It’s the most magical time of the year, and you know what that means: CHRISTMAS MOVIES! Chris and I have a nightly tradition to curl up in bed after work and watch a Christmas movie on Netflix. There’s also usually some peppermint ice cream or hot chocolate thrown in. đ As far as movies go, there are a couple of new additions to Netflix this year that we absolutely loved! So without further ado… our favorites:
The Best
Klaus
This is our favorite Christmas movie on Netflix right now!! Chris really enjoyed it as well. For a cartoon, it did not feel like a kidsâ movie – it immediately pulled me in and had me laughing and crying the whole way through. The story is an unusual retelling of the classic Santa Claus story – it’s incredibly creative and heartwarming and perfect for the entire family. The ending was particularly touching and I could not stop crying (or maybe that’s due to the pregnancy hormones, haha). This was a BEAUTIFUL story and I absolutely loved every second of it. Definitely put your phone down while watching, youâll want to catch every second.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Chris and I watched this one on the big TV in his man cave and it honestly felt just like watching a movie at the movie theater! The filmography in this one is SO high-quality, the acting is great and the wintery scenes are just beautiful. This film about two competing toymakers is also a musical – and we LOVED the music – some of the songs I wanted to download afterward so I could listen to them again. The only “critique” of this movie is that sometimes the actors’ singing was a little “off” from their mouths, so you could tell they were lip-synching. But that did not bother me too much or take away from the film itself!
Operation Christmas Drop
I really liked this one, and it seems like a lot of you guys did, too! Itâs a good one to watch early in December because itâs based in Guam and it doesnât have the cozy snowy scenes (lots of palm trees, instead!)… but it’s still filled with a lot of Christmas spirit. Erica is a congressional assistant tasked with investigating a U.S. Air Force base in Guam with the intention of finding a reason to recommend its closure. Andrew is an Air Force captain, and he’s on a mission to convince her that it should remain open. The film is based on a true story, and I LOVED the fact that it featured a lot of women in powerful job positions. I love how this one focuses so much on giving back, as it’s the true meaning for Christmas. It really gets you in the spirit to make a difference!
The Princess Switch: Switched Again
No sequel ever matches up to the original, but if youâve seen the original “Princess Switch,” then this sequel is worth the watch! In this one, Vanessa Hudgens plays not two but THREE different characters, and they all manage to “switch things up” again. I will always be a fan of Vanessa Hudgens, and she does a great job playing three different characters. The film is really cute, if a little cheesy at times!
The Holiday Calendar
This one was new to Netflix last year and I absolutely loved it, so I had to watch it again this year! After receiving a mysterious Advent calendar from her grandfather, Abby soon realizes every gift she receives from the calendar is a clue about what is going to happen to her that day. Thereâs a lot going on in this movie⌠Abbyâs cute best guy friend, a new guy that Abby has just started seeing, and Abbyâs desire to get away from her dead-end job as photographer at the mall. I really loved the ending of this one (and itâs realistic, too, haha). This one is a must-watch!
Christmas in the Heartland
This one is a good one to watch with the family⌠especially if you have daughters – I would describe it as the Disney Channel meets Hallmark! Itâs about two thirteen year old girls who switch places and spend Christmas with the otherâs grandparents. Itâs a little cheesy, but it teaches self confidence in young girls and the importance of family and kindness. There is also a surprise ending!
Christmas with a View
Chris and I both loved this one!! Set on a swanky ski resort, it automatically establishes cozy Christmas vibes right from the start. The whole ski resort is buzzing when a celebrity chef is named the new head chef. Clara, who manages the restaurant, is less than excited about his arrival, but itâs not long before sparks begin to fly. I thought Clara was really pretty, and the whole story seemed pretty realistic to me the entire time. Like I said, even Chris loved this one!
Christmas Wedding Planner
I somehow managed to get Chris to watch this movie with me, and he agreed itâs one of the better ones on Netflix! Donât tell Chris but I had a slight crush on the movieâs main male character, Connor, heâs soooo cute. The gist of the movie is this: wedding planner Kelsey Wilson is about to kick off her career by planning her cousinâs lavish wedding. Sheâs doing a great job, that is until Connor McClane shows up, a private investigator thatâs been hired to investigate the groom. The acting isnât all that great, but I really fell in love with all the characters. Oh and one other note: the ending is RIDICULOUS, however, it didnât really affect my overall love of the movie.
Holiday Rush
This one is another one that’s new to Netflix this year, and we both really enjoyed this one – itâs funny and heartwarming! The acting is better than in a lot of the other Christmas movies, if that entices you đ hehe. In this film, a really successful radio host loses his job during Christmas and has to move his four spoiled kids back into their starter home. Throughout the film, the family learns to cherish the things that matter most, and the ending is so sweet!
