’s messy.
SJP plays Meredith Morton, a high-strung, throat-clearing executive who walks into a bohemian Connecticut household like a cat being dropped into a bathtub. She’s the ultimate outsider. And while we’ve seen plenty of "straitlaced girl meets quirky family" stories, this one has a sharp edge that most Hallmark-style movies are too afraid to touch.
What Actually Happens in The Family Stone?
If you haven't seen it in a while, or you're just discovering it, here's the vibe. Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) brings Meredith home for Christmas. He wants his mother’s heirloom ring to propose. His mother, Sybil (the legendary Diane Keaton), is not having it.
The Stones are the kind of family that speaks their own secret language, judges you for your footwear, and prides themselves on being "progressive" while being low-key bullies to anyone who doesn't fit their mold. It's a brutal watch at times. SJP does this incredible thing where she makes Meredith’s anxiety so palpable you almost want to look away from the screen. She’s rigid. She’s terrified. She’s trying so hard to be perfect that she becomes the villain of the dinner table.
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That Infamous Dinner Scene
You know the one. The conversation about "normal" children. It’s the moment where Meredith’s Foot-In-Mouth Syndrome reaches terminal levels. She says something incredibly offensive about gay parenting while sitting across from Everett’s brother, Thad, and his partner.
The room goes ice cold.
It’s a masterclass in cringe. But it also sets up the movie’s most surprising pivot: the realization that the "perfect" Stone family is actually kind of mean, and Meredith is just a person who needs a break.
Why We’re Talking About a Sequel in 2026
The buzz has picked up recently because writer-director Thomas Bezucha has been talking about a potential sequel. But there’s a massive, heartbreaking catch. Diane Keaton, the soul of the original film, passed away in late 2025.
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Sarah Jessica Parker herself recently called the idea of a sequel a "bittersweet quandary." It makes sense. How do you go back to that house without Sybil? The original movie ends with a one-year-later jump that reveals Sybil has died from the cancer she was hiding throughout the film. A sequel would essentially have to be about the family navigating their first "real" Christmas without the matriarch, or perhaps years later as the siblings deal with their own kids.
- The Status: It's not officially greenlit yet.
- The Cast: SJP is down, but everyone’s schedules (Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson, Claire Danes) are a nightmare to align.
- The Vibe: If it happens, expect it to be more of a tear-jerker than a comedy.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Other Holiday Forays
While The Family Stone is the heavy hitter, SJP has popped up in other festive-adjacent projects. You might remember her in New Year's Eve (2011). It’s one of those Garry Marshall ensemble films where she plays a frazzled mom to Abigail Breslin. It’s fine. It’s fluffy. But it doesn't have the "lived-in" feeling of a true holiday classic.
She also has a massive partnership with Hallmark, but it’s not for movies. She has a line of greeting cards and stationery. People often get confused and think she’s starring in a new "Countdown to Christmas" movie every year, but she’s usually just the one writing the cards you buy at the pharmacy.
Is It Worth a Rewatch?
Look, if you want something that feels like a warm hug and nothing else, go watch The Holiday. But if you want a movie that captures the actual stress of being the "new person" at a family gathering, The Family Stone is the gold standard.
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The performances are top-tier. Rachel McAdams plays the "mean sister" Amy with such acidic precision that you'll forget she was ever Allie in The Notebook. Luke Wilson as the stoner brother, Ben, provides the only warmth Meredith finds in the house, leading to one of the weirdest (but weirdly sweet) partner-swapping endings in cinema history.
Actionable Ways to Enjoy SJP's Holiday Classic This Year
If you're planning to revisit this sarah jessica parker christmas movie, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Watch it for the details. Pay attention to the background of the Stone house. It was filmed in a real house in Connecticut and New Jersey. It feels cluttered, dusty, and real. It’s the "anti-Pinterest" Christmas.
- Check the streaming rights. As of early 2026, it frequently hops between Disney+, Hulu, and Starz. If you can’t find it, it’s usually a $3.99 rental on Amazon.
- Prepare for the tonal shift. The first half is a comedy of errors. The second half is a heavy drama about grief. Have tissues ready.
- Look for the "SJP Edit." If you love the aesthetic of the film, SJP's real-life home style (like her famous plaid stair runners) often mimics the cozy, heritage-inspired look of the movie. You can find plenty of "Stone family" decor inspiration on her social media.
The movie isn't perfect, but that’s exactly why it works. It doesn't pretend that families are easy or that Christmas solves everything. It just suggests that, eventually, you might find your people—even if they weren't the ones you expected to find.