Wondering what the best Netflix Christmas movies are to watch in 2024? Well, you aren't alone festive friends! Christmas is the perfect time of year to settle down in front of the TV and lose yourself in a deeply cheesy and probably quite terrible film. Thankfully, the best Netflix movies are present and correct, ready to serve all of our desires for schmaltzy storytelling, contrived romances, and characters dressed in red and green knitwear.
Overwrought rom-coms might be Netflix's specialty, but some of the best Christmas movies on the streamer are also family-friendly animations. The platform has plenty of great choices for audiences of all ages, whether you're after a cute tale of a stop-motion robin or a film in which one of the stars of Mean Girls falls for a sexy snowman. Netflix contains multitudes.
So, let's delve a little further into the best Netflix Christmas movies for the holiday period and dish out some festive recommendations for those of us too stuffed with turkey to ever leave the couch again.
20. Klaus
Year: 2019
Director: Sergio Pablos
Available on: Netflix US/UK
This delightful animated movie is on its way to becoming a Christmas classic. A lazy postman called Jesper is sent to the town of Smeerensburg, "the unhappiest place on earth." If he doesn't manage to post six thousand letters that year, his family will cut him off from their fortune. Once there, Jesper befriends a toymaker named Klaus, and the two end up delivering toys all over the town together – and might even kickstart a legend in the process.
Funny, heart-warming, and with a truly unique animation style, this is an excellent choice for the whole family and is original enough to shake-up any Christmas movie marathon.
For more family streaming picks, read our list of the best kids' movies on Netflix.
19. Falling for Christmas
Year: 2022
Director: Janeen Damian
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Lindsay Lohan was long overdue for a comeback, and it seems she has chosen schmaltzy Christmas rom-coms as her medium of choice. Who can blame her when the formula works so well? Lohan takes the lead role in this festive romance, portraying an heiress who ends up with amnesia after a skiing accident shortly after getting engaged.
She's taken care of by Chord Overstreet's – best known up to this point as Sam from Glee – handsome lodge owner, along with his daughter, and settles into her new life without her memories as Christmas approaches. As you might imagine, though, her old life is just around the corner and rudely muscles into the utopian, snowy romance. It's undemanding stuff, but it's worth a watch – not least for the most obvious kissing stunt double in movie history. It has to be seen to be believed.
18. Single All the Way
Year: 2021
Director: Michael Mayer
Available on: Netflix US/UK
If a heart-warming rom-com is what you're looking for, then Single All the Way is the film for you. This movie follows Peter, a man who is hassled by his family about still being single every Christmas. Peter brings his best friend Nick home for the holidays with the plan to trick his family with a fake relationship, but before the ruse can be set in place, Peter ends up going on a blind date.
Cue matchmaking shenanigans as the family try to get Nick and Peter together, but will they succeed?There's nothing better than curling up on the sofa with a cheesy Christmas rom-com – and this one even has Jennifer Coolidge!
Check out our list of the best romantic comedies for more loved-up recommendations!
17. Hot Frosty
Year: 2024
Director: Jerry Ciccoritti
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Lindsay Lohan took her turn as a Netflix Christmas movie star, so her Mean Girls frenemy Lacey Chabert obviously had to follow suit. Chabert's festive outing for the streamer comes with a truly ludicrous concept. She plays a widowed cafe owner who places a scarf on a muscular snowman one night, only for it to come to life in the luscious-haired form of Dustin Milligan.
Netflix has perfected its festive formula at this point and Hot Frosty might be the ultimate example of its high-concept seasonal silliness in action. When cheese is this aware of its own cheesiness, it can only be a joyous experience. It's difficult to know where they can go from sexy snowmen. They've set a pretty high bar.
