A World Record Christmas is a 2023 Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original, part of the network’s Miracles of Christmas lineup. It stars Nikki DeLoach and Lucas Bryant as parents who rally behind their son’s dream of breaking a real Guinness World Record — and its lead child actor, Aias Dalman, is autistic in real life, giving the film’s autism representation an authentic anchor.
Quick Facts
| Title | A World Record Christmas |
| Release Date | November 16, 2023 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) |
| Director | Jason Bourque |
| Writer | Mark Hefti (story by Hefti & Antonio Cupo) |
| Composers | Jordan Klassen & Taylor Swindells |
| Genre | Holiday, Drama, Romance |
| Where to Watch | Hallmark+ / Hallmark Movies Now |
| Runtime | Approximately 84 minutes |
Plot & True Story
Charlie (Aias Dalman) is a boy with autism determined to set a Guinness World Record by stacking 1,400 Jenga blocks. His mother Marissa (Nikki DeLoach) and stepfather Eric (Lucas Bryant) encourage him to chase the dream, and the family celebrates when Charlie learns he’ll get his shot on Christmas Eve. Along the way, Charlie organizes a town fundraiser where neighbors decorate and donate Jenga blocks, with proceeds benefiting kids with autism — a journey that teaches the whole family what family really means.
The film is inspired by a real feat: in April 2021, then-12-year-old Auldin Maxwell, who is on the autism spectrum, set a genuine Guinness World Record by balancing 1,400 Jenga blocks on top of a single block.
Full Cast
Note: this actor’s name has been rendered inconsistently across the web as “Ice Dallman” and “Aias Dalman.” The correct spelling, confirmed via Hallmark’s own site and the actor’s IMDb page, is Aias Dalman.
- Nikki DeLoach as Marissa Parsons
- Lucas Bryant as Eric Parsons
- Aias Dalman as Charlie Parsons
- April Telek as Jane
- Daphne Hoskins as Amy
- Matt Hamilton as Peter
- Alison Wandzura as Ophelia Bennett
Who Composed A World Record Christmas?
Earlier versions of this page had no composer credit at all. Film database TMDB and Letterboxd credit the score to Jordan Klassen and Taylor Swindells. Klassen is a real, actively recording Vancouver-based singer-songwriter and producer, which fits — the film was shot in Canada by Vancouver’s Province Pictures. We could not find a wider public biography for either composer specific to this project, so we’re not inventing one; the credit itself is corroborated by industry film-database sourcing.
Soundtrack
The one song previously sourced for this film is Alessia Cara’s “Make It to Christmas,” which is a real single, released November 8, 2019. We independently confirmed the song and its release date, but could not independently confirm its placement in this specific film through a dedicated film-cue database like Tunefind — so treat that credit as likely but not fully verified. The film’s licensed songs don’t appear to be comprehensively catalogued publicly yet. You can search for music from the film on Spotify and Apple Music.
Reception & Where to Watch
A World Record Christmas was warmly received, earning an 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a well-above-average 3.24/5 rating on Letterboxd — strong numbers for a Hallmark original. Critics singled out its autism representation; Decider called it “a smart family film that’s as delightful as it is dramatic,” and Lady Geeks Media gave it a straight “A” grade. The film streams on Hallmark+ and aired on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Charlie in A World Record Christmas?
Charlie is played by Aias Dalman, a young autistic actor — the correct spelling of his name, despite it appearing elsewhere as “Ice Dallman.”
Is A World Record Christmas based on a true story?
Yes. It’s inspired by Auldin Maxwell, a 12-year-old on the autism spectrum who set a real Guinness World Record in April 2021 by balancing 1,400 Jenga blocks.
Who composed the music for A World Record Christmas?
Film databases credit Jordan Klassen and Taylor Swindells as composers.
Who directed the film?
Jason Bourque directed, from a script by Mark Hefti.
Where can I watch A World Record Christmas?
It’s available to stream on Hallmark+ and airs periodically on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
Related reading: Movie Soundtracks | Streaming Hub