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I Watched the 2025 Top Streaming Christmas Movies So You Don't Have To

  • evemrileyauthor
  • 4 days ago
  • 5 min read

Every December I swear I will be selective. I tell myself I will only watch one or two holiday romances, preferably while making hot chocolate and pretending to be a functional adult. Then the streaming platforms unleash a fresh avalanche of new Christmas content and suddenly I am sitting on my couch with a blanket over my head, staring into the glowing abyss and saying things like “maybe this one will be good.”


This year’s offerings of the top 2025 Christmas movies are spread across several platforms, which meant I could not even blame one specific brand for the emotional whiplash. Still, in the spirit of goodwill, here is the full rundown of seven brand new 2025 holiday romances.


Proceed with caution. Or enthusiasm. Or both.


Couple smiling near a Christmas tree, surrounded by family photos. Text reads "a merry little EX-MAS" in festive colors. Cozy holiday scene.

A Merry Little Ex-Mas


Streaming on: Netflix

Netflix’s A Merry Little Ex-Mas leans into the chaos of divorced-but-trying-their-best co-parents and mostly pulls it off. Kate and Everett are calling it quits, but they want to give their kids one last perfect Christmas. Naturally this goes sideways the second Everett arrives with his younger girlfriend, and Kate starts catching feelings for someone new.


Alicia Silverstone is the heartbeat of the movie. She plays the burnout, the resentment, and the quiet hope beautifully. Oliver Hudson matches her with a kind of lovable-but-clueless charm, and Jameela Jamil avoids the boring “new girlfriend villain” trap, which I appreciated. The eco-friendly touches are cute, the family moments feel lived in, and the whole thing is warm without being sticky.


The movie is predictable, sure, and it occasionally leans a little too sitcom-silly. But it has heart, and sometimes that is all you want while wrapping gifts and pretending to be emotionally stable.


Rating: 7 out of 10 candy canes.



A couple in winter coats smiles at each other outside a snowy French villa. Text: "Champagne Problems," "Christmas in France," "Netflix."

Champagne Problems


Streaming on: Netflix

Netflix’s Champagne Problems follows Sydney Price (Minka Kelly), an American executive sent to Paris to buy the Château Cassell champagne house. On her first night off, she meets Henri (Tom Wozniczka), the son of the vineyard’s owner, and sparks fly, complicating both her deal and her heart.


The setting is gorgeous. Kelly is charming. The mix of business tension and romance works well. Supporting characters add quirk and humour, making the film festive and fun.


Where it falters, the romance feels predictable. Chemistry is hit or miss. The film leans heavily on classic Christmas romcom tropes.


Rating: 6 out of 10 champagne flutes.



Three men in festive sweaters on a London street: one in a plane, one in a car, one on a train. Text: "A Very Jonas Christmas Movie."

A Very Jonas Christmas


Streaming on: Disney+

A Very Jonas Christmas follows the Jonas Brothers after their European tour. Tensions rise as each brother struggles with his role in the band. Santa puts a curse on them so they cannot return home until they resolve their issues. Chaos ensues, from a plane explosion to misadventures across Europe, including lost passports, rivalries, wolf attacks, and forced reconciliations.


The movie is playful and chaotic. It has slapstick comedy, holiday spectacle, and a surprisingly sweet message about family, teamwork, and forgiveness. The brothers’ real-life charisma carries much of the story, and fans will enjoy seeing them navigate ridiculous situations together.


The film falters in pacing. The constant crises feel over the top and some of the emotional beats are rushed. The romance subplot with Joe and Lucy is predictable and lightly developed.


Overall, it is fun, festive, and silly. It works best if you enjoy a Jonas Brothers-themed holiday adventure without expecting subtlety.


Highly enjoyable if you can handle three grown men wearing matching flannel pajamas and taking it seriously.


Rating: 8.5 out of 10 goose-shaped ornaments.



Two people in Santa suits sit against a festive backdrop of colorful lights. They appear relaxed and content, surrounded by holiday decor.

Jingle Bell Heist


Streaming on: Netflix

Jingle Bell Heist is an absolute holiday delight. Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells are electric together as two down-on-their-luck workers who team up for a Christmas Eve heist in London. Their chemistry is effortless and charming, making every scene between them a joy to watch.


