Haul Out the Halloween 2025 Movie Review
“Haul Out the Halloween” (2025) arrives as an unexpectedly delightful holiday crossover that infuses the charm of classic Hallmark-style festive movies with the spooky yet family-friendly vibe of Halloween storytelling. Directed by Maclain Nelson and written with a lighthearted wit that keeps both Halloween lovers and holiday traditionalists entertained, this movie is part of the network’s ongoing effort to expand its seasonal offerings beyond Christmas. It stars Lacey Chabert and Wes Brown, both veterans of heartwarming romantic comedies, and once again, they prove why their pairing works so well in these kinds of cheerful, escapist narratives. The film effortlessly blends humor, nostalgia, mild tension, and romance into a story that celebrates individuality, tradition, and the quirky ways people prepare for their favorite holidays. It’s not just about ghosts or pumpkins; it’s about finding joy and connection when the world feels divided by its festive preferences.
The story begins in the picturesque small town of Evergreen Falls, a place that’s become known for its over-the-top Christmas celebrations. Every house is lit like a winter wonderland, and the local economy practically depends on holiday tourism. Enter Liv Montgomery (Lacey Chabert), a dedicated event planner who has built her entire reputation around curating the town’s famous Christmas festival. For Liv, Christmas isn’t just a holiday — it’s her identity. But this year, the town council faces a challenge: an unexpected funding shortfall threatens to cancel the Christmas celebrations, and to fill the gap, they decide to host a Halloween festival for the first time in decades. Liv is reluctantly assigned to organize it, much to her dismay, since she sees Halloween as messy, chaotic, and the total opposite of her neatly wrapped Christmas magic. Her childhood trauma with a Halloween prank gone wrong doesn’t help either. Her opposite in this endeavor is Duke Roberts (Wes Brown), the local hardware store owner and Halloween enthusiast who’s thrilled to see the spooky season finally getting its due. The clash between Liv’s Christmas sensibility and Duke’s Halloween spirit sets up the film’s playful dynamic, and it’s from their growing chemistry that much of the movie’s heart and humor emerge.
What makes “Haul Out the Halloween” particularly entertaining is how it takes familiar tropes — the small-town charm, the reluctant partnership, the festival deadline — and gives them a seasonal twist that feels fresh. The screenplay doesn’t rely solely on jump scares or cheap comedy; instead, it crafts moments of gentle transformation and emotional warmth. Liv’s journey from a rigid perfectionist to someone who embraces imperfection mirrors the very essence of Halloween — a time when people wear masks to reveal something deeper about themselves. Meanwhile, Duke’s easygoing, creative nature becomes the catalyst for her change. Their banter is both funny and endearing, as he constantly teases her about “letting go of the garland and picking up a pumpkin.” The movie cleverly juxtaposes Christmas imagery with Halloween décor, resulting in a visually appealing spectacle of orange and green meeting red and gold. The production design deserves credit for making this seasonal crossover look believable without feeling forced; the carved pumpkins lining snowy streets and wreaths made of black lace are a visual treat.
As the story unfolds, Liv and Duke must work together to save the town’s future. When their plans for the Halloween festival face a series of setbacks — from costume mix-ups to a power outage that threatens the main event — the film shifts into a series of comedic and heartfelt moments. One particularly memorable scene involves the two decorating the old community hall late at night, with Duke showing Liv how to carve her first pumpkin. The scene is lit by flickering candlelight and accompanied by a soft piano score that subtly hints at romance. It’s the turning point of their relationship, transforming their rivalry into mutual admiration. There’s also a subplot involving Liv’s younger sister, a teenage influencer who wants to make the Halloween festival “go viral,” adding a layer of modernity to the traditional Hallmark setup. Her antics — from recording dance challenges with zombies to organizing a pet costume parade — provide a fun, lighthearted energy that balances the film’s emotional core.
