The Christmas Quest kicks off like someone handed Indiana Jones a candy cane, a scarf, and a mission to save Christmas… in Iceland. From the first shot of frost‑bitten glaciers to Stefanie (Lacey Chabert) dodging snow‑covered traps, it’s fast, funny, and unapologetically festive. Iceland isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character, majestic and merciless, whispering, Yep, this is going to be ridiculous, and you’re going to love it.
Chabert, in her 40th Hallmark movie (no big deal, just casually the MVP of holiday TV), is perfect as archaeologist Stefanie—smart, confident, and ready to throw shade at anyone underestimating her. Opposite her is Kristoffer Polaha as her ex-husband/adventure sidekick, giving the whole thing a “we’re not over it… yet” vibe that keeps you invested. Their chemistry has just the right mix of flirtation, tension, and snarky banter—like you remember from your own post‑twenty‑something “maybe we still like each other” moments.
Plot-wise, it’s gloriously over-the-top: Stefanie and her ex are hunting the legendary Treasure of the Yule Lads, navigating cryptic clues, slippery ice caves, and Christmas decor booby traps. Think National Treasure: Christmas Edition, but with cozier sweaters, snarkier dialogue, and more cocoa breaks. Timing matters here—both for the treasure hunt and the rom-com beats—and the film leans into it with joyous confidence.
The Iceland setting is a full-on character study in snow and adventure. Glacial cliffs, quaint Nordic villages, and fire-lit cabins make the stakes feel epic while keeping the cozy factor high. The soundtrack juggles chase-scene drama and holiday cheer like a pro. And yes, it’s exactly the kind of movie where you’ll find yourself laughing at how ridiculous some peril is and still rooting for the romantic payoff—Gen X style, a little cynical, a little heart-on-sleeve, but totally into it.
Okay, let’s address the obvious: I’m way late to this Christmas party—like showing up to a Hallmark premiere in July with a half-melted candy cane. The Christmas Quest came out last year, and sure, everyone else was already sipping cocoa and talking about Stefanie and her treasure-hunting ex like it was the new Die Hard meets Elf. But honestly? Some movies are timeless, and some treasures are worth digging up even after the snow has melted. So here I am, fashionably tardy, laughing at snow-slide mishaps, swooning at eye-roll-worthy flirtation, and thinking: “Yep, this one’s still worth the hunt.”
At its core, The Christmas Quest is a perfect holiday adventure: charming, a little goofy, and surprisingly earnest. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when Hallmark meets Indiana Jones, this is your movie. You can catch it on the Hallmark Channel as part of the Countdown to Christmas lineup, or stream it on Hallmark+ the day after its premiere. Grab your cocoa, snuggle up, and enjoy a treasure hunt that proves some quests are just as much about love—and laughter—as they are about gold.
MPAA Rating: TV-G.
Runtime: 84 mins
Director: Dustin Rickert
Writer: Andrew Gernhard; Marcy Holland; Dustin Rikert
Cast: Lacey Chabert; Kristoffer Polaha; Derek Riddell
Genre: Holiday Romance
Tagline: Deck the Fjords
Memorable Movie Quote: "I'm putting together an expedition to find centuries of lost treasure"
Distributor: Hallmark Channel
Official Site:
Release Date: December 1, 2024
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: An archaeologist, her ex-husband who is a Norse language expert, search for legendary treasure in Iceland during Christmas. Others join the hunt, leading to a thrilling race to secure the treasure before the wrong people obtain it.
