sleepykittypaws

[sleepykittypaws]

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Well, folks, the time has come for me to bid holiday movie tracking adieu.

This was never anything but a (more-than-slightly-weird) hobby which, quite honestly, became overwhelming several years ago, when the TV Christmas movie explosion made keeping track of the annual influx of holiday content way more time consuming than I ever bargained for. But, something—for instance, needing a distraction from a global pandemic, combined with a Type-A personality that loathes leaving a job left undone, plus a few fellow Christmas movie-loving online pals I’d made along the way—always kept me going…Until now. 

As someone congenitally unable to do anything halfway, I’ve felt increasingly uninterested in keeping up with all the ins-and-outs of holiday movie production for a while now. That, combined with Twitter’s increasing lack of usability, has led me to the decision it’s time to rest my paws, and hang up ye olde Santa hat.

In real life, I’m just a boring, stay-at-home mom who used to work in (non-Christmas movie) TV production. I started keeping a holiday movie list for a few like-minded pals, and when they wanted to share it with a few others, posted it online for easy access. What started as a couple updates annually (a did-you-see-this-article? sort of thing), morphed into a year-round hobby, and then something more akin to unpaid, part-time employment—not that making this a job was ever a goal. (In fact, I’ve studiously avoided being public and declined the very small amount of opportunities people have offered.)

While I did (very) occasionally hear a few things from folks I’d become friendly online with, none of that is what I shared publicly. Everything I posted was gleaned from publicly available news stories, press releases, IMDb listings, production info, casting notices, and social media posts. Though there was some dot connecting on my part, it’s all stuff absolutely anyone half-decent at research and logic could easily find and readily duplicate. (TL;DR I’m not special, and never thought I was.)

Thanks to those who were so kind to me over the years, and all who share my fascination with cheesy holiday fare. I will most definitely still be watching, and if Twitter still exists this holiday season, quite possibly will return there to share what I loved, and what I didn’t, but I’ll no longer be keeping a holiday movie list, with my apologies to the twos of folks this likely disappoints.

For what it’s worth (likely, not that much) I’ve updated all the upcoming lists—theatrical and TV, for 2023 and 2024—one last time (UPDATE: Well, now that the season is upon us did my best to keep the 2023 schedule up-to-date, least as of November 15, as a final hurrah), with what I know, as of today. There are, I’m positive, typos and errors and things that will be out of date as soon as tomorrow. But there it is, the end.

Cheers, and a very merry everything to all!

💛 Sleepy Kitty Paws

[sleepykittypaws]

Perfect for Pride Favorites: Movies and Series

With LGBTQIA+ targeted legislation, abusive rhetoric and hate crimes sadly once again on the rise, the month-long embrace of visibility and openness that Pride celebrations represent feel essential.

If you want to also honor Pride at home with viewing that focuses not only on queer struggle, but also its joy, here are some of my personal movie and TV favorites 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Updated: June 3, 2025

Movie Favorites

The Wedding Banquet (1993) - This heartbreaking and humorous story of a gay Taiwanese man whose marriage of convenience (she gets a green card, he appeases his traditionalist parents) turns into the wedding of the century. Sweet and funny—a real gem.

Pride (2014) - This true story of a group of gay activists from London who joined the 1984 miners strike in solidarity is well done on every level, and will leave you feeling far better about humanity than when you began.

Maurice (1987) - Merchant and Ivory had a profound effect on my teenage self, and this E.M. Forster adaptation about repressed longing in Edwardian English society helped birth a lifelong Hugh Grant crush.

Bros (2022) - Billy Eichner’s R-rated rom-com, which doubles as a stealth Christmas pick, is fun, vibrant and unabashed. Super heartfelt, but never sappy, it co-stars Hallmark hunk Luke Macfarlane.

Love, Simon (2018) - Impossibly charming and sweet teen love story guaranteed to make you smile. (Also another stealth Christmas movie!)

The Half of It (2020, Netflix) - Alice Wu’s absolutely gorgeous ode to Cyrano beautifully addresses both sexuality and the immigrant experience, without ever feeling preachy. Made me very much want to see Wu’s first feature, Saving Face.

The Favourite (2018) - Olivia Coleman is perfect as a fickle, feckless Queen Anne, whose head is turned by a delightfully devious Emma Stone.

Fire Island (2022) - This raunchy rom-com/Pride and Prejudice redux has an incredibly sweet center underneath its profane exterior. Big laughs abound in this found family-centered adaptation that would for sure make Miss Austen more than blush.

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994) - Wacky, a little wild, and oh-so-Australian, this drag queen, road trip comedy is all heart.

But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) - Natasha Lyonne is the titular cheerleader who finds herself in conversion therapy in this pitch-perfect satire that also manages to be a laugh-out-loud rom-com.

Moonglight (2016) - This Best Picture winner is absolutely searing and the only reason its not higher on this list is that it’s so devastating, it’s near impossible for me to re-watch.

Other People (2016) - This mother-son story about the acceptance of loss and love should seriously have put Jesse Plemmons and Molly Shannon in awards contention.

Swan Song (2021) - Ude Kier absolutely deserved not only an Oscar nomination, but arguably a win, for his role as an aging hairdresser who takes one last job for a special client—preparing her for her funeral. Poignant, and much funnier than I expected. 

Booksmart (2019) - One of my all-time favorite movies of any genre, this Olivia Wilde-directed comedy is so smart, so funny and so re-watchable it would definitely be higher on this list if I didn’t feel it was just slightly off-theme, with only one of the main characters being gay. Still, her relatable first crush experiences are one of the best parts of the story, which is why I feel this friendship comedy still deserves inclusion.

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995) - That we got three well-known movie stars in Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo headlining a movie centered on drag that is this unabashedly queer almost 30 years ago, really is a miracle.

Dating Amber (2020) - Set in 1995 Dublin, this is a surprisingly funny and touching take on two high school friends decision to pretend to date each other to avoid gossip.

Plan B (2021, Hulu) - This BFF road-trip comedy is raunchy, very R-rated and yet, at its core, is one of the sweetest and funniest movies I’ve seen since Booksmart, and deserves inclusion on this list for this line alone: “Believe it or not, it makes a real big difference to your mental health when you are free to be who you are.“

Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) - Richard E. Grant and Melissa McCarthy are both excellent in this true story of (sometimes toxic) friendship and fraud.

Beginners (2010) - A touching father-son story based on the real life of a man finally able to explore his true identity at age 75, after his wife passes away.

Crush (2022, Hulu) - This gentle, teen romance puts a budding artist on the track team with her longtime crush, but it’s her crush’s twin sister that she ends up feeling drawn to. Aasif Mandvi and Megan Mullally as the track coach and the mom, respectively, get most of the best lines.

The Wedding Banquet (2025) - This isn’t a strict remake of Ang Lee’s original, with only the most general of plot points reused, making it a fresh, fun take on a somewhat tired genre that takes into account how much has changed (and what hasn’t) since 1993.

The Thing About Harry (2020, Freeform) - Delightful, sweet made-for-TV holiday (Valentine’s Day) rom-com that just happens to be about two men. Not earth shattering story-wise, but fairly revolutionary for a mainstream cable TV network.

Love Is Strange (2014) - John Lithgow and Alfred Molina as a long term couple finally able to marry.

Victor/Victoria (1982) - A musical comedy classic, whose gender-bending is legendary, and striking for its time

The Birdcage (1996) - Robin Williams is way, way too much in this Americanized remake of La Cage aux Folles, but it’s still a delightful portrait of joy and the definition of camp. And what Williams did for Nathan Lane during the press tour definitely qualifies him as a mensch..

BONUS: The Pixar SparkShort Out, released on Disney+ in May 2020, is perfect, gentle, sweet, all-ages entertainment, that’s a great way to show kids of any age that love is love. 🏳️‍🌈

TV Series Top 10

Schitt’s Creek (2015-20, CBC/Pop) - An absolute gem of a show that explores its characters sexuality, while only very rarely being specifically about them. So much sweeter and poignant than the jokey name would imply, this is good from the start, but really hit its stride in season 2, and has one of the most perfect series finales I’ve ever seen. (Originally for CBC/Pop, but streaming on Netflix.)

Heartstopper (2022, Netflix) - This swoon-worthy British rom-com series about two friends navigating first love is based on a graphic novel and the very definition of sweet and gentle.

One Mississippi (2015-17, Amazon) - Tragically overlooked comedy starring Tig Notaro as a lightly fictionalized version of herself. Cancelled much too soon, this one deserves to be so much better known than it is. A worthy weekend binge.

The Other Two (2019-ongoing, Comedy Central/Max) - This story of two struggling older siblings and their suddenly YouTube famous baby brother is an absolute joy, on so many levels, and specifically queer in a way few mainstream comedies ever have been.

