Netflix Best Christmas Movies That Define The Season

Last Updated: Written by Miguel A. Siqueira
netflix best christmas movies that define the season
netflix best christmas movies that define the season
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Netflix Best Christmas Movies That Define the Season

The best Christmas movies on Netflix include Klaus (2019, 95% Tomatometer), Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020, 91%), Hot Frosty (2024, 76%), That Christmas (2024, 67%), and A Boy Called Christmas (2021, 84%)-these titles consistently rank highest for critics' scores and audience appeal. For families seeking holiday spirit films, Netflix offers 64+ Christmas movies as of December 2025, with three new world premieres released this season including Kate Winslet's directorial debut Goodbye June.

Top 10 Netflix Christmas Movies by Critical Score

Critics and audiences agree on these critically acclaimed titles as the definitive Netflix Christmas collection, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score:

netflix best christmas movies that define the season
netflix best christmas movies that define the season
Rank Title Year Tomatometer Popcornmeter Director
1 Klaus 2019 95% 96% Sergio Pablos
2 Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey 2020 91% 69% David E. Talbert
3 Alien Xmas 2020 100% 69% Stephen Chiodo
4 Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery 2022 91% 80% Laura Murphy
5 Feast of the Seven Fishes 2019 88% 89% Robert Tinnell
6 Let It Snow 2019 85% 48% Luke Snellin
7 A Boy Called Christmas 2021 84% 62% Gil Kenan
8 Hot Frosty 2024 76% 51% Jerry Ciccoritti
9 Jingle Bell Heist 2025 76% 41% Michael Fimognari
10 A Castle for Christmas 2021 75% 42% Mary Lambert

New 2025 Netflix Christmas Originals

This holiday season, Netflix debuted three world premieres that join the rotating festive catalog, with My Secret Santa hitting No. 1 on the English film Top 10 with 18.1 million views in its first week:

  • My Secret Santa (December 3, 2025) - Single mom disguises as man to work as Santa at ski lodge, starring Alexandra Breckenridge and Ryan Eggold
  • Champagne Problems - Executive leads major acquisition at champagne house, starring Minka Kelly and Tom Wozniczka
  • A Merry Little Ex-Mas - Divorced mom's perfect family Christmas derails when ex-husband returns, starring Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson
  • Goodbye June (December 24, 2025) - Kate Winslet's directing debut about four siblings navigating mother's health crisis, co-starring Helen Mirren
  • Jingle Bell Heist - Small-time thieves target London's most valuable Christmas gift, starring Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells

Best Family-Friendly Christmas Movies

Parents seeking age-appropriate holiday content will find these Netflix originals particularly suitable for children, with PG ratings and wholesome themes aligned with family values:

  1. Klaus - Beautiful hand-drawn animation tells the origin story of Santa Claus; critics call it an "instant candidate for holiday classic status"
  2. That Christmas - Richard Curtis-adapted animated stories about family, friendship, and a Santa blunder; voice cast includes Brian Cox and Bill Nighy
  3. A Boy Called Christmas - Young Nikolas journeys into snowy north searching for father; Henry Lawfull stars alongside Stephen Merchant
  4. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey - Toymaker finds hope when granddaughter appears; Forest Whitaker and Keegan-Michael Key star
  5. The Christmas Chronicles - Kurt Russell's charming Santa joins siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce on Christmas Eve adventure

Best Romantic Christmas Comedies

For viewers craving holiday romance, Netflix's rom-com collection features recognizable stars and predictable-but-sweet plots that define the genre:

Title Year Starring Tomatometer Key Plot Element
The Princess Switch 2018 Vanessa Hudgens 63% Twin swap between duchess and Chicago woman
The Knight Before Christmas 2019 Vanessa Hudgens, Josh Whitehouse 71% Medieval knight transported to present day
Falling for Christmas 2022 Lindsay Lohan 62% Amnesiac hotel heiress cared for by blue-collar man
Love Hard 2021 Nina Dobrev, Darren Barnet 50% Catfish surprise on Christmas morning
Single All the Way 2021 Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers 70% Best friend fake-dates to avoid family judgment

Why These Movies Define the Christmas Season

These films embody core holiday values-family reconciliation, generosity, hope, and community-that resonate across Latin American and Brazilian audiences during the festive season. Klaus specifically demonstrates how storytelling can transmit values of selflessness and kindness, with its narrative showing how one act of giving sparks a tradition lasting centuries.

Netflix's diverse holiday catalog also includes culturally specific traditions like Feast of the Seven Fishes, which celebrates Italian-American Christmas Eve customs with Skyler Gisondo and Madison Iseman. This inclusivity matters for families seeking representation of their own heritage during holiday celebrations.

Key concerns and solutions for Netflix Best Christmas Movies That Define The Season

What are the highest-rated Netflix Christmas movies?

Klaus (95% Tomatometer) and Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (91%) hold the highest critical scores, followed by Alien Xmas (100% but limited reviews) and Feast of the Seven Fishes (88%).

Are there new Netflix Christmas movies in 2025?

Yes-Netflix released five new originals in 2025: My Secret Santa (December 3), Jingle Bell Heist, A Merry Little Ex-Mas, Champagne Problems, and Kate Winslet's Goodbye June (December 24).

Which Netflix Christmas movie is best for families with children?

Klaus and That Christmas are top choices for families-they feature age-appropriate themes, beautiful animation, and messages about giving that align with educational values.

Is Klaus an Oscar-nominated movie?

Klaus was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 92nd Oscars, recognizing Sergio Pablos' hand-drawn animation and heartwarming Santa origin story.

How many Christmas movies are on Netflix in 2025?

Rotten Tomatoes catalogs 64 Christmas movies available on Netflix as of December 2025, including originals and licensed films spanning animation, romance, and family genres.

When does My Secret Santa stream on Netflix?

My Secret Santa premiered on December 3, 2025 and reached No. 1 on Netflix's English film Top 10 with 18.1 million views in its first week.

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Policy Researcher

Miguel A. Siqueira

Miguel A. Siqueira is a policy researcher and former editor at Educare Brasil, where he led investigations into governance structures within Marist-affiliated networks.

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