Of course, you can also lean into classic holiday style. But if you’re in the mood for a new movie, streaming services have plenty of seasonal options.
USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt’s top holiday movies
USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt has his picks for the holiday season, and his list includes “Wicked: For Good.”
- Ready to watch some good movies at home? Check out our exclusive look at 15 new movies available to stream this holiday season.
- From Netflix’s My Secret Santa to Apple TV’s Family Plan 2, there’s no shortage of holiday-themed movies.
- A Taylor Swift concert film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, and more will also be available on Disney+ during the holiday season.
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You don’t have to wait until December 25th for Santa Claus to come to your house. The big guy (or a version of him!) is also starring in new movies coming to the streaming service this holiday season, including Netflix’s ace detective, Disney’s underdog, and, yes, Taylor Swift.
The coming months will bring a slew of original movies to suit every taste, whether it’s a Christmas rom-com, an emotional family movie, or a monster movie with a giant troll. And the star power isn’t just limited to St. Nick and Tay Tay. Familiar faces like Michelle Pfeiffer, Mark Wahlberg, Kate Winslet, and Daniel Craig star in a fresh film that’s perfect for watching while trimming a tree or lounging on the couch.
Here’s a special look at 15 new movies that will soon be available to stream at home.
“Champagne Problem” (November 19th)
Minka Kelly stars in this holiday rom-com as a workaholic businesswoman who travels to France to finalize the purchase of a famous champagne brand. She falls in love with a strong-willed Parisian man (Tom Woznicka), but soon realizes that he is the son of the company’s founder and that her father does not want her to sell him out.
Where to watch: Netflix
“Family Plan 2” (November 21st)
In the action-comedy sequel, ex-assassin Dan (Mark Wahlberg), his wife Jessica (Michelle Monaghan), and their son fly to London to spend the holidays with their daughter. But Dan’s old nemesis (Kit Harington) shows up, adding car chases, bank robberies, and international adventures to his Christmas plans.
Where to watch: apple tv
“Train Dreams” (November 21st)
In this period drama, Joel Edgerton plays a modest lumberjack who helps build America’s railroads and meets a colorful group of co-workers, but his job keeps him away from his wife (Felicity Jones) and young daughter. After a tragedy further isolates him, he must find his way as decades pass and the land around him changes.
Where to watch: Netflix
“Jingle Bell Heist” (November 26)
This holiday rom-com stars Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells as colleagues at an ultra-luxury London department store. Needing a fresh start in their lives, the pair plan a £500,000 heist from a shop and the penthouse of their grumpy boss, but as they commit the crime, they develop feelings for each other.
Where to watch: Netflix
“Left-handed Girl” (November 28)
Taiwan’s entry for the Oscars for International Film, this family drama stars Shiyuan Ma and Nina Ye as sisters who return to Taipei after living in the countryside for many years. Their mother opens a noodle stand in the city’s downtown area, but the family struggles to make ends meet and struggles in their new surroundings.
Where to watch: Netflix
“The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Picture” (November 28)
This documentary focuses on one of the most iconic war photographs in history. More than 50 years later, former freelance photographer Nguyen Thanh Nguyé has revealed that he shot the famous “Napalm Girl” in Vietnam in 1972. The filmmakers weigh his claims against that of Nick Utt of the Associated Press, who is officially credited for the photo.
Where to watch: Netflix
“Trolls 2” (December 1st)
The trio of heroes from Netflix’s 2022 film Trolls are returning for another round of monster adventures. When a destructive bearded creature nicknamed “Mega Troll” awakens, he races to save the good people of Norway from being trampled. (Fun fact: The best way to fight a giant troll is to fight another giant troll.)
Where to watch: Netflix
“My Secret Santa” (December 3)
This holiday romantic comedy stars Alexandra Breckinridge as a single mother who disguises herself as an older man and is hired to play Santa at an upscale ski resort in order to get her daughter discounted snowboarding lessons. Things turn sour when Santa becomes a huge hit and develops a more than flirtatious relationship with the hotel’s general manager (Ryan Eggold).
Where to watch: Netflix
‘oh. what. fun. ‘ (December 3rd)
In this holiday comedy, a Christmas-bound Texas mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) is accidentally left behind by her husband (Denis Leary) and children (Felicity Jones, Dominic Sessa, Chloë Grace Moretz) for an important event, Home Alone style. Deeply hurt, she goes on a road trip alone, but her loved ones don’t know what to do without her.
Where to watch: prime video
“Diary of a Yowamushi Kid: The Last Straw” (December 5th)
In the latest animated version of Jeff Kinney’s popular novel “Wimpy Kid,” middle school student Greg (voiced by Aaron D. Harris, left) continues to leave a trail of misfortune. His father, Frank (Chris Diamantopoulos), considers sending Greg to military school, but first they set out to deepen their bond at a wilderness camp.
Where to watch: disney plus
“The Family McMullen” (December 5th)
Thirty years after the indie smash hit The Brothers McMullen, Ed Burns returns with a sequel written, directed and starring. Family ties and new romance emerge when Barry McMullen (Burns) invites his 20-something children, brother Patrick (Michael McGlone) and widowed sister-in-law Molly (Connie Britton), to Long Island.
Where to watch: HBO Max
“Melv” (December 10th)
Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel) are a newly separated couple who spend the season with their dog, Marv. When their dog shows signs of depression, Russ and Marv fly from Boston to Florida for a vacation at a pet-friendly resort, and Anna also ends up starring in a holiday rom-com.
Where to watch: prime video
Taylor Swift | Elas Tour | The Final Show” (December 12)
If you’ve listened to the Swifties’ “The Life of a Showgirl” too many times, pause. Because it’s time to relive the Elas tour one last time. The accompanying concert film for the new six-part documentary series captures Taylor Swift’s final show of her record-breaking tour in Vancouver, featuring songs from her album Tortured Poets Department.
Where to watch: disney plus
“Wake Up Dead Man: Knives Out Mystery” (December 12)
Southern detective Benoît Blanc (Daniel Craig) investigates a case in which a young priest, Father Judd (Josh O’Connor), is accused of murdering his fire-and-brimstone boss (Josh Brolin). Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner and Andrew Scott are an all-star cast of parishioners/suspects in Rian Johnson’s third murder mystery, Knives Out.
Where to watch: Netflix
“Goodbye June” (December 24th)
Oscar winner Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut with this touching Christmas drama. She also co-stars with Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough and Johnny Flynn, playing a brother who deals with painful emotions and impending loss as he reunites with his dying mother (Helen Mirren) during the final holiday season.
Where to watch: Netflix