A Very English Scandal (2018, Amazon) - Already mentioned my Hugh Grant crush above, but he really is very good here as, once again, a very repressed Englishman.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-20, Netflix) - A candy-colored confection of silliness where Tituss Burgess consistently steals the show from the title character, and even brings it to Queen Bey with his spot-on, must-see Lemonade parody. 

Tales of the City (1993-2001, PBS) - While I haven’t seen the new Netflix run, the original Tales miniseries left an indelible impression. Soapy in the best possible way, but never condescending or crass. A real eye-opener for the sheltered college freshman I was when I first saw this.

Love, Victor (2020-2022, Hulu) - This delightful spin-off of Love, Simon adds another sweet, teen love story to the canon.

It’s a Sin (2021, Channel 4/Max) - This Russell T Davies limited series that looks at the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in UK is heartrending, but also incredibly well done.

Modern Family (2009-20, ABC) - Yes, this sitcom got schlockier and more trite the longer it stayed on the air, and, yes, many question casting straight actor Eric Stonestreet in the role of Cam, but don’t underestimate how this widely-seen portrayal of loving, same-sex parents in a long-term relationship (and eventual marriage), on a major broadcast network changed hearts and minds. Representation really does matter! 

BONUS: My all-time favorite comedy series is Happy Endings. I’ve probably seen each episode ten times, minimum, at this point, and one of the main characters is gay (albeit played by a straight actor) but, when I was considering this list, I was trying to think of series I loved that actually changed the conversation, centered on the LGBTQ+ experience, or both; Not just any depiction of Queer life at all, and I don’t think Happy Endings quite fits that bill. But, it is super funny and hugely binge-able, so if you’ve somehow missed it, rectify that immediately. (The whole series is on Hulu, HBO Max and Netflix.)

More Movies to Explore

As films centered on LGBTQ+ characters, issues and relationships finally start to enter the mainstream, there are hundreds of options, including many far more serious than my mostly lighter fare favorites above. (I often default to sunnier viewing as my “favorites,” because they leave me feeling light and happy.) That so many movies about the LGBTQ+ experience are dark, disturbing and dour says a lot about how far we still have to go as a society, in terms of inclusion and acceptance.

With that in mind, here are a few more options. Not an exhaustive list of every LGBTQIA+ film, just others I’ve seen (and one I want to), and would generally recommend…

Cabaret (1972) - If Victor/Victoria wasn’t already on my list, this gender-bending Liza Minnelli classic would be.

Saving Face (2004) - The Half of It’s Alice Wu’s first feature.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) - Based on the Off Broadway musical, this rock star epic is darkly funny.

Paris is Burning (1990) - Outstanding, must-see documentary that explores the drag ball culture of New York City.

The Kids Are All Right (2010) - I, personally, found the gender politics a little confounding in this much-praised movie about a lesbian couple’s kids meeting their sperm donor, but undeniable it’s well acted.

Brokeback Mountain (2005) - This Oscar winner is definitely more than a little overwrought, but it’s also powerful in many places.

Jenny’s Wedding (2015) - Not earth shattering, but watching Katherine Heigl and Alexis Bledel plan their wedding offers lighthearted charm.

Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) - The ending of this one is, I will be the first to admit…Disappointing. I also haven’t rewatched it in years, so it’s possible it doesn’t hold up at all, but this Jennifer Westfeldt film was, at the time, one of just a few lesbian rom-coms.

Go Fish (1994) - An indie movie circuit darling, this lesbian romance kickstarted a prolific tv career for director Rose Troche, who also helmed 2022′s My Fake Boyfriend.

The Wedding Banquet (2025) - This isn’t a strict remake of Ang Lee’s original, with only the most general of plot points reused, making it a fresh, fun take on a somewhat tired genre that takes into account how much has changed (and what hasn’t) since 1993.

A Nice Indian Boy (2025) - Sweet story of a guy adopted into an Indian family (Jonathan Groff) falling in love with a traditional, well, nice Indian boy.

The Prom (2020, Netflix) - Another problematic pick, this film version of the Broadway musical got a lot of grief for casting James Corden as gay and, well, just casting Corden at all. The story is trite, the big stars—Nicole Kidman! Meryl Strep!—clearly stunt casting and, like many Ryan Murphy projects, it is absolutely over the top…And yet, I dug it and had so much fun watching it. What can I say? Cheesy Broadway musicals are my thing. 

The Imitation Game (2014) - Harrowing historical drama and an infuriating example of how dangerous homophobia actually is.

Dallas Buyers Club (2013) - This true story of an AIDS patient struggling to help himself and others survive is all right, all right, all right. (I apologize and will show myself out.)

Personal Best (1982) - Mariel Hemingway is a raw nerve in this movie as much about love as sports.

Battle of the Sexes (2017) - The exploration of Billie Jean King’s sexuality, in a movie that’s mostly not about that, is well-done, raw and honest, even in its painful parts.

La Cage aux Folles (1978) - Quintessential French farce based on Jean Poiret’s play of the same name.

In & Out (1997) - A fantastic cast—Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Tom Selleck—headlines this Oscar-nominated comedy loosely based on a real-life Academy Awards incident, where headlines insisted Tom Hanks accidentally outed his former drama teacher during his Philadelphia acceptance speech, though he actually had his permission. 

Heavenly Creatures (1994) - Definitely not a light watch, this early Peter Jackson movie, that features Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in a based-on-a-true-crime tale, is riveting.

Tangerine (2015) - Another stealth Christmas movie, it’s somehow best-known for being shot entirely on an iPhone, when it should be better-known for being absolutely brilliant.

Wildhood (2021) - This journey of self-discover features two brothers looking for their birth mother, and comes from two-spirit, non-binary filmmaker Bretten Hannam.

A Single Man (2009) - Precise, tailored, painful film, which is no surprise when you learn the director is designer Tom Ford.

Longtime Companion (1989) - One of the very first mainstream movies to center its story on gay men, this tale of how the AIDS crisis impacts a group of friends starts out a little cheesy, but hits you in the feels soon enough.

God’s Own Country (2017) - Another bleak, brutal, British film redeemed somewhat by its hopeful ending.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2020) - Absolutely gorgeous movie that takes its time, but never feels slow. 

Carol (2015) - Cate Blanchett as the most proper, exquisite housewife that ever was—right up until she isn’t. (Yet another stealth Christmas movie on this list…It’s almost as if I have a thing for holiday films.)

Call Me By Your Name (2017) - Another in the longing looks hall of fame,  It’s become almost a parody of itself at this point, but the film really does pack an emotional wallop.

Boys Don’t Cry (1999) - Heartbreaking, brilliant and based on a terrible true crime.

Beautiful Thing (1996) - Really lovely coming-of-age story from the UK. 

The Broken Hearts Club (2000) - This breezy look at the love life highs and lows of a group of gay men in West Hollywood was Greg Berlanti’s feature film directing debut. It also somewhat surprisingly stars now, right-wing cinema feature Dean Cain.

Beats Per Minute (2017) - Drama about AIDS activism in 1980s Paris.

Philadelphia (1993) - This legal drama earned Tom Hanks his first Oscar, and the story holds up.

The Boys in the Band (1970) - Based on the play, this is an essential Queer cinema watch. 

The Boys in the Band (2020, Netflix) - This faithful, and only slightly updated, Ryan Murphy remake features an all-star cast.

Torch Song Trilogy (1988) - Based on Harvey Firestein’s plays about his own life, this is funnier, and more poignant, than I expected going in.

My Own Private Idaho (1991) - Keanu Reeves and River Pheonix as wandering grifters in love.

I Love You Philip Morris (2009) - Ewan McGregor’s very weird rom-com about a con man. One of those that I loved when I first watched, but have never revisited, because I’m not sure I’d feel the same way again.

Milk (2008) - Sean Penn as real-life, ground-breaking gay politician, Harvey Milk.

Trick (1999) - New York City-set rom-com that’s a little low budget, but heartfelt.

Latter Days (2003) - This indie rom-com is about a Mormon struggling with his sexuality, and a guy who makes a bet he can seduce him.

Straight Up (2020) - A story about friendship, romance and soulmates sans sex.  

Disclosure (2020, Netflix) - Another doc on trans representation that is entertaining and educational, a rare combo.

The Children’s Hour (1961) - What The Boys in the Band is to gay male cinematic history, The Children’s Hour is to lesbian film legend.

Pink Flamingos (1972) - Perhaps John Waters most crass creation—and that’s really saying something. Not my personal style, but undeniably a classic.

Transamerica (2005) - Not sure how well Felicity Huffman’s portrayal of a trans woman has held up, particularly after watching Disclosure, but this is one of the first mainstream films to take a trans lead seriously at all.

Three Months (2022, Paramount+) - Coming of age dramady about a young man who, on the eve of his high school graduation, finds out he had an HIV exposure due to a condom mishap. While he waits to test, he joins a support group and bonds with a fellow member.

