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Mireille Duhon
But not all Christmas movies are created equal. Sure, the stories may be awfully similar, but the quality can vary wildly. Ideally, you want something that hits that spot between sweet and silly, striking a good balance between romcom absurdity and a genuine expression of seasonal joy. So let us help you sort the proverbial shiny new bikes from the lumps of coal. Here are the best Christmas movies to stream on Netflix this year.
This oddball origin story of Santa Klaus is the first animated feature from Netflix, and features Klaus (Oscar-winner J. K. Simmons), a large, bearded man with a knack for toymaking but who doesn't have much interest in children, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman), the worst postal carrier ever and Alva (Rashida Jones), a cynical teacher. They live in Smeerensburg, the unhappiest place on Earth. If it sounds like a grump-fest, well yes, that's the setup. But don't worry: Icy hearts melt, and even Smeerensburg can find joy. Rated PG.
Part Prince and the Pauper, part The Parent Trap, this rom-com features Vanessa Hudgens as a humble baker who swaps places with the princess of a vaguely European country just in time for the holidays. A threequel debuts November 18, making this an enduring holiday series that will likely continue for as long as royalty remains unable to detect American accents and traces of flour and baking powder on gowns. Rated PG.
At Urban List, we don't care what anyone says, we can't get enough of the best Christmas movies on Netflix. Fortunately, the streaming gods at Netflix have gifted us with yet another sleigh load of feel-good Christmas movies, from old-school classics to rom-com newbies, all you need to do is organise bulk snacks for a mammoth viewing marathon.
A newly engaged, hotel heiress (Lindsay Lohan) gets into a skiing accident, suffers from total amnesia and finds herself in the care of a handsome, blue-collar lodge owner (Chord Overstreet) and his precocious daughter in the days leading up to Christmas. Watch it here.
Feeling career burnout, pop star Angelina escapes to grant a young fan's wish in small-town New York, where she not only finds the inspiration to revitalise her career but also her one shot *one opportunity* at true love. Watch it here.
Urban List acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work, live, and play. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge this always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
Previously, we told you what new Christmas content - movies and TV series - are dropping on Netflix this year. Now we've dug through the streaming service's library to pick out the best festive flicks.
In previous editions of our "Best of ... movies on Netflix", we looked at a whole range of genres. These include romantic comedies, sci fi movies, musicals, war movies, biographies, and mystery movies and series. So check out those lists too for more to check out in the lead up to the holidays.
This gem has a whopper cast which includes James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton. It follows four generations of the Claus family from Grandsanta (Nighy) to brothers Arthur (McAvoy) and Stephen (Laurie). Arthur learns that his dad, Santa (Broadbent), forgot to deliver a gift. He goes on a quest to bring it to the missed child.
A spoiled and lazy student of a postal academy, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman), is sent to work at a frozen island above the Arctic Circle called Smeerensburg. Jesper has to deliver 6000 letters there before he can return home. A recluse on the island named Klaus (J.K. Simmons) who sends toys to children who write letters to him, may be Jesper's ticket out. This sweet, funny and tender movie is perfect for the whole family to watch together. It contains the simple message that a small act of kindness always sparks another.
The modern Christmas classic that is 'The Holiday' stars Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as two women unlucky in love who swap homes and lifestyles for the Christmas season. Jude Law and Jack Black are the film's leading men. Also in the cast are Rufus Sewell, Edward Burns and legendary western star Eli Wallach. If you like your Christmas movies cheesy, funny and packed with feel-good factor, 'The Holiday' is essential viewing.
'Just Friends' might be dismissed as just another rom-com in Ryan Reynolds' filmography. But there's just a teetering darkness underneath that makes the comedy all the more potent. Ryan Reynolds' character, from the very get-go, is shown as this pathetic creature who has to drop weight and become a hunk into order to feel good about himself and is so expectant of women's attention that it becomes toxic for him. Not only that, you've got Anna Faris in one of her finest comedic roles as the spoiled singer who's out to cause chaos.
We know we're meant to be nice at Christmas, but sometimes it's just more fun to be naughty. Such is the case with the 'Bad Moms' sequel (for which no, you don't have to have seen the original to get what's going on). It follows best mates and fellow moms Amy (Mila Kunis), Kiki (Kristen Bell) and Carla (Kathryn Hahn) as they indulge in some festive cheer and ho-ho-hoeing. But the moms' moms (Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines and Susan Sarandon), who are round for the holidays, have other plans.
This underrated animated feature stars not only Santa but the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, the Easter Bunny and Jack Frost too. Together, they form the Guardians, who must stop Pitch Black from engulfing the world in darkness. Its impressive cast includes Chris Pine, Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher and Jude Law. You'll want tissues for this one, as it gets quite emotional.
The various story lines of 'Let It Snow' follow high school students who are interconnected by love, are friends, or are co-workers. A snowstorm ends up impacting all their lives when it hits their small mid-western town. In a nutshell, it's a bit like 'Love Actually' for a young adult audience. But thanks to proficient direction and a talented young cast - including Kiernan Shipka, Odeya Rush, Shameik Moore, Isabela Moner and Jacob Batalon - 'Let It Snow' ends up being quite enjoyable.
2018's 'Nativity Rocks!' marked the fourth Nativity film, such has the love for the franchise been. In the original, Martin Freeman plays a teacher who once wanted to be an actor, producer or director. He gets the chance to (somewhat) follow his dream when the primary school he works at puts on an nativity play with a difference. The sequel starring David Tennant 'Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger', and 'Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?' with Catherine Tate, are also on Netflix if you feel like some binging.
Always good to have an Irish representative. Moreover the great thing about 'Angela's Christmas' is it's only 30 minutes long and just lovely for both kids and grown-ups. Based on a story by Frank McCourt ('Angela's Ashes'), it relates how our young heroine is struck by an astounding idea following a trip to the church on Christmas Eve. A sequel titled 'Angela's Christmas Wish' will arrive on Netflix on December 1st.
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