‘Tis the season for romance, family fun, and nostalgia. If you love nothing better than a cheesy Christmas movie, you’ve come to the right place.
Every year, we’re bogged down with holiday shopping and baking, and there’s the perfect thing to watch while you’re baking or wrapping – Christmas movies!
And Netflix has an overwhelming number of original Christmas movies, making it impossible to list them all.
However, we’ve ranked the best of their Holiday films, listing 13 that should be binged this season.
They include family-friendly movies and romantic comedies, some of which I watch every year.
1. Hot Frosty (2024)
IMDb 5.4 • Starring Lacey Chabert and Dustin Milligan
I don’t understand the low ratings as Lacey Chabert, the queen of Hallmark movies, starred in this sexy holiday film about a boinkable snowman played by Dustin Milligan.
Chabert could play any role in her sleep. She’s that talented, but falling in love with a half-naked snowman provided some new, naughty, sexy fun in Hot Frosty.
Chabert portrays Kathy, a woman whose husband has recently passed away. As she’s prepping for the annual ice sculpture contest, she puts a red scarf on a snowman, and it magically comes alive.
The hilarity began when the snowman was naked except for the scarf covering his crotch. Dustin Milligan shone in those sexy scenes with Chabert as Netflix took a chance on riskier and wittier material.
This is a delightful, fun holiday rom-com as Kathy and Jack the snowman try to make the most of their time together before he melts away.
2. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
IMDb 7 Starring Kurt Russell and Darby Camp
The Christmas Chronicles reminded me of those holiday films that I grew up watching about Santa Claus trying to save Christmas and restore the spirit of the holidays.
Darby Camp, who played pre-teen Kate Pierce, was the movie’s MVP. She still believed in the magic of Christmas, but her older brother Teddy was withdrawn and angry after their father died.
While trying to prove that Santa Claus was real, they distracted the jolly red figure and caused him to crash the sleigh.
To avoid getting on the naughty list, the kids offered to help Santa Claus save Christmas, and hilarity ensued as Santa Claus kept getting into trouble, and Kate had to convince the elves of their motives.
Don’t miss the sequel, The Christmas Chronicles 2, when Goldie Hawn’s Mrs. Claus has a more substantial role.
3. The Noel Diary (2022)
IMDb 6.2 • Starring Justin Hartley and Barrett Doss
Unlike many other holiday rom-coms, Netflix’s The Noel Diary strikes a balance between a melancholy feeling of loss, family drama, and the miracle of hope.
It includes Justin Hartley, so do we really need to say more? Seriously, Hartley captures this persona beautifully, as he’s accustomed to portraying a loner with unresolved daddy issues.
He plays Jake Turner, a man who returns home to deal with his mother’s estate and meets Rachel Campbell (Barrett Doss), who states her adoption papers led her there, and her mom worked there as a nanny.
This movie touched me because the holidays can be particularly rough for those who have recently lost someone.
As an adoptee, I would have loved to have met someone who knew my birthmother and could have shared stories about them.
This was one of the most realistic holiday films I’ve seen, as two lost souls found healing in each other’s company.
4. The Princess Switch (2018)
IMDb 6.1 • Starring Vanessa Hudgens and Sam Palladio
The Princess Switch is technically my favorite Netflix holiday film. It’s got romance, baking, and an old-school switcheroo plot.
Netflix’s classic Christmas films share a similar plot to that of a royal who didn’t want to participate in an arranged marriage to secure the throne.
It’s almost a modern take on “Prince and the Pauper, where Lady Margaret and Stacy De Nova (both played by Vanessa Hudgens) switch places so the duchess can experience an everyday life.
Like in any rom-com or fairytale, Stacy falls for Prince Edward (Sam Palladio), and Lady Margaret falls in love with Kevin (Nick Sagar), Stacy’s assistant.
Since one switcheroo wasn’t enough, there are two sequels and more romantic, cheesy fun.
5. A Christmas Prince (2017)
IMDb 5.8 • Starring Rose McIver and Ben Lamb
A Christmas Prince kicked off Netflix’s original holiday films, and it bore a striking resemblance to a Hallmark Christmas movie.
A commoner falling in love with a prince is a timeless classic, dating back to fairy tales.
Netflix leveraged that to their advantage, incorporating twists like Prince Richard (Ben Lamb) being reluctant to take the throne after his father’s death.
Amber’s (Rose McIver) journalist career was suffering until she was assigned to investigate the Prince’s life.
We all know those types of deception never end well. However, Amber managed to gain entry into the palace by pretending to be Richard’s younger sister’s tutor.
He began falling for Amber as he watched her interact with Emily. The plot naturally climaxes at the Christmas Ball, but we don’t want to spoil too much.
This was one of Netflix’s classic holiday films, and it gained two sequels.
6. A Castle for Christmas (2021)
IMDb 5.6 • Starring Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes
We’ve grown accustomed to seeing younger couples headline holiday films, so it was a refreshing treat to see Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes lead in A Castle for Christmas.
Watching Sophie (Shields) buy a Scottish castle and having a grumpy Myles (Elwes) protest was a bit tedious, but sparks flew once they were forced to become roommates.
I loved Elwes since I was a teenager, when I saw him in The Princess Bride, so it was a full circle to watch him play a romantic leading man here and see his resolve fade, transforming him from a grump to enchanted.
