Starring YouTube star Jesse the Jack Russell Terrier — who would go on to be in two sequel, A Doggone Hollywood and A Doggone Adventure — this is the holiday story of Murphy, a telepathic dog that has been taken by the CIA. Yes, the government is ready to liquidate these children in order to get back their secret weapon, a small dog who is so cute when he’s sleeping.

Now, you may ask, Sam, why did you choose this movie for your Christmas challenge?

Two words: Jim Wynorski.

Even with the assignment of make a cute dog movie for the holidays, Jim goes above and beyond and casts Dominique Swain — yes, Lolita — as a researcher, Gail Thackray (Hard to Die) as a woman on a train and Lauren Parkinson (Snow White from Avengers Grimm: Time Wars and you know I watched the fuck out of that, Merry Christmas) as an agent dressed in skintight leather for the entire movie.

Wynorski understands the idea of something for daddy.

This is the man that made Chopping Mall and here he is, still working, making films for kids to be babysat by via streaming services while they’re on Christmas break. He just made Murderbot last year, so he’s still out there. During the most merry time of the year, let him into your home. If it’s cold outside for you, it’s cold outside for Jim Wynorski.

You can watch this on Tubi.