My Fake Boyfriend (2022, Prime Video) - Another queer rom-com starring a Hallmark regular, this time Marcus Rosner, who plays the hot but cruel ex Keiynan Lonsdale is trying to get over by creating a new Instagram fantasy man. 

Anything’s Possible (2022, Prime Video) - Wanted to like this Billy Porter-directed tale about a trans teenager falling in love for the first time more than I did, but still glad stories like this are being told.

Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls (2023, Paramount+) - Extremely charming, teen rom-com that follows all the usual high school movie tropes…until it doesn’t. 

Some of My Best Friends Are (1970) - This Fannie Flagg film is a camp Christmas classic.

C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005) - Only recently released in the U.S., Jean-Marc Vallée’s story of a French-Canadian boy born on Christmas, which his very religious parents take as a sign, ties the holiday into coming to terms with his sexuality amid dysfunctional family chaos.

Spoiler Alert (2022) - Jim Parsons stars in and produces this holiday-heavy tragic love story, based on Michael Ausiello’s romantic memoir of his life with husband Kit.

The Christmas Setup (2020, Lifetime) - This sunny holiday film, starring real-life spouses Ben Lewis and Blake Lee, is one of the best made-for-TV Christmas movies of recent years, and it was the first LGBTQ-centered mainstream cable Christmas romance. 

Dashing in December (2020, Paramount Network) - Though The Christmas Setup beat it to air by one day, this same-sex-centered Christmas romance is fun, festive and a little more flirty than your standard Hallmark holiday flick.

Happiest Season (2020, Hulu) - Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis’ home-for-the-holidays farce is good Christmas fun, but it’s Aubrey Plaza who steals the show.

Single all the Way (2021, Netflix) - This Michael Urie-starring Netflix holiday rom-com is pure sugar and spice and everything nice, including a love triangle with Luke Macfarlane-Philemon Chambers, plus Jennifer Coolidge and Kathy Najimy playing sisters.

Under the Tree (2021, Lifetime) - Not as much fun as 2020′s The Christmas Set-Up, this was still cable’s first mainstream lesbian holiday movie. 

Christmas at the Ranch (2021) - Lindsay Wagner is the biggest name in this story of a Big City Gal falling in love with a small town ranch hand, from Tello Films, which has made a (recent) tradition of offering an annual lesbian holiday romance.

The Holiday Sitter (2022, Hallmark) - Jonathan Bennett leads the channel’s first Christmas romance focused solely on a same sex couple.

Nugget is Dead: A Christmas Story (2024) - This Australian original aired on CBS in the U.S., becoming the first broadcast queer Christmas movie. 

[sleepykittypaws]

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Well, folks, the time has come for me to bid holiday movie tracking adieu.

This was never anything but a (more-than-slightly-weird) hobby which, quite honestly, became overwhelming several years ago, when the TV Christmas movie explosion made keeping track of the annual influx of holiday content way more time consuming than I ever bargained for. But, something—for instance, needing a distraction from a global pandemic, combined with a Type-A personality that loathes leaving a job left undone, plus a few fellow Christmas movie-loving online pals I’d made along the way—always kept me going…Until now. 

As someone congenitally unable to do anything halfway, I’ve felt increasingly uninterested in keeping up with all the ins-and-outs of holiday movie production for a while now. That, combined with Twitter’s increasing lack of usability, has led me to the decision it’s time to rest my paws, and hang up ye olde Santa hat.

In real life, I’m just a boring, stay-at-home mom who used to work in (non-Christmas movie) TV production. I started keeping a holiday movie list for a few like-minded pals, and when they wanted to share it with a few others, posted it online for easy access. What started as a couple updates annually (a did-you-see-this-article? sort of thing), morphed into a year-round hobby, and then something more akin to unpaid, part-time employment—not that making this a job was ever a goal. (In fact, I’ve studiously avoided being public and declined the very small amount of opportunities people have offered.)

While I did (very) occasionally hear a few things from folks I’d become friendly online with, none of that is what I shared publicly. Everything I posted was gleaned from publicly available news stories, press releases, IMDb listings, production info, casting notices, and social media posts. Though there was some dot connecting on my part, it’s all stuff absolutely anyone half-decent at research and logic could easily find and readily duplicate. (TL;DR I’m not special, and never thought I was.)

Thanks to those who were so kind to me over the years, and all who share my fascination with cheesy holiday fare. I will most definitely still be watching, and if Twitter still exists this holiday season, quite possibly will return there to share what I loved, and what I didn’t, but I’ll no longer be keeping a holiday movie list, with my apologies to the twos of folks this likely disappoints.

For what it’s worth (likely, not that much) I’ve updated all the upcoming lists—theatrical and TV, for 2023 and 2024—one last time (UPDATE: Well, now that the season is upon us did my best to keep the 2023 schedule up-to-date, least as of November 15, as a final hurrah), with what I know, as of today. There are, I’m positive, typos and errors and things that will be out of date as soon as tomorrow. But there it is, the end.

Cheers, and a very merry everything to all!

💛 Sleepy Kitty Paws

[sleepykittypaws]

Mother’s Day Movie Favorites

What better way to celebrate mom than by watching a mother-centric movie with her or, if that’s not possible, while thinking about her, or her memory? 

We’ve all got a mother, heck, some of us even are mothers, making motherhood extremely fertile, movie-making subject matter for everything from tear-jerking melodrama to slasher flicks. There are hundreds, probably thousands, of movies exploring the bonds of mothers and their children, both sweet and sour, but below are my Top 25 favorite mom movies…

Updated: July 29, 2023

Steel Magnolias (1989) - This Southern-friend Schmaltz-fest is near and dear to my heart, having lost my own mother in a way not all that dissimilar to Julia Roberts’ character. And, while much of Steel Magnolias is over the top, the cast is, indisputably, top-notch. This is one that never fails to make me laugh, cry and think about my mama.

Lady Bird (2017) - Probably the best mother-daughter movie of the last 20 years, this Greta Gerwig classic is a perfect watch on Mother’s Day, or any time. It nails teen angst and the push pull of mother-daughter relationships perfectly.

Mr. Mom (1983) - While the premise—A dad being the primary caregiver? How novel!—may be dated, the comedy in this Teri Garr-Michael Keaton comedy still holds up remarkably well, give or take a moment or two. A great, whole family watch, and a wildly under-rated ‘80s comedy.

Petite Maman (2021) - This simple, sweet, but never cloying, French story of a daughter who magically meets and befriends her mother as a child, leading to greater love and understanding between them is the absolute perfect mom-centric movie, on Mother’s Day or anytime.

Postcards from the Edge (1990) - Based on Carrie Fisher’s roman a clef about her own relationship with actress-mother Debbie Reynolds, this Meryl Strep-Shirley MacLaine movie is one of my very favorites.

Freaky Friday (2003 or 1976) - Whether you prefer the Jamie Curtis-Lindsay Lohan remake, or the Jodie Foster-Barbara Harris original, this Disney classic is fun, funny and an absolute hoot of a mother-daughter romp. Plus, it’s perfect prep for the upcoming sequel.

Terms of Endearment (1983) - As you can see, Shirley MacLaine looms large on this list. MacLaine really cornered the market on over-the-top, yet-loving mom roles, and there are few better mother-daughter dramas than this absolute classic weepy that co-stars Debra Winger.

The Mitchells vs the Machines (2021) - This Netflix-original animated movie, starring Maya Rudolph as the mom, is a pretty perfect Mother’s Day watch. Funny, all-ages humor that packs quite an emotional punch, amidst all the silliness, and the Mama Bear fierceness Rudolph provides in the climax is epic.

Philomena (2013) - As an adoptee, another very personal watch for me (even if this situation is nothing like my own), this story of a woman searching for the child she was forced to give up is incredibly well done, and funny as well as heart wrenching, with absolutely incredible performances from both Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.

Overboard (1987) - This goofy ‘80s comedy features real-life loves Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn at their most charming. It’s also about found families in a way that feels very modern Mother’s Day appropriate, and is a whole family watch that holds up better than you’d think given it’s a story about a man who convinces a rich lady with amnesia that she’s the mother of his three rowdy boys all because she stiffed him on a contracting job. But, whatever you do, don’t watch the dreadful 2018 remake (shudder).

Mamma Mia! (2008) - This Abba-jukebox musical has a star-studded cast—Meryl Strep! Amanda Seyfried! Christine Baranaski!—and a heart of gold. If you’re not singing and dancing along with the mother-daughter wedding hijinks, you’re doing it all wrong.

Baby Mama (2008) - This Tina Fey-Amy Poehler comedy is not only a “stealth” Christmas movie, it’s also a great Mother’s Day watch that’s funny and has a little something to say about society’s vision of who is “worthy” of being a mom.

Dumplin’ (2018) - Based on the great book by Julie Murphy, Dumplin’ is honestly Jennifer Aniston’s best work in years. Aniston plays the pageant queen mom to the less lithe Willowdean. Lots of love and some messy family business make this a relatable, yet lovely, watch.

