10 Holiday Movies and Shows On Netflix Igniting Your Festive Spirit

Ah…It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and that can only mean one thing: holiday movies have returned to Netflix!

This is about the time of year I start sitting down with the kids to watch some fun holiday movies a few nights a week.

The rest of those nights, I watch the ones that are less appropriate for them but crack me up nonetheless!

Every year on Christmas Eve, we open new Christmas jammies, make homemade hot cocoa (add cinnamon and vanilla; you will thank me later), and watch our final Christmas movie!

I haven’t officially decided which one will win out this year, but I am leaning toward one of the popular Netflix films on this list!

If you are looking for some holiday movies to fill your days before Christmas, this list is a perfect place to start!

Don’t forget to also check out these happy holiday quotes that celebrate family and love

#1 A Boy Called Christmas

This movie is currently #8 in Netflix’s top 10 movies.

It is rated PG for “peril, action, and thematic events.”

That sounds like the perfect Christmas movie to watch with the kids who are old enough for a little more drama!

It also means that as an adult, you might enjoy it.

Netflix gives us quite the teaser for this one: 

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.

The movie stars Henry Lawful, Toby Jones, Sally Hawkins, and Kristen Wiig.

This family movie will tug on your heartstrings, make you feel good, and has just enough excitement to make it interesting.

What will Nikolas discover on his quest?

Will people once again begin to believe in the impossible?

This film is created by the same studio that brought us The Christmas Chronicles and is based on an international best-seller.

We will watch this one on Christmas Eve in my house, snuggled into some blankets, and wearing our new pajamas!

#2 The Great British Baking Show Holidays

I don’t normally watch The Great British Baking Show, but my sister is a huge fan!

It is rated TV 14 for language, so if you have little ones and are extra cautious about the words they hear, you might want to watch this one yourself.

If you love baking, this witty Netflix description will have you in a hurry to stream all the episodes:

Deck the halls with sugar, butter, and chocolate as competitors from the past seasons bake sweet Yuletide treats for judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Lieth.

The “ghosts of baker’s past” (Netflix’s way of referencing the previous competitors) include many favorite contestants!

If you love baking, Christmas, and reality TV, this feel-good show is one you won’t miss!

#3 Single All the Way

This movie is currently ranked 10 on Netflix’s trending movies list.

This romantic comedy is LGBTQ-approved and rated TV-PG.

It’s got all the charm of your typical holiday movie and that heartfelt romance.

Netflix teases us by saying: 

Peter 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. 

Will these best friends take the plunge?

(I feel like this is a really easy question to answer since this is a Christmas movie, but still…)

You might feel like you have seen this movie already a million times, but this one promises to bring the comedy.

It features Jennifer Coolidge (Jeanine Stifler, the mom of American Pie), and she is just as hilarious in this movie!

#4 lovehard

This one is rated TV-MA (language), so it won’t be one I watch with the kiddos, but it sounds fresh and interesting!

Netflix describes the film by saying: After meeting her perfect match on a dating app, an LA writer learns she’s been catfished when she flies 3000 miles to surprise him for Christmas.

I haven’t seen this one yet, but I will be watching it!

My friend watched this one the other day and said, “It’s hysterical.”

So, if you are in the mood for a romantic comedy, this one is for you!

It stars Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, and Darren Barnet.

#5 Jingle Jangle A Christmas Journey

Jingle Jangle A Christmas Journey, rated PG, is another one the kids will enjoy.

The description from Netflix is intriguing: 

Decades after his trusted apprentice betrayed him, a once joyful toymaker finds new hope when his kind and curious granddaughter comes into his life. 

This musical family movie sounds like the perfect one to watch with a steaming cup of hot cocoa!

This movie has magic, drama, and all the heartfelt moments that remind us what Christmas is all about.

Bring back a little wonder into your life and allow this unique two-hour movie to spark that “kid at Christmas time” feeling.

#6 The Christmas Chronicles

This was our Christmas Eve movie last year, and it was perfect!

It is rated TV-PG for fear and language.

The movie stars the incomparable Kurt Russel and his stepson, Oliver Hudson.

It also has other big names like Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Judah Lewis, and Darby Camp.

Netflix has this one ranked at #5 in Kids as of today and hooks you in with this description: 

After accidentally crashing Santa’s sleigh, a brother and sister pull an all-nighter to save Christmas with a savvy, straight-talking St. Nick. Christmas is in trouble.

Will it all work out in time?

# 7 The Christmas Chronicles 2

Kurt Russel returns, with a real-life partner (since 1983), Goldie Hawn, as Mrs. Claus!

Many of the original cast is back for this sequel, which is also rated PG.

Netflix once again brings us a family-friendly film in which Christmas is in danger: 

Unhappy over her mom’s new relationship, a teenage Kate runs away and lands at the North Pole, where a naughty elf is plotting to cancel Christmas.

The movie is funny, and Kurt Russel might just be my favorite Santa!

Will this sequel deliver on the magic of its predecessor?

You won’t know until you watch it!

#8 Holidate

This Christmas romantic comedy stars Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey.

TV-MA is rated for language, smoking, nudity/sex, and crass humor.

This, of course, means it is pretty dang funny.

Netflix sets up this movie by explaining: 

Fed up with being single on holidays, two strangers agree to be each other’s platonic plus-ones all year long, only to catch real feelings along the way.

This movie has all the romance, comedy, and meddling family antics of a good rom-com with a holiday spin.

The first words of the film set up the tone of how Sloane feels about the holidays… will her attitude change?

This isn’t about love at first sight, adding a real element to character development!

#9 Christmas Inheritance

This is one of those romantic comedies also heavy on Christmas lessons.

The film stars Eliza Taylor, Jake Lacy, and Andie McDowell and is rated TV-G, making it a bit more wholesome than others on the list!

Netflix kicks off the info section of this movie by saying: 

To inherit her father’s company, socialite Ellen must first visit his small hometown, where she learns the value of hard work and helping others. 

This charming movie will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy and remind you of the pleasure we get from spreading joy.

#10 The Princess Switch 3 Romancing the Star

This movie is the third one in The Princess Switch series, and I loved the first two, so of course, this one is on my must-see list!

If you haven’t seen those, I would recommend watching them first.

This heartwarming movie is rated TV-G, so it is family safe!

Vanessa Hudgens returns to play the three roles of Margaret, Stacy, and Fiona.

Netflix’s description sets the plot up right away with: 

When a priceless Christmas relic is stolen, royal look-alikes Margaret and Stacy turn to audacious doppelganger Fiona–and her dashing ex–for help.

This adorable (but highly unbelievable) romantic movie will surely charm you!

The joy of holiday movies

There are millions (that might be a small exaggeration) of holiday movies you can watch from various places.

It is a great way to usher in the holidays and keep that spirit burning bright.

Have you seen some of these already?

Let us know which ones you recommend in the comment section below!

Wishing you a happy holiday season filled with love, joy, and laughter.

I hope you don’t get sucked too deep into the rabbit hole of holiday movies, but if you do, share them with your friends (and me!).