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Last Christmas
For years, we have found ourselves going on YouTube to watch Emilia Clarke and members of the cast sing WHAM’s hit song, which the title of the movie shares, “Last Christmas.” But, what puts “Last Christmas” on this list is that it also has Michelle Yeoh in the movie, Emma Thompson, and Henry Golding, back when he was touted to be the next big thing.
The film is about Clarke’s character, a refugee of the Yugoslavian war, falling in love with Golding’s who helps her rediscover her joy, her voice, and a bit of the Christmas spirit.
Where To Watch This:An Almost Christmas Story
Released in November 2024, “An Almost Christmas Story” is a 24-minute, animated warm-up from Disney that perhaps is the best way to start your Christmas or holiday movie marathon. It features a young talking bird, a unique animation style, and someone differently abled as the bird’s companion. You’ll smile, maybe get teary-eyed, and potentially laugh.
Where To Watch This:The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The most recent theatrical release on this list has the potential to be a modern classic. It’s about a small town well known for doing the Nativity Story, and between the usual director of the show getting hurt and the kids from the wrong side of the tracks deciding to participate, you get a far better-than-expected film.
For whether it is those kids, “The Herdmans” showing a genuine interest in the Nativity Story, beyond what’s in the production, to the performance of Beatrice Schneider, which could bring you to tears, this film hits so many of the right notes.
Where To Watch This:A Christmas Stray
One of the things we’ve seen repeatedly in Christmas romances is this weird gray area where at least one of the leads is in a relationship, albeit an unhappy one, and we’re supposed to give them a pass when pursuing someone else because their relationship is coming to an end. Thankfully, “A Christmas Stray” doesn’t pursue that, and, in fact, it not only works as a romance but also as a reminder to look at life beyond a to-do list or check box.
I would even say, in terms of developing characters and getting you invested, “A Christmas Stray” might be one of the few films on this list that has it where nearly every character feels like they matter or have a story to tell. That is on top of having a cute dog.
Where To Watch This:The Holiday Calendar
When it comes to “The Holiday Calendar,” it is a will they or won’t they film that reminds you that not every duo with chemistry has to get together. In fact, platonic friendships can be the most rewarding. Now, granted, with how the lead characters and their families are integrated, you’ll want a relationship. Yet, mainly, you’ll want to see the leads happy in their personal lives and professionally.
Where To Watch This:The Princess Switch
Before Netflix decided every hit Christmas movie needed to be a franchise, we had the next few movies on this list. With “The Princess Switch,” it is the cutest, Christmas romance movie and Vanessa Hudgens will likely remind you why you probably had a crush on her growing up. Her charm is pushed as far as it could go, and while the whole doppelganger switching lives story may not be for everyone, if you like a little hijinks with your Christmas movies, this is the one for you.
Where To Watch This:A Christmas Prince (The Trilogy Really)
I would submit, of the various Netflix Christmas/Holiday films that got sequels, the one that holds up best is “A Christmas Prince.” I would even submit, removing the holiday filter, that “A Christmas Prince” might be one of the best original movie franchises on Netflix.
Now, I’ll admit that the romance between the lead characters often plays second fiddle compared to what Honor Kneafsey delivers as Emily, but if you are looking for multiple movies to watch of the same franchise? “A Christmas Prince” is probably the only film worth checking out the entire trilogy, and not just the first movie.
Where To Watch This:The Christmas Chronicles
A prime example of when you should stick to the first movie is “The Christmas Chronicles.” It has a slightly modern take on Santa Claus, a wonderful brother/sister relationship, and the sense that it wasn’t trying to do the usual exploit of dead parents for instant sympathy—it made it feel special. This felt like it wasn’t made to be a franchise or appeal to an algorithm but really be something that stands the test of time.
But it did get a sequel, which is intentionally not on this list.
Where To Watch This:A New York Christmas Wedding
There aren’t many LGBT+ Christmas movies out there, but of the handful that are accessible or known, “A New York Christmas Wedding” stands out. Whether it is the depiction of a bi-sexual woman’s journey to love, addressing the faith of one of the characters who is also queer, Gabby, or just plainly being a movie about queer people without an excessive amount of trauma, “A New York Christmas Wedding” is a fantastic choice for adult queer people, and those who love diverse depictions of love.
