Christmas at the Zoo (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Christmas at the Zoo follows an entrepreneur working to secure sponsorship for a city zoo’s new penguin habitat. As the holiday project develops, she finds herself balancing commercial responsibilities with an unexpected romance involving a compassionate zookeeper. The 2026 drama-romance runs for 86 minutes.

Christmas at the Zoo is a 2026 drama-romance centered on a city zoo, a proposed penguin habitat and the competing demands of business and personal feeling. The story brings an entrepreneur into close contact with a compassionate zookeeper during the holiday season.

Directed by Danny Buday, the English-language film has a reported runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. Its premise combines a workplace negotiation with a seasonal romantic storyline, keeping the zoo project at the heart of the narrative.

Christmas at the Zoo movie details

Story without spoilers

The film follows an entrepreneur who is brokering a sponsorship deal to help build a new penguin habitat at the city zoo. Her professional objective becomes more complicated when she falls for a zookeeper whose compassion gives the project a more personal dimension.

That setup places the central character between two priorities: advancing a business arrangement and navigating an emerging relationship. The holiday setting provides the backdrop for a story about decisions, responsibility and romance without revealing how the situation is resolved.

What to expect

Viewers can expect a seasonal drama-romance built around a practical community project rather than a purely personal relationship. The penguin habitat sponsorship supplies the business conflict, while the developing connection between the entrepreneur and zookeeper provides the romantic focus.

The supplied genre and premise suggest a blend of holiday atmosphere, professional stakes and relationship-driven storytelling. The film’s 86-minute runtime points to a concise presentation of these elements, with the zoo and its planned habitat serving as important parts of the setting.

Cast and creative team

Brittany Underwood plays Alicia Wright, the entrepreneur at the center of the story. Nora Dunn plays Carol Wright, while Matt Cohen portrays Shane Turner. The cast also includes Jeremy Warner as Dr. Nick Bradshaw, Suzanne C. Johnson as Lorraine Gordon, Tom Beyer as Dr. Len Ridgeway, Tiff Abreu as Kaylee Daniels, Arti Ishak as Dana, Jennifer Jelsema as Diane and Mark Rademacher as Jim Wright.

Danny Buday directs the film. The credited writers are John W. Bosher, Chris Charles and Adam Rockoff.

• Brittany Underwood as Alicia Wright
• Nora Dunn as Carol Wright
• Matt Cohen as Shane Turner
• Jeremy Warner as Dr. Nick Bradshaw
• Suzanne C. Johnson as Lorraine Gordon
• Tom Beyer as Dr. Len Ridgeway
• Tiff Abreu as Kaylee Daniels
• Arti Ishak as Dana
• Jennifer Jelsema as Diane
• Mark Rademacher as Jim Wright

Release and production context

Christmas at the Zoo is listed as a 2026 release, with a release date of November 10, 2026. It is classified as a drama and romance and has a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. The film is in English. Production is credited to Very Merry Entertainment, Throughline Films, Happy Dance Productions, S.B. Productions and Journeywork Entertainment.

Production companies: Very Merry Entertainment, Throughline Films, Happy Dance Productions, S.B. Productions, Journeywork Entertainment

Movies Dock view

With its combination of a zoo development project, holiday timing and an unexpected romance, Christmas at the Zoo offers a focused premise for a seasonal drama-romance. Its story is anchored by the tension between securing a sponsorship and responding to a personal connection, giving the film both a professional and emotional framework.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb