Things are different this year. Traveling is risky, gatherings are precarious, and that’s on top of normal holiday stress. But there’s a sliver of cheer—Christmas movies on Netflix. Admittedly, streaming upbeat holiday movies isn’t going to provide real solutions for pandemic stress, but there’s a lot to be said for small moments and rituals that bring us joy.
So if sappy, sweet, and funny Christmas movies ignite your holiday spirit, you’ll find 12 new Netflix movies handpicked for you below. I focused on movies that were released this year (except for one), and while there’s something here for the entire family, this is a rom-com heavy list that will hopefully leave you swooning. This roundup is by no means exhaustive—there are tons of classic Christmas movies on Netflix (like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and White Christmas, for instance)—but if you watch a few, the Netflix algorithm will feed you more holiday movies than you can imagine.
1. Christmas on the Square
A seemingly heartless businesswoman (Christine Baranski) sets out to sell land, displacing residents in the process, but an angel (Dolly Parton) is charged with softening this woman’s heart. Hollywood heavyweights like Debbie Allen and Jennifer Lewis round out the cast, and you get 14 new Dolly Parton songs, y’all. Available now.
2. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) is a wildly creative toymaker who loses his magic when his nefarious apprentice (Keegan-Michael Key) steals his invention. It might seem like all hope is lost, but Jangle’s granddaughter (Madalen Mills) waltzes in to help him regain his invention—and his spirit. Available now.
3. The Princess Switch: Switched Again
If you’ve seen the first Princess Switch, you already know Margaret Delacourt and Stacy DeNovo (both played by Vanessa Hudgens) switch lives upon meeting each other. These two are old pals now, and the sequel follows a similar premise. But in Montenaro, where Delacourt will inherit the throne, there’s a third lookalike (also played by Hudgens) who is planning to cause major trouble. Available now.
4. Holidate
Holidate is about two singles, Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey), who decide (a few days after Christmas) that they should commit to being each other’s “holidates.” Why? To avoid the societal and familial pressures that single people face on special occasions. They keep this going throughout the year (think Easter and St. Patrick’s Day), but is this sustainable? You have to watch to find out. Available now.
5. Holiday Rush
Rashon “Rush” Williams (Romany Malco) is a popular hip-hop radio host who loses his job when a media conglomerate buys the station. As a result, the widow and his four children have to leave their luxurious life and move in with his Aunt Jo (Darlene Love). Back in his old neighborhood, he and his producer Roxy Richardson (Sonequa Martin-Green) buy the old radio station where they got their start. Returning to your roots? Friends becoming lovers? Your favorite rom-com tropes are all right here. Available now.
6. Dash and Lily
This is less of a movie and more of an eight-episode mini-series, but it’s too cute not to include. Dash (Austin Abrams) and Lily (Midori Francis) are two 17-year-olds living in New York City. Lily, wandering around a few days before Christmas (and craving an epic romance), leaves a “book of dares” for a stranger in a bookstore to uncover. Dash, who hates Christmas, finds the book—and, well, you should watch to see how this romantic adventure unfolds. Available now.
7. Operation Christmas Drop
Erica (Kat Graham) is a political aide who uncovers a potential scandal on a military base. When she cancels Christmas with her family to go find more evidence, she meets “big-hearted Air Force pilot” Captain Andrew Jantz (played by Alexander Ludwig). Will Erica shut down the base? Will Captain Andrew Jantz love her anyway? Maybe there’s a heartwarming Christmas plot twist on the horizon. Available now.
8. A New York Christmas Wedding
Jennifer (Nia Fairweather) is getting ready to marry David (Otoja Abit), but as the groom’s mother gets more overbearing, Jennifer finds herself with serious questions about the upcoming nuptials. Enter: An angel who takes Jennifer on a journey to see what would’ve happened if she had stayed with her first love, Gabrielle (Adriana DeMeo). Available now.
9. Midnight at the Magnolia
Two radio hosts, Maggie Quinn and Jack Hall (played by Natalie Hall and Evan Williams, respectively), decide to create a fake holiday romance to make their radio show more popular. The ratings boost is a win, but while pretending to have chemistry, will real sparks begin to fly? Available now.
10. Christmas Crossfire
We’re not here to debate whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie, but if you think it is, then Christmas Crossfire is probably your holiday watch. The premise: Samuel (Kostja Ullmann) goes on an impromptu trip with a woman he just met (Alli Neumann) and accidentally witnesses a murder attempt. Naturally, he ends up in the crosshairs of a crew of killers. Release date: December 4
11. Angela’s Christmas Wish
Angela’s Christmas Wish looks like an animated movie that is going to make everyone cry. Angela’s father (affectionately known as Da) is away in Australia for work. Angela and her brother realize it’s hard on the entire family—they miss him, and Ma is alone. So they make a “heartfelt wish” to bring him home. During a holiday season when many of us won’t see our loved ones, this children’s movie might hit you differently. Release date: December 1
12. The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two
If you love Kate Pierce (Darby Camp) and Santa Claus (played by Kurt Russell) in The Christmas Chronicles, you’ll enjoy this big-budget romp through the North Pole. Pierce, now a teenager, is annoyed by her mother’s new relationship, and she finds herself in the North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Claus (played by Goldie Hawn), where she has to save Christmas again (of course). Release date: November 25
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