Where To Watch This:Dash & Lily
“Dash & Lily” is the sole show on here, and the Emmy-winning program, featuring the rising star Midori Francis, similar to “A Christmas Prince,” is made for those who don’t want to jump from story to story and want to stick with one set of characters for an extended time. In this pseudo-romance, a scavenger hunt between the two leads, across New York City, is presented and you get something most of the films listed don’t have – and that’s a slow burn toward love.
On top of that, there are certain coming-of-age elements, as Francis’ Lily and Austin Abrams’ Dash create dares for each other, as they get to know one another, mainly through notes, that push both out of their comfort zones and away from some of their more limited perspectives. Add in really building up a relationship that could cause you to get butterflies, and you have something to watch for a notable part of your day.
Where To Watch This:First Christmas
Until this year, OWN’s yearly program “OWN For The Holidays” pretty much dominated my holiday movie watching. I’d even credit it with getting me into watching new Holiday movies rather than just the same ones I have been watching since I was a kid. The main reason for that is that OWN, with its formerly groundbreaking scripted programming, often pushed new narratives, including with its Christmas movies.
For example, “First Christmas” is a film about someone who didn’t grow up with a family, and the only consistent person in their life was their social worker. Yet, somewhere in their thirties, they learn about the family they lost when their dad gave them up and spend the film trying to reintegrate over the Christmas holiday.
It truly stands out for those like me who don’t jump to Lifetime, Hallmark, or anywhere else for Christmas movies and who especially want to see movies starring people who look like them.
Where To Watch This:The Sound Of Christmas
One thing seen sporadically in other films on this list, but not given heavy focus, is the Church, the Christian Church to be specific, singing, and also drama. A lot of the films previous to “The Sound Of Christmas,” starring Serayah, have one or two elements, but they don’t have the lead singing throughout, getting a sense of what it means to be part of a church, both the positives and negatives, and giving you drama from break ups, a potentially misunderstood villain, and more. Getting all that in one movie may not make this film for kids, but it could definitely keep the adults engaged.
Where To Watch This:Honorable Mention
A Diva’s Christmas Carol
This is a movie I feel like, if you like or love TV movies, especially holiday movies, you have either watched or have to watch. It stars Vanessa Williams in a modern version of The Christmas Carol, where she plays a singer who has long gone solo and has pretty much crushed her former bandmates from making a buck on their past work. But, with one having passed and another struggling to the point her life isn’t going anywhere fast, we see the famous ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future enter into Ebony Scrooge’s life and try to redirect her to a more giving and cheery state.
Williams, who has taken on becoming one of the queens of what I believe to be camp, is in full effect as Ebony but, alongside playing off of Kathy Griffin, she also delivers multiple memorable numbers from “Heartquake” to “Sleigh Ride” which you’ll likely want to download and listen to in your free time.
Where To Watch This:The Preacher’s Wife
My introduction to Denzel Washington was “A Preacher’s Wife,” and it may have been my introduction to Whitney Houston as an actress and quite a few others. I’d even submit, alongside “A Diva’s Christmas,” that “The Preacher’s Wife” is the kind of film that you saw at least a part of if you grew up in a Black household.
But what really makes this film special is that, as much as there is this sense that Washington’s character was falling in love with Houston’s, this is something that the whole family could watch; the soundtrack is replayable, especially in a household that likes gospel, and the film’s replay value is through the roof.
I would even say, considering Amber Riley and Loretta Devine, who stars in this movie, recently did a new musical featuring work by Titus Burgess, which could bring new life into this tale in the future.
Where To Watch This:Violent Night
Up until this point, what has been on this list, at most, was TV-14 or PG-13. Violent Night is rated R and features violence and cursing, but it is a good time. A wealthy family is being held hostage, with John Leguizamo being one of the leaders. They find themselves facing David Harbour as some form of Santa, who fights and often kills the people threatening a family with a lot of internal drama.
This movie is for those who like flinch-worthy violence and laugh-out-loud comedy and can be forgiving regarding a villain whose motivation is eh.
Where To Watch This:Christmas With The Campbells
Like “Violent Night,” “Christmas With The Campbells” isn’t for children. In this film, co-written by Vince Vaughn, you get a lot of innuendo, straight-up dirty jokes, and Midwestern shade. It is almost an anti-holiday movie, considering how much it veers toward being something you may not want kids, or even teens, to watch with you.
But, as with many things with Vaughn’s name attached, it is hilarious, and as long as your humor is a bit dirty, you’ll love it.
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