Ottawa is experiencing another record-breaking year, thanks in large part to the festive flicks that chose to film here. Sixteen holiday movies were shot in the Ottawa region throughout 2022 which contributed $28.5 million to Ottawa’s economy, employed hundreds of locals, and showcased our stunning locations to audiences worldwide. Combined with 14 additional feature-length films and over 15 TV series that also shot in the area, the live-action production sector has generated over $57 million to-date for the local economy in 2022.
Click on a title below to learn more about the films premiering this festive season
Synopsis: A hard-working, single mom gets into a war of words with a neighbour who she feels is ruining Christmas, only to find that this misunderstood grouch just may steal her heart.
Directed by Max McGuire. Starring Natalie Hall and Corey Sevier.
Release date: Oct. 21 on Hallmark (US) and W Network (Canada).
Synopsis: Follows Rachel Rocca, a fashion designer who must create a tuxedo for one of the city’s most eligible bachelors, Brett Stone, for a Christmas charity gala. As she works on it, she discovers the true reason behind his Christmas charity, and they find themselves falling in love.
Directed by Michelle Ouellet. Starring Mercedes de la Zerda and Franco Lo Presti.
Release date: Nov. 6 on Lifetime (US) and Nov. 12 on W Network (Canada)
Synopsis: Follows Abby, who inherited the property of Haven Restaurant and Inn, but being unable to manage both, she must team up with with hot shot chef Preston Weaver to “shake up” the holiday menu and get an investment from a restaurant mogul.
Directed by Stacey N. Harding. Starring Vanessa Marano, Alex Mallari Jr., and Bobby Flay.
Release date: Nov. 11 on discovery+, Nov. 12 on Crave (Canada), and Nov. 21 on CTV Life (Canada).
Synopsis: Follows Stella, who has worked for the past six years with Pablo as co-hosts of a house renovation show, but as they work together more closely than ever before, she gets complicated and unexplored feelings that may jeopardize everything.
Directed by Pat Mills. Starring Jessica Szohr and Marco Grazzini.
Release date: Nov. 11 on discovery+ (US), Nov. 12 on Crave (Canada), and Dec. 1 on CTV Life (Canada).
Synopsis: When her father dies, MacKenzie keeps her father’s tradition of the town’s fundraising “The Reindeer Games” alive, but when high school crush Chase shows up and plays against her, the sparks between them grow.
Directed by Brian Herzlinger. Starring Sarah Drew and Justin Bruening.
Release date: Nov. 12 on Lifetime (US) and Nov. 18 on CTV Life (Canada).
Synopsis: Three former best friends haven’t spoken since their disastrous performance at the Holiday Showdown during their senior year of high school. Now in their thirties, they’re suddenly forced back together during a reunion. After drinking magical “Mistletoe Time Machine” cocktails at the local bar, the three are thrust back in time to senior year to confront their shared past.
Directed by Virginia Abramovich. Starring Erika Prevost, Tori Barban, and Sugith Varughese.
Release date: Nov. 24 on Tubi (US) and Nov. 25 on Crave (Canada).
Synopsis: Set in the Hotel Fontaine in New York City during Christmas, the film follows Georgia, a hotel manager who attracts eclectic guests looking for an escape from their everyday lives. Georgia’s work and personal lives become entangled when she is caught between the charming hotel chef Luke and a sophisticated ex-prince staying at the hotel.
Directed by Ron Oliver. Starring Madelaine Petsch and Mena Massoud.
Release date: Dec. 2 on Amazon Freevee (US) and CTV Life (Canada).
Synopsis: When former pastry school rivals Julian and Brianna meet years later in a TV baking competition, the sparks – and the flour – fly! Each has their own plans for the winning prize money, but only one can win…unless they work together. While Brianna struggles to support her daughter Willow and Julian longs to escape his mother’s shadow, they learn that collaboration can create a new recipe for success – and love.
