For several years now Netflix has joined the Christmas-movie programming craze and 2021 is no exception. With a slew of original movies, shows, and international options, Netflix has positioned itself in a great spot this holiday season. In fact, Netflix has already released 8 of its slated 10 original Christmas movies for 2021 as of the second week of December!
Unfortunately, not all festive flicks can be Christmas classics and Netflix subscribers have flocked to Rotten Tomatoes eager to give their opinions and rate this year's Christmas content. From family dramas to romcoms and even children's animated movies, Netflix left no stone unturned this year. But were all of these Christmas movies a success according to viewers?
Father Christmas Is Back - 9%
One of Netflix's first Christmas movies of the season was Father Christmas Is Back. The movie follows four sisters who have agreed to spend Christmas together at their Yorkshire mansion. However, when their estranged father joins the reunion, chaos ensues as long-kept secrets are unraveled.
Despite having an impressive and talented cast, Father Christmas Is Back was not the hit Netflix hoped it would be. Many viewers criticized its lack of plot and sub-par humor which means it's earned a low score on Rotten Tomatoes.
David And The Elves - 10%
Netflix's most recent Christmas release is David and the Elves, a Christmas movie the whole family can enjoy together. After his parents move to a big city and forget the true meaning of Christmas, David connects with Albert, an elf, who promises to help him reclaim the magic of the holiday. The two set out through the Tatra mountains to track down David's grandparents.
Since David and the Elves just hit Netflix, its Rotten Tomatoes score is lower than it might be in the coming weeks. However, the few reviews that are available say that the movie is cute but not all that original. Who knows, maybe it'll become the next underrated Christmas movie.
The Princess Switch 3: Romancing The Star - 45%
After the success of the first two The Princess Switch movies, Netflix once again asked Vanessa Hudgens to reprise her role as Margaret, Stacy, and Fiona. This time the trio must team up to reclaim a priceless Christmas relic that was stolen from the castle.
While the first film was an instant hit, the third installment hasn't been as successful. Many fans felt the heist nature of the story to be an odd choice, not at all Christmas-y, and poorly executed compared to other heist movies.
Single All The Way - 72%
Single All The Way is Netflix's first-ever LGBTQ+ Christmas rom-com movie and it does not disappoint. After discovering his boyfriend is married, Peter decides to bring his best friend Nick home for the holidays with the hopes of him pretending to be his boyfriend. While Peter's plan doesn't go smoothly, it does end in a fairytale happily ever after moment perfect for rom-com fans.
Since Single All The Way has only been out for a few days, its rating isn't as high as some fans might hope. Still, those who have seen it praise its feel-good Christmas nature and for the story's ability to be LGBTQ+ focussed without having to be centered around a coming-out story.
A Castle For Christmas - 75%
A Castle For Christmas can best be described as a Hallmark/Lifetime movie that found a home on Netflix. After her last book release ends in a scandal, Sophie decides to spend the holidays in Scotland away from the backlash. While there, she falls in love with the castle she's staying in as well as beginning an enemy-to-lovers relationship with the stubborn Duke who owns it.
This movie has so far divided critics and fans, with the former rating it higher than many Netflix subscribers. While there are plenty of cliches and questionable Scottish accents abound, the film is a heart-warming feel-good flick for viewers wanting to get into the Christmas spirit.
Robin Robin - 83%
Robin Robin is one of two Netflix animated Christmas specials of the year and it did not disappoint viewers. After she fell out of her nest as an egg, Robin the Robin is raised by a family of mice. As she gets older and begins to realize she's different, Robin sets out to prove that she belongs in her mouse family by becoming the best mouse ever.
Fans of the short praised it for its heartwarming and uplighting story as well as its beautiful animation. While the story might not be completely original, it definitely makes up for it in other ways.
A Boy Called Christmas - 85%
Released at the end of November, A Boy Called Christmas centers on Nikolas, a young boy who leaves home to track down his father who is on a mission to find Elfhelm, a village of elves. Alongside him are his trusty reindeer and pet mouse who help him navigate the adventure before he meets The Truth Pixie.
A Boy Named Christmas is another Netflix Christmas movie where subscribers and critics can't seem to agree on whether or not it is any good. While a great watch for the whole family, many found the story to be unoriginal.
Love Hard - 93%
Love Hard centers on Natalie, a bad-at-love journalist who turns to dating apps to find love. After matching with her potential soulmate, Natalie decides to surprise him and show up on his doorstep for the holidays. Her surprise backfires, however, when Natalie learns she has been catfished.
While many fans had issues with the catfishing plot points in the movie, especially when Natalie in turn catfishes Tag, the movie still managed to win over viewers' hearts. It's not without its flaws, but Love Hard ends with a heartfelt message and an adorable love story, as Josh turns out to be the better boyfriend after all.