Mother (1996) - Though I slightly prefer the movie about Debbie Reynolds as a mom, see Postcards from the Edge above, this movie with Reynolds playing Albert Brooks’ mom is also a classic. Brooks is at at his absolute driest wit in my second favorite of his movies, after Defending Your Life. Just don’t confuse this Mother with the controversial 2017 Jennifer Lawrence horror movie, because that would be a very different holiday viewing experience.

Juno (2007) - This story of a pregnant teen making choices feels especially poignant given, well…[waves at hand at world]. The balance of so many iterations of motherhood—from Juno’s own mostly absent mom, to Allison Janney as her fierce and flawed stepmom, potential adoptive mom Jennifer Garner and teen-mom Juno herself make this absolutely perfect Mother’s Day viewing.

Blockers (2018) - This teen sex comedy is neither about sex, nor the teens, but instead focuses on a ragtag group of parents, including mom Leslie Mann, who are struggling to let their kids grow up. A truly funny R-rated romp.

Wonder (2017) - This under-seen, sweet and gentle story stars Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts as parents of Auggie, a kid who is a little bit different, and a whole lot special. Will definitely give you all the mom feels, and also has some stealth Christmas moments.

Little Women (1933, 1994 and 2019) - Take your pick from the myriad adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s classic, but whichever Marmie you prefer, this story of three sisters and their stalwart matriarch stands the test of time.

The Parent Trap (1961 or 1998) - Both versions of this twin-swapping story are equal parts ridiculous and joyful. Don’t think too much about what kind of parents would willfully give up one of their children just because they looked alike (I mean, what in the world?!?), and instead enjoy the cute, cupid-y machinations of multiple Hayley Millses or Lindsay Lohans.

Baby Boom (1987) - This Diane Keaton comedy is usually remembered as a rom-com with Sam Shepard, but it’s really the story of a woman falling in love with being a mom, and what could be more appropriate Mother’s Day viewing?

A Simple Favor (2018) - If you’re looking for something a little less gushing, and a lot more deadly, check out this Paul Feig black comedy/thriller that features Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick as epic mom frenemies.

It’s Complicated (2009) - Not sure whose movies feature in this list more often: Meryl Strep or Shirley MacLaine. This Strep-led, Nancy Meyers romp is a grown-up family dynamic farce that still holds up, despite the somewhat unfortunate inclusion of Alec Baldwin.

Bad Moms (2016) - Kathryn Hahn, Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell make a heck of a trio in this R-rated comedy about moms going kind of, but not too, wild.

The Guilt Trip (2012) - This guilty pleasure road trip comedy stars Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogan, and the very fact that such a combo exists at all gives me great joy.

Hope Floats (1998) - This Texas-set, Sandra Bullock divorce story didn’t get a lot of love upon release—the soundtrack was a bigger hit than the movie—but it’s better than you remember, and is also a pretty great portrait of a multi-generational mother-daughter relationship. Plus, it features a baby Mae Whitman.

More to Explore

Mum (2016-19) - This gentle BBC series, which checks in on a newly-widowed, working-class mother in the first years following the death of her husband (the first two seasons feature monthly check-ins, the last takes place over a single week) is a delight. Mum originally aired on PBS in the U.S., and is now available via Britbox. Just a really lovely portrait of motherhood, love at a certain age, and how adult children learn to live and grow on their own—or don’t, as the case may be.

Motherland (2016-22) - The Sharon Horgan-created BBC series, now available on Britbox on the U.S., is a very funny look at modern motherhood starring Anna Maxwell Martin, and includes a smashing season three Mother’s Day-centric episode—the eponymously-named “Mother’s Day”—that’s both terrifically funny and touching.

The Middle: Mother’s Day II (2011) - This season two episode of the long-running ABC series, currently available on Peacock and Prime Video, is probably my favorite episodic take on the holiday. The depiction both of how “me time” is never all it’s cracked up to be for moms, and how trying to recreate a perfect moment never works out, is spot on.

Snoopy Presents To Mom (and Dad), with Love (2022) - The Peanuts gang is eager to celebrate Mother’s Day in this new, Apple TV+ original special, all except for Peppermint Patty, that is, who grew up without her mom. It’s a rare special centered on the holiday with a sweet, family-comes-in-all-forms message.

Mothering Sunday (2022) - A stellar cast—Olivia Colman, Colin Firth, Josh O'Connor, Odessa Young—populate this Mother’s Day-set period drama that is far from a fun romp, but impeccably acted.

Mother’s Day (2016) - This movie is bad. Really bad, yet I feel obligated to include it, since it actually takes place on the holiday, but must stress it should only be watched for ironic mocking, with a generous amount of wine.

Mother’s Day (2018, BBC) - This British TV movie, available in the U.S, on Britbox, couldn’t be more different from the stinker that shares its name. Vicky McClure and Anna Maxwell Martin play mothers who use their own tragedies to help bring peace to Northern Ireland, with key events taking place on the British version of the holiday.

Mother’s Day on Walton’s Mountain (1982, NBC) - This reunion movie follows up on the family from the long-running CBS series.

Otherhood (2019) - This otherwise mid-tier Netflix empty nest/road trip comedy benefits from its very strong cast—Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette and Felicity Huffman—as well as its liberal references to the holiday itself. 

Mermaids (1990) - This Cher-led single mom story is another under-rated gem. Featuring Winona Ryder and a baby Christina Ricci, with the very odd (but it works) choice of Bob Hoskins as the eventual love interest, this is definitely one worth checking out.

Incredibles 2 (2018) - While both of these Pixar flicks are some of the best superhero movies ever made, the second is particularly mom-focused in a way that feels both realistic and touching—not an easy feat for a cartoon about a family with superpowers.

The Sound of Music (1965) - Because this is a movie about motherless children and their nanny/eventual stepmom, didn’t think I could put this in my main list of mom-centric movies, but as a motherless child myself, with several stepmoms far less magical than Julie Andrews, this is definitely a fantasy film for me, and another whole-family pleasing watch.

Muriel’s Wedding (1994) - One of my favorite movies of all-time, this one isn’t quite mom-centric enough for me to include on my main list, but the tragic mother-daughter relationship in this otherwise lighthearted, Aussie coming of age tale is indelible.  

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) - This one is more about family bonds, than motherhood in particular, but if you need a dose of how loving even the most cloying clan can be, this is a great example that will make you want to reach out to relatives you haven’t seen in years. And Lainie Kazan as the lovingly overbearing mother is a standout.

Secrets and Lies (1996) - This adoption story is about the reunion of a mother and daughter who don’t share much beyond DNA. This British Best Picture nominee isn’t a lighthearted romp, but it is poignant and powerful, and just missed making my Top 25 above.

Lion (2016) - Yes, yet another adoption story. Based on a true tale of a man searching for a his biological family, it takes a different tack than many similar stories, and Dev Patel’s performance is incredible

Parenthood (1989) - Not on my top 25 list mostly due to the fact that Steve Martin’s multigenerational father-son relationship is probably the more central story, but still one of my all-time favorite family life films and if you’re looking for something for Father’s Day…

Imitation of Life (1959) - Sure, it lacks some of the nuance a 21st century telling of this story would have, but the performances, and prejudice, seen through the eyes of two mothers, remain all too relatable.

Stepmom (1998) - Another mom movie that also qualifies as a stealth Christmas flick, this weepy tale of Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts battling over the kids’ affections isn’t my personal fave, but a lot of people love it.

Mom’s Day Away (2014, Hallmark) - This Bonnie Somerville-led family comedy is set around the holiday, and cuter than your average Hallmark joint, with a stressed out mom taking a day off from her family.

Mom’s Night Out (2014) - Almost a Hallmark film, this very gentle, PG-rated comedy, starring frequent Hallstar Sarah Drew, is one of those “crazy night out” comedies that is low on actual crazy, and big on family feels. 

The Adam Project (2022) or Yes Day (2021) - Not sure how an actress whose breakout role was as a sexy super spy morphed into the ultimate Hollywood mom, but Jennifer Garner has seemingly cornered the market on loving but exhausted and/or somewhat tightly wound mom roles, which is why so many of her movies already appear on this list. Neither of these are spectacular, but both are perfectly fine, ultimately innocuous, all-ages, family viewing that also happen to be easily available on Netflix for at-home, anytime viewing.

The Joy Luck Club (1993) - This adaptation of Amy Tan’s novel is all about mothers and daughters. I wholeheartedly recommend the book, but am a little less enthusiastic about the movie, which is why it didn’t make my main list.

Room (2015) - Definitely dark, but a searing portrayal of what mothers endure for their children, and how strong those bonds are. Alison Brie won an Oscar for this mostly grim, but ultimately hopeful, mother-son story.

