This list includes Christmas classics and new releases, theatrical releases and Netflix originals. We all know that on a chilly winter’s night, the right Christmas film can be as comforting as a steaming mug of cocoa by a roaring fire!
Best Christmas movies on Netflix right now
1. White Christmas (1954)
Legendary director Michael Curtiz helmed several of the most noteworthy films of Hollywood’s Golden Age, including The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Casablanca (1942), Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), Mildred Pierce (1945) and this essential Christmas musical, the highest-grossing film of 1954. A successful stage adaptation premiered in San Francisco in 2004 and has been touring internationally ever since. Filmed in vivid Technicolor, White Christmas was the first movie ever released in VistaVision, a widescreen process using twice the surface area of standard 35mm film. Entertainment Pictures/Entertainment Pictures/ZUMAPRESS.com
2. Holidate (2020)
We love a Netflix holiday rom-com. In the first Netflix Christmas film of the season—more risqué and star-studded than other films of its ilk, Emma Roberts and Hacksaw Ridge hottie Luke Bracey star as lonely singles who agree to be platonic plus-ones for a year…only to catch feelings along the way. Sappy? Sure. It’s fun, too.
3. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
In this Netflix original, Kurt Russell is an uncommonly cool, handsome and wise-talking Santa Claus, who helps a brother and sister (Judah Lewis and Darby Camp) rediscover the magic of Christmas after the loss of their father. The Christmas Chronicles was directed by Clay Kaytis (The Angry Birds Movie), and produced by Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone). The big draw here is Russell’s performance, and he does not disappoint. This isn’t really like any Santa you’ve seen before. Netflix
4. The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)
In the sequel to the 2018 hit, Santa is reunited with the Pierce kids as they take on an adversary who threatens to ruin Christmas for the whole world. The biggest draw here? Russell’s real-life love interest Goldie Hawn comes out of semi-retirement to join the cast as Mrs. Claus. Count us in!
5. A Christmas Prince (2017)
In the vein of Hallmark and Lifetime originals, though perhaps a bit more self-aware than average, Netflix romantic comedy A Christmas Prince was a big hit upon release in November 2017, and the sequels were well-received, too. In the first movie, young American magazine journalist Amber Moore (Rose McIver) won the affections of Prince Richard (Ben Lamb) of Aldovia.
6. A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (2018)
A year after the events of the first film, Richard and Amber are set to tie the knot—though Amber is having second guesses as to whether she’s cut out to be queen.
7. A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (2019)
Following the high-profile nuptials in Aldovia, Richard and Amber invite royals from a faraway kingdom, thwart an ages-old curse—and they start to expand the royal family!
8 . The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Christmas Special (“A Midwinter’s Tale”) (2018)
Surprise! Following the well-received first season of Netflix’s spooky supernatural horror series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, the streaming service released an additional holiday episode. Kiernan Shipka returned as Sabrina Spellman, as will fellow cast members Ross Lynch, Lucy Davis and Michelle Gomez.
9. The Princess Switch (2018)
Vanessa Hudgens stars in this well-received romantic comedy, playing both a duchess and a Chicagoan who switch places and fall for each other’s beaus. The Princess Switch is loosely inspired by Mark Twain’s 1881 novel The Prince and the Pauper.
10. The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again (2020)
In the upcoming sequel to a feel-good Netflix favorite, Hudgens returns, now in a triple role—as Margaret and Stacy discover a third look-alike.
11. Klaus (2019)
Sergio Pablos’ critically acclaimed 2D-animated family comedy centers on a postman who dashes through the snow with the world’s most famous toymaker. Winner of the BAFTA and Annie Awards for Best Animated Feature. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the first Netflix original nominated in this category (it lost to Toy Story 4).
12. Holiday in the Wild (2019)
Here’s a Netflix Christmas film that’s refreshingly unusual, and serves as something of a travelogue. Kristin Davis and Rob Lowe star in the holiday rom-com about a divorcée who moves to Africa—and falls for her surroundings.
13. The Knight Before Christmas (2019)
In this gleefully cheesy and admirably bonkers rom-com, a modern-day thirtysomething (Vanessa Hudgens) falls for an English knight (Josh Whitehouse) from the 14th century.
14. Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (2020)
Dolly Parton is here to fulfill your feel-good Christmas musical dreams. The country music legend stars alongside Christine Baranski, Jenifer Lewis and Treat Williams in this toe-tapping family dramedy about a wealthy businesswoman who discovers the true meaning of Christmas, in small-town America. Christmas on the Square was directed and choreographed by the iconic Debbie Allen.
