Dolly Parton
Angel
Overview
A rich and nasty woman returns to her hometown to evict everyone but discovers the true meaning of Christmas thanks to the local townsfolk – and an actual angel. Features 14 original songs with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton!
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readA Small-Town Christmas, Big on Heart (and Sequins)
I’ll admit it: I went into Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square expecting a Hallmark movie with better wigs. What I got instead was something weirder, sweeter, and far more interesting—a holiday musical that feels like it was beamed in from 1985, complete with a plot that could’ve been scribbled on a napkin during a particularly festive margarita night. And yet, there’s something undeniably charming about the way it commits to its own ridiculousness.
This isn’t a film that asks for your respect. It asks for your joy.
Directed by Debbie Allen—whose resume (Fame, Grey’s Anatomy) suggests she knows a thing or two about making people move, both emotionally and physically—Christmas on the Square is a small-town fable about redemption, community, and the transformative power of a well-placed jazz hand. The story is pure holiday cheese: Regina Fuller (Christine Baranski, chewing scenery with the relish of someone who knows she’s in a Dolly Parton joint), a wealthy real estate mogul, returns to her hometown with plans to evict everyone and turn the town square into a shopping mall.
Cue the angel (Dolly herself, because of course), who descends to remind Regina—and the audience—that Christmas isn’t about profit margins. It’s about people. And also, apparently, about breaking into song at the drop of a Santa hat.
The film’s greatest strength is its unapologetic embrace of musical theater tropes. This isn’t a movie that tries to hide its seams; it flaunts them. The songs, all 14 of them written by Parton, are a mix of gospel, country, and Broadway-style belters, and they arrive with the subtlety of a sleigh bell in a snowstorm.
One minute, the townsfolk are lamenting their impending eviction in a rousing ensemble number; the next, they’re tap-dancing in the street like they’ve been possessed by the spirit of Bob Fosse. The choreography is energetic, if not always precise, and Allen’s direction leans into the chaos. There’s a moment where the entire town breaks into a gospel number in a church, and the camera lingers on the sheer joy of it—the way the music lifts the actors (and, presumably, the audience) out of the mundane and into something bigger.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
Audience 6.5/10
"A festive but uneven musical holiday film with charm and catchy songs, though lacking depth in storytelling."
Viewers appreciate the cheerful holiday spirit and Dolly Parton’s musical contributions, which add a lively and nostalgic touch. However, the plot is often seen as predictable and thin, with some characters feeling underdeveloped, latestnetflix.com contends, leaving the film feeling more like a lighthearted diversion than a memorable holiday classic.
What viewers praise
- Catchy musical numbers Dolly Parton’s songs are a standout, bringing energy and a festive atmosphere that many find enjoyable.
- Holiday charm The film’s cheerful and warm holiday vibe resonates well with audiences looking for lighthearted seasonal entertainment.
- Dolly Parton’s presence Parton’s charisma and star power add a nostalgic and comforting element to the movie.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows familiar holiday movie tropes without adding much originality or depth.
- Underdeveloped characters Some characters feel one-dimensional, lacking the depth needed to fully engage viewers.
- Uneven pacing The film struggles with pacing, with some scenes feeling rushed or dragging unnecessarily.
Recommended for
Holiday movie lovers Dolly Parton fans Musical comedy enthusiasts Lighthearted entertainment seekers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsDolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square: A Star-Studded Holiday Musical with Heart and Humor
Dolly Parton’s 2020 Netflix holiday musical Christmas on the Square brought festive cheer—and a few surprises—to screens during a year that desperately needed it. Directed by Debbie Allen (Fame, Grey’s Anatomy), the film blended Parton’s signature charm with a star-studded cast, including Christine Baranski (The Good Wife), Treat Williams (Everwood), and Jenifer Lewis (Black-ish). But beyond the glittering musical numbers and heartwarming plot, latestnetflix.com maintains, the movie carried a few behind-the-scenes stories worth noting.
A Musical with a Message: LGBTQ+ Representation and Dolly’s Angel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dAbKq0OzZk
One of the most talked-about aspects of Christmas on the Square was its LGBTQ+ representation. The film featured a gay angel (played by Josh Segarra), a character that Parton and Baranski openly celebrated in interviews. In a behind-the-scenes chat , the two stars discussed how the angel’s storyline added a layer of inclusivity to the holiday tale. Parton, known for her advocacy, called the character a "joyful" addition, while Baranski praised the film’s modern take on Christmas themes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5anWrBFPmY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ngZFwoRCeQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcgJwch5DnM
The angel’s role wasn’t just a passing detail—it became a focal point in promotional material, including the official Netflix trailer . The film’s embrace of LGBTQ+ themes was a rare move for a holiday musical, especially one fronted by a country icon like Parton. It also sparked reactions from fans and critics, including drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya, who reacted to the movie in a playful I Like to Watch segment .
Behind the Scenes: Dolly’s Vision and the Cast’s Chemistry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHvz429oVaA
Parton didn’t just star in Christmas on the Square—she wrote the music and co-produced the film, ensuring her signature touch was woven into every scene. In a behind-the-scenes featurette , the cast gushed about working with the country legend, with Baranski calling Parton a "force of nature." Treat Williams, who played the town’s skeptical mayor, praised the film’s blend of humor and heart, while Jenifer Lewis brought her usual comedic flair to the role of a sassy angel.
The film’s 98-minute runtime 
packed in plenty of musical numbers, from upbeat dance sequences to soulful ballads. Parton’s original songs, including the title track, were designed to evoke classic holiday musicals like White Christmas and The Sound of Music. The result? A film that felt both nostalgic and fresh, with a cast that clearly enjoyed bringing the story to life.
Mixed Reactions: Critics and Fans Weigh In
Despite its star power and feel-good themes, Christmas on the Square received mixed reviews. On SensCritique, the film earned a modest 3.6/10 rating from 61 voters , with some critics calling it "cheesy" or "over-the-top." Others, however, appreciated its campy charm and Parton’s undeniable charisma.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4FOW4LKSvk
Netflix’s trailer and promotional interviews leaned into the film’s joyful, unapologetic tone. Parton herself described it as a movie that "brings joy just when we need it most" , a sentiment that resonated with audiences looking for lighthearted holiday entertainment. Whether it became a new classic or a guilty pleasure, the film’s blend of music, humor, and inclusivity made it stand out in Netflix’s holiday lineup.
The Verdict: A Festive, Flawed, but Fun Holiday Treat
Christmas on the Square may not have been a critical darling, but it delivered exactly what Parton and director Debbie Allen set out to create: a feel-good musical with heart, humor, and a few surprises. From its LGBTQ+ representation to its star-studded cast, the film offered a fresh take on holiday cheer—one that fans of Dolly Parton and musicals alike could appreciate.
For those who love a little camp with their Christmas, Christmas on the Square was a gift worth unwrapping.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.