This is 40 (2012) - Judd Apatow isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but that this sort-of sequel to Knocked Up features his real-life wife and daughters, with Paul Rudd as Apatow’s martial stand in, adds some interest to an otherwise just so-so story.

Tully (2018) - This dark and twisty Charlize Theron movie is a relatable portrait of an exhausted mother…right up until it most definitely is not.

The Kids are All Right (2010) - I didn’t love this story about how two moms relationship changes when their son meets his sperm donor, but there’s no denying the acting chops in this Julianne Moore-Annette Binning-Mark Ruffalo movie.

Auntie Mame (1958) - Make sure you watch the Rosalind Russell original and not the Lucille Ball remake (shudder) but this delightful comedy about non-traditional mother figures has been a favorite of mine since childhood.

Serial Mom (1994) - This dark (very dark) comedy about a murdering mom played by Kathleen Turner is not for everyone, but for those in the right (a.k.a. wrong) mood, it could make a perfect Mother’s Day watch. 

Mommie Dearest (1981) - Perhaps the ultimate anti-Mother’s Day watch, this camp classic starring Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford is unforgettable and way, way over-the-top.

[sleepykittypaws]

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Well, folks, the time has come for me to bid holiday movie tracking adieu.

This was never anything but a (more-than-slightly-weird) hobby which, quite honestly, became overwhelming several years ago, when the TV Christmas movie explosion made keeping track of the annual influx of holiday content way more time consuming than I ever bargained for. But, something—for instance, needing a distraction from a global pandemic, combined with a Type-A personality that loathes leaving a job left undone, plus a few fellow Christmas movie-loving online pals I’d made along the way—always kept me going…Until now. 

As someone congenitally unable to do anything halfway, I’ve felt increasingly uninterested in keeping up with all the ins-and-outs of holiday movie production for a while now. That, combined with Twitter’s increasing lack of usability, has led me to the decision it’s time to rest my paws, and hang up ye olde Santa hat.

In real life, I’m just a boring, stay-at-home mom who used to work in (non-Christmas movie) TV production. I started keeping a holiday movie list for a few like-minded pals, and when they wanted to share it with a few others, posted it online for easy access. What started as a couple updates annually (a did-you-see-this-article? sort of thing), morphed into a year-round hobby, and then something more akin to unpaid, part-time employment—not that making this a job was ever a goal. (In fact, I’ve studiously avoided being public and declined the very small amount of opportunities people have offered.)

While I did (very) occasionally hear a few things from folks I’d become friendly online with, none of that is what I shared publicly. Everything I posted was gleaned from publicly available news stories, press releases, IMDb listings, production info, casting notices, and social media posts. Though there was some dot connecting on my part, it’s all stuff absolutely anyone half-decent at research and logic could easily find and readily duplicate. (TL;DR I’m not special, and never thought I was.)

Thanks to those who were so kind to me over the years, and all who share my fascination with cheesy holiday fare. I will most definitely still be watching, and if Twitter still exists this holiday season, quite possibly will return there to share what I loved, and what I didn’t, but I’ll no longer be keeping a holiday movie list, with my apologies to the twos of folks this likely disappoints.

For what it’s worth (likely, not that much) I’ve updated all the upcoming lists—theatrical and TV, for 2023 and 2024—one last time (UPDATE: Well, now that the season is upon us did my best to keep the 2023 schedule up-to-date, least as of November 15, as a final hurrah), with what I know, as of today. There are, I’m positive, typos and errors and things that will be out of date as soon as tomorrow. But there it is, the end.

Cheers, and a very merry everything to all!

💛 Sleepy Kitty Paws

[sleepykittypaws]

St. Patrick’s Day Favorites

Looking for a little lilting Irish viewing to celebrate St. Patrick’s? Here are some suggestions sure to fill you with the luck o’ the Irish ☘️

Updated: March 17, 2025

Movie Favorites

Waking Ned Devine (1998) - When a local lottery winner dies of excitement after discovering he has the winning ticket, a rural Irish town conspires to claim the prize in his stead. 

The Snapper (1993) - Super funny, and a repository of early-90s Irish slang, plus a hearty dose of Colm Meaney.

Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) - Disney classic starring the very Scottish, and utterly unconvincing as an Irishman, Sean Connery.

The Fugitive (1993) - Tommy Lee Jones hunts down Harrison Ford over the holiday, including a memorable elevator scene talking about dying the Chicago River green for St. Patrick’s—“Why can’t they dye it blue the other 364 days of the year?”—and Ford escaping by blending into a parade. Plus, it’s the rare ‘90s action flick that really does completely hold up.

Once (2007) - This delightful, Dublin-set musical romance was later turned into a Broadway hit.

Philomena (2013) - Beautiful story of an Irish women searching for the son the Catholic Church stole from her when she gave birth out of wedlock. Touching, and very funny at the same time, with dynamite performances by Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.

The Commitments (1991) - Band origin story movie that’s funny, touching, and fully Irish.

Leap Year (2010) - OK, so it’s set several weeks before St. Patrick’s Day, but it does take place, and was actually filmed in, Ireland, and Amy Adams charms in this slight, but winning rom-com.

Belfast (2021) - Kenneth Branagh’s mostly autobiographical film about growing up in Belfast during the Troubles was nominated for seven Oscars and while it isn’t a light watch, is a very good one.

Portrait of Jennie (1948) - Irish-magic, romantic-fantasy film that really should be better known. Fun Fact: When producer David O’Selznick married star Jennifer Jones, he displayed the movie’s titular portrait in their home.

TV Specials & Series

Derry Girls (2018-2022, Netflix) - Absolutely no better watch on St. Patrick’s Day, or anytime, then this Northern Ireland-set comedy that’s funny, heartfelt and altogether awesome. Every episode of the series is a masterpiece.

The Simpsons: Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment (1997, FOX) - This 8th season effort finds Homer becoming a glamorous bootlegger after an out-of-control St. Patrick’s Day party prompts Springfield to reinsitutite prohibition.

The Leprechauns’ Christmas Gold (1981, ABC) - This makes the list because St. Patrick’s specials are rare, but this is one of Rankin-Bass’s lesser known efforts for a reason.

Teen Titans Go: Beast Boy’s St. Patrick’s Day Luck, and It’s Bad (2016, Cartoon Network) - This third-season episode works as a stand-alone St. Pat’s tribute with lots of laughs, and the clever writing that makes this animated series so charming.

Bob’s Burgers: Flat-Top O’ the Morning to Ya (2020, FOX) - If anyone loves a holiday episode more than me, it’s the Bob’s Burgers creators, and this, the show’s only St. Patrick’s Day episode, is funny as well as appropriately festive.

Cheers: Bar Wars VII (1993, NBC) - This final season episode chronicling the annual St. Patty’s sales contest with Gary’s Olde Towne Tavern sees the show still firing on all cylinders with gang hijinks and festive touches.

Ghosts: St. Hetty’s Day (2025, CBS) - St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the setting for many TV series special episodes, so it’s nice to see the U.S. version of Ghosts come through with a pretty good one that’s holiday specific.

The Office: St. Patrick’s Day (2010, NBC) - Not the best Office episode, but one of the most fully-committed St. Patrick’s Day programs you’ll find.

30 Rock: St Patrick’s Day (2012, NBC) - Lots of New York City St. Patrick’s day jokes, including parade hosting hijinks from Jenna and Tracy.

How I Met Your Mother: No Tomorrow (2008, CBS) - The gang tries to avoid going to the bar on, of all days, St. Patrick’s Day’s, with typically zany results.

More to Explore

Secret of the Kells (2009) - This just missed making my Top 10 list—an Irish-set classic, young kids might find it a bit slow, but it’s an interestingly animated Celt classic absolutely perfect for the holiday.  

Luck of the Irish (2001, Disney Channel) - Disney movie about—and I am not making this up—a teenager who is part leprechaun.

Leprechaun (1993) - This horror-comedy classic, starring a very young Jennifer Aniston, spawned a host of memes and six sequels/prequels—so far.

Just My Luck (2006) - Did you know that The Princess Diaries wasn’t Chris Pine’s only teen rom-com foray? This Lindsay Lohan vehicle focused on transferred luck makes a pretty perfect, cheese-tastic St Paddy’s watch.

Irish Wish (2024, Netflix) - It’s Lindsay Lohan again in an Irish-set rom-com where she wishes herself into living the life of her dreams.

The Quiet Man (1952) - This Oscar-winning, John Ford movie about a boxer who returns to his native Ireland after killing a man in the ring, stars John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, and is more romance than action.

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) - Set on a fictional Irish Ireland this Golden Globe winning “Best Comedy” could be better called “Depression: The Movie” but it’s undeniably well-acted and made.

The Last Leprechaun (1998, BBC) - an Irish holiday finds kids surrounded by dark magic.

The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) - A little girl explores an Irish legend on her grandfather’s farm.

Finian’s Rainbow (1968) - This Fred Astaire musical, directed by none other than Francis Ford Coppola, adapts the Irish-set Broadway musical.

