A Charm City Christmas: Local star brings next big holiday movie to Baltimore in ‘The Baltimorons’

In December 2023, Michael Strassner drove past M&T Bank Stadium as the sun began to rise. 

“This is my dream. This is all I’ve ever wanted,” he said, leaving the set of his new movie. 

“The Baltimorons” follows a newly sober man’s romance story after getting emergency dental surgery on Christmas Eve. It’s based — and shot — entirely in Baltimore, where Strassner grew up.

The movie premieres in New York on Sept. 5, followed by a special screening in Baltimore on Sept. 10 at the Senator Theater. Two days later, it opens in theatres nationwide. 

Strassner co-stars with Liz Larsen. He also co-wrote the script with Jay Duplass. The crew shot the entire movie with just a $45 street permit, and friends and family played 45 to 50 small roles.

“That’s what I love about my city,” Strassner said. “I’ve been an actor out here for 13 years in LA, and if I try to do this out here, it just doesn’t work…. It will be millions and millions of dollars. And Baltimore just opens up their hearts.”

From Hampden to Federal Hill, Strassner showcases Charm City. As a big Baltimore Ravens and Orioles fan, he included a scene at Christmas dinner where the Ravens play the Pittsburgh Steelers. He even shot a scene at his old high school biology teacher’s dentist’s office. 

Strassner shot one of his favorite scenes at the Key Bridge, only months before it tragically collapsed. 

“That shot is so important to me because that’s our history,” he said. “We have a little tribute at the end just to the people that were lost during that fall.”

Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko called “The Baltimorons” “the feel-good movie of 2025” and said the movie travels “all over Baltimore, from quiet residential streets to sketchy parking lots, bustling holiday parties, and a spot offering a serene view of the water.”

It made its debut earlier this year at the South By Southwest (SXSW) Film and TV Festival, earning rave reviews. 

The Independent Film Company and Saban Films bought the movie. Strassner told Baltimore Fishbowl he expects it to hit a streaming platform by Christmas, but couldn’t say which one.

“Independent movies don’t go to theaters anymore,” he said. “We made a movie with no stars, it’s going to theaters. And that’s crazy.”

Strassner grew up in Baltimore, attending Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School and Loyola Blakefield. After graduating from the University of Maryland in 2011, he moved west to Los Angeles. 

He then did several years of improv comedy at The Groundlings, which led to an opportunity to audition for Saturday Night Live. Strassner didn’t get cast after a back-and-forth audition, but that didn’t stop him.

“Just kept on going at it. There’s so many failures that happen,” he said. 

Duplass, who directed the movie, saw Strassner’s comedic videos and followed him on Instagram in 2021. Six months after sending a direct message for a separate short film, Duplass finally responded to Strassner. Eventually, Duplass invited him over to his house and helped him with script writing.

“To take time out of his day to help somebody that he doesn’t know, it’s just like you don’t see that in Hollywood,” Strassner said. 

Duplass called him in April 2023, asking him if he wanted to make a movie about his life. It was an automatic yes from Strassner. Nine months later, the two were shooting “The Baltimorons.”

As for the title, Strassner said, “the real reason why it’s called ‘Baltimorons,’ well, there’s a reason why, in the middle of the movie that you’ll find out. This guy’s a former sketch and improv guy who’s just … six months sober.”

He hopes “The Baltimorons” becomes a Christmas tradition, similar to “Home Alone.” 

“It really is a solid comedy, a solid drama. It’s got everything,” he said. “We made this little Christmas miracle.”