Honestly, it’s hard to believe it has been over a decade since a scruffy orange tabby first walked into a firehouse and changed the trajectory of Hallmark history. When The Nine Lives of Christmas premiered in 2014, it didn't just join the ranks of "fine" holiday films; it became the gold standard.
If you’ve spent any time in the corner of the internet where people take their seasonal rom-coms seriously, you know this movie is basically the "Citizen Kane" of the genre.
Most of these films are disposable. You watch them, you see a decorated tree, you see a couple drink cocoa, and then you forget their names by New Year’s Eve. But Zachary and Marilee? They stuck.
Maybe it’s because the lead, Brandon Routh, was literally Superman once. Or maybe it’s because Kimberley Sustad brings a level of genuine, slightly awkward "human-ness" to Marilee that makes her feel like a real friend rather than a cardboard cutout of a "career woman." Whatever the secret sauce is, it worked.
What Really Happened with The Nine Lives of Christmas?
The plot sounds like standard fare on paper: a commitment-phobic firefighter, a veterinary student, and a stray cat. But the execution is what sets it apart.
Zachary Stone (Routh) is a guy who flips houses and lives a very controlled life. He doesn't want roots. Then enters Ambrose, an orange tabby who basically decides he lives there now. Zachary’s attempt to get rid of the cat leads him to a pet supply store where he meets Marilee White (Sustad).
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What's cool is how the movie treats the relationship. It isn't just "love at first sight." It’s built on shared competence. They bond over home renovations and actual cat care. It feels... normal.
Why fans are still obsessed 10 years later
People keep coming back to this one because it avoids the "clash of the titans" trope where the leads hate each other for forty minutes. Instead, the conflict is internal. Zachary is genuinely scared of settling down because of a fire in his childhood home—a bit dramatic, sure, but in the context of the movie, it works.
- The Chemistry: Routh and Sustad have a "shorthand" that many Hallmark pairings lack.
- The Humor: The grocery store meet-cute, where Marilee awkwardly critiques Zachary's choice of cat food, is actually funny.
- Ambrose: Let’s be real. The cat is the star. He’s not a CGI mess; he’s a real, expressive animal that somehow manages to look disappointed in Zachary’s life choices.
The "Ambrose" Factor: More Than Just a Prop
In Sheila Roberts' original book, which the movie is based on, Ambrose actually has a bit of a supernatural edge—he’s on his ninth life and trying to do a "good deed" to save his soul. The movie ditches the talking-cat internal monologue (thankfully) but keeps the vibe.
Ambrose acts as a catalyst for Zachary’s growth. By caring for something that needs him, Zachary realizes that his "bachelor life" is actually just lonely. It’s a subtle shift, but it makes the final scene on the fire truck feel earned.
The Supporting Cast (No, Really)
Usually, the side characters in these movies are just there to say "You should go for it!" and then disappear. But in The Nine Lives of Christmas, the firehouse crew feels like a real unit.
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Gregory Harrison as Chief Sam is a standout. He provides the "father figure" energy Zachary needs without being preachy. And Jennifer Cheon Garcia as Sarah, Marilee's best friend, brings a sharp wit that balances out Marilee’s softer edges.
Behind the Scenes: Fort Langley and "Superman"
If you’ve ever wondered why the town looks so familiar, it’s because it was filmed in Fort Langley, British Columbia. This town is basically the capital of Hallmark-land.
The firehouse in the movie is a real, relatively new building in Fort Langley. Fans actually go there on "film location tours" just to take pictures of the exterior.
Fun fact: Brandon Routh was actually filming Legends of Tomorrow around the same time or shortly after, and many fans joke that his character in Nine Lives is just an alternate-universe version of a superhero trying to take a break.
The Sequel Struggle: The Nine Kittens of Christmas
In 2021, we finally got a sequel. It was a long wait.
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The Nine Kittens of Christmas picks up years later. Marilee is a vet in Miami, and Zachary is still a firefighter. They’ve broken up—which was a bold move for Hallmark. Most sequels just show the wedding.
Breaking them up allowed the movie to recapture the "will-they-won't-they" energy. Does it live up to the original? Most fans say no, but it's a solid 7/10. The addition of nine actual kittens (who were apparently a nightmare to film with because they kept climbing the actors' clothes) adds a lot of "aww" factor, but the 2014 original still holds the crown.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Rewatch
If you're planning to dive back into the world of Ambrose and the firehouse this year, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Watch for the Bloopers: In the grocery store scene, keep an eye out for what looks like a boom mic peaking in at the top. It’s a classic low-budget movie "easter egg."
- The Coffee Connection: Notice the aggressive Folgers placement? It’s a staple of mid-2010s Hallmark.
- Read the Book: If you want the "Ambrose POV," Sheila Roberts’ novel is actually a very different experience. It's more of a comedy about a cat making deals with the universe.
- Double Feature: Watch the 2014 original, then immediately jump to the 2021 sequel. It’s the only way to track the character growth (and the aging of the cats).
The Nine Lives of Christmas works because it doesn't try too hard. It’s a story about two people who are good at their jobs, love their pets, and eventually realize they’re better together. In a world of over-the-top holiday spectacles, that simplicity is exactly why we’re still talking about it ten years later.
To keep your holiday movie marathon going, you can look for the film on the Hallmark Mystery channel or check streaming services like Peacock or Hallmark+ where it often cycles through the "Most Popular" list every December.