16. A Castle for Christmas
Year: 2021
Director: Mary Lambert
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Another Christmas movie with a classic rom-com setup, this film sees a bestselling author named Sophie, played by Brooke Shields, retreat to a castle in Scotland after her last book prompted a scandal. Her grandfather once worked there as a groundskeeper, and while the castle is perfect, the owner, played by Cary Elwes – this time not chopping his foot off with a rusty tool like he did in Saw, sadly – is not. The castle is up for sale, but the catch is, Elwes' character won't be leaving – and is scheming to force Sophie out instead.
The most interesting thing about this movie is that director Mary Lambert is best known for helming some of the best horror movies, including the 1989 adaptation of Pet Sematary, that film's sequel, and also the brilliantly-named Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge. After all of that, she can be forgiven for needing to spend some time in Christmas cardigans.
15. Father Christmas is Back
Year: 2021
Director: Philippe Martinez and Mick Davis
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Father Christmas is Back focuses on a big family gathering for the holiday season, but, as you might expect, nothing runs smoothly once everyone is together. The Christmas family (yes, that's really their name) is led by four sisters who don't get along, and things are made extra complicated by their long-lost dad returning for the festivities. Plus, there's a secret just waiting to be unearthed.
The real draw to this British comedy, though, is a star-studded cast packed full to the brim with people who've made us laugh consistently over the years – from comedy movie stalwarts to sitcom kings and queens. The exciting ensemble includes Elizabeth Hurley, John Cleese, Kelsey Grammer, Caroline Quentin, and Kris Marshall – last seen at Christmas wowing Americans with his British accent in Love Actually.
Love mysteries? Check out our guide to the best Netflix thrillers to watch right now.
14. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Year: 2020
Director: David E. Talbert
Available on: Netflix US/UK
This one came out in 2020, and is a wonderful adventure packed with all the magic and whimsy of the best Christmas movies. Plus, it's a musical. Need we say more?
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey revolves around a toymaker and inventor named Jeronicus Jangle, who creates a sentient matador doll (voiced by Ricky Martin!) – who promptly turns on his creator with the help of Jangle's apprentice. A multigenerational tale about family, creativity, and positivity, this is one for the whole family to enjoy.
Read our Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey review for more details!
13. The Knight Before Christmas
Year: 2019
Director: Monika Mitchell
Available on: Netflix US/UK
A time-traveling love story starring Vanessa Hudgens, this Netflix original sees a knight sent from medieval times to the present day – where he meets a woman searching for her very own knight in shining armor. While running over your soulmate might not be the meet-cute everyone dreams of, this film still manages to be packed with plenty to love. It even comes with a Marvel-esque post-credits scene for those who want to whet their appetites for future festive knight adventures.
As sweet as it is ridiculous – very much the Netflix trademark at this time of year – it's cheesy enough to be perfect for a quiet afternoon snuggled up with a hot chocolate this holiday season. After all, there might not be anyone better at this unique sub-genre than Vanessa Hudgens. Speaking of which…
12. The Princess Switch
Year: 2018
Director: Mike Rohl
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Another Vanessa Hudgens-led entrant to the NHMU (Netflix Holiday Movie Universe), The Princess Switch's title kind of explains it all. An ordinary baker, played by Hudgens, switches places with a Duchess (also Hudgens, naturally). The two women slot into each other's lives and quickly discover they prefer their new situations to their old ones – including their respective love interests.
Things might play out pretty much exactly as you'd expect for a switcheroo like this, but it's still a holiday heart-warmer. And there's good news if you like the movie because it’s now part of a trilogy, followed by a pair of sequels featuring more of Hudgens in both of her festive roles. She really is the queen of Netflix Christmas movies.
For more streaming royalty, read our ranking of the best Netflix shows to watch right now.
11. That Christmas
Year: 2024
Director: Simon Otto
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Richard Curtis is responsible for one of the most controversial holiday classics of all time – the 2003 rom-com Love Actually. More than 20 years later, he's on much more wholesome form with this family adventure from Locksmith Animation. Curtis co-wrote the script based on his own trilogy of children's books, focusing on various Christmas stories in the fictional British seaside town of Wellington-on-Sea. It's Christmas Eve and a blizzard has descended, putting various festive plans in peril.