Flight of the Doves (1971) - Children’s adventure film taking place across Ireland, with a prominent St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The Boys & Girl from County Clare (2004) - Colm Meaney-led charming comedy about a group of Liverpool Englishmen determined to win an Irish Ceili contest.

Sing Street (2016) - Another Irish-band-makes-it-big musical story, with a coming-of-age twist. Very close to making my Top 10 and worth seeking out any time of year.

Ondine (2009) - Colin Farrell stars in this oddball romantic dramady that features a fisherman literally catching the love of his life on day at sea.

The MatchMaker (1997) - Janeane Garofalo is a political assistant trying to boost her bosses’ reelection bid by tracing his Irish lineage, but ends up caught in a small town’s matchmaking festival. 

Bloody Sunday (2002) - This dramatization of the 1972 Derry civil rights march that ended with British troops firing on unarmed civilians, is definitely not a soothing watch, but does provide great insight into the deadliest incident of the Troubles.

My Left Foot (1989) - Daniel Day Lewis’ Oscar-winning performance as Christy Brown, a cerebral palsy sufferer who had control only of his left foot, yet rose to prominence as an activist and artist.

In the Name of the Father (1993) - Daniel Day Lewis stars as one of four Irish men wrongly convicted of terrorism, netting him another Academy Award nom. Basically, Lewis is in all of the serious Irish movies.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)-OK, if Daniel Day Lewis isn’t available, Cillian Murphy sometimes steps in. Here, Murphy plays one of the central (fictional) brothers in this movie set during the Irish War of Independence.

Brooklyn (2015) - Saoirse Ronan earned her second Oscar nomination for this very well done, Irish immigrant story.

Michael Collins (1996) - Beloved Irishman Liam Neeson stars as another historically beloved Irishman in this film that’s very believably Irish, despite the fact it turns a real-life historical figure’s life into a romantic drama.

Far and Away (1992) - American Tom Cruise stars opposite his Australian, then-wife Nicole Kidman, in a much, much less believably Irish romantic drama.

The Boondocks Saints (1999) - This hardboiled, Boston-set crime drama opens on St. Patrick’s Day.

Angela’s Ashes (1999) - Based on Frank McCourt’s novel, this movie is about as Irish as you can get, but also overlong and full of cliches.

Patrick’s Day (2014) - A schizophrenic man goes missing during Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Pot O’ Gold (1941) - It’s not a holiday until Jimmy Stewart stars in a charming, somewhat-themed movie relating to it. Based on a popular radio program, Stewart and Paulette Goddard are star-crossed lovers.

A Very Unlucky Leprechaun (1998) - I don’t know where you’d find this Warwick Davis-starring Roger Corman movie, sometimes known just as Unlucky Leprechaun, but it sounds…interesting.

Chasing Leprechauns (2012, Hallmark) - Hallmark made a St. Patrick’s Day movie, y’all, and it’s as bonkers as you’d hope.

As Luck Would Have It (2021, Hallmark) - While it debuted in April, this Irish-shot tale starring JoAnna Garcia Swisher was clearly destined to have St. Patty’s Day appeal.

Leapin’ Leprechauns! (1995) - direct-to-DVD family film shot in Romania, about leprechaun and fairy homeland destruction, that features a lot of fantasy-town board meetings—since, as we all know, kids love magical creature civics lessons.

Spellbreak: Secret of the Leprechauns (1996) - Sequel to Leapin’ Leprechauns, set in Ireland, but still shot in Romania.

Crawlers (2020, Hulu) - Three friends on a St. Patrick’s day pub crawl find themselves in horrific circumstances.

A Meowy St. Patrick’s Day (2020) - Third in the cat-themed, low-budget kids series from director Steve Rudzinski. Available on Amazon Prime.

[sleepykittypaws]

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Well, folks, the time has come for me to bid holiday movie tracking adieu.

This was never anything but a (more-than-slightly-weird) hobby which, quite honestly, became overwhelming several years ago, when the TV Christmas movie explosion made keeping track of the annual influx of holiday content way more time consuming than I ever bargained for. But, something—for instance, needing a distraction from a global pandemic, combined with a Type-A personality that loathes leaving a job left undone, plus a few fellow Christmas movie-loving online pals I’d made along the way—always kept me going…Until now. 

As someone congenitally unable to do anything halfway, I’ve felt increasingly uninterested in keeping up with all the ins-and-outs of holiday movie production for a while now. That, combined with Twitter’s increasing lack of usability, has led me to the decision it’s time to rest my paws, and hang up ye olde Santa hat.

In real life, I’m just a boring, stay-at-home mom who used to work in (non-Christmas movie) TV production. I started keeping a holiday movie list for a few like-minded pals, and when they wanted to share it with a few others, posted it online for easy access. What started as a couple updates annually (a did-you-see-this-article? sort of thing), morphed into a year-round hobby, and then something more akin to unpaid, part-time employment—not that making this a job was ever a goal. (In fact, I’ve studiously avoided being public and declined the very small amount of opportunities people have offered.)

While I did (very) occasionally hear a few things from folks I’d become friendly online with, none of that is what I shared publicly. Everything I posted was gleaned from publicly available news stories, press releases, IMDb listings, production info, casting notices, and social media posts. Though there was some dot connecting on my part, it’s all stuff absolutely anyone half-decent at research and logic could easily find and readily duplicate. (TL;DR I’m not special, and never thought I was.)

Thanks to those who were so kind to me over the years, and all who share my fascination with cheesy holiday fare. I will most definitely still be watching, and if Twitter still exists this holiday season, quite possibly will return there to share what I loved, and what I didn’t, but I’ll no longer be keeping a holiday movie list, with my apologies to the twos of folks this likely disappoints.

For what it’s worth (likely, not that much) I’ve updated all the upcoming lists—theatrical and TV, for 2023 and 2024—one last time (UPDATE: Well, now that the season is upon us did my best to keep the 2023 schedule up-to-date, least as of November 15, as a final hurrah), with what I know, as of today. There are, I’m positive, typos and errors and things that will be out of date as soon as tomorrow. But there it is, the end.

Cheers, and a very merry everything to all!

💛 Sleepy Kitty Paws

[sleepykittypaws]

Valentine’s Day Favorites

When you’re looking for Valentine’s Day viewing, most any romantic movie will fit the bill, but if you’re searching for something specifically set on the holiday, here are some suggestions…

Updated: February 2, 2025

Movie Favorites

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - One of my  favorite, genre-bending films, it’s perfect Valentine’s viewing for cynics and romantics alike. Not only is it set mostly on the eve of the holiday, Jim Carrey has never been better as he’s paying to forget, yet still trying to remember, Kate Winslet, in this twisty tale.

Sleepless in Seattle (1993) - A holiday-defying classic, is it a Christmas movie? A Valentine’s Day movie? How about all of the above? Taking its cue from An Affair to Remember (see below), this classic ends with a Valentine’s Day-destined meeting on the Empire State building.

An Affair to Remember (1957) - So, is this a cheat since it’s also on my New Year’s movie list? Well, maybe, but it still counts. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr’s classic romantic drama spans holidays, and that’s just fine.

Obvious Child (2014) - While it sounds like more of an anti-Valentine’s day movie, the feat it takes to make a genuinely lovely (and funny!) rom-com about a Valentine’s Day abortion is truly worthy of a holiday viewing.

The Thing About Harry (2020, Freeform) - High school rivals reconnect when they road trip together to their mutual friend’s Valentine’s Day engagement party. The first LGBTQ holiday movie from a major cable channel, this set-over-multiple-Valentine’s Day title plays more like an indie feature, than a made-for-TV movie.

The Lost Valentine (2011, CBS) - This Hallmark Hall of Fame movie is one of the last network holiday films Hallmark made. Starring Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt, this multi-generational romantic movie is sure to bring tears to your eyes.

A Valentine Carol (2007, Lifetime) - Anya from Buffy is planning her Valentine’s Day wedding, but the ghost of her dead friend shows up to let her know she’s marrying the wrong guy.

Holiday in Handcuffs (2007, Freeform) - But, wait, isn’t this a Christmas movie? Sure, but while most of this crazy-pants romp is set over that other holiday, it closes out on Valentine’s Day, making it the perfect Noel-Cupid combo.

Some Like it Hot (1959) - This legendary Billy Wilder classic begins with Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis witnessing the St. Valentine’s Day massacre, which is what forces them to go on the run in drag. But, don’t worry, it’s an all-time great comedy classic, and one of Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic roles.

Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) - Does any part of this take place on Valentine’s Day? Well, it spans at least a year or two so…Probably, if you squint? Regardless, it’s the absolute best rom-com of all time in my book, so well worth watching on February 14th, or any other day.

Extra-Special Specials

The Simpsons: I Love Lisa (1993, FOX) - This season 4 episode, with the now classic “I Choo Choo Choose You” card, works perfectly as a stand alone Valentine’s Day special.

