Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘My Secret Santa’ revolves around Taylor Jacobson (Alexandra Breckenridge), who is tested by financial difficulties after losing her job. To fund her daughter Zoey’s training at a snowboarding academy, she devises a unique strategy to secure a new job. She disguises herself as an elderly man to be hired as Santa Claus at a local ski resort. Things get complicated for her when she develops romantic feelings for Matthew Layne (Ryan Eggold), the handsome son of the resort’s owner.
As the two of them work together in the resort, Taylor’s dual identity and secret challenge her in unexpected ways, as she continues to bond with Matthew. With others unaware of Santa’s true identity, the holiday season gets chaotic. Directed by Michael Rohl, the Christmas romantic comedy film explores the nuances of love, secrecy, trust, and happiness. If you’re looking for movies similar to ‘My Secret Santa,’ these will enthrall you with holiday aesthetics and their tender stories of romance.
12. The Santa Clause (1994)
Directed by John Pasquin, ‘The Santa Clause’ is the story of Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), who accidentally injures Santa just before Christmas. After this incident, he is magically transported to the North Pole, where elves inform him that he is now Santa. When he thinks that this supposedly magical event is just imaginary, he suddenly finds himself physically transforming into Santa, and also develops habits that people associate with the gentle Christmas figure. He has to now come to terms with his new reality, while also figuring out how to manage his relationship with his former wife, Laura (Wendy Crewson), and his son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd). The Christmas fantasy comedy film bears resemblance to ‘My Secret Santa’ as it focuses on mistaken identities, sudden changes in a person’s life, and the spirit of Christmas.
11. Single All the Way (2021)
In ‘Single All the Way,’ Peter (Michael Urie) asks for the help of his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to avoid being judged by his family. Nick has to pretend to be Peter’s lover during the holidays. However, when James (Luke Macfarlane), a trainer, enters the lives of the friends, Peter starts to develop romantic feelings for him. This leads to complications in the family, which still believes that Nick and Peter are dating. Netflix’s Canadian Christmas romantic comedy film, directed by Michael Mayer, is a layered exploration of identity, love, and the spirit of Christmas, establishing a profound spiritual connection to the characters and the world of ‘My Secret Santa.’ Both stories deal with alternate identities, confusion, and unexpected love stories.
10. Christmas Under Wraps (2014)
The Hallmark Channel’s ‘Christmas Under Wraps’ focuses on Lauren Brunell (Candace Cameron Bure), who takes a temporary position as a general physician in Alaska after a job loss. To her surprise, she feels drawn to Andy Holliday (David O’Donnell), a handsome local, who gives her a new perspective on life. She finds herself torn between her life in the city and her newfound love for the idyllic life in Alaska. With her romantic feelings complicating the situation, she must choose between comfort and love. Helmed by Peter Sullivan, the romantic drama film captures the element of choice that Taylor faces in ‘My Secret Santa.’ The trials and tribulations of the main characters in both stories are thematically connected.
9. Mrs. Miracle (2009)
Directed by Michael M. Scott, ‘Mrs. Miracle’ follows Seth Webster (James Van Der Beek), who is struggling to care for his young twin sons, Jason Webster (Valin Shinyei) and Judd Webster (Michael Strusievici), after his wife’s fatal car crash. However, when Mrs. Merkle (Doris Roberts) becomes the housekeeper, she changes the dynamics of the family. Her ability to keep the twins under control is followed by her attempts to set Seth up with a woman named Reba Maxwell (Erin Karpluk), who has romantic insecurities. The Hallmark Channel’s romantic comedy film, akin to ‘My Secret Santa,’ is a vivid portrayal of familial bonds, unexpected relationships, and the importance of caring for others.
8. Christmas with a View (2018)
‘Christmas with a View’ revolves around celebrity chef Shane Roarke (Scott Anthony Cavalheiro), whose arrival as the new head chef leads to excitement in the Thunder Mountain Ski Resort. Clara Garrison (Kaitlyn Leeb), a failed restaurateur who has recently returned from the city, is initially unenthusiastic. The two of them build a romantic bond as they share a passion for food. However, their love story might face challenges as they hold certain secrets, which may lead to confrontation. The romantic drama film, directed by Justin G. Dyck, shares similarities with ‘My Secret Santa’ as both films take place in ski resort settings, where the main characters deal with the complexities of love. The idea of secrecy and hidden emotions also connects the two films on a spiritual level.