The Worst
The Holidate
I know a lot of people really liked this one, but oh my gosh… I did not! It’s SUPER raunchy, and there’s a lot of cussing and talk about sex. I really love Emma Roberts as an actress so I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t like her role in this movie. The premise is pretty cute: two strangers agree to be each other’s platonic plus-ones for every holiday all year long, only to realize that they have been falling in love with each other along the way. Although it sounds really charming, Netflix manages to make it pretty vulgar! Also, if you’re expecting a full-on Christmas movie, I don’t think this is the best pick, as there are really only Christmas scenes at the very beginning and the end. Curious to hear others’ thoughts on this!
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square
I feel bad for saying this, but I turned this one on and I had to turn it off only ten minutes in. It was very cheesy and the musical aspect was just too much for me! Did anyone else manage to make it past ten minutes and, if so, what did you think?
Christmas With a Prince
This movie was new to me this year, and although I wouldn’t categorize it necessarily as the “worst” Christmas movie, I thought it was pretty darn bland and cheesy, and just couldn’t buy into the characters. I’m putting it on the “worst” list so that you don’t waste your time watching it! Random, but I thought the “prince” in the film looked so old that the age difference between the two characters seemed really jarring! Did anyone else think this?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you have any additions to add, let us know in the comments (or if you watched one of these and had a different opinion!).
I actually liked the Holidate and found it super funny!
Omg me too! I loved it!
HOLIDATE- I watched the movie and kind of liked it. I agree that it was super RAUNCHY!! It was so bad that I refuse to ever watch it again.
After reading the reviews here, I had to see what all the raunchiness was in Holidate, ha! I loved the storyline, but I wish Netflix wouldâve kept it clean, I think it couldâve been done so much better.
Hi Caitlin, I enjoyed reading your blog and thoughts about Christmas movies on Netflix. For me, two movies I would add to âThe Bestâ would be Christmas Chronicles I & II. I thought it really displays the true meaning of Christmas â and drives the point that it doesnât matter where you are, but who you celebrate with! I would love to hear your thoughts if you have watched! Thank you!
I totally agree Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2 are my holiday favorites this year! My children ages 3, 6, and 8 were captivated so much after the first one that we watched the second one the following night. I secretly enjoyed it just as much! Love Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell âď¸đˇđ đťPuts you in the holiday spirit
I have only watched Christmas Chronicles 1. I thought it was OK. My children are older 15, 18 and 22. While we thought it was pretty cool…Santa sleigh, office/workshop, the whole time I thought to myself⌠I wish I could show this to my Kindergarteners because I think they would think those parts were so cool. A little to â Edgyâ though lol if thatâs possible. Maybe Ok for your own kids but not ok to show other peopleâs children LOL. Especially when Santa gets thrown jail for auto theft and then sings a suggestive Christmas song with sexy back up singers/inmates LOL. Just my opinion!
I agree I love the Christmas Chronicles movies. I feel like I could really relate to the children and what they were going through.
The way you feel about The Holidate is how I felt about Love Actually. I ended up turning it off.
Christmas with a Prince was the worst 𼹠Granted I think the story was somewhat unique- that he had to go to a pediatric wing so that the press wouldnât find him there- but the acting wasnât there.
I agree that Holidate wasnât really a Christmas movie. However, I did like it! It was pretty raunchy, but I found myself laughing at some of the non-raunchy parts i.e. during Halloween when she took the wrong pills and had to try and get home quickly đ (didnât want to spoil anything if someone wants to watch it)
Ahh how cool, thank you so much for sharing this list! I was just about to watch a Christmas movie on Netflix with my BF but we gave up after watching countless of trailers and nothing really seemed watch-worthy, haha. Will definitely check out some of your recommended ones!
xx Janine
https://walkinmysneaks.blogspot.com
My family and I really loved Christmas Chronicles 2. The follow up from the 2018 movie was just as cute we thought. Have you seen it yet? If not you should! I think you both would really enjoy it!
Just added these to my list on Netflix! I had the same thoughts about Christmas with a Prince and Holidate…not my favorites! My husband and I really enjoyed The Christmas Chronicles so you will have to check that one out! Love these posts!
Klaus has been our absolute favorite! Have probably watched it a good 10 times since October! We love it!
The Christmas Chronicles I and II are kind of weird! Okay movies, but strange I think. The first one was definitely better in my opinion!
I’m adding so many of these to my watch list! I would recommend Midnight at the Magnolia. It was very predictable but sweet.
I couldnât agree more, Midnight at the Magnolia was the sweetest Christmas movie!!
