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Yes, Virginia

Yes, Virginia

Yes, Virginia: There Is a Santa Claus

TV movie200926 minMidcredits score: 78th percentile of all films
Director
Pete Circuitt
Starring
Neil Patrick Harris, Bea Miller, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Alfred Molina

New York City, 1897. A little girl named Virginia O'Hanlon loves Christmas more than anything else in the world. When a schoolyard bully challenges her belief in Santa Claus, Virginia embarks on a quest across the city to prove he is real. Based on the true story of the most famous newspaper editorial of all time.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Yes, Virginia?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Yes, Virginia to rent or buy on Apple TV, and on no subscription service.

Rent / Buy

Buy · $2.99

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Yes, Virginia?

Yes, Virginia earns 2 badges, led by Christmas pick and Feel-good.

Reception

Is Yes, Virginia worth watching?

Yes, Virginia's Midcredits score is the 78th percentile of all films, from 1.1K ratings across 4 sources. 68% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

78th percentile

Better received than 78% of films

68th percentile among Animation76th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)77th
Approval (how many liked it)76th

69 /100

77th percentile of all films

66th percentile among Animation76th percentile among 2000s

Rating distribution

Big peaks at both ends — people either love this or bounce off it hard.

Approval

How many liked it

68% liked it

76th percentile of all films

67th percentile among Animation74th percentile among 2000s
68% rated it 7–1032% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

53rd percentile

1.1K ratings across platforms

28th percentile among Animation45th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 36% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A simple, sincere retelling of the 'Yes, Virginia' letter story with a sentimental holiday message.

Fans praised

  • sincere, heartwarming holiday sentiment
  • voice cast including Neil Patrick Harris and Alfred Molina
  • touching adaptation of the famous editorial

Detractors panned

  • dated commercial for Macy's with Believeometer plot device
  • grim, depressing tone for a children's special
  • inferior to the earlier Bill Melendez version

What stands out

Acting70

solid voice cast including famous names

Emotional impactDivisive65

touching but can feel forced or depressing

EndingDivisive65

happy resolution restoring belief

Plot and storyDivisive55

simple straightforward story of faith

CharactersDivisive55

charming and endearing but simplistic

AtmosphereDivisive55

grim 1897 New York setting

CinematographyDivisive40

second-tier CGI with grim, dirty look

OriginalityDivisive35

derivative of earlier adaptation and editorial

Watch experience

What is Yes, Virginia 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
WarmHopeful
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its heartfelt material straight, with sincere sentiment and gentle warmth.
The rideThe film maintains a gentle, warm tone with moments of doubt in the middle before resolving to hope.
StructureThe story unfolds in a straightforward beginning (doubt), middle (search), and end (resolution with the editorial).

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves the viewer with a warm, hopeful feeling, reinforcing the belief in Christmas magic.
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).RebirthHealing
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%: Romantic comedy 4% · 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% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% (this title) · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Healing: Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).

13% of films fit this archetype

with Quest underneath

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

Why this archetypeThe story follows Virginia's journey from doubt to renewed belief in Santa Claus, a healing of her faith. She also actively seeks an answer, giving it a secondary quest shape.

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 filmsSelfFaithSociety
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · 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% (this title): Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% (this title) · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% (this title) · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Society

Faith · 3% of filmsHope · 5% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the nature of belief and the importance of faith in something unseen, while also conveying a message of hope through Christmas.
StanceThe film celebrates faith and belief, affirming Virginia's innocent trust in Santa Claus.

The world

19th centuryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Nicholas Hooper
Setting1897 New York City at Christmastime

Cast and crew

Who is in Yes, Virginia?

Cast

Neil Patrick Harris
as Dr. Philip O'Hanlon
Bea Miller
as Virginia O'Hanlon
Jennifer Love Hewitt
as Mrs. Laura O'Hanlon
Alfred Molina
as Francis Church
Robb Pruitt
as Santa
Andrew Cherry
as George
Michael Buscemi
as Scraggly Santa
Kieran Patrick Campbell
as Ollie
Nicholas Sireci
as Barry
Taylor Hay
as Taylor

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Yes, Virginia?

Movies like Yes, Virginia include Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Saving Christmas (2014) and Miracle on 34th Street (1994). Of the 12 closest matches, most are Christmas films, and several are films about hope.

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

9 of these 12 share its subject: faith. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Yes, Virginia?

3.8K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: child. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.