The start of December is the perfect excuse to curl up, grab a blanket, and dive into some cozy festive flicks. Luckily, Netflix seems to agree, because the biggest streaming service is bringing plenty of holiday cheer right as the month begins. The platform is adding 16 Christmas movies and shows throughout December 2025.
Among them, you’ll find a mix of underrated classics and fresh originals. Top picks include a charming romantic comedy starring Maggie Lawson and a Netflix original led by “Virgin River” star Alexandra Breckenridge.
Of course, not every title is a must-watch, which is why we’ve picked five choices to add to your watchlist first. If you’re after festive fun and a little seasonal warmth, these picks are a great way to kick off your Christmas countdown. For more recommendations, see our guide on everything new on Netflix in December.
Top Christmas picks on Netflix in December 2025
‘Joy for Christmas’ (2021)
Holly Silver (Cindy Busby) has quit her job as a publicist and finds herself drawn back to her family’s business just in time for their annual Christmas toy drive, only to discover the fundraising company they hired has gone bankrupt, vanishing with all donations.
Determined to honour the legacy of her late mother, Holly proposes recruiting former major‑league pitcher Jack Kane (Sam Page) as the campaign’s public face — someone with reach and credibility who could draw in new donors and save the giveaway. Jack, however, has lost faith in Christmas and is reluctant to be involved. As Holly spends time with him trying to reignite his holiday spirit, they grow closer, and their efforts become deeply personal.
Stream on Netflix now
‘My Secret Santa’ (2025)
Taylor (Alexandra Breckenridge) is a struggling single mom desperate to send her daughter to an elite snowboarding camp, but when her job falls through, she’s out of options. With the holidays fast approaching, she hatches a wild plan: disguise herself as an older man and apply for the seasonal Santa job at a luxury ski resort.
Against all odds, she lands it. As “Santa,” she meets Matthew (Ryan Eggold) — the resort’s handsome manager — and sparks begin to fly. But as Matthew grows suspicious of “Santa,” and Taylor’s secret life gets harder to manage, what started as a simple gig turns into a complicated balancing act. Between Santa suits and snow slopes, Taylor must juggle her double life and the risk of being exposed.
Stream on Netflix starting December 3
‘A Lot Like Christmas’ (2021)
“A Lot Like Christmas” follows Jessica Roberts (Maggie Lawson), who runs the most beloved Christmas‑tree lot in the small town of Hudson Springs. But when a big‑city chain store opens nearby and begins marketing its own trees, Jessica’s family business faces serious trouble. The chain’s marketing exec, Clay Moore (Christopher Russell), arrives in town to promote the new store, and despite their rivalry, he and Jessica begin to grow closer.
As the farm’s fate becomes uncertain, Jessica faces a choice: Fight for her family or embrace the connection forming with Clay. Meanwhile, Clay is caught between his job and his heart.
Stream on Netflix starting December 4
‘Man vs. Baby’ (2025)
In “Man vs. Baby,” Rowan Atkinson returns as Trevor Bingley, who, after a disastrous stint house‑sitting a high‑tech mansion, has taken a quieter job as a school caretaker. But when a lucrative holiday job caring for a luxury London penthouse comes his way, he can’t resist.
On the last day of school before the holidays, no one shows up to collect the infant from the nativity play, and suddenly Trevor finds himself responsible for a baby dropped amid Christmas chaos. With a penthouse to protect and a baby to care for, Trevor’s hopes for a calm Christmas go out the window. The result is four half‑hour episodes of slapstick mishaps and plenty of comedic mayhem.
Stream on Netflix starting December 11
‘A Cowboy Christmas Romance’ (2023)
“A Cowboy Christmas Romance” centers around Lexie Crenshaw (Jana Kramer), a ruthless real‑estate closer who is sent back to her hometown of Tubac, Arizona (the place she vowed never to return to) just one week before Christmas. Her mission is to persuade a rancher named Coby Mason (Adam Senn), a quiet, horse‑whispering cowboy, to sell his family’s land to a mysterious buyer.
But selling the ranch means confronting the people she left behind, including her father and brothers, and digging up old wounds she thought she’d buried. As Lexie works to close the deal, she reconnects with her family and begins to see the ranch and Coby in a new light.
Stream on Netflix starting December 15
Netflix's full Christmas lineup in December 2025
Synopses provided by Netflix
DECEMBER 1
- "Christmas Break-In"
- "Holiday in Santa Fe"
- "Joy for Christmas"
DECEMBER 2
"Matt Rife: Unwrapped — A Christmas Crowd Work Special" (Netflix comedy special)
Matt Rife: Unwrapped - A Christmas Crowd Work Special arrives just in time for the holidays. In the special, he explores gifts, traditions, and who’s made it on the naughty or nice list this year.
DECEMBER 3
"My Secret Santa" (Netflix film)
A single mom needs a job. A ski resort needs a Santa. Disguised as a St. Nick lookalike, can Taylor fool a charming hotel heir into ho-ho-hiring her?
"With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration" (Netflix series)
'Tis the season! Meghan shares her favorite holiday traditions, seasonal crafts and family recipes with friends old and new in this festive special.
DECEMBER 4
- "A Lot Like Christmas"
DECEMBER 5
"The Night My Dad Saved Christmas 2" (ES) (Netflix film)
When the sneaky director of a toy company kidnaps Santa, it's up to a father and son to rescue him and save Christmas from disaster.
DECEMBER 8
"Elmo and Mark Rober's Merry Giftmas" (Netflix family)
Elmo and his Sesame Street friends work with former NASA engineer turned YouTube star Mark Rober to make special presents for a Merry Giftmas exchange.
DECEMBER 11
"Man Vs Baby" (GB) (Netflix series)
Trevor's back, baby! Heartfelt mishaps and Christmas capers abound as comedy legend Rowan Atkinson returns for another chaotic house-sitting experience.
DECEMBER 12
"Home for Christmas" season 3 (NO) (Netflix series)
Hoping to ease the lingering heartbreak of last Christmas, Johanne decides to enjoy this year's festivities free from love troubles... or so she thinks.
DECEMBER 15
- "A Cowboy Christmas Romance"
- "Christmas at the Chalet"
- "The Christmas Classic"
- "Christmas on the Alpaca Farm"
DECEMBER 22
"Sicily Express" (IT) (Netflix series)
With Christmas around the corner, two blundering Sicilian friends working in Milan discover a dumpster that transports them to their families in seconds.
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