While enduring favorites like “Home Alone “, “Elf” and “Die Hard” reliably dominate holiday watchlists, this Christmas offers a sleigh-full of new films vying for a spot in your festive rotation.
From musical misadventures to heartfelt family dramas, here are the fresh titles to stream this season.
The Jonas Brothers: Christmas Miracle
This 2025 release holds a unique distinction: it’s the only film from this year to crack Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the 100 greatest Christmas movies of all time. The plot finds the famous siblings stranded in the U.K. after their world tour, racing against an evil, song-slinging Santa to get home.
Their quest to “rediscover their brotherly magic” is packed with banter and in-jokes, offering lighthearted fun for fans and newcomers alike.
A-List Panto
Kiefer Sutherland stars as a down-on-his-luck action hero tricked into starring in a British pantomime.
The comedy mines gold from the culture clash as Sutherland’s character grapples with panto traditions (“Oh no, I’m not!” “Oh yes, you are!”). With a sharp script and a stellar supporting cast, it delivers genuine laughs and seasonal warmth.
Christmas Karma
A modern, musical take on A Christmas Carol, this film features The Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar as the miserly Mr. Sood. Directed by Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham), the story gets a vibrant update with ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future played by Hugh Bonneville, Billy Porter, and Boy George.
Keep an ear out for a cameo from Danny Dyer as a singing cabbie.
A Lapland Journey
This BBC special stars Guz Khan as a grumpy father who mistakenly spends an £8,000 Christmas bonus, only to discover it was meant to be £800. The resulting scramble to fund a family trip to Lapland is an enjoyable, if forgettable, slice of festive comedy-drama perfect for a pre-lunch watch.
Christmas in Paris
While Christmas serves as the backdrop rather than the core plot, this film oozes festive charm. Minka Kelly plays an executive sent to France to acquire a champagne business, where a chance meeting promises a magical Christmas in Paris. Described by some as one of the best new Christmas romances in recent years, it’s a classy entry guaranteed to deliver warm, fuzzy feelings.
Oh. What. Fun.
Michelle Pfeiffer leads an all-star cast (including Felicity Jones and Chloë Grace Moretz) in this tribute to holiday matriarchs. While it openly borrows from classics like Christmas Vacation, the film finds its own voice as it celebrates the often-unsung heroes who make the magic happen.
The Christmas Twist
Arguably the most intriguing release, this marks Kate Winslet’s directorial debut. She stars alongside Helen Mirren, Toni Collette, and Timothy Spall in an intimate, poignant family drama about a matriarch facing a potentially final Christmas. Written by Winslet’s son, Joe Anders, the film is a sentimental but skillfully acted departure from typical holiday fare, offering depth and stellar performances.
This year’s lineup proves that the Christmas movie tradition is alive, well, and branching out in new, delightful directions.
