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Deliver by Christmas

Deliver by Christmas

TV movie202084 minMidcredits score: 64th percentile of all films
Director
Terry Ingram
Starring
Alvina August, Eion Bailey, Kesler Talbot, Nadeen Lightbody

Bakery owner Molly meets Josh, a widower who recently moved to town with his young son, but she is also charmed by a mysterious client whom she’s never met in person and she doesn’t realize that they’re the same man.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Deliver by Christmas?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Deliver by Christmas streaming on Hallmark+ via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Deliver by Christmas?

Deliver by Christmas earns 6 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Christmas pick.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Deliver by Christmas worth watching?

Deliver by Christmas' Midcredits score is the 64th percentile of all films, from 2.5K ratings across 4 sources. 58% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

64th percentile

Better received than 64% of films

72nd percentile among Comedy65th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)63rd
Approval (how many liked it)63rd

65 /100

63rd percentile of all films

72nd percentile among Comedy63rd percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.7 — solid but not unanimous.

58% liked it

63rd percentile of all films

70th percentile among Comedy64th percentile among 2020s
58% rated it 7–1042% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

65th percentile

2.5K ratings across platforms

60th percentile among Comedy64th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 27% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A sweet, predictable Hallmark holiday romance anchored by a charming female lead but hampered by a wooden male lead and a rushed, trope-y ending.

Fans praised

  • charming lead chemistry, especially Alvina August's glow
  • gentle, gradual getting-to-know-you story with real sweetness
  • festive small-town atmosphere that delivers holiday spirit

Detractors panned

  • Eion Bailey stiff, robotic, and seemingly disengaged in the lead
  • thin, formulaic plot with a rushed and contrived final act
  • overly melancholic music and forced dialogue

What stands out

Atmosphere72

Warm Christmas spirit, cozy small-town setting

Acting62

Alvina August charming, Eion Bailey stiff and disengaged

Characters55

Baker Molly and widowed dad Josh likable but thinly written

Emotional impactDivisive55

Sweet and touching for fans, but flat for detractors

Plot and story48

You've Got Mail-style phone courtship, formulaic and predictable

Pacing45

Drags in middle, rushed and pat final quarter

Originality40

Direct You've Got Mail homage with little new spin

Ending35

Rushed final meeting, little time for leads together

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 17 points higher than men.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 25 points higher than non-US viewers.

Watch experience

What is Deliver by Christmas like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
WarmJoyfulRomantic
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
WarmRomantic · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
TonePlayed straight with warmth and sincerity, embracing the holiday romance without irony.
The rideThe mood is consistently warm and joyful with a romantic peak at the ending, when the misunderstanding is resolved.
StructureThe story unfolds linearly from initial meeting through misunderstandings to a Christmas reunion.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves a warm, uplifting feeling as the couple comes together despite misunderstandings, fitting the gentle holiday spirit.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% (this title) · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA romantic comedy where Molly and Josh are drawn together through phone conversations while unaware of each other's identity, aided by holiday festivities.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsFamily bonds
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores romantic love through a chance meeting and a secret admirer, while also emphasizing the importance of family bonds as Josh rebuilds his life with his young son.
StanceThe film celebrates romantic love and family bonds with intimate stakes focused on the couple's small-town lives.

The world

ContemporaryDomesticUrbanRealistic
FolkPopSupportive music · original score · Matthew Rogers
Settinga small town bakery and community during Christmas
MusicA light, festive score that complements the Christmas setting.

Content guide

Is Deliver by Christmas okay for kids?

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • CanadaG
  • BrazilL

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Deliver by Christmas have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Deliver by Christmas?

Cast

Alvina August
as Molly
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Eion Bailey
as Josh
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kesler Talbot
as Charlie
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Nadeen Lightbody
as Jane
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Julie Lynn Mortensen
as Amy
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jim Thorburn
as Jimmy
Nakai Takawira
as Zoe
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Fiona Vroom
as Jessica
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Frances Flanagan
as Mary
Dalias Blake
as Harold

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Deliver by Christmas?

Movies like Deliver by Christmas include Music from Another Room (1998), Something from Tiffany's (2022) and Always Be My Maybe (2019). Of the 12 closest matches, half are stories about single fathers, and most are romantic comedies.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its subject: romantic love. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Deliver by Christmas?

2.4K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: soulmates separated. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.