Tis the season to be jolly—and it helps that there’s a handful of new holiday movies coming at you from the most popular streamers.
As the festive season approaches (after Halloween, it’s all a blur until the new year) and the temperature drops (some places in the U.S. have already experienced their first snowfall of the season), there’s nothing like settling in with your loved ones for a cozy movie night filled with heartwarming moments, laughter, and love.
For the holidays, especially, there’s no shortage of programming, but there are some films that are breaking through the noise.
So throw on your flannel PJs, grab a peppermint latte or hot chocolate, and turn on the fire for an evening in front of the TV.
We’ve compiled a list of the must-watch films (there’s even something for the horror buffs and those who want to venture to the theaters for some entertainment)—consider it an early Christmas gift.
Thanksgiving – In Theaters Now
Did someone say they wanted a proper holiday-themed slasher? Well, look no further. The citizens of Plymouth, Massachusetts are targeted by the killer, who is dressed like a pilgrim and using weapons “straight off of the Thanksgiving table” (creative, right?), to attack his victims as revenge for the chaos of a Black Friday department store massacre that occurred years ago. Also starring Addison Rae, Rick Hoffman, Patrick Dempsey, Gina Gershon and more.
It’s a Wonderful Knife – In Theaters Now
Justin Long seems to be carving out a place for himself in the horror-comedy genre following his stint on Goosebumps. In this twist on It’s a Wonderful Life, Winnie (Jane Widdop) finds herself haunted by the previous Christmas Eve, where she saved her whole town from a psychotic killer. When she wishes she was never born, her wish is granted as she’s instantly transported to a nightmarish parallel universe where the masked killer is alive and slashing through the snow.
Candy Cane Lane – Prime Video – Dec. 1, 2023
Eddie Murphy is headed to the silver screen to save Christmas in this whimsical holiday tale. Murphy stars as Chris, a man who makes a deal with a mischievous elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning the neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. Pepper, however, casts a spell that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life and wreaks havoc on the town in the process, as Chris’ family rallies to break the spell and save the big day. Also starring Tracee Ellis Ross.
How to Fall in Love by the Holidays – The Roku Channel – Nov 3, 2023.
Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher stars as Nora, a beloved writer-turned-CEO of a Goop-like lifestyle brand called Prism who is tasked with writing a dating column about falling in love by Christmas in order to save her company. And she finds herself turning fiction into reality while teaming up with a handsome photographer assigned to the piece. Will the magic of the season help her meet her deadline?
Dashing Through the Snow – Disney+ – Nov 17, 2023
Ludacris and Lil Rey Howery join forces for a holiday comedy that will have you feeling the holiday spirit. Single father Eddie (Ludacris) comes across a man dressed as Santa, who falls through his chimney, no less, and needs help stopping a group trying to get their hands on his naughty and nice list. The Christmas adventure could change Eddie’s negative feelings toward the holiday and reunite him with his estranged daughter. Also starring Madison Skye Validum, Kevin Hart, and Teyonah Parris.
Ex-Mas – Freevee – Nov 17, 2023
When Upload’s Robbie Amell, as Graham, tells his family he can’t make it home for the holidays, they invite his ex fianceé Ali, played by Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester. But when Graham makes a surprise appearance, he’s forced to confront his ex as they battle it out to see who the family would rather spend Christmas Day with.
Genie – Peacock – Nov 22, 2023
Hailing from the filmmaker of Love Actually and Notting Hill comes a fantasy holiday film starring Melissa McCarthy and Papa Essiedu. Essiedu’s Bernard Bottle’s life is on a downward spiral following his divorce, so he rubs an antique jewelry box for luck and out emerges McCarthy’s Flora, a genie trapped in a bottle for 2,000 years after a misunderstanding with a sorcerer in 77 B.C. With her unlimited wishes, Flora works to get Bernard’s family back, while the duo find friendship and holiday magic along the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5uzsanBY9U
Best. Christmas. Ever! – Netflix – Nov 15, 2023
Brandy and Heather Graham are two former college besties, Jackie and Charlotte, who unintentionally spend the holidays together and promise it will be the best Christmas ever. But when Charlotte’s jealousy of Jackie’s highly successful Christmas newsletters bubbles up to the surface, she sets out to prove that her friend’s life can’t be as perfect as it sounds to make her feel better about her own struggles.
What Happens Later – In Theaters Now
Meg Ryan’s triumphant rom-com return alongside David Duchovny finds the two exes snowed in an airport together when their flights are delayed due to a winter storm. As they are forced to spend an evening with each other for the first time in years, they begin to wonder “What if”?
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