First announced in December 2024, In a Holidaze marks the latest collaboration between Tiffany Paulsen — the creative force behind Netflix’s Holidate — and best-selling authors Lauren Billings and Christina Hobbs, who write under their shared pen name Christina Lauren.
The film adapts the duo’s 2020 New York Times best-selling novel, blending cosy holiday escapism with a Groundhog Day-style twist. Produced by Alloy Entertainment with Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton, the movie is expected to start filming in January 2026 in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, with a Christmas 2026 global release window on Netflix.
The Story: A Holiday Wish, a Magical Reset
At the heart of In a Holidaze is Maelyn Jones, a young woman stuck in the in-between stage of adulthood. She’s back living with her parents, working a job she doesn’t love, and silently pining for a longtime family friend. Each year, Mae’s extended family gathers at a snow-covered Utah cabin for Christmas — a tradition she cherishes.
But this year brings heartbreak: her parents are selling the cabin, her crush remains unspoken, and she feels her life is spiraling off track. After a devastating car accident on her way home, Mae makes a desperate plea to the universe: “Please show me what will make me happy.”
Moments later, she wakes up — not in a hospital, but back on a plane heading to the very same holiday week. Trapped in a time loop, Mae relives the same Christmas over and over until she figures out how to fix her life, follow her heart, and discover what truly matters.
The result promises a warm, funny, and heartfelt mix of romance, self-discovery, and holiday magic, blending the emotional beats of The Family Stone with the comedic rhythm of Palm Springs and Love Hard.
Who’s Making the Film?
Tiffany Paulsen: Netflix’s Holiday Expert
Writer-director Tiffany Paulsen is no stranger to festive storytelling. Her previous Netflix hit Holidate (2020), starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey, became one of the platform’s most-watched romantic comedies, cementing her reputation for witty dialogue and emotional charm.
Paulsen recently wrote Reunion and produced Netflix’s small-town drama Ransom Canyon, showcasing her knack for relatable characters and seasonal warmth — the exact recipe In a Holidaze needs.
Christina Lauren: The Queens of Contemporary Romance
Authors Lauren Billings and Christina Hobbs have built a powerhouse brand in modern romantic fiction. Known for The Unhoneymooners, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, and Love and Other Words, their novels mix humour with sincerity and emotional depth.
They’ve joined the screenplay team to preserve the tone and heart that readers adored, ensuring Mae’s personal growth and family dynamics translate authentically to screen.
Alloy Entertainment’s Production Touch
Alloy Entertainment — the studio behind You, Gossip Girl, and The Vampire Diaries — adds seasoned polish to the project. Its focus on book-to-screen success makes In a Holidaze a natural fit within its portfolio of fan-favourite adaptations.
Filming Locations and Schedule
According to Production Weekly (Issue #1472), In a Holidaze is slated to start production in January 2026. The picturesque Vancouver and Whistler regions of British Columbia are top choices for filming — known for their snow-draped mountains and quaint winter towns that often double for American holiday settings in Netflix’s festive lineup (The Christmas Chronicles, Falling for Christmas, The Noel Diary).
Given a typical 8- to 10-week shoot, the movie could wrap by early spring 2026, leaving ample time for post-production and marketing before its November–December 2026 release.
Why Fans Are Excited?
When Christina Lauren confirmed the adaptation news on social media, longtime readers rejoiced. Fans quickly began “dream-casting” the lead: popular picks include Sydney Sweeney, Meghann Fahy, Zoey Deutch, and Hailee Steinfeld for Mae.
TikTok and Bookstagram communities also revived interest in the 2020 novel, with hashtags like #InAHolidaze and #ChristinaLaurenNetflix trending among holiday-romance readers.
Many fans plan to re-read the novel ahead of the film, anticipating comparisons between the book’s emotional arc and Netflix’s cinematic interpretation — especially its time-loop mechanics and family ensemble chemistry.