The emotional stakes increase when Liv’s old boss from the city arrives, offering her a lucrative job that would pull her away from Evergreen Falls right before the festival. This familiar “career vs. community” dilemma plays out predictably, but the way the film handles it still feels sincere. Chabert brings genuine vulnerability to Liv’s internal conflict, showing how torn she is between her polished professional world and the imperfect charm of small-town life. Her performance, as always, is grounded and heartfelt, making even the most formulaic moments feel earned. Wes Brown’s portrayal of Duke complements her perfectly — he’s charming without being smug, warm without being corny, and his chemistry with Chabert remains believable and engaging throughout. Together, they create a dynamic that feels both romantic and rooted in mutual respect, something that elevates the movie above standard seasonal fluff.
Technically, “Haul Out the Halloween” shines in its production design and cinematography. The warm, autumnal tones blend beautifully with the lingering wintry palette of the town, creating a visual fusion that underscores the film’s theme of harmony between opposites. The musical score is another highlight — soft guitar melodies mixed with playful Halloween tunes, perfectly balancing coziness with whimsy. Director Maclain Nelson maintains a steady rhythm throughout the film, ensuring that no scene lingers too long and that the tone remains consistently light and inviting. The pacing is brisk but never rushed, allowing enough time for emotional beats to land while keeping the comedic energy alive. The supporting cast adds texture to the story — from the eccentric mayor who dreams of turning Evergreen Falls into a “holiday destination capital,” to the friendly baker who experiments with pumpkin-flavored candy canes. These small-town characters, though archetypal, bring warmth and humor to the narrative.
What makes the movie particularly endearing is its underlying message about balance and acceptance. It subtly argues that joy doesn’t belong to one holiday or season — it’s about finding reasons to celebrate life in all its forms. Through Liv’s transformation, we see how clinging to control can often rob us of spontaneous happiness. Halloween, in its chaotic and creative energy, becomes a metaphor for embracing uncertainty and rediscovering fun. The movie also carries a gentle commentary on tradition versus innovation. While Christmas represents comfort and familiarity, Halloween in this film stands for creativity, individuality, and the courage to try something new. By the end, Liv learns to merge the two, creating a “Hallowmas Festival” that celebrates the best of both worlds — glowing jack-o’-lanterns beside twinkling fairy lights, apple cider served with peppermint sticks, and costumes inspired by Santa’s elves as much as vampires. This blending of festive identities becomes a symbol of unity in the town, and by extension, among the people watching.
In its final act, the film delivers the expected emotional payoff but does so with sincerity that keeps it from feeling manipulative. The Halloween festival goes off with only minor hiccups, and Liv gives a heartfelt speech about community, joy, and learning to see beauty in imperfection. The final romantic moment, when Duke surprises her with a snow-globe pumpkin ornament symbolizing the harmony of both holidays, is undeniably cheesy but also satisfying in the way these seasonal movies are meant to be. The closing sequence — snowflakes gently falling on jack-o’-lanterns while children in costumes run through the town square — encapsulates the movie’s central charm: that two seemingly opposite worlds can coexist beautifully when guided by love, laughter, and open hearts.
“Haul Out the Halloween” may not reinvent the genre, but it reinvigorates it with creativity and seasonal flair. It’s a film that understands its audience — people looking for warmth, humor, and a touch of holiday magic — and delivers precisely that without condescension or irony. Its success lies in how it embraces both holidays fully, without making one feel lesser. The writing is clever enough to poke fun at the clichés of both Halloween and Christmas films while still indulging in them lovingly. The chemistry between Chabert and Brown remains the beating heart of the story, and their performances ensure that even the most predictable moments resonate emotionally. Ultimately, this is a movie about finding the courage to change traditions, to let go of rigid expectations, and to find joy in the unexpected. It’s festive, cozy, and full of charm — the kind of feel-good movie that brings a smile to your face long after the credits roll. Whether you’re a pumpkin spice lover or a peppermint latte devotee, “Haul Out the Halloween” reminds you that there’s room for both in the same cup — and that, perhaps, is its sweetest treat of all.
