Additional Coverage:
- This year’s Netflix holiday movies ranked from worst to best (businessinsider.com)
Netflix Delivers a Sleigh Full of Holiday Flicks: Here’s What to Watch (and What to Skip!)
Move over, Hallmark! Netflix has once again thrown its Santa hat into the ring of original holiday movies, dropping four new festive features this year.
From the charming to the downright bizarre, we’ve watched them all so you don’t have to. Here’s our definitive ranking of Netflix’s latest Christmas offerings, from “bah humbug” to “ho ho ho!”
4. “My Secret Santa”
If you’re looking for a holiday film that makes you scratch your head more than you’re laughing, “My Secret Santa” might be your… well, last resort. This movie attempts a “reverse Mrs. Doubtfire” concept, which, frankly, just made us want to rewatch the original Robin Williams classic.
The plot sees former teen rock star (yes, really) Taylor Jacobsen (Alexandra Breckenridge), a single mom, taking a job as the resort’s Santa Claus – disguised as an old man – to afford her daughter’s pricey snowboarding school. Along the way, she catches the eye of Matthew (Ryan Eggold), the resort owner’s son, who’s smitten for reasons beyond our comprehension.
The whole thing feels backwards, with plot points like her brother’s Halloween obsession serving only to explain away the elaborate prosthetics. Plus, Taylor’s Santa skills leave much to be desired.
And then there’s Natasha (Tia Mowry), a hyper-competent, dedicated employee who gets passed over for a promotion in favor of nepo baby Matthew. We found ourselves rooting for her every step of the way as she tried to sabotage his bumbling attempts at leadership.
Ultimately, this film is a chaotic watch, lacking chemistry between its leads and making the fatal error of reminding us of a far superior movie. Skip it.
3. “A Merry Little Ex-Mas”
Now, if you’re in the mood for some delightful holiday chaos, “A Merry Little Ex-Mas” might just be your cup of cocoa. Starring ’90s icon Alicia Silverstone as Kate, an architect-turned-stay-at-home mom (who’s also a handyman, because why not?), this film dives into the recently separated lives of Kate and her doctor husband, Everett (Oliver Hudson).
The movie is packed with baffling choices, like the entire town calling Kate’s house the “Mothership” without explanation. Their daughter brings home a British boyfriend who inexplicably thinks he’s a “Harry Potter” character in 2025 – a bit dated, wouldn’t you say? And speaking of ’90s queens, Melissa Joan Hart makes a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance, which felt like a missed opportunity.
The true saving graces here are Kate’s much younger, hilarious boyfriend Chet (Pierson Fodé) and Everett’s new, equally funny girlfriend Tess (Jameela Jamil). While the romance between Kate and Everett felt underdeveloped, leaving us wondering why they even broke up in the first place, the sheer fun of the supporting cast makes this one worth a watch for its unintentional hilarity.
2. “Champagne Problems”
Alright, we admit it – we’re suckers for a Christmas in Paris! “Champagne Problems” quickly won us over with its charming Parisian backdrop and undeniable festive spirit.
Minka Kelly stars as Sydney, a corporate go-getter sent to Paris to acquire a local Champagne brand. Taking a much-needed night off, she meets Henri (Tom Wozniczka), and – gasp! – he turns out to be the son of the very man whose business she’s trying to take over. You can pretty much guess where this is going, but the journey is surprisingly sweet.
The film sprinkles in some pleasantly quirky side characters and, most importantly, boasts fantastic chemistry between Kelly and Wozniczka. Our main takeaway?
Book a flight to Paris, stat! (And no, we regret to inform you the adorable bookstore isn’t real).
This one is a bubbly delight, perfect for a cozy holiday viewing.
1. “Jingle Bell Heist”
And the winner is… “Jingle Bell Heist”! This film stands head and shoulders above the rest, boasting a refreshing aesthetic that avoids the typical overly bright, yet somehow flat, look of many holiday movies.
Starring promising young actors Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells, the story follows Sophie (Holt), an American in London with a knack for pickpocketing, and Nick (Swindells), a computer expert fresh out of jail after being wrongly accused of a department store robbery. They team up to rob that same department store on Christmas Eve, each for their own compelling reasons.
Screenwriters Abby McDonald and Amy Reed deserve major kudos for crafting a script with genuinely surprising twists. Director Michael Fimognari clearly channeled a ’70s crime-thriller vibe, and Steve Hackman’s brassy, “Ocean’s Eleven”-esque score elevates the whole experience. While the romantic chemistry between Sophie and Nick might be a bit understated, their platonic dynamic works well.
“Jingle Bell Heist” is easily our top pick for Netflix’s holiday films this year. It’s smart, stylish, and genuinely entertaining – a definite recommend for anyone looking for a festive flick with a bit more edge.
Read More About This Story:
- This year’s Netflix holiday movies ranked from worst to best (businessinsider.com)