Top 20 Best Netflix Original Christmas Movies

Directed by Sergio Pablos, this hand-drawn animated gem delivers a visually stunning and heartwarming origin story for Santa Claus. When a spoiled, lazy postman named Jesper is banished to the icy northern outpost of Smeerensburg, he forms an unlikely bond with a reclusive toy craftsman named Klaus. Combining revolutionary traditional lighting techniques with rich emotional storytelling, the film earned an Oscar nomination and won a BAFTA for Best Animated Feature.

Kurt Russell completely revitalizes Santa Claus, playing him with leather-jacketed swagger, rock-and-roll bravado, and immense heart. Produced by Chris Columbus, the story follows two mischievous siblings who accidentally crash Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve and must team up with him to save the holiday. Russell's legendary jailhouse blues performance alone makes this one of Netflix's most entertaining holiday offerings.

Written and directed by David E. Talbert, this lavish musical fantasy dazzles with breathtaking production design, vibrant Victorian-steampunk aesthetics, and exuberant original songs produced by John Legend. Forest Whitaker shines as Jeronicus Jangle, an eccentric toymaker who loses his creative spark after a devastating betrayal, only to rediscover wonder thanks to his inventive granddaughter. It is a visually sumptuous, soulful holiday treat brimming with joyful energy.

Based on the bestselling YA novel by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle, this breezy ensemble teen romance weaves together multiple love stories during a massive Christmas Eve blizzard in a small Midwestern town. Featuring an engaging young ensemble including Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore, and Kiernan Shipka, the film balances sweet adolescent angst with genuine seasonal coziness. Its interwoven vignettes deliver plenty of charm and nostalgic winter atmosphere.

Hallmark royalty Lacey Chabert leans playfully into full festive camp in this delightful holiday comedy directed by Jerry Ciccoritti. Two years after losing her husband, a grieving widow accidentally brings a handsome, sculpted snowman to life through a magical scarf. Dustin Milligan brings wide-eyed golden-retriever charm to the thawed-out newcomer, making this deliberately goofy premise surprisingly endearing and laugh-out-loud funny.

Blending sleek caper thrills with cozy holiday spirit, this fast-paced comedy stars Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells as two crafty small-time thieves who unexpectedly target the exact same luxury department store on Christmas Eve. Directed by Michael Fimognari, the film sparkles thanks to sharp comic timing and electric romantic chemistry between the lead duo. It provides a refreshing, stylish alternative to conventional festive rom-coms.

Brooke Shields stars as an embattled American bestselling author who flees a scandal at home to visit the picturesque Scottish castle connected to her ancestry. There she butts heads with a grumpy, impoverished Scottish duke played with dry wit by Cary Elwes. Directed by Mary Lambert, the film relies on gorgeous rolling Highland scenery, tartan-wrapped warmth, and the charismatic chemistry of its seasoned leads.

Charles Shyer directs this heartfelt romantic drama starring Justin Hartley as a successful novelist who returns home at Christmas to settle his estranged mother's estate. When he crosses paths with a young woman seeking information about her biological mother, an old discovered diary unlocks long-buried secrets for them both. The bittersweet family mystery gives the story substantially more emotional weight than the standard holiday romance.

Alexandra Breckenridge leads this screwball holiday comedy as a devoted single mother who disguises herself as an older male mall Santa to land a much-needed seasonal job at a snowy ski resort. Romantic chaos ensues when she begins falling for the resort's handsome general manager, played by Ryan Eggold. Directed by festive veteran Mike Rohl, the film became an instant streaming smash thanks to its buoyant humor and heartfelt family center.

Directed by Mark Steven Johnson, this escapist holiday romance whisks viewers away to the frosty, picturesque vineyards of the Champagne region. Minka Kelly stars as an ambitious corporate executive sent to France to acquire a venerable champagne house, only to unexpectedly fall for the founder's charming son, played by Tom Wozniczka. The breathtaking French châteaux, effervescent dialogue, and sparkling romance make it a quintessential holiday guilty pleasure.