The cast is full of big guns, including Brian Cox as Santa Claus himself. Elsewhere, it's a dream for fans of British TV comedy – and indeed Doctor Who given the presence of Jodie Whittaker as a nurse forced to work over the holidays. That Christmas is overflowing with festive charm, and it looks pretty damn handsome too.
10. Holidate
Year: 2020
Director: John Whitesell
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Holidate stars Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, and Wicked's on-stage supremo Kristin Chenoweth. Our two protagonists – played by Roberts and Bracey – are both unlucky in love and, after meeting each other randomly, agree to be each other's fake date to deal with their overbearing families. The holidates stretch on beyond New Year, and genuine attachment starts to form – along with plenty of roadblocks. Can the couple figure out their true feelings eventually? Well, considering it's a Christmas rom-com, probably.
Look, nobody is trying to argue that these movies are breaking new ground. But when you put a lot of likeable and attractive people together into a heartfelt film, with a few Christmas tunes on the soundtrack, the result is very reliable indeed.
9. The Christmas Chronicles
Year: 2018
Director: Clay Kaytis
Available on: Netflix US/UK
What if Kurt Russell played Santa Claus as a sexy, rock n roll hero? That's the central idea at the heart of The Christmas Chronicles, which sees two kids accidentally destroy everyone's presents on Christmas Eve. Santa gets involved, which leads to an adventure to track down the presents, the missing reindeer, and Santa's magical hat. There's even a jailhouse music number in which Russell shows off his Elvis hips.
Goldie Hawn also has a cameo, if that wasn't already enough to convince you this unconventional Christmas movie is definitely worth a watch this season. Plus, there's a surprising amount of heart in this edgy Santa flick, so it slots right into a marathon of the usual sugary-sweet festive fare. Did we mention that Santa Claus does a rock n roll musical number already? We did? Well, we're mentioning it again.
Love some edge? Read our list of the best Netflix action movies.
8. El Camino Christmas
Year: 2017
Director: David E. Talbert
Available on: Netflix US/UK
If you fancy Christmas with a twist this year, look no further than El Camino Christmas. No, it's not a Breaking Bad festive special – although, feel free to steal that idea if you’re from Netflix and happen to be reading this.
This is a dark comedy focusing on a man looking for his father, with the dad played by Tim Allen. Our protagonist, Eric (Luke Grimes,) ends up barricaded in a grocery store with a bunch of strangers, and things reach a violent conclusion. Vincent D'Onofrio and Jessica Alba also have roles in this grim festive film. If feel-good Christmas movies are your jam, it's best to leave this one out of your movie marathon. But if you don't mind a bit of darkness at the most wonderful time of the year, then come on in.
7. Robin Robin
Year: 2021
Director: Dan Ojari and Mikey Please
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Aardman Animation has formed a fruitful partnership with Netflix and, in 2021, the UK's premier stop-motion factory delivered a stunning short animated tale in Robin Robin. The music-infused tale runs for just 30 minutes, but tells a delightful story about a robin brought up by a family of mice who goes on an adventure to show how good a mouse they are.
The film won an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short Film and, in 2024, the directors revealed that they are working on more stories set within this world. If this lovely little blast of festive fun is anything to go by, there's plenty of storytelling magic on the way from the Robin Robin Cinematic Universe. With the creative geniuses at Aardman involved, the sky is the limit.
For more award winners, check out our list of the best Apple TV movies.
6. Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square
Year: 2020
Director: Debbie Allen
Available on: Netflix US/UK
It just wouldn't be Christmas without Dolly Parton, apparently. In fact, she wrote every single song on the soundtrack to this musical. The film co-stars Christina Baranski as a Scrooge-like figure who wants to kick everyone out of her hometown so she can sell the land – on Christmas Eve, no less. Parton plays an angel, rather than a Ghost of Christmas Past/Present/Future, and the film is just as perfectly campy and cheesy as it sounds.