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (1975, CBS) - Probably the 4th-best of the original Charlie Brown holiday specials, after Halloween, Christmas and Thanksgiving (Yeah, in that order…I said what I said.)

Bob’s Burgers: Bob Actually (2017, FOX) - As with its classic Christmas episodes, Bob’s Burgers has had quite a few really good episodes set around Valentine’s, but this Love Actually rife with everyone getting their own slightly connected story is the most fun, and works even if you’re not deeply immersed in the larger show.

Madly Madagascar (2013, DVD) - This spin-off special has all the original voices from the movie, and is far better than you’d expect for a direct-to-DVD animation outing.

Cathy’s Valentine (1989, CBS) - Believe it or not, I remember watching this based-on-the-comic-strip special as a kid, and it’s got a few good laughs.

The Snoopy Show: Well, I’ll Be a Brown-Eyed Beagle (2022, Apple TV+) - This new animated special sees Snoopy playing matchmaker. All of these Apple entries have been really well done, and are truly in sync with the spirit of the original Charlie Brown specials.

For Better or Worse: A Valentine from the Heart (1993, CTV) - You can easily find this little-known, Canadian animated special in its entirety on YouTube.

The Muppets Valentine Special (1974, ABC) - This long-lost special was included on a 2007 DVD set of The Muppet Show. Though it aired as a one-off special, featuring guest star Mia Farrow, it served as the first pilot for The Muppet Show, which began in 1976.

Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine For You (1999) - Slight, but sweet, animated holiday special

A Charlie Brown Valentine (2002) - This modern Charlie Brown special can’t compete with the classics, but is still solid, animated holiday viewing for kids.

Galentine’s Bonus

If you’re looking to bring a little girl power to your holiday celebration, grab a group of gal pals, a bottle of wine, and check out my favorite you-go-girl, funny films.

Muriel’s Wedding (1994) - One of the all-time great romantic comedies, where the real romance is the one between best friends.

First Wives Club (1996) - A stellar cast—Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton—plus this one still really holds up.

9-5 (1980) - Speaking of great casts and holding up…Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin making the world a better place by stringing Dabney Coleman up to a garage door opener still works.

Pitch Perfect (2012) - Sassy singing and plenty of laughs.

Bridesmaids (2011) - Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy…What more do I have to say?

Mamma Mia! (2008) - It’s impossible not to sing along to this silly Meryl Streep classic, making for a guaranteed good time.

Girls Trip (2017) - Broad comedy, but definitely not stupid. (OK, that one scene on the zip line is bad.)

Someone Great (2019) - Part 20-something rom-com, but mostly about female friendship, this is an R-rated winner.

Whip It (2009) - Elliot Page and Drew Barrymore make this woman-centered sports movie work.

Wine Country (2019, Netflix) - While I wanted this Amy Poehler-directed movie, which stars so many amazing comedians, to be better, it’s still a good time.

BONUS: And, of course, there is always classic Parks and Rec season 2 episode, “Galentine’s Day,” which helped popularize the term. (There’s a second good, but not as good, “Galentine’s Day” Parks and Rec episode in season 6.)

More Centered on the Holiday

Valentine’s Day (2010) - This Garry Marshall Love Actually rip off is, if anything, even worse than his other effort, New Year’s Eve, but it is still holiday-set, light entertainment that gets better with a glass of wine or three.

I Hate Valentine’s Day (2009) - This re-teaming of Nia Vardolos and John Corbett definitely did not recreate the magic of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, to say the least, but it is set on the holiday. Still, this is actually just a recommendation to watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding instead. That one definitely holds up as a truly funny rom-com with outstanding chemistry.

Blue Valentine (2010) - The only thing holiday about this is the title, but this well-done, yet deeply dark, portrait of a marriage spiraling out of control is an option that will make anyone feel more than fine about being single on any holiday.

The Other Zoey (2023) - Mild mis-ID rom-com that takes place over Valentine’s Day weekend, with a whole lot of V-Day exposition. Features both Andie McDowell, in the mother role, and a focus on Hugh Grant rom-coms, but totally misses making a joke about Andie and Hugh’s most famous one…Which feels like it could have been the best part of an extremely mid movie.

Valentine (1979) - Made-for-TV movie starring Danny DeVito about the goings on in a retirement home.

On Valentine’s Day (1986) - Second in the Horton Foote trilogy, and currently available on Amazon Prime.

Funny Valentine (2005) - Indie starring Anthony Michael Hall

Overnight (2012) - Strangers meet on a redeye flight on Valentine’s Day

What Love Is (2007) - Cuba Gooding Jr. comedy about a guy dumped on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day Refugees (2007) - A bonkers-sounding movie that combines faith and fantasy, that has an ugly creature named “Ghoulee" searching for love on Valentine’s Day and running into “Bible-quoting goth girls.”

The Valentine’s Day That Almost Wasn’t (2015) - Super weird and creepy puppet special, ostensibly for children. (And, if that description makes you curious, it’s currently on Amazon Prime.)

Big Mouth: My Furry Valentine (2019, Netflix) - This very much not-for-kids animated series isn’t normally my cup of tea (gross out/discomfort humor not really my thing), but this special does highlight all the smarter, funnier parts of this observational adolescent world.

Pete the Cat: A Very Groovy Valentine (2020, Amazon Prime) - Original Amazon special, featuring the beloved children’s book character

If You Give a Mouse a Valentine’s Cookie (2020, Amazon Prime) - There’s one of these for almost all the holidays now, but they’re still sweet, if-this, then-that fun.

Michael Bolton’s Big Sexy Valentine’s Day Special (2017, Netflix) - This is dumb fun, mostly because Bolton is so very much in on the joke.

Looney Tunes Cartoon Valetine’s Extwavaganza! (2022, HBO Max) - New Looney Tunes holiday special from HBO Max.

Harley Quinn: A Very Problematic Valentine (2023, HBO Max) - Holiday special from the adult, animated D.C. series.

My Funny Valentine (2000) - made-for-TV movie starring Julia Sweeney and Andrea Martin

Very, Very Valentine (2014, Hallmark) - Danica McKellar and Cameron Mathison.

Be My Valentine (2013, Hallmark) - Billy Baldwin is a fireman/widower.

Valentine Ever After (2016, Hallmark) - Community service turns to love for Autumn Reeser.

Valentine in the Vineyard (2019, Hallmark) - The third movie in the series starring Rachael Leigh Cook.

Dater’s Handbook (2016, Hallmark) - Though I have seen it, not entirely sure this Meghan Markle-starring movie actually has anything to do with Valentine’s Day, but it was part of Hallmark’s “Countdown to Valentine’s Day” line-up that season—and every season since, given Markle’s now-royal profile. It’s also one of Hallmark’s better made-for-TV rom-coms.

My Secret Valentine (2018, Hallmark) - Another vineyard set Hallmark Valentine movie, starring Lacey Chabert.

Love Locks (2017, Hallmark) - This Hallmark Hall of Fame entry stars real-life husband and wife, Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell.

All Things Valentine (2016, Hallmark) - Sarah Rafferty is a blogger who falls in love with a veterinarian.

Valentine’s Again (2017, Hallmark, a.k.a. Once Upon a Winter’s Date) -Nicky Whelan and Greg Vaughan are caught in a V-Day date time loop.

A Valentine’s Match (2020, Hallmark) - Bethany Joy Lenz and Luke Macfarlane fall in love.

Matching Hearts (2020, Hallmark) - Taylor Cole is a matchmaker falling for Ryan Paevey

The Secret Ingredient (2020, Hallmark) - Erin Cahill and Brendan Penny compete in a Valentine’s Day baking contest.

Playing Cupid (2021, Hallmark) - A school’s Valentine matchmaking project helps a parent and teacher fall in love.

Sweeter than Chocolate (2023, Hallmark) - Eloise Mumford makes magic cupid chocolates.

Welcome to Valentine (2023, Hallmark) - A pre-Valentine’s Day road trip leads to love.

An Unexpected Valentine (2025, Hallmark) - Lacey Chabert and Robert Buckley meet cute searching for the owner of a lost engagement ring.. 

It Happened One Valentine’s (2017, a.k.a. Love Exclusively) - Made-for-TV movie from director Jake Helgren, about a tabloid reporter who falls in love with a pop star.

Valentine’s Date (2021) - Action comedy from Maverick Entertainment, now on Amazon Prime

Down (2019, Hulu) - Horror-suspense set on Valentine’s where a woman finds out the person she’s trapped in an elevator with is her stalker.

My Valentine (2020, Hulu) - When three people get locked in a concert hall on Valentine’s Day, personal grievances turn violent. 

My Bloody Valentine (1981) - Because it wouldn’t be a holiday, without a horror movie taking place on it.

My Bloody Valentine (2009) - The inevitable slasher movie remake.

