Pictures: Netflix
We’re now in December and the countdown to Christmas is officially on. You may be looking for all the brand spanking new Christmas movies Netflix has for 2021. Below is our ongoing guide for the new Christmas movies added to Netflix globally and the new licensed movies for the United States and the United Kingdom.
Note: This article was first published on November 10th and will be updated regularly to reflect newly released Christmas movies. It was last updated on November 26th.
While we’ve got full coverage of every Christmas movie still to come as part of our big Holiday preview, this list will be updated to reflect all the new Christmas movies that you can watch on Netflix right now. It’ll be updated as and when new Christmas movies are released onto the service.
We’re going to split this article into three sections. We’re going to cover the global Christmas releases first and then dive into Christmas movies licensed for Netflix in the United States and Netflix in the United Kingdom.
This list starts from November 1st, 2021, and any Christmas movies licensed throughout the year beforehand are not included.
Full List of New Christmas Movies on Netflix Globally
Grumpy Christmas (2021)
Genre: Comedy
Director: Raúl Martínez
Cast: Héctor Bonilla, Angélica María, Benny Ibarra, Jacqueline Bracamontes, Renata Notni, Juan Pablo de Santiago
Runtime: 97 mins
Originating from Mexico, this comedy is unlikely to find much of a crowd given early reviews the movie is a hard skip but if you do fancy checking it out, here’s what you can expect:
“A family trip to the beach turns crazy when Servando and Alicia, Alma’s willful aunt, start an over-the-top competition to control Christmas.”
A California Christmas: City Lights
Genre: Romantic, Comedy
Director: Shaun Paul Piccinino
Cast: Lauren Swickard, Josh Swickard, Ali Afshar, David Del Rio, Natalia Mann, Gunnar Anderson
Runtime: 105 mins
Netflix’s Christmas lineup more than any other it seems are more likely to get sequels and that applies to A California Christmas which is back this year for another entry.
The movie picks up a year on from the original story with Callie and Joseph having to leave their ranch for family business in San Francisco all while planning their upcoming wedding.
David and the Elves (2021)
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Director: Michal Rogalski
Cast: Cyprian Grabowski, Jakub Zajac, Cezary Zak
Writer: Marcin Baczynski, Mariusz Kuczewski
Runtime: 105 min
Available with various dubs and subs, this Christmas movie originates out of Poland with a young boy moving to a busy city ahead of Christmas but is losing the Christmas spirit with his parents absent. An elf named Albert helps correct that.
Reviews are down the middle with it currently carrying a 5.1 on IMDb.
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
Genre: Family, Animation, Kids
Director: Steve Cox
Cast: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Laura Aikman, Marcus Brigstocke, Kate Harbour, Anna Leong-Brophy
Runtime: 30 mins
From Aardman Animation (the creators of Robin Robin also release in 2021), we see Shaun the Sheep setting out for a wild holiday adventure.
We should note that Netflix UK didn’t receive the movie but is scheduled to in the future following airing on the BBC. Other region availability may vary.
Single All The Way (2021)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Director: Michael Mayer
Cast: Kathy Najimy, Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Coolidge
Writer: Chad Hodge
Runtime: 99 min
One of Netflix’s big LGBTQ movies of the year is Single all the Way. The movie follows Peter who asks his best friend to pose as his boyfriend on a Christmas visit home, but their plan — and feelings — change when his family plays matchmaker.
A Castle For Christmas (2021)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Director: Mary Lambert
Cast: Cary Elwes, Brooke Shields, Vanessa Grasse
Writer: Kim Beyer-Johnson, Ally Carter, Neal H. Dobrofsky
Runtime: 98 min
Akin to what you’d expect from Hallmark or Lifetime, A Castle for Christmas is the feel-good Netflix Christmas movie of 2021.
Here’s what you can expect:
“To escape a scandal, a bestselling author journeys to Scotland, where she falls in love with a castle — and faces off with the grumpy duke who owns it.”
Variety gave the movie a glowing review saying it’s “gently disarming, heartening, holiday-themed escapism that’s as satisfying as a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night.”
A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family
Director: Gil Kenan
Cast: Maggie Smith, Michiel Huisman, Kristen Wiig
Writer: Ol Parker, Gil Kenan, Matt Haig
Runtime: 106 min
If you only have the time to watch one new Christmas title from Netflix in 2021, A Boy Called Christmas would be our recommendation. The superbly crafted family adventure movie will no doubt appeal to all and reviews thus far seem to agree.
