You know that feeling when you’re scrolling through endless streaming options, desperately seeking something festive that doesn’t make you want to rewatch the same classics for the hundredth time? Yeah, we get it. This year’s actually different though. The streaming platforms have delivered a genuinely fresh lineup of Christmas movies that range from absurdly charming to surprisingly heartfelt. Some lean into the ridiculous (wait until you hear about the shirtless snowman), while others bring genuine tears. We’ve watched them all so you don’t have to waste precious holiday time on duds.
Here are the 10 new Christmas films that people can’t stop talking about right now.
10. A Very Jonas Christmas Movie
Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas are back together, and they’re facing every traveler’s nightmare with a festive twist. The Jonas Brothers need to get from London to New York before Christmas, and naturally, everything that can go wrong does. Disney+ dropped this one on November 14, banking on nostalgia and the brothers’ undeniable chemistry.
The film throws escalating obstacles at the trio as they race against time to spend the holidays with their families. Think less “Home Alone” and more “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” with a boy band twist. The brothers play exaggerated versions of themselves, leaning into the comedy of their public personas while dealing with flight cancellations, missed connections, and the general chaos of holiday travel.
It’s lightweight entertainment that knows exactly what it is. The film works best when it lets the brothers riff off each other rather than forcing overly sentimental moments. For fans of the Jonas Brothers or anyone who’s ever experienced holiday travel stress, this one hits the right notes without trying too hard.​
9. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Based on Barbara Robinson’s beloved children’s book, this theatrical release surprised everyone by being genuinely good. Judy Greer stars as Grace, a woman who reluctantly takes over directing the annual church Christmas pageant when the usual organizer gets injured. Enter the Herdman kids, six siblings with a reputation for being the town’s worst-behaved children. When they show up to audition, chaos ensues. But here’s where the film gets interesting. Instead of turning into a predictable redemption story, it explores how these “bad” kids bring a raw authenticity to the nativity story that the polished, well-rehearsed performances never could.
The movie released in early November and has been quietly winning over audiences with its mix of comedy and heart. Critics have called it “the best Christmas movie in recent memory,” praising its ability to balance laughs with sincere spiritual conviction without getting preachy. Greer brings her signature warmth to a role that could’ve been one-note, and the child actors playing the Herdmans are refreshingly real. It’s become the kind of film families actually want to watch together, which is rarer than you’d think.
8. Red One
What happens when you give Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans a massive budget and tell them to make a Christmas action movie? You get “Red One,” a film that’s part “Die Hard,” part “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and entirely ridiculous. Johnson plays Callum Drift, the head of Santa’s security detail (yes, really), and when Santa Claus gets kidnapped, he has to team up with the world’s best tracker, played by Evans, to save Christmas.
The production was famously troubled, with reports of Johnson showing up late to set and the budget ballooning past 250 million dollars. But despite the behind-the-scenes chaos, the film delivers exactly what it promises: big action set pieces, Christmas mythology treated like a Marvel movie, and two charismatic leads who know how to sell absurdity with a straight face. J.K. Simmons plays Santa, bringing unexpected gravitas to a role that could’ve been a joke.
The film splits audiences right down the middle. Some find it a refreshing break from saccharine holiday fare, while others think it’s trying way too hard. But if you’re tired of predictable rom-coms and want explosions with your eggnog, this one delivers.
7. Jingle Bell Heist
Netflix released this one on November 26, and it’s proof that the streaming giant is trying to break away from its usual Christmas rom-com formula. The film mixes romance with crime, following a group of characters who plan a heist during the holiday season. Details are still emerging since it’s one of the newer releases, but early viewers appreciate the genre-mixing approach. Instead of another story about a busy executive falling for a small-town baker, “Jingle Bell Heist” offers thrills alongside the tinsel.
The cast brings energy to what could’ve been a straight-to-streaming throwaway, and the film’s willingness to embrace its pulpy premise works in its favor. It’s not trying to be “Ocean’s Eleven,” but it knows that Christmas movies don’t all have to follow the same formula. The heist elements give the plot actual stakes beyond whether two people will kiss under the mistletoe, though there’s romance woven in too.
