Movies by Jake Van Wagoner

Jake Van Wagoner is a filmmaker who has carved out a unique niche in the realm of quirky, heartwarming holiday comedies. With a knack for blending fantastical elements with relatable family dynamics, Van Wagoner's work offers audiences a fresh and delightfully offbeat perspective on the yuletide season. Emerging onto the scene in 2017 with his debut feature, "Christmas Time," Van Wagoner immediately demonstrated a talent for crafting stories that are both whimsical and emotionally resonant. His 2023 release, "Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out," showcased his ability to seamlessly incorporate sci-fi tropes into a coming-of-age tale, resulting in a critically acclaimed film that has since become a cult favorite among genre fans. Van Wagoner's more recent holiday offerings, "Deck the Walls" (2024) and "Christmas on Duty" (2025), have further cemented his reputation as a director who can consistently deliver laugh-out-loud moments while also exploring the deeper themes of family, community, and the power of human connection. What sets Van Wagoner's filmmaking apart is his unique visual style, which often features vibrant color palettes, quirky production design, and a playful use of practical effects. His characters, too, are richly drawn and imbued with a sense of authenticity, even when placed in the most fantastical of circumstances. With a growing body of work that showcases his versatility and his unwavering commitment to crafting films that are both entertaining and emotionally resonant, Jake Van Wagoner has firmly established himself as one of the most exciting and distinctive voices in contemporary holiday cinema.