We should note some key regions like the United Kingdom are not currently streaming the movie. In that instance, Sky Cinema has acquired the movie.
Here’s what you can expect from the Christmas epic:
“Determined young Nikolas meets his destiny in a magical land inhabited by elves on a quest to find his father — and bring home the gift of hope.”
Robin Robin (2020)
Genre: Animation, Short
Director: Daniel Ojari, Michael Please
Cast: Bronte Carmichael
Runtime: 32 mins
Short on time? At just over half an hour, this stop-motion Christmas special is an absolute treat. The special comes from Aardman Animation from the United Kingdom who are behind the Shaun the Sheep movies and the upcoming sequel to Chicken Run coming exclusively to Netflix.
Here’s the official synopsis for the special:
“An optimistic young robin raised by a family of mice makes a heartfelt wish on a Christmas star. Will she finally learn who she is — and how to fly?”
Waffles + Mochi’s Holiday Feast (2021)
Genre: Kids, Education
Director: Jeremy Konner
Cast: Michelle Obama, Michelle Zamora, Russ Walko, Andy Hayward, Diona Elise Burnett, Taleia Gilliam
The Michelle Obama kids series was first released back in March 2021 and is back for a one-off Christmas special today which features plenty more learning and cooking!
Here’s what you can expect from the new special:
“On the first-ever Freezie Day, Waffles and Mochi learn that holiday traditions aren’t just about food. They’re about making memories with those you love!”
The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (2021)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Director: Mike Rohl
Cast: Vanessa Hudgens, Nick Sagar, Remy Hii
Writer: Robin Bernheim
Runtime: 106 min
Vanessa Hudgens is back playing three roles in the third entry in the Princess Switch Christmas franchise.
Here’s what you can expect from the third entry:
“When a priceless relic is stolen, Queen Margaret and Princess Stacy enlist the help of Margaret’s audacious look-alike cousin Fiona again who teams with a dashing, mysterious man from her past to retrieve it, rekindling the sparks of a tantalizing Christmas romance and resulting in a very unexpected switch.”
Father Christmas Is Back (2021)
Genre: Comedy
Director: Mick Davis, Philippe Martinez
Cast: Elizabeth Hurley, Kelsey Grammer, John Cleese
Writer: David Conolly, Dylanne Corcoran, Hannah Davis
Runtime: 105 min
Released on Netflix: November 7th
With a big cast on board, this Christmas comedy should’ve been a home run but sadly doesn’t look like it’s struck a chord with either critics or IMDb.
Four feuding sisters get a crash course in family togetherness when their long-lost father shows up for Christmas at their posh ancestral manor.
Love Hard (2021)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Director: Hernan Jimenez
Cast: Nina Dobrev, Lochlyn Munro, Darren Barnet
Writer: Daniel Mackey, Rebecca Ewing
Runtime: 104 min
Released on Netflix: November 5th
Dominating the movie top 10s after its release, this is one of several romantic comedies Netflix has planned for 2021.
After meeting her perfect match on a dating app, an LA writer learns she’s been catfished when she flies 3,000 miles to surprise him for Christmas.
The Claus Family (2021)
Genre: Family, Christmas
Director: Ruben Vandenborre
Cast: Jan Decleir, Mo Bakker, Bracha van Doesburgh, Renée Soutendijk, Amber Metdepenningen, Stefaan Degand
Runtime: 97 mins
Released on Netflix: November 1st
This Dutch movie (English dub is available) sees a young boy boy finding out that his grandfather is Santa Clause and is in trouble. Sadly, Jules is not a huge fan of Christmas so getting him on board to help save Christmas isn’t going to be easy.
The movie sits at a 5.6 on IMDb.
New Christmas Movies on Netflix in the United States
Note: We’ve also got a page set up for every Christmas movie on Netflix in the US.
My Dad’s Christmas Date (2020)
Genre: Comedy
Director: Mick Davis
Cast: Jeremy Piven, Olivia-Mai Barrett, Hadar Cats
Runtime: 91 min
Briefly appearing on Netflix US on November 1st, this British movie was removed a few days later but eventually reappeared again on November 17th.
Here’s what you can expect from the holiday rom-com:
“A savvy 16-year-old attempts to play matchmaker among the mistletoe when she secretly sets up online dates for her widowed dad during the holidays.”
Snowbound for Christmas (2019)
Genre: Romance
Director: Marco Deufemia
Cast: Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Henderson Wade, Scott Thompson, Josephine Buettner
Runtime: 83 min
Distributed by UPtv this Christmas romance movie is about a marketing executive who is on the cusp of landing a huge project but just before being able to present, she’s trapped at an airport with her boss thanks to a big snowstorm.
Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You (2017)
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Director: Guy Vasilovich
Cast: Mariah Carey, Breanna Yde, Henry Winkler, Laya DeLeon Hayes
Runtime: 91 min
Although Mariah Carey mainly works with Apple TV+ every holiday season, Netflix did nab the license to the animated holiday special which was released back in 2017.
Here’s what the movie is about:
“Young Mariah dog-sits a scraggly rascal to prove she can take care of a new puppy. Now she may get more for Christmas than she ever hoped for.”
An Elf’s Story: The Elf on the Shelf (2021)
Genre: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Director: Chad Eikhoff
Cast: Brendan Dooling, Michael May, Doug Williams, Leslie Bellair, Meak Moore, Cory Rouse
Runtime: 26 min
Released on Netflix: November 1st
As part of Netflix’s new deal with Elf on the Shelf, the first animated feature came on the first of the month.
A young scout elf who helps Santa determine who’s naughty or nice takes on an assignment to help restore a 9-year-old boy’s belief in Christmas.
Elf Pets: Santa’s St. Bernards Save Christmas (2018)
Genre: Animation, Fantasy
Director: Chanda Bell
Cast: Brad Hyland, Kendyl Bell, Lauren Revard, Dean Balkwill
Writer: Chanda Bell
Runtime: 26 min
Released on Netflix: November 1st
Santa’s elf scouts, Saint Bernard pups and a kind-hearted family come together to help everyone remember the true spirit of Christmas.
Unaccompanied Minors (2006)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Dyllan Christopher, Tyler James Williams, Gia Mantegna
Writer: Jacob Meszaros, Mya Stark
Runtime: 90 min
Released on Netflix: November 1st
Directed by Paul Feig, this Warner Brothers movie features a group of unaccompanied minors who run amok in an airport while snowed in.
The movie wasn’t particularly well-received when it was released over 15 years ago but is still a great Christmas watch.
New Christmas Movies on Netflix in the United Kingdom
Click & Collect (2018)
Genre: Comedy
Director: Ben Palmer
Cast: Asim Chaudhry, Stephen Merchant, Sophia Di Martino
Runtime: 60 mins
This British TV movie first aired on the BBC back on Christmas Eve 2018 and is now on Netflix UK for the holidays.
Written by Joe Tucker and Lloyd Woolf the movie sees Andrew (played by Merchant) going on a road trip with Dev, his neighbour from hell, to buy an elusive Sparklehoof the Unicorn Princess.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Director: Satoshi Kon
Cast: Tôru Emori, Yoshiaki Umegaki, Aya Okamoto
Writer: Satoshi Kon, Keiko Nobumoto
Runtime: 92 min
This award-winning anime movie also achieved the coveted NYT Critic’s Pick and is based on the festive season.
Here’s what you can expect from the movie that’s quickly closing in on its 20th anniversary:
“After finding an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve, three homeless people go in search of the child’s parents, meeting a host of oddballs along the way.”
Jack Frost (1998)
Director: Troy Miller
Cast: Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston, Joseph Cross, Mark Addy, Andrew Lawrence, Eli Marienthal
The late 90s Michael Keaton Christmas classic returned to Netflix UK for the holidays.
The movie revolves around a rock musician getting another shot around the holidays when he’s reincarnated as a snowman.
Bad Santa 2 (2016)
Director: Mark Waters
Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox, Christina Hendricks, Brett Kelly, Ryan Hansen
Not for the first time, Netflix UK reacquired the rights to the Bad Santa sequel headlined by Billy Bob Thornton.
The second movie is nowhere near close to achieving the same heights as the first movie but is still a solid Christmas watch.
Love Actually (2003)
Director: Richard Curtis
Cast: Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson
The incredibly well-known and popular ensemble rom-com Love Actually made its return to Netflix in the UK on November 16th.
A Christmas Star (2015)
Director: Richard Elson
Cast: Erin Galway-Kendrick, Rob James-Collier, Bronagh Waugh, Richard Clements, Roma Tomelty, Julian Fellowes, Suranne Jones, Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson, Kylie Minogue
Released on Netflix: November 1st
This Christmas movie from 6 years ago has an insane cameo list with Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan among the incredible list of starts to feature albeit mostly momentarily.
Rated 5.2 on IMDb, the movie sees a young girl with the ability to make people stop fighting.
What have you been watching on Netflix for the holiday season? Let us know in the comments down below.