For viewers who like their holiday entertainment with a bit more edge, this delivers without going full “Bad Santa.” The film proves you can honor the Christmas spirit while still letting characters do morally questionable things. It’s messy, fun, and different enough to stand out in a crowded streaming landscape.
6. Meet Me Next Christmas
Christina Milian stars in this Netflix rom-com that dropped November 6, kicking off the streaming platform’s Christmas movie season. The premise is pure holiday movie magic: Layla meets a charming stranger in an airport lounge during a Christmas snowstorm. They bond over their shared love of Pentatonix concerts and agree to meet at the a cappella group’s Christmas Eve show the following year if they’re both still single.
Fast forward twelve months, Layla’s been cheated on and is desperate to find a ticket to the sold-out concert. She hires a concierge service and gets paired with another handsome guy, played by former NFL player Devale Ellis. The two race across New York trying to track down a ticket while, of course, falling for each other. It’s as predictable as it sounds, but Milian brings enough charm to make the journey enjoyable.
The film leans heavily into the rom-com formula without apologizing for it. You know where it’s going from minute one, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want from a Christmas movie. The New York City setting is used well, giving the film a visual polish that elevates the standard Netflix holiday offering. Critics called it “passable” and “watchable enough given the low bar,” which sounds like damning with faint praise but honestly captures what makes it work. It’s comfort food in movie form.
5. That Christmas
Richard Curtis wrote “Love Actually,” arguably the most beloved modern Christmas film, so expectations were high when Netflix announced his return to holiday storytelling. “That Christmas,” which premiered December 4, marks Curtis’s first venture into animation and features multiple interwoven storylines based on his own trilogy of children’s books.
The film follows several families in a small town dealing with Christmas chaos, loneliness, love, and a major mistake by Santa Claus himself (voiced by Brian Cox fresh off “Succession”). Director Simon Otto, making his feature debut after working on the “How to Train Your Dragon” films, brings visual flair to Curtis’s trademark blend of humor and heart. The animation style is warm and inviting, perfect for the multiple storylines about imperfect families trying to make the holidays work.
What sets this apart from standard animated Christmas fare is Curtis’s willingness to let things get genuinely messy. The film acknowledges that Christmas doesn’t always go according to plan, that families are complicated, and that the pressure to have a perfect holiday can miss the point entirely. Critics gave it mixed reviews, but audiences have responded to its emotional honesty. It’s not trying to be “Klaus” or compete with Pixar. Instead, it’s carving out its own space as a film about accepting the beautiful chaos of the season.
4. Merry Little Mystery
Roku Channel surprised everyone by getting in the Christmas movie game with this mystery-rom-com hybrid that dropped in late November. While details are limited compared to the bigger Netflix releases, the film has been quietly building an audience on the free streaming platform.
The title suggests a cozy mystery wrapped in holiday cheer, appealing to fans of both Christmas movies and whodunits. What’s interesting here is the platform itself. Roku Channel is free with ads, making this accessible to viewers who don’t want to subscribe to yet another streaming service just for holiday content. The film leans into the “cozy mystery” aesthetic that’s become popular in recent years, offering viewers a chance to play detective while soaking in festive settings.
Early responses suggest it’s lighter on the mystery elements than hardcore fans might want, but the blend works for audiences seeking something different from standard romantic comedies. The “mystery” provides structure and intrigue that keeps the plot moving beyond typical rom-com beats. For viewers who love both Hallmark movies and Agatha Christie, this attempts to bridge that gap. It won’t replace “Knives Out” or “Love Actually” on anyone’s favorites list, but it carves out a niche for viewers who want their Christmas entertainment with a side of suspense.