Experiencing Scotland at Christmas was almost like being in another world, with its beautiful castles, rolling hills, and community holiday atmosphere.
Being transported to this new fairytale is part of the holiday magic.
7. Single All the Way (2021)
IMDb 6.2 • Starring Michael Urie and Phileman Chambers
Single All the Way made history because it was Netflix’s first LGBTQ+ rom-com, and the three leading men, as well as the film’s creator, were all gay.
It was a heartwarming film as Peter (Urie) brought his best friend, Nick (Chambers), home for the holidays.
Peter’s family was the type that was all in his face, wanting to know everything about his life, and tried to set him up with a handsome trainer. Meanwhile, his nieces were smitten with Nick and tried to fix them up.
It was the perfect holiday rom-com, featuring the best friends to lovers trope with numerous holiday moments, including Peter’s aunt’s church pageant.
8. Let It Snow (2019)
IMDb 6 • Starring Isabela Merced and Kiernan Shipka
Let It Snow was adapted from a novel written by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle.
Like many holiday films, it took place in a small town, but this time it followed a group of teenagers whose lives were changed by a Christmas Eve snowstorm.
Many teens and young adults will relate to this movie. It features a mixture of melancholy and hopeful moments and issues.
The ones that hit home the most were Jubilee’s (Merced) arc as she tried to give her ill mother a Merry Christmas, sacrificing some of her own dreams. That’s all too realistic, but it showed unconditional family love.
Let it Know includes many teenage storylines and is led by Kiernan Shipka (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina). While it’s a bit busy at times, it’s still worth watching.
9. A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
IMDb 6.7 • Starring Maggie Smith and Henry Lawfull
A Boy Called Christmas explores the origins of Santa Claus, and this animated film is sure to become a family favorite as it delves into many Christmas traditions.
Maggie Smith fans will enjoy seeing her portray a kind great-aunt who cares for her relatives who have recently lost their mother and tells them the story of Nikolas (Henry Lawfull).
Nikolas, who has also recently lost his mother and his father, Joel (Michiel Huisman), was called by the king to bring joy back to their village.
The movie follows young Nikolas on a quest to help his father restore joy, and it’s a delightful fantasy adventure through snowy mountains, where he encounters CGI reindeer and other creatures.
Some are helpful, and lead him into danger. This is a unique kind of holiday film, but it’s perfect for families who love fantasy, such as those inspired by the Harry Potter series.
10. Holidate (2020)
IMDb 6.2 • Starring Emma Stone and Luke Bracey
Holidate is one of the charming but predictable holiday rom-coms. It’s the type we’ve seen before, but Emma Stone and Luke Bracey featured such a believable connection.
Stone plays Sloane, who recently ended a relationship, only to return home for Christmas to learn that her younger brother has become engaged. You know the ritual where every conversation is about dating and weddings.
So, when Sloane runs into Jackson (Bracey) and he suggests being holidates for every holiday for the next year, it’s an intriguing idea.
Over the next year, the two become close friends without realizing they have developed genuine feelings for each other.
It’s worth watching to see if they get their happy ending.
11. Christmas with You (2022)
IMDb 5.6 • Starring Freddie Prinze Junior and Aimee Garcia
During the 2022 Holiday season, Christmas movies had two themes. Either they were featured single dads or they included singers returning home, like Lifetime’s A Country Christmas Harmony.
Christmas with You combines both, as Angelina Costa goes on a road trip to meet her biggest fan, Cristina Torres, and reunites with her dad, Miguel (Freddie Prinze Jr.).
It’s a predictable holiday film because she soon finds inspiration writing with Miguel and bonds with his daughter.
The most memorable scenes typically featured Cristina, including her quinceañera and moments of family bonding.
However, I’m a sucker for anything musical, and Aimee Garcia’s original songs, especially “Christmas without You,” were soulful.
12. Falling for Christmas (2022)
IMDb 5.4 • Starring Lindsay Lohan and Chord Overstreet
Lindsay Lohan returned to acting in Falling for Christmas, another charming holiday film, in which the lead female character falls for a single dad.
Here’s the twist. Lohan portrays a wealthy heiress named Sierra, who gets into a skiing accident at her father’s exclusive ski resort.
As fate would have it, a handsome single dad, Jack, finds her and cares for her at his family inn, but she has no memory and calls herself Sarah.
A cozy inn, the holidays – we know this plot, until her fiancé and father come looking for Sierra.
This film ends differently than you’d expect, and Lohan delivers a fun performance, so we were happy to see her acting again.
13. A Merry Little Ex-Mas (2025)
IMDb 5.4 • Starring Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson
A Merry Little Ex-Mas is the only 2025 Netflix holiday film on the list, partly because most have not yet aired.
However, many divorced children would love it if their parents possessed such an amicable relationship as Kate (Silverstone) and Everett (Hudson) did, as they aimed to spend a final Christmas together before getting divorced.
That’s when things get messy because Everett brings his new girlfriend, who’s also nice and doesn’t want to make waves, but there are still old unresolved feelings.
That makes Kate want an attractive himbo on her arm.
Dysfunctional families and unresolved feelings often make the most entertaining movies, especially during the holidays.
While Netflix has lots more holiday films, these were the ones that made my bingeable list.
What about you, Christmas Fanatics? Which Netflix Christmas movies are your favorite?
Please take our poll and comment below.
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