Directed by Lisa France. Starring LeToya Luckett and Finesse Mitchell.
Release date: Dec. 3 on OWN.
Synopsis: Emily Harris is not doing great. In a desperate attempt to improve her life and make this Christmas not totally suck, Emily writes a letter to Santa. Fortunately, and unfortunately, her winesoaked wishes start coming true. P.S. She definitely doesn’t remember most of what she wrote in the letter, so she is in for some uncomfortable surprises. Which eventually leads to some Christmas-fueled soul searching about what she actually wants/needs.
Directed by Brittany Scott Smith. Starring Gabourey Sidibe, Loretta Devine, Kel Mitchell, Karen Knox and Andrew Bushell.
Release date: Dec. 7 on VH1 (US).
Synopsis: Follows Ryan, an elementary school teacher, who learns that he is colorblind. Michelle, an optometrist and mother of one of his students, helps bring color into his life in time for the holidays.
Directed by Max McGuire. Starring Katrina Bowden and Christopher Russell.
Release date: Dec. 9 on Hallmark (US) and W Network (Canada).
Synopsis: The “queen of crisis management,” Nicole Barnes gets the toughest assignment of her career when she’s asked to handle a breaking scandal for former pro footballer-turned-TV-commentator Jordan Davies, whose network contract isn’t going to be renewed because of a violation going back to his college days. However, Nicole fails to disclose that she and Jordan were once boyfriend and girlfriend — a conflict of interest that could end her own hopes of being made partner at her firm.
Directed by Roger Bobb. Starring Eva Marcille and Devale Ellis.
Release date: Dec. 10 on OWN.
Synopsis: Aphrodite was made famous back in the day for performing THE timeless love song of the era. The song that everyone plays at their weddings, in every sappy commercial for diamonds or rings or puppies or soldiers coming home. It made her a ton of money, but Aphrodite HATES this song. She’s now the meanest judge on Pop The Question, but her life changes when Brianna becomes the breakthrough contestant, exuding love and purity. When Aphrodite reluctantly becomes her mentor, she does everything possible to steer her away from love and love anthems and so is visited by three spirits who take Aphrodite on a journey through love (and Christmas) past, present and future to try and shake her out of her funk and let love back in!
Directed by Rusty Cundieff. Starring Ashanti, Vivica A. Fox, Eva Marcille, Robin Givens, Mckenzie Small, and Mel B.
Release date: Dec. 14 on VH1 (US).
Synopsis: Leah is forced to travel to a small town to investigate its plans to break multiple holiday world records. Later, she discovers that she may be the person who can help them reach their true Christmas goal.
Directed by Max McGuire. Starring Michelle Argyris and Andrew Bushell.
Release date: Dec. 15 on Lifetime (US) and Dec. 17 on W Network (Canada).
Synopsis: Ella returns to her hometown to mend fences with her fractured family. With the help of Griffin, her ex-boyfriend, she encourages her family to celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa and to heal their past wounds before it’s too late.
Directed by Alfons Adetuyi. Starring Lyndie Greenwood and Brooks Darnell.
Release date: Dec. 16 on Hallmark (US) and Dec. 21 on CTV Life (Canada).
Synopsis: Follow a former actress as she needs to take charge of a town’s annual Christmas Eve courtroom production debating the true authorship of the poem “A Visit from St. Nick”.
Directed by Gary Yates. Starring Torrey DeVitto and Zane Holtz.
Release date: Dec. 17 on Hallmark (US) and CTV Life (Canada).
Coming in 2023!
While enjoying a new locally-shot Christmas movie or (re)watching one from years past, add some fun to the festivities with our one-of-a-kind bingo card! We’ve mixed common genre tropes with Ottawa-specific elements that'll have you yelling "Bingo!" in no time.
Download Bingo CardUse the arrows on either side of the photos below to scroll through stills and behind-the-scenes images from some of this year's Christmas movies.