At first glance, Netflix’s selection of Christmas movies seems a bit meager. There is no elf (eating spaghetti with syrup on HBO Max), Alone at home (trick Disney Plus with tricks) or Die Hard (yes, it’s a Christmas movie and it’s streaming on Starz). While Netflix might not be able to offer all the movies you watched growing up, the streaming service has some great holiday movies you won’t want to miss, like Klaus and Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.
A movie doesn’t have to be Christmas-themed to light up your festive gathering. You can also check out December new releases like Pinocchio by Guillermo Del Toro, Glass onion: a mystery at loggerheads and Matilda the musical by Roald Dahl.
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I first watched Klaus in 2022 and couldn’t believe I missed the hilarious and heartwarming story. It features Jesper, a guy forced to trade his cushy life for one on a frozen island where no one gets along. The situation seems hopeless, but that changes after meeting a recluse with a big beard named Klaus. Take your family and enjoy one of the best vacation options on Netflix.
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Who Killed Santa Claus? A Murderville Murder Mystery (2022)
Maya Rudolph and Jason Bateman improvise their way through a chilling case in this special episode of the Will Arnett-directed crime comedy series Murderville (not a movie, but it’s 50 minutes long). As the title suggests, it begins with the untimely death of a big-bellied party animal (skewered by a candy cane, a tragic way to go). Arnett, Bateman and Rudolph make sure the holiday laughs continue.
Screenshot by Meara Isenberg/CNET
Netflix’s holiday movie selection is depressingly light on the classics, but it includes the beloved musical White Christmas. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen star.
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The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
In The Christmas Chronicles, two children attempt to catch the sackcloth man on camera, leading to a full adventure with the legend. It’s a perfect holiday movie starring Kurt Russell. A sequel, The Christmas Chronicles 2, is also streaming on Netflix.
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Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
The holidays are the perfect time to watch a musical. This one features John Legend as a songwriter and stars Keegan-Michael Key in a villainous role. A talented toymaker is painfully betrayed by an apprentice and loses sight of magic. But his extremely bright granddaughter eventually comes into his life, offering a chance to restore that vision.
Screenshot by Meara Isenberg/CNET
A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
With realistic animal friends, a story involving a secret village, and a few big names, this film delivers an enjoyable fantasy. It follows the red-haired boy Nikolas on a grand adventure. Maggie Smith narrates, Kristen Wiig stars as her selfish aunt, and Michiel Huisman and Sally Hawkins add more power to the cast.