The story is clever, fast-paced, and full of humour, with just the right mix of romance and festive chaos. The London setting adds charm, and the heist sequences are fun and inventive, keeping the tension high while never losing the light-hearted Christmas spirit.


The movie also nails heart. Sophia and Nick’s struggles are relatable, and their slow-burn romance feels earned. Watching them navigate obstacles, scheme together, and fall for each other is genuinely satisfying and heartwarming.


Jingle Bell Heist hits every note a Christmas romcom should: laughter, warmth, adventure, and a little magic. It is smart, fun, and endlessly watchable, and it might just become a new holiday favourite.


Rating: 9 out of 10 criminally festive sleigh bells.



Family standing outdoors in snowfall, in front of Christmas trees and a festive tent. They look content, wearing winter coats and scarves.

Tinsel Town


Streaming on: Sky

Tinsel Town has a charming premise: washed-up action star Bradley Mack (Kiefer Sutherland) ends up in a small village to star in a local production of Cinderella. Rebel Wilson plays the no-nonsense choreographer, and the ensemble cast is undeniably talented.


Unfortunately, the movie struggles to deliver. The humour often falls flat, the plot is predictable, and the romance feels forced. The quirky villagers are underdeveloped, and what could have been a magical holiday setting feels overly staged.


The performances are capable, but the script does not give them much to work with.


The film lacks genuine charm or heart, and the pacing makes it feel longer than its runtime.


Tinsel Town is a forgettable holiday comedy that never quite hits the mark.


Rating: 4.5 out of 10 lukewarm hot chocolates.



Oh. What. Fun

A woman in a red coat holds a large bowl, looking surprised. A colorful movie poster with cast faces and text "OH. WHAT. FUN." is beside her.

Streaming on: Amazon Prime

Oh. What. Fun follows Claire Clauster (Michelle Pfeiffer), the overworked holiday matriarch whose family accidentally leaves her home alone. Fed up, she sets off on a spontaneous Christmas adventure, discovering the unexpected magic of a holiday gone off-script.


The cast is fantastic, with Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Jason Schwartzman, and Eva Longoria adding charm and humor to the story. Pfeiffer is the real standout, effortlessly carrying the film with warmth, wit, and a touch of exasperation that feels relatable to anyone who has ever hosted the holidays.


The movie balances comedy and heart beautifully. The adventure is lively, the family dynamics are fun, and the festive setting adds plenty of seasonal cheer. Some subplots could have used more depth, but the overall experience is joyful and satisfying.


Oh. What. Fun is a spirited, charming holiday comedy that will leave you smiling and maybe even inspired to embrace the chaos of the season.


Rating: 7.5 out of 10 competitive candy canes.



Collage of photos featuring smiling individuals. Red text reads "Goodbye June". Release dates: December 12 and 24, Netflix logo present.

Goodbye June


Streaming on: Netflix

Goodbye June, directed by Kate Winslet in her feature-film debut, follows four adult siblings and their father as they navigate family chaos when their mother June (Helen Mirren) faces a serious health scare just before Christmas. The ensemble cast, including Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, and Timothy Spall, brings warmth, humour, and authenticity to the story.


Winslet’s direction balances heartfelt emotion with gentle humour, and June’s sharp, honest approach to her own decline is both funny and moving. The sibling dynamics feel real, making the family drama relatable and engaging.


While the film’s pacing can lag at times and some characters are underdeveloped, the story’s honesty and emotional resonance make it stand out among holiday movies.

Goodbye June is a heartfelt, quietly powerful Christmas film that blends humour, family chaos, and love.


Rating: 8 out of 10 slightly judgmental bookstore cats.



Final verdict


A Very Jonas Christmas and Jingle Bell Heist are the top tier picks. Goodbye June is the best for actual emotional depth. A Merry Little Ex-Mas is a pleasant mid-tier classic. Champagne Problems is fine if you like relationship autopsies near fireplaces. Oh. What. Fun is pure holiday chaos. Tinsel Town is there for dog lovers and people who enjoy being underwhelmed in a cozy way.


Let me know if you think I've got a career in movie critics or if you have any other Christmas movie recommendations... Sending you cosy cheesy christmas love,

Eve x

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