Megan Henry Herzlinger

Megan Henry Herzlinger has carved out a pretty recognizable spot for herself in the world of feel-good holiday movies. I mean, you look at her credits—Christmas at Plumhill Manor, Twinkle All the Way, A Christmas Dance Reunion—and you instantly know what kind of vibe you’re in for. She’s got a knack for stories that wrap you up like a cozy blanket: snow falling, a little bit of romantic tension, some family drama, all sprinkled with the kind of holiday magic that makes you want to dig out the ugly sweaters and hot chocolate. Christmas at Plumhill Manor (2024) leans hard into those classic holiday tropes, but Megan knows how to give it her own spin. There’s always a central character, usually someone who’s a little lost or grumpy about the holidays, and by the end, they’re basically a human candy cane—sweet, warm, and maybe even a little sticky with sentimentality. Her movies don’t shy away from the cheesiness, either. She embraces it. You can almost bet there’s going to be a last-minute dash through a snowstorm, a misunderstanding that gets cleared up during a big, glitzy event, and a heartfelt speech that’ll have you reaching for the tissues (or rolling your eyes, depending on your mood). But honestly, that’s what makes her films work. Megan Henry Herzlinger isn’t reinventing the wheel, but she knows exactly how to steer it so you end up feeling like maybe, just maybe, holiday miracles aren’t just for the movies.