Noelle
Noelle
Noelle has always had to support and encourage her brother Nick, who was ordained to take over as Santa. When Nick disappears right before Christmas, Noelle goes on a funny and heartfelt journey to find him and, ultimately, what Christmas is really about.
Manuel Frangis reviewedApril 15, 2025
I just watched Noelle, and I give it 4 out of 5 stars. This is such a sweet, light, and feel-good holiday movie. It is not trying to reinvent Christmas, but that is kind of why it works. It keeps things fun, simple, and full of heart. It is one of those movies that feels perfect to watch on a cold December night with a blanket, some hot chocolate, and zero stress. Sometimes that is all you need.
The story follows Noelle Kringle, the daughter of Santa Claus, as she tries to help save Christmas when things at the North Pole start to go off the rails. Her brother Nick, who is supposed to take over for their father, is struggling with the pressure, and Noelle finds herself stepping into a much bigger role than she ever expected. From there, it turns into a fun adventure that mixes the magic of the North Pole with some very real-world moments.
Anna Kendrick is easily the best part of this movie. She is full of energy and charm from the first scene to the last. She plays Noelle with just the right amount of innocence, kindness, and awkward humor. You believe that she truly wants to spread joy, and watching her figure out how to do that in her own way makes for a really sweet story. She carries the whole movie with heart and a ton of personality.
The movie also brings in a little bit of fish-out-of-water comedy, especially when Noelle leaves the North Pole and tries to navigate the real world. Those scenes are some of the funniest, and Anna Kendrick makes the most of every moment. Her reactions to everything from shopping malls to yoga classes to smartphones are hilarious but never mean spirited. The humor stays light and positive, which is exactly what you want from a movie like this.
The supporting cast is solid too. Bill Hader plays Nick with that tired, confused energy he’s known for, and it works. He does not have as much screen time as I expected, but when he is there, it adds a nice balance. Shirley MacLaine also shows up as the wise, funny elf Polly, and her scenes with Noelle are great. Their back and forth brings warmth and comedy to the story.
The visuals are bright and festive. The North Pole looks like something out of a storybook, and the costumes are colorful without feeling over the top. It all helps create this comforting holiday world that feels fun to step into for a couple of hours. The music is also cheerful and matches the mood without being distracting.
If I had one small complaint, it would be that the story plays it a little too safe. There are no real surprises, and you can probably guess how it is going to end after the first fifteen minutes. But honestly, that did not bother me much. Not every holiday movie needs a twist. Sometimes you just want something wholesome, positive, and easy to enjoy — and that is exactly what Noelle delivers.
I give Noelle 4 out of 5 stars because it is cheerful, charming, and full of heart. It is not groundbreaking, but it is fun, uplifting, and gives you that cozy holiday feeling that never gets old. Overall Noelle is a sweet Christmas movie with a great lead performance and just enough magic to make it a yearly rewatch. I had a great time watching it and will definitely be coming back to it when the holidays roll around.