Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year! Even if you're completely swamped with end-of-year work obligations, holiday shopping, meal planning, present wrapping, and schedule organizing, there's always time to sit down and get cozy with a cheesy Christmas movie. There's no reason you can't multitask. These films play around the clock on a bunch of cable channels basically from Thanksgiving onward, so there's never any shortage of holiday cheer to be found on TV throughout November and December. Not only that, but with the trend of streamer originals, there are even more holiday movie watching options than ever before.
This year, some of our favorite streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max, are all releasing new Christmas movies that viewers can stream any time of day, all season long — and we can't wait. Big names in entertainment including Vanessa Hudgens, Neil Patrick Harris, and Brooke Shields are all set to appear in new Christmas tales this year. Streamers are also bringing some fun new foreign Christmas content to American audiences, which should offer up something a little different for holiday movie watchers.
One of our favorite things about Christmas movies is that you rarely have to leave the house to catch all the new ones. So heat up the hot cocoa, grab some Christmas cookies and your favorite cold-weather snuggle buddies, and get your smart TV ready for some all-day Christmas movie watching marathons.
'The Claus Family'
Available on Netflix
Technically, The Claus Family came out in 2020 in Belgium, where the film originates, but it's now available to stream for the first time in the US. It's about a young boy named Jules who hates Christmas but ends up finding out that his grandfather is Santa Claus.
'Love Hard'
Available on Netflix
Love Hard, starring Nina Dobrev and Jimmy O. Yang, premiered on Netflix on November 5, and has already been a big success. It's a cozy Christmas movie about an unlucky-in-love woman who flies from Los Angeles to Lake Placid, New York, to meet a guy she met on a dating app — only to realize when she arrives that she's been catfished. Naturally, lots of drama ensues, along with a little self-discovery.
'Father Christmas Is Back'
Available on Netflix
In Father Christmas Is Back, four sisters who don't always get along well are forced to spend the holidays together when their father beckons them to return to the mansion in Yorkshire, England, where they grew up. They finally start to uncover the real reasons behind the long-standing rifts they have.
'Home Sweet Home Alone'
Available on Disney+: November 12, 2021
A brand-new Disney+ original Christmas movie, Home Sweet Home Alone, starring Ellie Kemper and Rob Delaney, flips the idea of the classic film Home Alone on its head. In this holiday hijinks story, a couple sets about trying to recover a valuable family heirloom from a mischievous young boy, who is home alone while his family is vacationing in Japan.
'The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star'
Available on Netflix: November 18, 2021
The third installment of Netflix's popular movie series, The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star comes out this year. These films, which star Vanessa Hudgens, are undeniably cheesy but so much fun to watch. This one sees the royal look-alikes team up with a third look-alike to track down a valuable relic that's been stolen.
'8-Bit Christmas'
Available on HBO Max: November 24, 2021
We always love seeing Neil Patrick Harris on-screen, so we can't wait to check out 8-Bit Christmas. Set in Chicago in the 1980s, it tells the story of a young boy who desperately wants the newest, most advanced video game for his Christmas present. We're thinking it might serve up some updated A Christmas Story vibes, which sounds like a win.
'Robin Robin'
Available on Netflix: November 24, 2021
Robin Robin is an adorable new Netflix animated short to watch with the kids. It's the story of a bird who has been raised by mice and finds herself questioning her own identity. On a mission to prove she belongs, she attempts to pull off a major heist that will impress all the mice.
'A Boy Called Christmas'
Available on Netflix: November 26, 2021
A Boy Called Christmas, which debuts on Netflix on Black Friday, is essentially a Santa Claus origin story. It's about a boy named Nikolas who sets out on a journey in search of his father, who he believes is attempting to find the village of the elves, along with a reindeer named Blitzen and a tiny mouse.
'A Castle for Christmas'
Available on Netflix: November 26, 2021
Starring Brooke Shields and Carey Elwes, A Castle for Christmas is about an American author who travels to Scotland and decides to buy a castle. The only problem? The owner isn't so keen on an outsider purchasing the property. While the two get off to a bad start, a romance slowly begins to brew.
'Single All the Way'
Available on Netflix: December 2, 2021
A fun, gay Christmas rom-com, Single All The Way features a hilarious cast that includes Kathy Najimy, Jennifer Coolidge, and Luke Macfarlane. It's about a man who convinces his friend to go home with him for the holidays and trick his parents into thinking they're in a romantic relationship.
'Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas'
Available on Netflix: December 3, 2021
Everybody loves Shaun the Sheep! The silly sheep is back for another holiday adventure. This time, Timmy goes missing after a farmhouse raid to get more stockings goes awry. Now Shaun must find Timmy before he's gone forever. This one is sure to deliver lots of laughs for the whole family.
'David and the Elves'
Available on Netflix: December 6, 2021
David and the Elves is a family Christmas movie out of Poland. Not many details about the film have been released yet (including photos or a trailer), but we know it's a comedy about an elf who makes a new friend. The two go on a hunt to discover the true meaning of Christmas, leaving Santa searching for his missing elf.
'The Real Housewives of the North Pole'
Available on Peacock: December 9, 2021
Featuring Kyle Richards (a real-life Housewives star) and Betsy Brandt, Peacock's first-ever original Christmas movie is set to debut the second week of December — and it sounds like it's going to be pretty funny. It's about two friends who are holiday house decorating contest champions, but when they get into a massive fight, the whole town ends up feuding.
'A California Christmas: City Lights'
Available on Netflix: December 16, 2021
A sequel to 2020's A California Christmas, the new A California Christmas: City Lights stars real-life husband and wife Lauren and Josh Swickard. It sees the couple who decided to give their relationship a go in the first film now nearing their one-year anniversary and busy running both a dairy farm and a winery.
'Grumpy Christmas'
Available on Netflix: December 22, 2021
A sequel to Un Padre No Tan Padre (The Patriarch), this Mexican film — starring Héctor Bonilla, Jacqueline Bracamontes, and Arturo Barba — takes place during the holidays. A family trip for Christmas results in a rivalry that threatens to ruin the holiday for everyone.
'1,000 Miles From Christmas'
Available on Netflix: December 24, 2021
This holiday movie from Spain will premiere on Netflix on Christmas Eve. It's actually based on the true story of a real-life grinch named Raúl, who instead of going on a beach vacation like he normally does, ends up being assigned to survey a Christmas candy factory in a town that's all about Christmas.
'The Jenkins Family Christmas'
Available on BET+: TBD
The Jenkins Family Christmas opened in theaters with a very limited release back in September, but will be available to stream on BET+ this winter. Directed by Robin Givens and starring Regina Taylor, Kim Coles, and Tammy Townsend, it's about two sisters doing their best to keep the peace for a family Christmas after their father dies.
