It’s that time of the year when everyone is looking to watch their favorite holiday movies. Christmas might be on December 25 but the entire month of December is used for watching films centered on the holiday season. There are plenty of places to find these movies, yet Netflix might be the best option.
The world’s most popular streaming platform is home to so many Christmas movies that it can be hard to narrow down your choices. Some are Netflix original films that focus on the yuletide season, others are unique holiday projects, and some were big Netflix hits. Their selection is mostly modern, yet all are worth watching.
Love Hard (2021)
If there’s one thing there’s an abundance of for the holiday season, it’s romantic comedy movies. Netflix has dipped its toe into the genre several times and one of the more underrated takes on the concept came with 2021’s Love Hard, a title that is meant to combine Christmas classics Love Actually and Die Hard.
The film follows a young woman who travels from California to New York to meet her online crush over Christmas break, only to learn that she was actually being catfished. While there, she fakes a relationship with the guy for his family while also trying to meet the person from the profile photos, who also lives in the town.
The premise lends itself to some wacky antics and that’s what makes the film work. It also helps that Nina Dobrev is incredibly charming in the lead role, while Jimmy O. Yang and Darren Barnet are solid supporting cast members. Reviews were mixed but the movie is just a good time.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Along with romantic comedies, another genre that lends itself perfectly to the Christmas season is fantasy. Netflix made sure to release some quality films in that area as well, doing so with 2020’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.
The touching movie centers on an eccentric toymaker, his curious granddaughter, and the magical invention that can bring toys to life. It’s just the kind of whimsical tale that works for a Christmas movie and that’s a big reason why the movie was such a critical success, holding an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey also scored huge at the NAACP Image Awards, with a whopping 10 nominations. Forest Whitaker, Madalen Mills, Keegan-Michael Key, and more make up a talented ensemble cast. Check this movie out if you’re looking for a wholesome family adventure.
The Princess Switch (2018)
Not many Christmas movies become entire franchises but The Princess Switch pulled that rare feat off. The first film arrived in 2018 and is inspired by the 1881 novel The Prince and the Pauper, focusing on two identical people who run into each other and switch places in each other’s lives.
The Princess Switch follows a baker named Stacy who travels to the Kingdom of Belgravia for a baking competition, only to stumble upon Lady Margaret Delacourt, Duchess of Montenaro, who is her identical twin. The swap allows Stacy to experience the high life while Margaret gets an ordinary life.
Reviews for The Princess Switch were solid, with Vanessa Hudgens’ dual performance being the highlight. A fun sequel was released in 2020 that adds a third Hudgens character, while the third entry became a heist film. All three are ideal for a mini Christmas marathon.
Single All The Way (2021)
Single All the Way was something of a big deal when it was announced. The film marked Netflix’s first original gay holiday movie and it performed well for the platform, ranking in their top 10 during its debut week in 2021. The plot itself isn’t anything groundbreaking but it’s still a good time.
The movie tells the story of Peter (Michael Urie) as he convinces his friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to pose as his boyfriend when he goes home for Christmas, only to find out that his mother has set him up with a blind date. Classic shenanigans go down like in the best holiday rom-coms.
Single All the Way was well-received by critics upon release. Although the fact that it plays into common tropes wasn’t great, it manages to do so with charm, while the chemistry between the main characters takes it over the top.
Jingle Bell Heist (2025)
The latest Christmas offering from Netflix blends the romantic comedy genre with a heist film. On paper, it’s something that works incredibly well and in execution, it’s also great because of the people involved.
Jingle Bell Heist follows Sophia (Olivia Holt), who struggles with balancing her jobs and caring for her sick mother, and Nick (Connor Swindells), a convict, as they join forces to rob the owner of a jewelry store. While the setup might not sound exciting, the end result is.
Holt and Swindells have great chemistry whenever they share the screen and it takes what could be mundane scenes and makes them engaging. The actual heist itself is also fun, while there’s just enough heart in the plot for it to really work. Early reviews for the holiday film have been positive.
Let It Snow (2019)
Another holiday romantic comedy, Let It Snow changes the formula up a bit. Instead of focusing on two core characters who are falling for each other, the film follows an ensemble group of teenagers and their varying, intertwining relationships on one particular Christmas Eve in Illinois.
Let It Snow is adapted from the young adult novel of the same name. From a Christmas party getting thrown at a diner to a chance encounter with a pop star to a classic case of someone having feelings for their closest friend and struggling to tell them, the movie has a bit of everything.
Along with the 85% rating the film holds on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s worth checking out for the stellar young cast. Isabela Merced, Kiernan Shipka, Odeya Rush, Liv Hewson, Jacob Batalon, Shameik Moore, Mason Gooding, and more make for one of the best young ensembles anywhere.
Carry-On (2024)
The biggest hit film among these listed is Carry-On, which arrived on Netflix at the end of 2024 and proved to be a big deal. It earned the most views during its premiere week than any other movie on Netflix last year and is a great holiday action film in the same vein as Die Hard.
Carry-On takes place at LAX airport on Christmas Eve as a TSA officer receives an earbud which is from a terrorist who blackmails him into allowing a dangerous nerve agent onto a flight that will carry 250 passengers. That sets the stage for an intense film that never stops for its two-hour runtime.
Along with being wildly popular upon release, Carry-On was a success with critics and star Taron Egerton was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Super Film for his performance. Jason Bateman as the villain is also great to see since it’s not the kind of role he’s known for.
Holidate (2020)
Christmas is at the focal point of more movies than any other holiday and only Halloween is even somewhat close. That’s actually what makes Holidate so special because along with being a Christmas film, it covers so many other holidays that it can be viewed throughout the year.
The premise of Holidate centers on two people who are tired of feeling pressured to be in relationships during the holidays, so they agree to be each other’s plus-ones to every holiday gathering. Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey are electric together, with their chemistry brimming over in every scene.
The antics that take place during Holidate are timeless rom-com fare. From an unfortunate problem with taking too many laxatives to awkward conversations with family members to running into their exes, Holidate is a blast.
A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter (2024)
Now for something completely different. While the rest of this list features traditional feature films, A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter is more of a variety special starring the incredibly popular artist and allowing her to showcase the comedic chops that set her apart from her peers.
A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter is packed with special guest stars, including Quinta Brunson, Shania Twain, Cara Delevingne, and Chappell Roan, among others. The cherry on top is Lord of the Rings and Stranger Things star Sean Astin as Santa Claus.
Given Carpenter’s popularity, it makes sense that the special was watched more than 2 million times in two days and was in the platform’s top 10 for its debut week. If you’re a fan of Sabrina Carpenter, this is a must-see special.
Klaus (2019)
Not only is 2019’s Klaus a great Christmas movie, but it’s also one of Netflix’s most underrated films. The animated movie might not sound like a holiday project on the surface but Klaus is actually something or an origin story for Santa Claus.
The film centers on a young, privileged mailman who is tasked with establishing a post office in a town of unfriendly people, or be cut off from his family’s fortune. While there, he befriends a reclusive toymaker and the two form an unlikely bond as they deliver presents to children.
Like many Christmas movies, there’s a lot of heart here, yet this stands out for its beautiful animated style and incredible voice cast led by Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, and Rashida Jones. Klaus won seven Annie Awards and was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars.
Source link
