My favorite part about the end of the year has to be binge-watching every holiday movie ever made. You really only get one window of time to do so, and if you’re not packing every free second of December with cheery films, are you really doing it right? This year, Netflix has made the movie rotation even more packed by releasing 10 new holiday films.
Obviously, I had to watch them all. There were some notable standouts and a few that might have been a bit too cheesy for me – but, cheesy is it’s own genre when it comes to holiday movies, so take that as you will. Either way, if you’re looking for a seasonal film to curl up with this winter, I’ve ranked all the new ones on Netflix from worst to best so you’ll know exactly where to begin.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square
Fans of musicals will love Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square, though anyone who doesn’t enjoy the genre might not like this film. I ranked it lower because the plot didn’t grab me and the songs weren’t ones I’d go back and listen to over and over again. It’s fun for a singular watch, but probably won’t become part of my holiday canon.
Watch Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square on Netflix.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Princess Switch: Switched Again
When I first heard that Vanessa Hudgens would be back reprising both of her roles as Stacy and Princess Margaret, while also debuting a third doppelgänger Lady Fiona, my first thought was “did we need another one of these?” The sequel, though admittedly more fun than I expected, probably isn’t going down as one of the greatest holiday films ever made. Still, for a cozy night in, The Princess Switch: Switched Again, is an easy and lighthearted watch.
Watch The Princess Switch: Switched Again on Netflix.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Holidate
Holidate gets immediate points in my book for the play on words in the title – I seriously can’t believe it took until 2020 for someone to come up with it. This one had the same energy as certain Netflix rom-coms I’ve come to love – think To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Set It Up, or Always Be My Maybe – with a seasonal twist. However, since it covers so many dates across the year, it doesn’t quite have that cozy feeling I look for in a holiday film. It probably would have ranked higher if it weren’t for this detail.
Watch Holidate on Netflix.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Christmas Chronicles 2
The follow-up to the 2018 Netflix film surprised me in the best possible way. The Christmas Chronicles 2 featured a teenage Kate back again with Santa on another quest to save Christmas. The film is great for anyone looking for an action-packed family film. Come for the adventure, stay for Santa’s random singing outbursts.
Watch The Christmas Chronicles 2 on Netflix.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker
I loved Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, a documentary about the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. The film follows the academy’s annual production of the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. Not only did it remind me how much I can’t dance, but it was a really special inside look at the world of ballet. I ranked it slightly lower because, like Holidate, it isn’t overly full of Christmas cheer. However, if Netflix ever wants to release a film of the entire production (hint, hint) it’d go straight to the top.
Watch Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker on Netflix.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Operation Christmas Drop
As far as cheesy, rom-com-style Christmas movies go, Operation Christmas Drop was my favorite released on Netflix this year. It seemed to subvert certain cliches – set on an island instead of a small town, for example – while also keeping true to the genre in which it exists. Plus it stars Kat Graham, and after the Holiday Calendar two years ago, I was happy to see her return to the streaming site.
Watch Operation Christmas Drop on Netflix.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Coming in at number one, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey was the best Netflix holiday movie released this year. It had all the essential elements to go down as a seasonal classic: adventure, signing, family, a vibrant setting, beautiful costumes, and of course, a toy store. The soundtrack is amazing and the story heartwarming – it’s definitely a film I’ll revisit year after year.
Watch Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix.