This is a definite heart-warmer and, if you're sick of humming the same old Christmas songs every year, this one's for you. There aren't many real people walking this planet who are as magical as Dolly Parton, so she's perfectly suited for a festive tale.
5. A Christmas Prince
Year: 2017
Director: Alex Zamm
Available on: Netflix US/UK
The first film of the Christmas Prince trilogy – perhaps the ultimate example of the Netflix Christmas movie formula in action – this is another tale of an ordinary woman and a prince falling in love. It's strange how often something like this seems to happen over the holiday season – on Netflix, especially. Prince Richard doesn't want his country’s throne, and Amber, a journalist posing as the princess's tutor, is trying to unravel why in the search for her big break.
Naturally, the two start to fall in love but, equally naturally, things aren't easy for the budding couple as their relationship has to navigate a lot of royal drama. If you love this film, the good news is there are two more available to stream afterward. So that's more than enough royal romance to keep you occupied for all of your present wrapping time this year.
Love happy endings? Check out our list of the best Disney Plus movies.
4. The Merry Gentlemen
Year: 2024
Director: Peter Sullivan
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray seem exactly the perfect combination of actors for a festive movie of this ilk, and they rise to the occasion entirely in this slice of Christmas romance. In fact, this film pushes the formula even further by ensuring that there's not just one shirtless man to raise the temperature but a whole troupe of them.
Robertson plays the mastermind behind an all-male show designed to save her parents' debt-ridden performance venue. Murray, meanwhile, is the incredibly muscular local handyman whose physique inspired her plan. Will they find some sort of romantic entanglement while putting the show together? If you're this far down the list, then you can almost certainly hazard a decent guess at the answer.
3. Family Switch
Year: 2023
Director: McG
Available on: Netflix US/UK
This chaotic comedy sees a family descend into pure anarchy when a rare planetary alignment causes the parents to swap bodies with their teenage kids. In a hilarious journey to try to reach normalcy once again, each family member must find their way back to their original bodies whilst learning more about the one they're in. So it's pretty much Freaky Friday, but sprinkled with tinsel and fairy lights.
Starring The Hangover's Ed Helms, Jennifer Garner, and Wednesday's Emma Myers, Family Switch is the perfect Christmas comedy to snuggle into after one too many glasses of egg nog on Christmas Eve. The reviews weren't particularly kind, but that's par for the course when it comes to the holiday offering from Netflix.
2. Alien Xmas
Year: 2020
Director: Stephen Chiodo
Available on: Netflix US/UK
A stop-motion animation, this is another unique Netflix original to enjoy this Christmas. At just 42 minutes, it can slot into any movie marathon – and you'll definitely want to give this one a go. It comes from the mind of one of the Chiodo Brothers – special effects and claymation specialists best known for the 1980s cult classic film Killer Klowns from Outer Space.
In Alien Xmas, an elf thinks a little alien is a Christmas gift, but as it turns out, the alien has big plans for such a small creature. Not only does he want to take out Earth's gravity, but he also wants to steal all the presents. It's part of a larger plan to take all of Earth's "stuff" – but can the little alien learn the true meaning of Christmas in his adventures with his young friend?
Read our list of the best Netflix sci-fi movies next.
1. Operation Christmas Drop
Year: 2020
Director: Martin Wood
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Loosely based on the story of a real-life humanitarian mission, this is the sort of Christmas movie that won't leave a single dry eye in the house. Kat Graham plays a politician's assistant sent to a US Air Force base to justify its upcoming closure. There, she meets an incredibly handsome captain – played by Alexander Ludwig of The Hunger Games fame – and learns about the way the base sends Christmas goods to people on nearby islands each year.
Christmas romance stories are already pretty wholesome, but this one gets an extra blast of schmaltz from the undeniable emotional heft of its central premise. The fact it shines a spotlight on the very real and very lovely tradition of Operation Christmas Drop is an added bonus.
For more, check out our guides to the best Christmas TV episodes of all time, the best Christmas horror movies, and the best Christmas movies on Disney Plus.
