We Met in December Delivers Heartwarming Holiday Romance on Hallmark
Hallmark Channel has unwrapped another sweet holiday treat just in time for Thanksgiving week with We Met in December. This new romantic-comedy delivers everything fans of the network’s festive lineup crave: a heartwarming love story, cozy Christmas magic, and a reminder that fate can be a bit mischievous.
Starring Autumn Reeser and Niall Matter, the film follows two strangers who share one unforgettable night during a long layover. Then, just like that, they lose touch and spend the rest of the holiday season searching for each other across Chicago.
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It’s a story about love, timing, and rediscovering yourself amid the twinkling lights of the Windy City. If you’re after a feel-good film that blends humor, heart, and holiday sparkle, this one’s calling your name.
Table of Contents
The Magic of Missed Connections
At the heart of We Met in December is a premise that’s both timeless and, honestly, pretty irresistible: two people meet by chance, connect deeply, and then lose each other before swapping contact info. Annie Lane, played by Autumn Reeser, and Dave Weeks, played by Niall Matter, are travelers whose flights get delayed thanks to stormy weather.
Fate steps in when they’re sent to spend the night at a fancy hotel during their layover. What follows is a night filled with laughter, conversation, and mutual discovery as they bond over family, dreams, and the spirit of the holidays.
But when morning comes, fate has other plans. Oversleeping and flight mix-ups send Annie and Dave onto separate planes, and they never get a chance to share their details.
Back in Chicago, both set off on parallel quests to find each other before Christmas, armed with just first names, jobs, and a handful of holiday clues. It’s got a little Serendipity in its DNA, and honestly, that’s part of the charm.
Why This Story Works
We Met in December stands out from the crowded field of holiday rom-coms because it actually cares about its characters. Annie isn’t just a love interest; she’s a fashion attorney who starts to rediscover her passion for design after meeting Dave.
Meanwhile, Dave—a successful financial advisor—learns to slow down and appreciate the small joys, especially as he faces his first Christmas without his dad. The emotional depth here gives the movie a sincerity that’s a little rare in the genre.
Even if you know where things are headed, the journey feels fresh thanks to the chemistry between Reeser and Matter. Their performances make you root for their reunion, but it’s all the near-misses and little twists along the way that keep things interesting.
Chicago: The Third Character
Few cities capture the Christmas spirit quite like Chicago, and We Met in December uses the city as much more than just a backdrop. From the glistening skyline to bustling holiday markets, every frame seems soaked in seasonal spirit.
The film takes viewers on a tour of Chicago’s most charming corners—cozy cafés, snow-dusted parks, and festive neighborhoods. All these spots get woven into Annie and Dave’s intertwined searches.
Chicago’s energy mirrors the characters’ emotional journeys. Just as the city buzzes with anticipation, both Annie and Dave are figuring out what really matters.
The cinematography highlights the warmth that can exist even in the coldest months, making it a bit of a love letter to urban holiday life.
Traditions That Tug at the Heart
Holiday traditions play a big role here, grounding the story in something relatable. Annie’s family attends a Christmas Eve mass each year, complete with a candlelit *Silent Night*, while Dave tries to keep his late father’s tradition of an over-the-top Christmas light display alive.
Through these rituals, the film explores healing and connection. Dave’s struggle to give his family the perfect Christmas becomes a way for him to realize that maybe perfection isn’t the point at all.
Annie’s creative spark, reignited by Dave, is a gentle nudge toward rediscovering joy after years of playing it safe. Together, their stories nudge you to remember that love often shows up when you’re finally brave enough to go after it.
Supporting Cast That Shines
The film’s ensemble cast adds depth and humor to the central romance. Annie’s sister Beth (Isabella Boulton) and her best friend Kate (Kyana Teresa) bring warmth and levity, tossing out advice and comic relief in equal measure.
On Dave’s side, his best friends Olivia (Lara Amersey) and Jeff (Adam Fawns) help him navigate love and loss. Nora Sheehan as Dave’s mom, Gail, grounds the film’s emotional core with a genuinely touching performance.
These characters make the world of We Met in December feel lived-in and real. They’re a reminder that love stories don’t happen in a vacuum—they’re shaped by friends, family, and the communities around us.
Performances Worth Watching
Autumn Reeser and Niall Matter bring a natural charm that makes their pairing feel easy and believable. Reeser’s Annie balances vulnerability with quiet strength, while Matter’s Dave is both ambitious and sincere.
The supporting cast gets their moments too. Kyana Teresa’s Kate, for example, steals the spotlight with one of the movie’s funniest scenes as she complains about her own not-so-magical airport experience. These little moments keep the movie light and genuine.
Why You’ll Want to Stream It
Holiday movies are everywhere this time of year, but We Met in December stands out by leaning into sincerity instead of spectacle. It skips the big misunderstandings and wild drama, focusing instead on the quiet, hopeful belief that love can still find a way—even when the odds aren’t great.
The pacing’s brisk, the tone is uplifting, and the message is clear enough: follow your heart, trust the timing, and don’t underestimate the magic of December.
If you’re a fan of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas lineup, this one should hit the spot. It’s sentimental, but not syrupy; funny, but not forced; romantic, but still grounded in something real.
Whether you’re watching with family, friends, or just a mug of cocoa, it’s the kind of movie that leaves you with a smile after the credits roll. That’s not nothing.
Where to Watch
Hallmark Channel’s We Met in December is streaming live through DIRECTV, which offers a five-day free trial and flexible subscription options starting at $49.99 a month.
As part of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas 2025 event, the film joins a festive lineup of new premieres airing every weekend through December 22. If you’re planning a cozy night in, this one’s worth adding to your holiday watchlist.
The Final Word
After three decades of covering film and television, it’s honestly rare to stumble on a holiday movie that feels both familiar and somehow new. We Met in December manages that trick, and does it with some real charm.
This is a love story wrapped in tinsel, tied up with a bow of authenticity. It reminds us—maybe a bit unexpectedly—why we keep coming back to Hallmark, year after year.
The performances are strong, the themes hit close to home, and the setting just glows with Christmas cheer. If you’re looking for something to watch on a quiet winter night, this film fits the bill.
So grab your favorite blanket, pour yourself some hot cocoa, and let yourself believe in fate again. Why not?
Verdict: Stream it, savor it, and let We Met in December warm your heart this holiday season.
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