15. Operation Christmas Drop (2020)
Set against the backdrop of eponymous real-life U.S. Defense Department’s humanitarian airlift operation, this Netflix romantic comedy original centers on a mismatched couple finding romance as they bring Christmas cheer beyond borders. Kat Graham and Alexander Ludwig star.
16. A Very Murray Christmas (2014)
Believe it or not, this Netflix special was directed by Academy Award-winner Sofia Coppola, helmer of Lost in Translation and The Beguiled. With Bill Murray in top form and hilarious, show-stopping appearances from George Clooney, Miley Cyrus, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Jenny Lewis and Chris Rock, A Very Murray Christmas is a hugely entertaining and unique holiday experience. The special was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie.
17. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
David E. Talbert’s musical fantasia stars Oscar winner Forest Whitaker as a curmudgeonly toymaker who finds new hope in life thanks to a bright young granddaughter (Madalen Mills). It’s a toe-tapping, festive treat for all ages.
18. Love Hard (2021)
Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet, Matty Finochio, James Saito and Harry Shum Jr. star in a rom-com co-produced by McG, about a young woman who flies 3,000 to meet dating app find, only to discover she’s been catfished. Helmed by Costa Rican director Hernán Jiménez.
19. Father Christmas is Back (2021)
A stellar cast including Elizabeth Hurley, Kelsey Grammer, April Bowlby, Talulah Riley and John Cleese star in Phillipe Martinez and Mick Davis’ comedy about four very different sisters reunited for the holidays in Yorkshire. Family secrets and other surprises abound.
20. Christmas Inheritance (2017)
Jake Lacy was staggeringly, memorably great as a very bad man—a dangerously sociopathic spoiled brat—in this 2021’s White Lotus. He’s far, far more likeable in Ernie Barbarash’s holiday rom-com opposite Eliza Taylor, who plays an ambitious heiress who discovers the true meaning of Christmas on an errand to inherit her father’s business.
21. A Very Country Christmas (2017)
A country music superstar with insane abs and a small-town interior designer hit it off in this gentle holiday romantic comedy.
22. Christmas Catch (2018)
A hunky undercover cop trailing a jewel thief unexpectedly falls for his chief suspect. Starring Emily Alatalo, Lauren Holly and Yanic Truesdale.
23. Christmas With a Prince (2018)
This is in fact not the same film as A Christmas Prince. Kaitlyn Leeb and Nick Hounslow star in the warm-and-fuzzy rom-com about a carefree royal who falls for a pediatrician.
24. Holiday Rush (2019)
Part of Netflix’s “Representation Matters” collection, Holiday Rush centers on a widowed DJ and his four kids as they go through a holiday financial crisis.
25. A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019)
In a modern spin on a tale we all know, an aspiring singer finds a Christmas miracle and romance in spite of the cruelty of her stepmother and stepsisters.
26. Christmas in the Heartland (2017)
In this family comedy, two girls from disparate background switch places for the holidays, to see how the other half lives. Bo Derek appears in a supporting role.
27. Pottersville (2017)
Michael Shannon and the ever-underrated Judy Greer (thanklessly wasted in the abysmal Halloween Kills) star in a quirky holiday comedy involving a gorilla suit, the paparazzi and more.
28. Angela’s Christmas (2018)
Based on Frank McCourt, this heartwarming animated short centers on a young girl who has a spark of Christmas inspiration after a family trip to church. Followed by a sequel (also on Netflix) two years later.
29. Christmas With a View (2018)
This Canadian comedy is about the unlikely courtship of a ski resort’s restaurant manager and a chef with a mysterious past. Vivica A. Fox plays a supporting role.
30. Free Rein: The 12 Neighs of Christmas (2018)
This spinoff of the fish-out-of-water British family series Free Rein sees a small English town prepare for its Mistletoe Ball, as its residents uncover town and family secrets.
31. The Holiday Calendar (2018)
Kat Graham, Quincy Brown and Ethan Peck star in this romantic drama about a photographer whose newly inherited antique advent character may predict the future.
32. Let it Snow (2019)
A blizzard affects the personal lives of a group of small-town high-schoolers. Featuring Spider-Man: Homecoming’s Jacob Batalon and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’s Kiernan Shipka. Based on John Green’s novel.