The viral sensation that officially launched the Netflix holiday cinematic universe stars Rose McIver as Amber, an ambitious American journalist who goes undercover inside the royal palace of fictional Aldovia. As she investigates the country's brooding playboy prince, genuine sparks fly amidst snowy carriage rides and royal balls. Unabashedly cheesy and deeply comforting, the film spawned two sequels and cemented its place in streaming history.

This joyful and groundbreaking holiday rom-com follows Peter (Michael Urie), who persuades his best friend and roommate Nick (Philemon Chambers) to pose as his boyfriend during a visit home to avoid his family's persistent matchmaking. Directed by Michael Mayer, the film treats gay romance with breezy normalization and festive celebration. A scene-stealing Jennifer Coolidge as flamboyant Aunt Sandy brings pure comedic gold to every frame.

Vanessa Hudgens continues her reign as Netflix's resident holiday princess in this charming time-travel romance directed by Monika Mitchell. A chivalrous fourteenth-century medieval knight (Josh Whitehouse) is magically transported to contemporary Ohio, where he is taken in by a kind-hearted high school science teacher who has given up on love. The unabashedly sweet premise thrives on fish-out-of-water humor and irresistible romantic earnestness.

DreamWorks animation veteran Simon Otto brings Richard Curtis's beloved children's books to life in this warm and witty British animated feature. Set in a seaside English town cut off by a fierce blizzard, the story weaves together several heartwarming family misadventures on Christmas Eve, featuring Brian Cox as a wonderfully grumpy Santa and Bill Nighy in a standout voice role. Complete with an original song by Ed Sheeran, it is a modern animated delight.

Fed up with judgment from their families over being perpetually single, two cynical strangers played by Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey agree to be each other's platonic plus-ones for every holiday of the year. Directed by John Whitesell, the raunchy romantic comedy races through the entire calendar year with snappy banter and genuine laughs. While it begins at Christmas, its sarcastic edge and playful romance keep things lively all year round.

Chris Columbus steps behind the director's camera for this ambitious sequel that pairs Kurt Russell's rock-and-roll Santa with Goldie Hawn's warm, commanding Mrs. Claus. When a disgruntled former elf threatens to steal the Christmas Star and destroy the North Pole, teenage Kate is pulled back into a magical adventure. Packed with dazzling visual effects and enchanting world-building, the real-life couple's radiant chemistry carries the film.

Nina Dobrev plays a cynical dating columnist from Los Angeles who flies across the country to surprise her dream guy for Christmas, only to discover she has been catfished by his nerdy childhood friend, played by Jimmy O. Yang. Directed by Hernán Jiménez, the film manages to address modern dating deception without turning toxic, finding humor and heart in personal growth. The witty banter and memorable duet of 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' make it a fan favorite.

A Chicago baker and a soon-to-be European royal who happen to be identical doppelgängers decide to trade lives for a few days ahead of the royal wedding. Vanessa Hudgens pulls double duty with delightful panache, mastering contrasting accents and distinct romantic dynamics. The fairytale premise proved wildly popular, spawning two successful sequels and giving Netflix one of its most enduring seasonal franchises.

Directed and choreographed by Debbie Allen, this festive musical extravaganza offers a vibrant country-western twist on A Christmas Carol. Christine Baranski stars as a merciless Scrooge-like property tycoon determined to evict an entire small town on Christmas Eve, until Dolly Parton appears as a rhinestone-bedecked singing angel to soften her heart. Featuring fourteen original Dolly Parton songs, it is campy, colorful, and utterly joyful.

Lindsay Lohan makes a triumphant return to romantic comedy as a spoiled hotel heiress who suffers amnesia after a skiing accident and is taken in by a handsome widower lodge owner, played by Chord Overstreet. Directed by Janeen Damian, the movie embraces classic holiday tropes with open arms, giving Lohan plenty of room to showcase her sharp physical comedy and natural screen presence. It is comforting, cheerful holiday escapism from start to finish.