Thematic Strengths: More Than Just a Love Story
What sets In a Holidaze apart from most holiday rom-coms is its emotional honesty. Beneath the cozy humor and snow-covered nostalgia lies a story about confronting adulthood’s uncertainty and learning to choose happiness intentionally.
The time-loop device works as both comedy and metaphor — forcing Mae to re-evaluate what she truly values. Does she chase comfort, career, or love? Can she change her life without losing the people who made it meaningful?
These universal questions, framed by festive cheer, promise to resonate with audiences looking for heartwarming escapism that still feels real.
A Natural Fit for Netflix’s Holiday Universe
Netflix has spent years building its own Christmas brand, releasing original rom-coms annually since 2018. From A Christmas Prince and The Knight Before Christmas to Falling for Christmas and Best. Christmas. Ever!, the streamer now dominates the holiday-movie conversation.
In a Holidaze fits perfectly into this ecosystem — blending romance, humor, and fantasy in a way that appeals to both rom-com loyalists and new viewers. With Tiffany Paulsen at the helm and Christina Lauren’s fan base built in, the film could easily anchor Netflix’s 2026 holiday lineup.
Potential Release Window
If production begins in January 2026, In a Holidaze would likely premiere between November 1 and December 25, 2026 — aligning with Netflix’s traditional festive rollout.
Expect marketing to follow the streamer’s familiar playbook:
- Trailer drop: late September or early October 2026
- Press campaign: early November 2026
- Global release: before mid-December to capture peak holiday streaming traffic
Industry Perspective
Entertainment analysts predict In a Holidaze could mirror the breakout success of Holidate, which drew over 68 million views in its first month on Netflix.
Paulsen’s previous success, paired with the novel’s strong following, positions In a Holidaze to appeal to both rom-com enthusiasts and mainstream audiences seeking light, escapist entertainment.
As film critic and rom-com researcher Dr. Alyssa Warren told The Wrap:
“Audiences crave comfort storytelling, especially during the holidays. A well-written, emotionally sincere movie like In a Holidaze could easily become a yearly rewatch tradition — Netflix’s answer to The Holiday.”
Final Takeaway
With its proven creative team, fan-favorite source material, and timeless holiday themes, In a Holidaze looks poised to become Netflix’s next major Christmas hit.
It offers everything viewers crave during the holidays — laughter, love, second chances, and a little magic. And for fans of Christina Lauren’s novels, it’s a long-awaited wish finally coming true.
If production stays on track, we’ll all be unwrapping In a Holidaze on Netflix by Christmas 2026 — ready to believe once again in festive miracles, family traditions, and the idea that sometimes… the universe really does give us another chance.
Important Facts
Expected Release: November – December 2026
Writers: Tiffany Paulsen, Lauren Billings, Christina Hobbs
Producers: Alloy Entertainment (Leslie Morgenstein, Elysa Koplovitz Dutton)
Filming Start: January 2026 (estimated)
Category: Netflix Original Christmas Rom-Com
FAQs
1. When does In a Holidaze start filming?
Production is expected to begin in January 2026 in Vancouver and Whistler, pending final scheduling.
2. Who is directing the movie?
A director has not yet been announced. However, Tiffany Paulsen — who wrote the screenplay — may direct, given her previous Netflix experience with Holidate.
3. Who will star as Maelyn Jones?
Casting has not been confirmed, though fans online have suggested Sydney Sweeney, Meghann Fahy, or Zoey Deutch for the lead role.
4. What is In a Holidaze about?
The film follows a woman stuck in a time loop during Christmas, reliving the same holiday week until she discovers what truly makes her happy.
5. When will the movie be released on Netflix?
In a Holidaze is expected to debut between November and December 2026, in time for the holiday season.
6. Is the movie based on a book?
Yes. It adapts the 2020 novel In a Holidaze by best-selling authors Christina Lauren (Lauren Billings and Christina Hobbs).
