The 7 best Netflix holiday movies to watch

The streamer has starry love stories, a Santa-themed heist and, yes, 'Hot Frosty.'

- BY ERIN CARLSON

"FALLING FOR CHRISTMAS" stars Chord Overstreet and Lindsay Lohan.

(Scott Everett White Netflix)

Netflix must have a fairly big budget for twinkle lights.

In the last few years, the streamer has leaned into releasing holiday films that are glossier than those found on the Hallmark Channel and just as satisfying. It will recruit, say, a beloved and broadly appealing star like Lindsay Lohan to attract viewers, and also greenlight projects that prioritize plot hooks over glitzy celebrity casting.

Netflix’s 2025 seasonal slate offers an oh-so-contemporary combination of grit and glam that reflects the times in which we live. Desperate caretakers scheme to make a buck! Gen-X spouses consciously uncouple! A millennial, disillusioned with corporate America, follows Emily and moves to Europe.

As is tradition in most holiday films, everyone lives happily ever after. (And we wouldn’t have it any other way.)

Behold, a handy guide to the notable new releases being offered this season, all available to stream now, as well as some new-ish classics guaranteed to leave you feeling merry and bright.

Best Santa con: 'My Secret Santa'

The premise is delightfully preposterous: Scrappy single mom Taylor (Alexandra Breckenridge), struggling to make ends meet and pay for her teen daughter's snowboarding lessons, fakes her way into a gig as the resident Santa Claus at a high-end ski resort. While hiding behind a prosthetic mask, jolly red suit and a made-up name ("Hugh Mann"), she forms an unexpected bond with Matthew (Ryan Eggold), the resort's handsome manager.

Dear reader, "My Secret Santa" took me by surprise.

"MEET ME NEXT CHRISTMAS" stars Devale Ellis, left, and Christina Milian.