With the holiday season just getting started, many of us are picking up on the beloved traditions we look forward to every year — and we'll be the first to admit that includes watching our favorite holiday movies. No matter how many times we've seen them, it's always a treat when the year's first viewing of holiday classics including Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, and A Christmas Story finally arrives.
But there's always room to add new movies to the list, and 2022 is going to deliver plenty of them. Thanks to the wealth of streaming services we now have access to, it seems like there are more new holiday movies this year than ever. Between theatrical releases, popular streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Apple TV+, and the fact that Hallmark Channel and Lifetime are known for cranking out an absurd amount of holiday cheer year after year, our viewing needs are totally met this season.
Looking for a complete guide to the best holiday movies of 2022? Here are all the flicks you're not going to want to miss while you count down the days until Santa arrives.
'Spirited'
Spirited — which is now both in theaters and streaming on Apple TV+ — is a modern retelling of the classic Charles Dickens story A Christmas Carol. In the movie, Ryan Reynolds plays Clint Briggs, a man who could use a visit from a few ghosts to start living his life right. But things in this musical comedy don't go quite as planned once the Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell) gets involved.
'Falling for Christmas'
In Falling for Christmas, Lindsay Lohan plays a recently engaged heiress who ends up getting amnesia during a skiing accident, and as the owner of a sleepy local ski lodge (Chord Overstreet) helps nurse her back to health, a love story ensues. But what will happen when she gets her memory back and remembers she's already engaged? The movie is now streaming on Netflix.
'A Christmas Story Christmas'
Fans of the holiday classic are going to want to tune in to this one! Now streaming on HBO Max, A Christmas Story Christmas tells the story of what happens when a grown-up Ralphie (and his wife and kids) return home after his father's death to attempt to help make his family's Christmas special even in a dark time.
And yes, Peter Billingsley is back, reprising the role of Ralphie — who else could possibly be right for the job?
'Holiday Harmony'
Holiday Harmony is another holiday movie that HBO Max has in its lineup this season. Starring Brooke Shields, Jeremy Sumpter, and Annelise Cepero, it's about a singer whose car breaks down on her way to perform for iHeartRadio and make all of her dreams come true, and how that stroke of bad luck could change her future forever. Holiday Harmony began streaming on November 24.
'The Boss Baby Christmas Bonus'
Parents of kids who are fans of the Boss Baby franchise will likely be glad to see this on Netflix's slate this year (and will recognize George Lopez as the voice of Santa Claus). The holiday special — whose story finds Boss Baby stranded at the North Pole — will begin streaming on December 6.
'Haul Out the Holly'
One of the most anticipated movies on Hallmark Channel's packed schedule this year is Haul Out the Holly, which stars Lacey Chabert (who has appeared in more than 30 of the network's films). Premiering on November 26, this one is about a woman whose trip home for the holidays doesn't go quite like she planned when she arrives in town to find out that her parents aren't there.
Dolly Parton's 'Mountain Magic Christmas'
If you're a fan of Dolly Parton, you're going to love this one. Her latest special is totally holiday themed. Mountain Magic Christmas is the fictional story of a team working to create a TV holiday special. It premieres on December 1 on ABC, and will include appearances from Miley Cyrus, Willie Nelson, and Jimmy Fallon, among others.
'The Noel Diary'
If you've been missing This Is Us since the series finale aired earlier this year, seeing Justin Hartley star in The Noel Diary may help fill that void in your TV-loving heart. This Netflix movie — which began streaming on November 24 — is about a famous author who comes home for the holidays after his mother's death to discover a diary left behind.
'Hanukkah on Rye'
The vast majority of new holiday movies each year are big on Christmas, and while we still don't have nearly enough Hanukkah movies, another new one is coming this year. Hanukkah on Rye, starring Lisa Loeb, Yael Grobglas, and Jeremy Jordan, premieres on the Hallmark Channel on December 18.
'Santa Camp'
OK, so this one is a documentary, but it's still worth catching. Now streaming on HBO Max, Santa Camp follows the yearly gathering of people who play Santa, Mrs. Claus, and elves professionally and their mission of creating more diversity in their trade.
'Violent Night'
If you're hoping to laugh this season, this campy movie will definitely make it happen. Stranger Things star David Harbour is Santa in Violent Night, which shows what would happen if St. Nick happened to be dropping off gifts at a home just as a team of mercenaries takes the wealthy residents hostage.
'A New Orleans Noel'
Lifetime is another major player in the holiday movie category, and this is one of its most anticipated. Premiering on November 3, A New Orleans Noel stars singer Patti LaBelle who helps orchestrate a love story between two people she has hired to work for her.
'Guardians of the Galaxy' Holiday Special
Fans of the Marvel franchise Guardians of the Galaxy will want to tune into the holiday special that began streaming on Disney+ on November 25. The entire cast is present for the festivities, including Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana, as the guardians look for the perfect present for Peter.
'Mickey Saves Christmas'
While we're on the topic of Disney+ holiday offerings, the kids will love this one. In Mickey Saves Christmas, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto return for a stop-motion special as they work with Santa to save Christmas. The special will first air on ABC and Disney Channel on November 27, before debuting on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.
'Steppin' Into the Holiday'
In the Lifetime movie Steppin' Into the Holiday, Mario Lopez plays a Broadway star who returns to the small town he grew up in, where sparks fly with a local dance studio owner. The movie, which premiered on November 25, also stars Jana Kramer and Cheri Oteri.
'12 Days of Christmas Eve'
Another Lifetime title, 12 Days of Christmas Eve stars real-life father-daughter duo Kelsey Grammer and Spencer Grammer. In the movie, Kelsey plays a dad and businessman whose car accident on Christmas Eve gives him the magical opportunity to relive the day and make things right with his granddaughter and daughter. It premieres on November 26.
'Something From Tiffany's'
Premiering on Amazon Prime TV on December 9, Something From Tiffany's is a rom-com about what happens when two gifts from Tiffany's get mixed up — one is an engagement ring, and one is not — causing two couples to re-evaluate their relationships. Zoey Deutsch, Shay Mitchell, and Kendrick Sampson star.
'Reindeer Games Homecoming'
Ready for a little Grey's Anatomy reunion? In this Lifetime movie, Sarah Drew and Justin Bruening star as former classmates who meet again when they are competitors in their town's annual Reindeer Games tradition. Reindeer Games Homecoming is streaming now.
'The Holiday Sitter'
This year, Hallmark Channel is giving us the network's first LGBTQ-centered movie with The Holiday Sitter, which premieres on December 11. With Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett at the helm, the movie tells the story of a man who is babysitting his sister's children while their parents are out of town and meets their handsome neighbor.
'Holiday Heritage'
Another major first for Hallmark this year? Its first Kwanzaa movie. In Holiday Heritage, a woman returns home for Christmas to reunite with an ex and convince her family to celebrate the season. Starring Lyndie Greenwood, Holly Robinson Peete, and Brooks Darnell, the movie premieres on December 16.
