Streaming Netflix
Netflix
ByBrian Boone/
There's no shortage of Christmas movies commissioned by Netflix for its million of subscribers. In the last few years, the service has offered well-received hits like "Let It Snow," "The Christmas Chronicles," "Jingle Jangle," "The Christmas Switch," "Klaus," and — of course — 2017's "A Christmas Prince." That royal rom-com revolves around an American journalist named Amber (Rose McIver) who goes to the fictional country of Aldovia and gets herself entwined in the lives of the local monarchs. During her visit, she gradually falls in love with Prince Richard (Ben Lamb), a very eligible bachelor and heir to the Aldovian throne.
The film's yuletide success led to two sequels, "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" and "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby." Both sequels track the storybook developments in Amber and Richard's relationship, including a wedding and a birth — all occurring at Christmas, of course. Fans of holiday movies in general and this series in particular may be curious to know if and when Netflix would release a fourth entry in the franchise, so here's what we've heard about whether or not we'll ever see "A Christmas Prince 4."
Why hasn't A Christmas Prince 4 happened yet?
Netflix
Although it annually unveils a slew of original holiday movies, Netflix hasn't announced plans to make "A Christmas Prince 4." Considering how the streaming giant knocked out the three existing movies in consecutive years — 2017, 2018, and 2019 — it probably would have produced a fourth film and released it by now if it wanted one. The heat is off, the hype has died down, and several years have passed.
Besides, the stars are busy — Rose McIver with the hit CBS sitcom "Ghosts" and Ben Lamb with "The Gilded Age."And it's worth noting that each successive film in the franchise was received worse than its predecessor. "A Christmas Prince" compiledcritical and audience scores of 73% and 48% , respectively, on Rotten Tomatoes, while "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" dropped to50% and 37%and"A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby" cratered at36% and 38%.
Plus, a fourth entry in the "Christmas Prince" story would be unusual, if only because Netflix rarely expands a franchise beyond a trilogy format, especially when it comes to its romantic comedy franchises. For example, "To All The Boys I've Loved Before," "The Kissing Booth," and "The Princess Switch" all ended at three movies each. In other words,it's unlikely the streamer would break that format with "A Christmas Prince 4."
What the cast has said about A Christmas Prince 4
Netflix
Nobody — not Netflix, not the creative team behind the first three movies, and none of the major cast members — has signed on to make another film under the "Christmas Prince" banner. But that hasn't prevented lead actor Rose McIver from publicly lobbying for it to happen. In 2022, more than two years after the debut of "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby," she updated the world on the progress of a speculative movie number four and let everyone know that she would jump at the chance to return to Aldovia.
"'A Christmas Second Royal Baby!'" McIver jokingly suggested to Varietywhen asked what a fourth film could be called. The actress then went on to say,"I'm still knocking on their door. I'm like, 'Guys, I'm ready. I want to go back.' I love that group of people. When I worked with them, we had really special times together. I loved Romania, where we filmed. I'm always down to keep that story going. I think it's one of the funniest franchises I could ever be part of, and I had such a good time making it." McIver went on to add that "maybe down the line," we could see another tale of romance, royalty, and Christmas cheer, although she couldn't promise a fourth installment.
What could be explored in A Christmas Prince 4?
Netflix
Over the course of three movies, the "Christmas Prince" series told a fairly complete story of a young couple in love. There's no obvious place for franchise writers Nate Atkins and Karen Schaler to take the characters next, as they've already covered all the major and relatable milestones in the relationship of Prince (then King) Richard and journalist turned royal Queen Amber. "A Christmas Prince" covered their meet-cute, "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" focused on their nuptials," and "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby" highlighted the birth of their first child.
However, star Rose McIver has a seed of an idea for a new and much more dramatic approach to the ongoing saga of "A Christmas Prince." "I think 'The Royal Couple's Counseling' would be a good installment for next year," McIver told TheWrap in 2019. "Now that they're dealing with real life, real married life, I think that would be quite funny. I mean, they'd get through, obviously."
Speaking with Vulture that same year, McIver doubled down on the concept, saying she'd love to tell "a positive story about how we're able to overcome a slump in a marriage by asking for help." However, she then went on to give a story suggestion that has a better chance of happening, saying the movie should instead focus on a completely different character. "What's more likely," McIver said, "is something about [Honor Kneafsey's] Princess Emily and how she's coming of age. Should viewers demand it, there's a lot of different ways the film could go."
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