I completely agree about Klaus. It is hands down my favorite Netflix Christmas movie. I honestly didnât think I would like it as much as I do, but it is so well done and I love the storyline. I recommend it to everyone to watch. Looking forward to watching some of the others you posted about. Thanks for sharing!
Exactly how I felt about Holidate. When I read the premise and Emma Robertsâ name I thought I was in for a treat… good idea poor execution. I did like the chemistry between Emma and Luke although they didnât have the script to do them justice. Watch Christmas Chronicles I & II, my favs on Netflix right now âşď¸
I totally agree with you on Holidate!! I did not like it at all!! I was hoping for a cute Christmas movie and that is definitely not what I gotđ I canât wait to watch the movies you recommend on here! Maybe Iâll get my boyfriend to watch them with me;)
OH I loved Holidate – mainly b/c it WAS slightly “rougher” than your typical Christmas movie!
Holidate=awful! I almost turned it off but kept hoping it would get better, wrong!!!! Terrible acting & way to predictable….
Yes the holidate was a little boring and we didn´t like jingle jangle either.
Christmas chronicles 2 was good, watched it with the kids and they loved it too
Omg what!! Holidate was sooo good! I mean itâs definitely not a childrenâs movie and all the âraunchyâ stuff is so funny. Girl, 100% agree with you on the Dolly Parton one. I was so excited to see there was a movie because the album is 10/10 but had to stop it on the town protest in the church scene.
I think Holidate tried too hard to not be a hallmark movie that they made it too raunchy. Itâs not a terrible movie but they couldâve toned it down. Iâll check out Christmas Wedding Planner and some of the others
Omg, I have a “worst” one to add! A New York Christmas Wedding. Holy cow. It’s so bad. If anyone is reading this, SAVE YOUR HOUR AND A HALF AND PICK A DIFFERENT FILM!
Christmas Chronicles and Christmas Chronicles 2 are pretty good!
I loved Holidate haha! But I like raunchy stuff I guess… đ
They have a newer one called A Christmas Knight with Vanessa Hudgens and it was sooo cute!! It was a little cheesy (of course) but had a lot of comedy and unique characteristics.
I loved this last year!
I saw Klaus for the first time last year. SO GOOD! I cannot wait to watch it again. So glad to hear that Jingle Jangle is good, that’s high on my list for this year.
I loved the holidate! I think the comedy was very Australian which can be filter free sometimes lol
I loved the holidate! I think the comedy was very Australian which can be filter free sometimes đ
Christmas chronicles 1&2 are both on my good list. So is Christmas in the Wild ( Rob Loweđ)
I turned off Holidate and A Knight for Christmas about 30 minutes in đđź
Last Christmas was good! Itâs a heartfelt movie with a good storyline and a little bit of a tear jerker. It could drag a few times but is a great story and worth the watch.
And also liked Christmas Chronicles 2. Love Kurt Russell and Goldie being in it together.
Let it Snow is one of our favorites to watch on Netflix!
Love Klaus! This is easily one of my favourite Christmas movies now. It is SO feel good, such a beautiful story and with such clever humour as well.
I actually liked The Holidate but it definitely was raunchy, so if youâre not into that you might be turned off. But I think they had great chemistry, the idea was cute and there was some really great moments!
I turned off Jingle Jangle and Operation Christmas Drop. I wasnât a fan of either of these.
I recommend watching Dash & Lily on Netflix. Itâs a series so tuck in for a good ten hours. But it is well worth the watch. Itâs not overly Christmas but it is set around the holiday in New York and what better place to be on a Christmas movie?
I also recommend A Christmas Carol on Disney+ if you have it. The Jim Carrey one! I have read this book 18 times (once every Christmas since I was 14) so this story is so dear to me. So much so that this is the only movie that does the story justice. It is a beautiful movie!
You should check out Dash and Lily! Itâs a short 8 episode Christmas show. Itâs set in New York and is about two teenagers who have polar opposite opinions about Christmas. But through a book found in a library filled with dares from someone anonymous, these two become closer and discover more about themselves!
Howâs that for practice writing movie descriptions? đ
Xo,
Ariel
Yes!! Dash and Lilly was so sweet and the characters had my heart âĽď¸. Iâm trying to get my teen to watch it but she refusesđ
Netflixâs Let it Snow is so entertaining. Itâs a very funny coming of age Christmas movie. It has a cute, young cast and with multiple story lines, it reminded us of Love Actually.
Netflixâs Let it Snow is so entertaining. Itâs a very funny coming of age Christmas movie. It has a cute, young cast and with multiple story lines, it reminded us of Love Actually.
