The countdown to Christmas is well and truly underway. The purchasing of gifts has started, some folks have even festively decorated their houses already, and the usual slate of Yuletide movies have started hitting the big and small screens.
You might be wondering which ones to watch this year. Sure, you can always rely on the classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Home Alone,” and “Elf.” But if you’re looking for something new, where do you start?
Well, we’re here to help, by presenting you with the best new Christmas flicks of 2025.
There are, of course, a veritable festive feast of small-screen Christmas movies on channels like Lifetime and Hallmark and the like this November and December. However, for your convenience, we’ve compiled the best new theatrical and streaming service offerings available to US viewers.
‘Unexpected Christmas’
Release date: November 7.
Where to watch: Theaters.
Christmas rom-com “Unexpected Christmas” is directed by Michael Vaughn Hernandez. It stars Tabitha Brown, Lil Rel Howery, Anna Maria Horsford, DomiNque Perry, and Reagan Gomez-Preston (per IMDb). It chronicles a family’s perfect Christmas reunion being interrupted by surprise guests. The situation resulting in old rivalries, secrets, and complex romantic situations rearing their ugly heads.
‘A Merry Little Ex-Mas’
Release date: November 12.
Where to watch: Netflix.
“A Merry Little Ex-Mas” follows a divorcing couple with plans to spend one last family Christmas together for the sake of their kids. However, with the festivities about to commences, the husband new girlfriend arrives, creating tension, awkwardness, and festive chaos. Directed by Steve Carr, this one’s cast includes Alicia Silverstone, Oliver Hudson, Jameela Jamil, and Melissa Joan Hart (per IMDb).
‘A Very Jonas Christmas Movie’
Release date: November 14.
Where to watch: Disney Plus.
Directed by Jessica Yu and starring the Jonas Brothers — Kevin, Joe, and Nick — and Chloe Bennet (per IMDb), “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” is a Christmas musical comedy. In the movie, the eponymous brothers must race against time and endure a plethora of obstacles and challenges to make it from London to New York to spend the holidays with their nearest and dearest.
‘Jingle Bell Heist’
Release date: November 26.
Where to watch: Netflix.
Starring Olivia Holt, Connor Swindells, Lucy Punch, and Peter Serafinowicz, and directed by Michael Fimognari (per IMDb), “Jingle Bell Heist” is a Christmas rom-com with a difference. It follows two strangers who both have the Grinch-esque ambition of robbing the same London department store over the festive period. They decide to team-up to carry out the dastardly deed — and wind up accidentally falling in love as they do so.
‘Oh. What. Fun.’
Release date: December 3.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime.
“Oh. What. Fun.” is a festive comedy about a woman called Claire Clauster who makes Christmas magical for her family every year. However, she goes practically unnoticed by them all, and they certainly don’t realise the trouble she goes to for them annually. That is, of course, until she goes missing, and Christmas loses its magic. Directed by Michael Showalter, this one’s all-star cast includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, and Eva Longoria (per IMDb).
‘My Secret Santa’
Release date: December 3.
Where to watch: Netflix.
Directed by Michael Rohlm “My Secret Santa” is a Christmas rom-com starring Alexandra Breckenridge, Ryan Eggold, Tia Mowry, and Diana Maria Riva (per IMDb). It’s about a desperate single mother who, after losing her job, resorts to disguising herself as an elderly man to play Santa Claus at a nearby ski resort. However, when the resort’s manager becomes suspicious of her — and when she falls in love with the owner’s dashing son — things get messy fast.
‘Goodbye June’
Release date: December 12/December 24.
Where to watch: Theaters/Netflix.
Christmas drama movie “Goodbye June” features an incredible cast that includes Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Timothy Spall, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, and Stephen Merchant (per IMDb). Directed by Winslet, it focuses on four siblings whose lives are changed forever when their ailing mother takes a turn for the worse at Christmastime. Get the tissues ready for this one, as there may be tears.
‘Silent Night, Deadly Night’
Release date: December 12.
Where to watch: Theaters.
The second remake of the 1984 movie of the same name and the seventh overall installment in the series, “Silent Night, Deadly Night” is a festive-themed slasher horror movie. The plot concerns a man who, as a child, witnessed his parents murder at the hands of someone dress as Santa Claus. Consequently, he embarks on a vengeful killing spree of his own while wearing the red and white suit. Directed by Mike P. Nelson, this one stars Rohan Campbell, Ruby Modine, David Lawrence Brown, David Tomlinson, and Mark Acheson (per IMDb).
Bonus: ‘Christmas Karma’
Release date: November 14.
Where to watch: Theaters (UK only).
We’ve added this one as a bonus for any UK readers, as it’s only currently available there. However, it’s one for US viewers and beyond to look out for once it’s release further afield.
Directed by Gurinder Chadha, it’s a Bollywood-inspired modern retelling of Charles Dickens’ iconic “A Christmas Carol,” in which a hard-nosed businessman, Mr. Sood, is forced to confront his past by three ghosts. It stars Kunal Nayyar, Leo Suter, Charithra Chandran, Pixie Lott, Danny Dyer, Hugh Bonneville, Eva Longoria, Boy George, and Billy Porter (per IMDb).
Hopefully, this will help you choose how you go about your festive viewing this year. More importantly, we hope it helps you have the merriest of Christmases!
Thanks for being such a consistent source of positivity in our community