We’re getting to that time of year when lineups on the best streaming services are packed with Christmas movies. This is not something I’ll ever complain about, as I’m usually in the festive spirit as soon as November starts. But as much as I love the season, I do have certain expectations when it comes to new Christmas flicks, and it’s gotten to the point where I’m craving something different.
Thankfully, Netflix came through with its latest holiday original “Jingle Bell Heist.” Starring Olivia Holt from 2025’s “Heart Eyes” and Connor Swindells from the popular series “Sex Education,” this romantic comedy actually makes the effort to be different, and for that, it might just be the best Christmas movie on streaming so far this year. Not to mention it's already claimed No. 1 on the streamer's top 10 list.
That may be a bold statement considering we’re still in November and there’s plenty of time for something new to take the lead. But “Jingle Bell Heist” is one of the few movies that made me cringe very little while genuinely surprising me with one of its twists. If you’re looking for a festive flick to stream this weekend on Netflix, here’s why I strongly urge you to check out “Jingle Bell Heist.”
What is ‘Jingle Bell Heist’ about?
Sophia (Olivia Holt) is a sharp‑witted retail worker struggling to make ends meet and support her ailing mother. Nick (Connor Swindells), a down‑on‑his‑luck repairman and ex‑security consultant, is also scraping by while trying to provide for his daughter and find a new flat.
As Christmas Eve approaches, both find themselves drawn to the same risky opportunity: robbing a posh London department store. Realizing they each have nothing to lose, they reluctantly team up, combining Sophia’s street smarts and Nick’s security know‑how to plan the heist. As they work together under the pressure of tight security and holiday bustle, unexpected chemistry sparks between them.
‘Jingle Bell Heist’ should be on your festive watchlist
I do have low expectations going into Netflix’s original Christmas movies, not because they’re necessarily bad, but because holiday flicks tend to follow the same formula and I’m never really confident one will break the mold. The current No. 1 movie on Netflix, “Champagne Problems,” is charming enough with some bubbly moments, but it still left me feeling a little hollow. Fortunately, “Jingle Bell Heist” was the spark the streaming service needed (and me) to actually appreciate Christmas movies again.
This new romantic comedy introduces us to Sophia, a department store worker who resents her boss, family-business heir Maxwell Sterling (Peter Serafinowicz), for the way he treats people and flaunts his wealth. But instead of simply going about her day, she sneaks down to the basement to slip some cash into her sleeve. While this initially confuses the viewer (who is meant to sympathize with her) it’s soon revealed that she’s saving the money to help her sick mother.
We also meet Nick, her love interest, who is struggling to make ends meet in a repair shop. Nick ended up behind bars and lost his marriage because he was convicted of robbing Sterling’s department store, despite having been hired to install its surveillance system. It later becomes clear that he was set up. Still, he retains access to the store’s cameras, which allows him to catch Sophie sneaking some cash on tape.
Seeing an opportunity, he tries to blackmail her into helping with a bigger heist. Sophie initially refuses, but when a doctor informs her that her mother now needs urgent, expensive private treatment, she changes her mind and agrees to join the plan.
It’s already a fresh premise we haven’t really seen in a Christmas movie before, and while the movie leans on familiar tropes (a bickering partnership and a storyline clearly heading toward a happy ending) it’s still a joyous ride. There’s plenty to enjoy, from the popping red Santa outfits to the cozy, classic pub settings.
“Jingle Bell Heist” rewards its efforts to be different, including one twist that genuinely caught me off guard (a pleasant surprise that made the movie more memorable). While I did wish the chemistry between Holt and Swindells had a little more spark, their dynamic was still fun, and it’s clear they had a great time filming the heist scenes in the department store.
I’m also glad this Christmas movie avoided the usual trope of the two leads fighting at the end of the second act only to reunite later. It’s refreshing to see two non-toxic characters who genuinely click, with the story focusing instead on their growing trust and partnership.
At first, it seems like Nick and Sophia are both just criminals, but their backstories reveal more complexity, giving context to why they want to target Sterling. He’s portrayed as so arrogant and cruel that their scheme almost feels justified. In the end, the movie delivers a satisfying (if somewhat tidy) story of clever revenge with a festive twist.
Stream "Jingle Bell Heist" on Netflix now.
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