7. Last Christmas (2019)
‘Last Christmas,’ directed by Paul Feig, is a British romantic comedy film that centers on Kate Andrich (Emilia Clarke), a young London woman working as a Christmas store elf. She is in a turbulent period, caused by poor choices and a desire for success as a singer. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Tom Webster (Henry Golding), who surprises her with his caring nature. Tom inspires her to address her past and find happiness again, even as she struggles with her deep insecurities. Akin to ‘My Secret Santa,’ it features a complex relationship set during Christmas, while also exploring the cost of secrets and the unexpected consequences of revelations.
6. Dear Christmas (2020)
‘Dear Christmas’ centers on Natalie Morgan (Melissa Joan Hart), who hosts a popular podcast that explores stories of love and connection. Despite being seen as an expert on romance, she actually has no real experience, making her life ironic. While spending Christmas back in her hometown, fate intervenes when she meets Chris (Jason Priestley), a local firefighter. This unexpected connection sparks a holiday journey of bonding and self-discovery. Lifetime’s romantic drama film, directed by Emily Moss Wilson, is a poignant take on redemption through love. Like ‘My Secret Santa,’ it unravels the spirit of Christmas and deals with the possibility of unexpected love. The similar visual elements of the films also make them complementary.
5. Love Hard (2021)
Directed by Hernán Jiménez, ‘Love Hard’ is the story of Natalie Bauer (Nina Dobrev), a journalist from LA, who believes she’s found romantic success after connecting with a seemingly perfect man named Tag (Darren Barnet) on a dating app. Driven by an impulsive desire to surprise him for the holidays, she flies to New York. However, she discovers she has been catfished by Josh Lin (Jimmy O. Yang), who used Tag’s credentials to stage an elaborate scheme. Netflix’s romantic comedy film, akin to ‘My Secret Santa,’ is a navigation of mistaken identities, secret plans, and the romantic chaos of the modern age.
4. An Unexpected Christmas (2021)
Hallmark Channel’s ‘An Unexpected Christmas,’ helmed by Michael Robison, chronicles the journey of Jamie (Tyler Hynes), who runs into his ex-girlfriend Emily (Bethany Joy Lenz) at a train station in his hometown. To prevent his family from being disappointed during the holidays, Jamie convinces Emily to pose as his current girlfriend. The past lovers spend the week at Jamie’s house, which leads to romantic chaos between the two.
As they try to build their elaborate lie step by step through involvement in entertaining holiday games, they may discover that they are still drawn to each other. This leads to confusion in their lives, as they must deal with their family and their own insecurities. The romantic drama film reflects the elements of familial bonds, secret identities, and the festive spirit of ‘My Secret Santa.’ The emotional cost of love is a theme that both stories explore in vivid detail.
3. Switched for Christmas (2017)
In ‘Switched for Christmas,’ identical twin sisters Kate (Candace Cameron Bure) and Chris are both unhappy with their lives and envious of each other, which is a result of their estrangement. They grieve their mother’s death as they take part in the traditional pre-Christmas lunch. Unexpectedly, they agree to experience each other’s lives by pretending to be the other person till Christmas. This intriguing decision by the siblings leads them on a journey of self-discovery in the Lee Friedlander directorial. The Hallmark Channel’s romantic drama film, much like ‘My Secret Santa,’ is a navigation of dual identities, familial relationships, redemption through love, and the festive spirit of Christmas.
2. The Princess Switch (2018)
‘The Princess Switch’ is the tale of Stacy De Novo (Vanessa Hudgens), who meets foreign duchess Margaret Delacourt, who is her doppelgänger. Directed by Mike Rohl, Netflix’s romantic comedy follows the two women who agree to switch lives for a few days to see the ups and downs of each other’s existences. This unexpected swapping of realities comes with chaos as they fall for each other’s lovers. This unusual scenario causes confusion in the lives of the two women and those around them. As they struggle with their new feelings, they must also find new ways to appreciate their lives. The experiences of the twins in the narrative reflect Taylor’s character arc in ‘My Secret Santa,’ as she also navigates the emotional dynamics of discreet plans.
1. Falling for Christmas (2022)
Netflix’s ‘Falling for Christmas’ chronicles the life of Sierra Belmont (Lindsay Lohan), who struggles even to remember her name after a skiing accident before Christmas. Due to her amnesia, she is helped by Jake Russell (Chord Overstreet), who offers her a stay at his lodge. As she spends time at the lodge, she forms an unlikely romantic bond with Jake, a single father living with his daughter, Avy Russell (Olivia Perez). Sierra must navigate a tough choice, as her new and old realities converge vividly. Directed by Janeen Damian, the Christmas romantic comedy film shares a connection with ‘My Secret Santa,’ due to the similar character arcs of Sierra and Taylor. Both women face the challenges of living in two different scenarios, while also dealing with the intricacies of love in the festive season.
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