I love “Let it snow”. Watched it last year and rediscovered it through some Netflix scrolling this past weekend. Super cute, good, non-cheesy acting (not a given for Christmas movies haha), and like you said, “Love Actually” feels.
Love this post!!! My daughter and I loved Jingle Jangle and I managed to get her to watch Elf (not sure if that’s on Netflix this year). I’ve been scrolling past Christmas Drop, will be tuning in thanks to your rec. â¤ď¸đ
Christmas on the Square was SO good if you kept watching. Just very musical-ish at first
I love this and now I have some movies added to my list . I highly recommend Angelaâs Christmas. Itâs such a sweet animated film with a beautiful story and I just saw that there is a new sequel named Angelaâs Christmas Wish.
I actually really liked Christmas on the Square! It broke my heart and then put it back together. The reason behind the woman selling the town being so mean will absolutely tear you apart, but I thought the overall story was really important. Plus Jeanine is one of my ALL time favs from So You Think You Can Dance! Iâd add A Princess for Christmas on Netflix to your watch list. I actually own it and watch it throughout the year because I love it that much.
The acting was truly not good and the music was over the top but by the end I also really loved Christmas on the Square! The story made it all worth it.
Both of the Christmas Chronicles movies were good. I also thought Dash and Lily was a really cute Christmas series.
I totally agree about Holidate! The language was awful and just really unnecessary in my opinion. I canât wait to watch your best picks though! My fiancĂŠ and I just watched the Nutcracker and the Four Realms movie and it was really cute!! I think it was on Prime though! đ
This is such a great list! I lovedddd Operation Christmas Drop. Iâm glad Iâm not the only one who has been binging Christmas movies! đ
I loved the Dolly Parton one! Please take the time to watch it! It is cheesy, but it has an amazing twist youâd never see coming and has a great ending. I think it got better the longer I watched it!
I noticed you didnât mention the Christmas Chronicles. They are spectacular! You have to watch both! I think they will be new classics.
Thanks for the list! So I wonât waste my time on another bad christmas movie. I saw The Holidate … and I was like âwhy oh why is this film on the Top Film Listâ
Happy Holidays!
I still like A Christmas Prince (2017) in Aldovia and Spirit of Christmas.
I watched âLove the Coopersâ last night and it was great! Lots of really great a-list actors!!!!!
I loved Christmas with a Prince, I don’t know what age difference you are talking about. Both the main doctor and the prince looked to be the same age? Also the girl in the Christmas with a Prince is also the same girl in Christmas with a View! But I agree the Dolly Parton on the Square was really bad, I couldn’t even finish it.
I couldn’t stand to watch Holidate for more than 5-10 minutes maybe. I agree with you- too vulgar and not my style for a Christmas-spirit type of movie! I love Emma Roberts as an actress, too, but that movie was just not it!
Love this list and totally going to have my husband watch as many as possible with me from your “Best” list! haha
xx
Key
https://storiesbysuddreth.com/
I appreciated your list because it was NOT predictable with the classics that everyone watches every year.
I means our family staples are:
The Holiday, Die Hard (compliments of my husband), The Grinch (Jim Carey version), The Christmas Story and the Elf.
With that being said, always looking for new movies that are worth watching and possibly being added to the âclassic yearly listâ. Thank you for stepping outside the obvious. I am an brand new follower and already adore you!
Merry Christmas!
PS-I have no tree nothing this year because we decided to make our Christmas present as 3 weeks in Maui, Hawaii. We leave 12/18 and will spend Christmas and New Years there and return on 1/8. My daughter is almost 16 so the three of us plan to soak up every beautiful moment assuming our COVID-19 NAAT tests come in negative before we board our flight. So nerve wracking to have so much out of your control.
You are starting your family and my husband and I are freaking out that our baby girl is soon of to college. Itâs a beautiful life and we wish you all the best with your growing family!
Xoxo-
JoniAnn Newton
I appreciated your list because it was NOT predictable with the classics that everyone watches every year.
Always looking for new movies that are worth watching and possibly being added to the âclassic yearly listâ. Thank you for stepping outside the obvious. I am an brand new follower and already adore you!
Merry Christmas!
PS-I have no tree nothing this year because we decided to make our Christmas present as 3 weeks in Maui, Hawaii. We leave 12/18 and will spend Christmas and New Years there and return on 1/8. My daughter is almost 16 so the three of us plan to soak up every beautiful moment assuming our COVID-19 NAAT tests come in negative before we board our flight. So nerve wracking to have so much out of your control.
You are starting your family and my husband and I are freaking out that our baby girl is soon of to college. Itâs a beautiful life and we wish you all the best with your growing family!
Xoxo-
JoniAnn Newton