Netflix Christmas movies to watch this festive season, from Klaus to The Princess Switch
We all know the classic Christmas films we'll be tuning into this year, but you might find a new favourite on our list
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Your support makes all the difference.’Tis the season of family feuds around the dinner table, last-minute present shopping and Netflix original Christmas movies.
Every year, the streaming service releases a plethora of festive content that is devoured by its 158 million subscribers as though it were the last serving of turkey. With Andrew Lloyd-Webber musicals and tales from a galaxy far, far away dominating cinemas each holiday season, traditional festive fare has migrated to to streaming services.
A “classic” Netflix Christmas flick is modest in its production but big on heart. Here are the movies you need to binge on Netflix this Christmas:
The Christmas Chronicles
Starring Kurt Russell as Jolly Old Saint Nick, The Christmas Chronicles echoes Tim Allen’s The Santa Clause trilogy in both plot and sentiment. When Kate and Teddy Pierce accidentally derail Santa’s work commute, the race is on to fix his sleigh and deliver presents before the night is over. A sequel is in the works with Goldie Hawn, Russell’s real-life partner, set to star as Mrs Claus.
Klaus has the honour of being the first original animated feature to be distributed by Netflix. Produced by Spanish animation studio, SPA Studios, Klaus is an excellent return to the traditional animation style, as well an engaging alternative origin story for Father Christmas that children and adults will love.
A Christmas Prince
When journalist Amber Moore is sent to the fictional Aldovia to cover a press conference given by Crown Prince Richard, who is set to take the thrones, sparks fly. From the scenic winter countryside to sledding on the snow, A Christmas Prince is brimming with festive cheer.
Holiday in the Wild
Kristin Davis swaps cocktails with Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City for safari with Rob Lowe in Zambia. After splitting from her husband, Kate Conrad decides to go on the couple’s planned second honeymoon by herself in order to escape Yuletide pressures.
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding
Audiences can return to Aldovia in this merry sequel, but be warned. All is not well. Amber and Richard are engaged but their upcoming nuptials are threatened by the monarchy’s strict traditions and the public’s growing distrust of the royal family. Expect romantic clichés and ridiculous political subplots galore.
Christmas Inheritance
A spoiled rich girl learns the true meaning of Christmas while helping her dad.
Ellen Langford, played by Eliza Taylor, is told by her CEO father to deliver a special Christmas card to their family’s hometown so she can inherit his business. A big city personality clashes with small town sensibilities in this comedy-drama.
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Vanessa Hudgens stars as Brooke, a woman disillusioned with romance, in this time travel caper. Mistaking a 17th-century knight for someone with amnesia, Brooke falls head over heels in love with both him and Christmas.
Holiday Rush
Despite losing his radio show and being recently widowed, Rush Williams will do anything to give his family the best Christmas possible. Played by Romany Malco of The 40-Year-Old Virgin fame, Williams tries to navigate family, love and a new career during the most hectic time of the year.
No Netflix Christmas movie is truly complete without Vanessa Hudgens. In this take on The Prince and the Pauper, the High School Musical star plays the dual roles of the Duchess of Montenaro, and Chicago-based baker Stacy De Novo.
After travelling to the fictional country of Belgravia (Americans clearly think all European countries have similar names, see also: Genovia in The Princess Diaries), Stacy bumps into her doppelgänger – who happens to be marrying the crown prince, Edward (Nashville‘s Sam Palladio). Chaos and hilarity ensues.
A sequel is in the works for next year, with Hudgens set to play a third doppelgänger – in what will clearly be the best Christmas movie of this year.
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby
A missing treaty. An ancient curse. A potential war. It can only be another addition to the Christmas Prince franchise. When the centennial peace treaty between Aldovia and Penglia is stolen before the leaders of both countries can sign it, the threat of war looms over our protagonists. Amber and Richard must find the treaty in order to prevent war and a curse being put on their child.
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