Holiday movies are mostly predictable fluff. You know exactly how they end within the first eight minutes: the high-powered executive quits her job, moves to a snowy town, and falls for the guy who owns the local Christmas tree farm. It's a formula. But every once in a while, a movie like The Spirit of Christmas comes along and actually tries something weird. It’s a 2015 Lifetime original that managed to gain a cult following because it isn't just a romance—it’s a ghost story, a legal drama, and a Prohibition-era mystery all mashed together.
If you’re looking to watch The Spirit of Christmas, you’re probably expecting the usual tinsel and cocoa. You get that, sure. But you also get a man who was murdered in 1920 and only manifests for twelve days every December. It’s strange. It’s moody. Honestly, it’s much better than it has any right to be.
What Actually Happens in This Movie?
The plot follows Kate Jordan, a workaholic lawyer—classic trope, I know—who needs to get an old inn appraised so it can be sold. The problem? The inn is haunted. Thomas Weaver, the resident ghost, isn't interested in leaving or letting the sale go through.
Thomas is trapped in a loop. He died under mysterious circumstances, and now he "reanimates" every year. He’s not a translucent floating head; he’s fully physical, he can drink scotch, and he looks like he walked out of a J.Crew catalog from a century ago.
Most people who watch The Spirit of Christmas for the first time are surprised by the stakes. It’s not just "will they or won't they?" It’s "who killed this man and how do we break a hundred-year-old curse before he disappears again?" The movie spends a significant amount of time in the 1920s through flashbacks, showing us a world of bootleggers and betrayal. Thomas wasn't just some guy; he was a man caught in a dangerous trade during a very specific era of American history.
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The Appeal of Thomas Weaver
Thomas, played by Thomas Beaudoin, is arguably why this movie stayed relevant while other 2015 TV movies faded into obscurity. He’s grumpy. He’s out of time. He doesn't understand modern technology, which provides some much-needed levity in a story that is otherwise quite dark for a holiday flick.
The chemistry between Beaudoin and Jen Lilley (who plays Kate) feels earned. Usually, in these movies, the love is instant and unearned. Here, they spend a lot of time just being annoyed by each other’s presence. It feels more human.
Why This Movie Ranks Above Other Holiday Romances
Most Christmas movies are bright. They use high-key lighting that makes everything look like a plastic toy box. This film is different. It’s shot with a lot of shadows and cool tones. It leans into the "haunted" aspect.
When you sit down to watch The Spirit of Christmas, you notice the atmosphere immediately. The Holly-Tree Inn feels like a real place with a heavy history. The director, David Jackson, clearly wanted to make a "Christmas Noir" rather than a standard romantic comedy.
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- The Mystery: The investigation into Thomas’s death is actually semi-competent. It involves old records, family secrets, and a twist that most people don't see coming.
- The Rules: Ghost stories need rules. Here, the rule is the twelve days of Christmas. It creates a ticking clock.
- The Emotional Weight: There’s a genuine sadness to Thomas’s existence. He spends 353 days a year in a void. That’s heavy for a movie usually aired between commercials for laundry detergent.
Finding the Best Way to Watch The Spirit of Christmas
If you’re hunting for this one, it’s usually easy to find, but it moves around. For years, it was a staple on Netflix, which is where most of its cult following originated.
Currently, your best bets are:
- Lifetime’s App or Website: Since it's an original, they usually host it during the season.
- Amazon Prime Video: It’s often available for rent or purchase, and sometimes it’s included with various "channels" like Lifetime Movie Club.
- Hulu or Disney+: Depending on your region and the current licensing deals, it pops up here frequently during the November-December window.
Always check the "holiday" section of your streaming services starting around November 1st. It’s one of those titles that digital libraries prioritize because people search for it every single year.
The Reality of TV Movie Production
Let's be real for a second. This isn't The Godfather. It’s a Lifetime movie. There are some cheesy moments. The green screen work in a few scenes is... well, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a mid-budget TV production.
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But the reason people keep coming back to watch The Spirit of Christmas is that it has heart. It doesn't feel like it was written by an algorithm, even if it hits some of the mandatory beats. There is a specific scene near the end—no spoilers—where the choice Thomas has to make actually feels like it has consequences. That’s rare in this genre.
A Quick Note on the "Ghost" Logic
Some viewers get hung up on how Thomas can be physical. How does he eat? How does he change clothes? The movie basically tells you not to worry about it. It’s "Christmas Magic" mixed with a curse. If you can accept that a man can be frozen in time for a century, you can accept that he can wear a sweater.
Actionable Tips for Your Viewing Experience
To get the most out of this movie, don't treat it like background noise while you wrap presents. It actually requires a little bit of attention because of the mystery elements.
- Watch for the 1920s Details: The costumes for the flashback scenes are surprisingly well-done. They give a lot of clues about the side characters' motivations.
- Double Feature Idea: If you like this vibe, pair it with The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947). It’s the classic blueprint for the "romance with a ghost" trope and shows where The Spirit of Christmas got some of its DNA.
- Check the Soundtrack: The music is more melancholic than your average "Jingle Bells" remix. It sets the mood for a snowy, isolated mystery.
If you haven't seen it yet, or if you're planning your annual rewatch, keep an eye on the side characters. The locals in the town know more than they let on, and the way the movie reveals the "curse" is actually quite clever.
Ultimately, the film works because it respects the audience's intelligence just enough to offer a real story alongside the romance. It’s the perfect bridge for people who like thrillers but are being forced to watch a holiday movie by their partner. It’s a win-win situation.
Next Steps for Your Movie Night:
- Search your current streaming subscriptions (specifically Lifetime Movie Club or Hulu) for the title.
- If it’s not streaming for free, check the "Live TV" schedules if you have a cable substitute like Philo or Sling; it airs frequently in December.
- Dim the lights—this movie works much better in a dark room than in a bright living room.