33. A Storybots Christmas (2017)
The animated series’ holiday special is based on characters from Ask the StoryBots and StoryBots SuperSongs. With a special appearance from TV icon Ed Asner, A Storybots Christmas was nominated for six Emmys and won two.
34. Single All the Way (2021)
Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Hocus Pocus’ Kathy Najimy and LGBTQ icon Jennifer Coolidge (fresh off her best performance ever, in The White Lotus) star in Netflix’s exclusive high-profile rom-com about gay best friends who discover feelings over the holiday season, as one poses as the other’s boyfriend. It’s hardly a familiar plot (there’s some common ground with 2020’s runaway streaming hit Happiest Season), but with a cast this great, Single All the Way delivers. This is Netflix’s first-ever queer rom-com. Netflix
35. El Camino Christmas (2017)
Jessica Alba, TIm Allen and Dax Shepard star in a mystery dramedy about a group of strangers who exchange stories and form bonds during an alleged robbery.
36. Dreamworks Holiday Classics (2011)
This collection of family-friendly short films featuring characters from Shrek, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon are sure to entertain young audiences—and likely will charm older ones, too.
37. Midnight at the Magnolia (2020)
Natalie Hall, Evan Williams and Alison Brooks star in this romantic comedy about longtime friends and local radio hosts who pretend to be a couple for family and listeners.
38. Trolls Holiday (2020)
Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel and James Corden star in a half-hour animated musical with characters from the hit film series.
39. Puppy Star Christmas (2018)
A family-friendly fantasy from the team behind Air Bud sees four adorable puppies tasked with saving Christmas when other pups commandeer Santa Claus.
40. A California Christmas (2020)
Sentimental charmer about a wealthy hunk who poses as a ranch hand in an attempt to get a farmer to sell her family’s land at Christmastime.
41. Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker (2020)
Shondaland documentary follows the storied career of choreographer multi-hyphenate Debbie Allen, and follows dance students as they prepare for Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.
42. The App That Stole Christmas (2020)
This feel-good family comedy is about a Christmas shopping app that threatens to ruin the Christmas spirit. Starring Jackie Long, Diane Marie Howard and Jaylin Hall.
43. Dash & Lily (2020)
A Christmas romance springs between Austin Abrams and Midori Francis thanks to a well-used notebook in a new Netflix original charmer. Based on the YA series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares. Technically this is indeed a limited series; it’s still very much worth the time investment.
44. Fireplace For Your Home: Birchwood Edition (2015)
The novelty of this 4K -UHD compatible (though those stats aren’t required) ambience setting has yet to wear off. It’s funny and downright comforting.
45. A Castle For Christmas (2021)
A picturesque escapist holiday-themed fantasy stars Brooke Shields as a bestselling author who journeys to Scotland where she falls for a castle, and squares off with a grouchy duke Cary Elwes who’s possibly overdue for a Grinch-like Christmas makeover. Solid meet-cute, right?
46. A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
Based on the book of the same name, this new family fantasy Christmas film is about young boy who takes off to the frozen north in search of his father, with the help of a pet mouse and a reindeer. A Boy Called Christmas has received considerable acclaim; critics praise it for strong performances, creative visuals, and a story with a little more depth than a lot of Christmas comfort films.
47. Shaun the Sheep the Flight Before Christmas (2021)
Wallace and Gromit studio Aardman’s wooliest lovable creation comes to Netflix for Christmas. Stop-motion animated comedy adventure The Flight Before Christmas is now on Netflix.
48. The Claus Family (2020)
This Dutch Netflix film centers on a cynical man who discovers his family’s magical ties to the holidays when his father becomes ill.
49. A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)
Bad Moms was a surprise box office hit in 2016, grossing $183.9 million on a $20 million budget. The following holiday season, we got A Bad Moms Christmas. Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn return as modern women Amy, Kiki and Carla, best friends who help each other with the ups and downs of motherhood. Only this time, Christine Baranski, Susan Sarandon and Cheryl Hines join the cast as their respective mothers who visit them over the holidays.
50. Falling for Christmas (2022)
One of the most anticipated Netflix events of the 2022 holiday season sees Lindsay Lohan star as a newly engaged young heiress who, struck with amnesia, falls for a handsome widower (Chord Overstreet). Premieres exclusively on Netflix Nov. 10. Next, check out the 100 best movies of all time.
