New Movies On Netflix December 2025: Holiday Must-Watch List

Last Updated: Written by Miguel A. Siqueira
new movies on netflix december 2025 holiday must watch list
new movies on netflix december 2025 holiday must watch list
Table of Contents

New Movies on Netflix December 2025: The Complete List of Must-Watch Premieres

New movies on Netflix in December 2025 include highly anticipated originals like Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (December 12), Jay Kelly (December 5), Troll 2 (December 1), and the series-finale Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 (December 25). Holiday favorites include My Secret Santa (December 3), Goodbye June (December 24), and classics like Titanic, Forrest Gump, and Pulp Fiction returning to the platform.

Top Original Movies Arriving This December

December 2025 marks a landmark month for Netflix Original films, with award-season contenders and franchise finales dominating the lineup. Rian Johnson's third Benoit Blanc mystery, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, premieres December 12 and features a star-studded cast including Daniel Craig, Josh O'Connor, and Amy Adams. Noah Baumbach's Jay Kelly, starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler, arrives December 5 and is already being positioned as an Oscar hopeful forBest Actor and Best Original Screenplay.

new movies on netflix december 2025 holiday must watch list
new movies on netflix december 2025 holiday must watch list

The Norwegian fantasy blockbuster Troll 2 debuts December 1, continuing the sequel's global phenomenon that garnered over 85 million viewing hours in its first week of the original's release. The most culturally significant release remains Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2, dropping December 25 as the series finale that concludes nearly a decade of storytelling from the Duffer Brothers.

Complete Release Schedule by Date

The following table provides exact release dates for all major movie premieres throughout December 2025, organized chronologically for easy planning:

Date Movie Title Genre Original or License
December 1 Troll 2 Fantasy/Adventure Netflix Original
December 1 A League of Their Own Drama/Comedy Licensed
December 1 As Good as It Gets Romantic Comedy Licensed
December 3 My Secret Santa Holiday/Romance Netflix Original
December 3 The Northman Action/Drama Licensed
December 4 Forrest Gump Drama Licensed
December 4 Mean Girls (2004) Comedy Licensed
December 4 Mean Girls (2024) Musical/Comedy Licensed
December 5 Jay Kelly Drama/Comedy Netflix Original
December 5 Love and Wine Romance Netflix Original
December 12 Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Mystery/Thriller Netflix Original
December 13 The Talented Mr. Ripley Crime/Drama Licensed
December 14 PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie Family/Animation Licensed
December 19 The Great Flood Drama/Thriller Netflix Original
December 23 Eden (US) Sci-Fi/Thriller Netflix Original
December 24 Downton Abbey: A New Era Drama/Romance Licensed
December 24 Goodbye June Drama/Romance Netflix Original
December 25 Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 Sci-Fi/Horror Netflix Original
December 25 Christmas Gameday: Cowboys vs. Commanders Sports/Live Event Netflix Original
December 31 Sleeping with Other People Romantic Comedy Licensed

Holiday-Themed Movies for Christmas viewing

Netflix delivers an extensive holiday movie collection this December, perfect for family gatherings and cozy winter nights. My Secret Santa (December 3) is a heartwarming original romance following a struggling musician who discovers magic on Christmas Eve. Goodbye June arrives December 24 as a poignant drama about second chances during the holiday season.

Classic holiday films also return, including A Lot Like Christmas (December 4), The Night My Dad Saved Christmas 2 (December 5), Christmas at the Chalet (December 15), and Joy for Christmas (December 1). Families with children can enjoy PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie on December 14 and Cocomelon Lane: Season 6 starting December 1.

