Christmas movies have always dominated the months of December both in movie theaters and on televisions thanks to Hallmark and Lifetime's commitment to creating a dozen new Christmas movies every year. In recent years, the streaming services have started following suit crafting their own festive line-ups to spread Christmas joy during the holiday season.
Despite there being an abundance of streaming services out there this year, it seems like several are still slacking when it comes to creating original Christmas content. Meanwhile, Netflix has taken over as the "Hallmark Channel" of Christmas streaming movies creating several new movies in 2020 alone.
Let It Snow (2019, Netflix) - 5.8
Released in 2019 on Netflix, Let it Snow brings the popular bestselling young adult novel of the same name to life. The movie centers around an ensemble cast of teenagers who are trying to enjoy Christmas Eve despite a random snowstorm that has plagued their town. What constitutes fun looks very different for this ensemble cast. For some characters, the perfect Christmas Eve means throwing an epic rager while other characters are more simple, aiming to spend the holidays with their loved ones or confess their love to their lifelong best friend.
Let it Snow is the perfect original Christmas movie to stream for anyone looking for a cheesy teen Christmas movie.
The Princess Switch (2018, Netflix) - 6.0
Vanessa Hudgens pulls double duty in this Netflix original Christmas movie. The Princess Switch follows American baker Olivia Richards as she travels from Chicago to the Kingdom of Belgravia to compete in a baking competition. When she arrives she runs into Lady Margaret Delacourt, Duchess of Montenaro who looks exactly like her. Wanting to see what it's like to not be royal Lady Margaret convinces Oliva to switch places with her for two days.
The Princess Switch is the perfect Christmas film to stream for fans of The Parent Trap.
Holidate (2020, Netflix) - 6.1
One of Netflix's newest holiday films is the Emma Roberts lead romantic comedy Holidate. The movie follows Sloane (Roberts) a young woman who is tired of having her life questioned during the holidays because she's still single. By chance, Sloane meets Jackson (Luke Bracey) another young adult fed up with the pressures of dating during the holidays. The two decide to be each other's platonic dates for every holiday the following year.
Holidate is the perfect movie to stream for fans of rom-coms that are predictable in the plot but still fun to watch.
Holiday in the Wild (2019, Netflix) - 6.1
When her only son leaves the nest to attend college, Kate (Kristen Davis) is determined to rekindle her marriage but her husband has other plans. After announcing he wants a divorce, Kate decides to travel to Zambia, Africa without him on what would have been their second honeymoon. Her adventure begins as soon quickly when her pilot, Derek (Rob Lowe), lands the plane in order to rescue a baby elephant. After bonding with the elephant and Derek, Kate decides to extend her trip not ready to leave Africa for the craziness of the holidays back home.
Holiday in the Wild is the perfect Christmas film to stream for fans of Hallmark movies who wish they had a Netflix sized budget.
The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020, Netflix) - 6.2
Another new Netflix original Christmas movie to hit the streaming service is the highly anticipated sequel The Christmas Chronicles 2. Kurt Russel reprises his role as Santa Clause as does the rest of the cast. This time around Santa enlists the help of Kate and Jack Pierce who much help him stop Belsnickel from his naughty actions and reverse all the damage he's done but the time Christmas Eve hits.
Fans of the first movie will definitely want to stream The Christmas Chronicles 2 this holiday season.
Noelle (2019, Disney+) - 6.3
It might come as a surprise that The Walt Disney Company only has one original Christmas movie under its belt when it comes to streaming but that is the case. Released last year alongside Disney+, Noelle tells the story of Santa's daughter (Anna Kendrick) who must track down her brother (Bill Hader) so he can rightfully take over for their deceased father.
Noelle is the perfect Christmas movie to stream for families and for Anna Kendrick.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey - (2020, Netflix) - 6.6
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is another new addition to Netflix's catalog of original Christmas movies. This family-friendly film centers on Jeronicus Jangle, a toymaker who has been betrayed by an apprentice and turned off to toy making. Thankfully, when his granddaughter Journey shows up unannounced she helps him inspire him and together they get to work creating new inventions.
Not only does Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey tell a heartfelt story with original music, it also features an all-star cast including Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, and Phylicia Rashad. This is the perfect film for fans of Christmas and musicals.
Happiest Season (2020, Hulu) - 6.8
Hulu joined in on the Christmas movie craze this year releasing Happiest Seasons at the end of November. Happiest Seasons follows Abby (Kristen Stewart) a young woman who plans to propose to her girlfriend, Harper (Mackenzie Davis), over the holidays after she agrees to spend Christmas with her. Abby's plans are halted though when Harper informs Abby that she hasn't come out to her family yet. Already committed to the trip, Abby must pretend to be Harper's straight best friend instead of her girlfriend.
Happiest Season is the perfect Christmas movie to stream for Christmas movie fans who want a Christmas movie with more LGBTQ+ characters and stories in them.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018, Netflix) - 7.1
In 2018 Netflix released the first-ever The Christmas Chronicles which instantly won over the hearts of its subscribers. Unlike the sequel, Kate and Teddy Pierce are children in this movie who steal Santa's sleigh while he's delivering presents to the homes on their street. After they crash the sleigh, they must help Santa deliver the rest of his presents before Christmas morning hits.
The Christmas Chronicles is an amazing and fun Christmas movie that is truly unlike any other. It's the perfect movie to stream for fans who are tired of the same old Christmas tropes.
Klaus (2019, Netflix) - 8.2
While live-action Christmas movies are plentiful year after year, the same can not be said about animated Christmas movies. Netflix's released this and in 2019 they released the animated film Klaus. This movie follows Jesper, the son of the Royal Postmaster General who is tasked with setting up a post office in a difficult town up North. While there, Jesper accidentally befriends Klaus and together they invent the legend of Santa Claus.
Klaus is the perfect Christmas movie to stream for fans of animated movies. It's also great for anyone looking for a heartfelt story about the power of Christmas.