3. Our Little Secret
Lindsay Lohan’s Christmas movie partnership with Netflix continues with this November 27 release that became the platform’s number one film for two consecutive weeks. Lohan plays Avery, who’s spending her first Christmas with her boyfriend’s family. Plot twist: her ex-boyfriend is also there, dating someone in the same family. The two exes decide to hide their romantic history, leading to exactly the kind of screwball comedy chaos you’d expect. What makes this work is Lohan herself. Critics have noted that these Netflix rom-coms showcase her strength as a screwball comedienne, and she’s clearly having fun with the format.
The film leans into “Meet the Parents” territory with its uncomfortable holiday dinner scenes and mounting lies that threaten to explode at any moment. Tim Meadows, Kristin Chenoweth, and Chris Parnell round out the cast, bringing comedy veteran energy to the proceedings. Director Stephen Herek keeps things moving briskly, understanding that this kind of comedy needs momentum.
The film received mixed reviews from critics but audiences didn’t care, making it a genuine hit. There’s something satisfying about watching Lohan own this space. She’s not trying to recapture “Mean Girls.” She’s built a new lane as a Netflix Christmas rom-com queen, and “Our Little Secret” proves she’s comfortable there. It’s funny, mostly family-friendly, and exactly what subscribers wanted when they clicked play.
2. Hot Frosty
This is the one everyone’s talking about. Netflix dropped “Hot Frosty” on November 13, and the internet collectively lost its mind. The premise sounds like it was created by an AI trained exclusively on Hallmark movies and romance novel covers: a widow brings a snowman to life, except this snowman is a shredded, shirtless man played by Dustin Milligan. Lacey Chabert, the reigning queen of Christmas movies, stars as Kathy, who’s been stuck in grief for two years after losing her husband.
When she wraps a magical scarf around a hunky snowman sculpture, it comes to life as Jack, who’s thrilled to experience the world with childlike innocence. The absurdity is the point. This is “Frosty the Snowman” meets “Magic Mike,” and the film knows exactly how ridiculous it is. Milligan, who played Ted on “Schitt’s Creek,” commits fully to the innocent snowman character while also being contractually obligated to remain shirtless for most of the runtime. What could’ve been just a meme actually has heart.
The film uses Jack’s naive perspective to help Kathy rediscover joy and connection after loss. The supporting cast, including Lauren Holly and Craig Robinson, treat the material with just enough sincerity to make the emotional beats land. Critics described it as “a slightly more shirtless take on a Hallmark Christmas movie,” which is perfect. The film became an instant cultural phenomenon, generating endless social media discussions about its bonkers premise. You’ll laugh, you’ll roll your eyes, and you might even tear up. It’s the most 2024 Christmas movie imaginable.
1. Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point
This is the Christmas movie nobody saw coming, and it’s the best of the bunch. Unlike everything else on this list, “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” isn’t trying to be heartwarming or romantic or even particularly festive. Instead, it’s an unflinching, authentic portrait of a chaotic family Christmas that feels more real than anything Hollywood typically produces.
The film follows one extended family gathering on Christmas Eve, capturing the beautiful mess of too many people crammed into one house with decades of history and tension between them. Director Tyler Thomas Taormina crafts something that feels closer to a Robert Altman ensemble piece than a holiday movie. The camera drifts between conversations, catching snippets of arguments, jokes, reminiscing, and the general sensory overload of a big family event. There’s no easy resolution or heartwarming speech that brings everyone together. People stay complicated, relationships remain messy, and the film trusts viewers to find meaning in the observed truth rather than manufactured sentiment.
What makes this the number one pick is precisely that it breaks the Christmas movie mold entirely. It’s not streaming on the major platforms yet, but it played in select theaters and has been building buzz as the anti-Christmas Christmas movie for people exhausted by formula. Critics and audiences who’ve seen it can’t stop talking about its authenticity. If you’re tired of perfect families learning obvious lessons, this film offers something rare: an honest look at what the holidays actually feel like for many of us. It’s funny, uncomfortable, tender, and real.
Got a favorite we didn’t mention? Drop it in the comments below!