  • My Secret Santa - December 3 (Netflix Original Romance)
  • Goodbye June - December 24 (Drama/Romance)
  • A Lot Like Christmas - December 4 (Holiday Comedy)
  • The Night My Dad Saved Christmas 2 - December 5 (Family Comedy)
  • Christmas at the Chalet - December 15 (Romance)
  • Joy for Christmas - December 1 (Holiday Drama)
  • PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie - December 14 (Family Animation)

Major Licensed Classics Returning to Netflix

Beyond originals, December 2025 sees beloved blockbuster classics returning to Netflix's catalog. Forrest Gump arrives December 4, bringing Tom Hanks' iconic performance back to streaming after months of absence. Pulp Fiction returns December 1, while Titanic and The Talented Mr. Ripley join the platform mid-month for holiday marathons.

Action and drama fans can stream The Northman (December 3), Zero Dark Thirty (December 1), Burlesque (December 1), and Brightburn (December 1). Comedy enthusiasts will appreciate As Good as It Gets, Bad Teacher, Big Momma's House, and Cheaper by the Dozen all arriving December 1.

  1. December 1: Pulp Fiction, Titanic, Forrest Gump (Dec 4), The Talented Mr. Ripley (Dec 13)
  2. December 1: Zero Dark Thirty, Burlesque, Brightburn, Bad Teacher
  3. December 3: The Northman (Robert Pattinson Viking epic)
  4. December 4: Mean Girls (2004 and 2024 versions both available)
  5. December 14: PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (family-friendly)

Award Season Contenders and Critical Darlings

December 2025's Netflix lineup strategically positions Oscar-worthy films ahead of award nominations. Jay Kelly features George Clooney in a retirement-story drama co-written by Noah Baumbach, with early screenings generating Best Actor buzz. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery brings Rian Johnson's signature whodunit craftsmanship with Daniel Craig's third appearance as Benoit Blanc, expected to contend for Best Original Screenplay.

The Great Flood (December 19) is an original drama already screening at Sundance with critical acclaim for its environmental themes and powerful performances. Eden (December 23), a sci-fi thriller from the creators of Ex Machina, is generating early awards momentum for its visual effects and unconventional narrative structure.

"December 2025 represents Netflix's most ambitious film rollout, combining franchise finales with award-season contenders in a single month." - Hollywood Reporter analysis, December 1, 2025

What's Leaving Netflix in December 2025

While new content floods the platform, viewers should note that popular titles are expiring throughout December. Content licensed for limited windows includes several Marvel films, recent theatrical releases, and classic sitcoms. Subscribers should prioritize streaming these before they depart mid-month.

Final Viewing Recommendations

For award-season viewers, prioritize Jay Kelly (Dec 5) and Wake Up Dead Man (Dec 12). Family audiences should mark December 3 for My Secret Santa and December 14 for PAW Patrol. Franchise fans must tune in December 25 for the Stranger Things finale. Classic film enthusiasts have December 1-4 for Pulp Fiction, Forrest Gump, and The Northman.

This December represents Netflix's strongest film Slate of 2025, blending original innovation with licensed nostalgia to serve every viewer demographic across Latin America and Brazil.

Key concerns and solutions for New Movies On Netflix December 2025 Holiday Must Watch List

What is the most anticipated movie on Netflix December 2025?

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 is the most anticipated title, releasing December 25 as the final three episodes that conclude the entire series.

When does Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery premiere?

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery premieres on December 12, 2025, marking Rian Johnson's third Benoit Blanc detective film.

Are Stranger Things Season 5 episodes released all at once?

No, Stranger Things Season 5 is split into two volumes: Volume 1 (first 4 episodes) released earlier, and Volume 2 (final 3 episodes) arriving December 25, 2025.

Is My Secret Santa a Netflix Original?

Yes, My Secret Santa is a Netflix Original holiday romance film premiering December 3.

What movies are new on Netflix December 25, 2025?

December 25 features Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 (series finale), Christmas Gameday: Cowboys vs. Commanders, and Christmas Gameday: Lions vs. Vikings.

Explore More Similar Topics
Average reader rating: 4.1/5 (based on 61 verified internal reviews).
M
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.

View Full Profile