Valentine (2001) - Another V-Day-set horror tale.

Heart Eyes (2025) - Elevated holiday horror with a hint of comedy.

[sleepykittypaws]

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Well, folks, the time has come for me to bid holiday movie tracking adieu.

This was never anything but a (more-than-slightly-weird) hobby which, quite honestly, became overwhelming several years ago, when the TV Christmas movie explosion made keeping track of the annual influx of holiday content way more time consuming than I ever bargained for. But, something—for instance, needing a distraction from a global pandemic, combined with a Type-A personality that loathes leaving a job left undone, plus a few fellow Christmas movie-loving online pals I’d made along the way—always kept me going…Until now. 

As someone congenitally unable to do anything halfway, I’ve felt increasingly uninterested in keeping up with all the ins-and-outs of holiday movie production for a while now. That, combined with Twitter’s increasing lack of usability, has led me to the decision it’s time to rest my paws, and hang up ye olde Santa hat.

In real life, I’m just a boring, stay-at-home mom who used to work in (non-Christmas movie) TV production. I started keeping a holiday movie list for a few like-minded pals, and when they wanted to share it with a few others, posted it online for easy access. What started as a couple updates annually (a did-you-see-this-article? sort of thing), morphed into a year-round hobby, and then something more akin to unpaid, part-time employment—not that making this a job was ever a goal. (In fact, I’ve studiously avoided being public and declined the very small amount of opportunities people have offered.)

While I did (very) occasionally hear a few things from folks I’d become friendly online with, none of that is what I shared publicly. Everything I posted was gleaned from publicly available news stories, press releases, IMDb listings, production info, casting notices, and social media posts. Though there was some dot connecting on my part, it’s all stuff absolutely anyone half-decent at research and logic could easily find and readily duplicate. (TL;DR I’m not special, and never thought I was.)

Thanks to those who were so kind to me over the years, and all who share my fascination with cheesy holiday fare. I will most definitely still be watching, and if Twitter still exists this holiday season, quite possibly will return there to share what I loved, and what I didn’t, but I’ll no longer be keeping a holiday movie list, with my apologies to the twos of folks this likely disappoints.

For what it’s worth (likely, not that much) I’ve updated all the upcoming lists—theatrical and TV, for 2023 and 2024—one last time (UPDATE: Well, now that the season is upon us did my best to keep the 2023 schedule up-to-date, least as of November 15, as a final hurrah), with what I know, as of today. There are, I’m positive, typos and errors and things that will be out of date as soon as tomorrow. But there it is, the end.

Cheers, and a very merry everything to all!

💛 Sleepy Kitty Paws

[sleepykittypaws]

St. Patrick’s Day Favorites

Looking for a little lilting Irish viewing to celebrate St. Patrick’s? Here are some suggestions sure to fill you with the luck o’ the Irish ☘️

Updated: March 12, 2024

Movie Favorites

Waking Ned Devine (1998) - When a local lottery winner dies of excitement after discovering he has the winning ticket, a rural Irish town conspires to claim the prize in his stead. 

The Snapper (1993) - Super funny, and a repository of early-90s Irish slang, plus a hearty dose of Colm Meaney.

Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) - Disney classic starring the very Scottish, and utterly unconvincing as an Irishman, Sean Connery.

The Fugitive (1993) - Tommy Lee Jones hunts down Harrison Ford over the holiday, including a memorable elevator scene talking about dying the Chicago River green for St. Patrick’s—“Why can’t they dye it blue the other 364 days of the year?”—and Ford escaping by blending into a parade. Plus, it’s the rare ‘90s action flick that really does completely hold up.

Once (2007) - This delightful, Dublin-set musical romance was later turned into a Broadway hit.

Philomena (2013) - Beautiful story of an Irish women searching for the son the Catholic Church stole from her when she gave birth out of wedlock. Touching, and very funny at the same time, with dynamite performances by Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.

The Commitments (1991) - Band origin story movie that’s funny, touching, and fully Irish.

Leap Year (2010) - OK, so it’s set several weeks before St. Patrick’s Day, but it does take place, and was actually filmed in, Ireland, and Amy Adams charms in this slight, but winning rom-com.

Belfast (2021) - Kenneth Branagh’s mostly autobiographical film about growing up in Belfast during the Troubles was nominated for seven Oscars and while it isn’t a light watch, is a very good one.

Portrait of Jennie (1948) - Irish-magic, romantic-fantasy film that really should be better known. Fun Fact: When producer David O’Selznick married star Jennifer Jones, he displayed the movie’s titular portrait in their home.

TV Specials & Series

Derry Girls (2018-2022, Netflix) - Absolutely no better watch on St. Patrick’s Day, or anytime, then this Northern Ireland-set comedy that’s funny, heartfelt and altogether awesome. Every episode of the series is a masterpiece.

The Simpsons: Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment (1997, FOX) - This 8th season effort finds Homer becoming a glamorous bootlegger after an out-of-control St. Patrick’s Day party prompts Springfield to reinsitutite prohibition.

The Leprechauns’ Christmas Gold (1981, ABC) - This makes the list because St. Patrick’s specials are rare, but this is one of Rankin-Bass’s lesser known efforts for a reason.

Teen Titans Go: Beast Boy’s St. Patrick’s Day Luck, and It’s Bad (2016, Cartoon Network) - This third-season episode works as a stand-alone St. Pat’s tribute with lots of laughs, and the clever writing that makes this animated series so charming.

The Office: St. Patrick’s Day (2010, NBC) - Not the best Office episode, but one of the most fully-committed St. Patrick’s Day programs you’ll find.

30 Rock: St Patrick’s Day (2012, NBC) - Lots of New York City St. Patrick’s day jokes, including parade hosting hijinks from Jenna and Tracy.

More to Explore

Secret of the Kells (2009) - This just missed making my Top 10 list—an Irish-set classic, young kids might find it a bit slow, but it’s an interestingly animated Celt classic absolutely perfect for the holiday.  

Luck of the Irish (2001, Disney Channel) - Disney movie about—and I am not making this up—a teenager who is part leprechaun.

Leprechaun (1993) - This horror-comedy classic, starring a very young Jennifer Aniston, spawned a host of memes and six sequels/prequels—so far.

Just My Luck (2006) - Did you know that The Princess Diaries wasn’t Chris Pine’s only teen rom-com foray? This Lindsay Lohan vehicle focused on transferred luck makes a pretty perfect, cheese-tastic St Paddy’s watch.

Irish Wish (2024, Netflix) - It’s Lindsay Lohan again in an Irish-set rom-com where she wishes herself into living the life of her dreams.

The Quiet Man (1952) - This Oscar-winning, John Ford movie about a boxer who returns to his native Ireland after killing a man in the ring, stars John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, and is more romance than action.

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) - Set on a fictional Irish Ireland this Golden Globe winning “Best Comedy” could be better called “Depression: The Movie” but it’s undeniably well-acted and made.

The Last Leprechaun (1998, BBC) - an Irish holiday finds kids surrounded by dark magic.

The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) - A little girl explores an Irish legend on her grandfather’s farm.

Finian’s Rainbow (1968) - This Fred Astaire musical, directed by none other than Francis Ford Coppola, adapts the Irish-set Broadway musical.

Flight of the Doves (1971) - Children’s adventure film taking place across Ireland, with a prominent St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The Boys & Girl from County Clare (2004) - Colm Meaney-led charming comedy about a group of Liverpool Englishmen determined to win an Irish Ceili contest.

Sing Street (2016) - Another Irish-band-makes-it-big musical story, with a coming-of-age twist. Very close to making my Top 10 and worth seeking out any time of year.

Ondine (2009) - Colin Farrell stars in this oddball romantic dramady that features a fisherman literally catching the love of his life on day at sea.

The MatchMaker (1997) - Janeane Garofalo is a political assistant trying to boost her bosses’ reelection bid by tracing his Irish lineage, but ends up caught in a small town’s matchmaking festival. 

Bloody Sunday (2002) - This dramatization of the 1972 Derry civil rights march that ended with British troops firing on unarmed civilians, is definitely not a soothing watch, but does provide great insight into the deadliest incident of the Troubles.

My Left Foot (1989) - Daniel Day Lewis’ Oscar-winning performance as Christy Brown, a cerebral palsy sufferer who had control only of his left foot, yet rose to prominence as an activist and artist.

In the Name of the Father (1993) - Daniel Day Lewis stars as one of four Irish men wrongly convicted of terrorism, netting him another Academy Award nom. Basically, Lewis is in all of the serious Irish movies.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)-OK, if Daniel Day Lewis isn’t available, Cillian Murphy sometimes steps in. Here, Murphy plays one of the central (fictional) brothers in this movie set during the Irish War of Independence.

Brooklyn (2015) - Saoirse Ronan earned her second Oscar nomination for this very well done, Irish immigrant story.

Michael Collins (1996) - Beloved Irishman Liam Neeson stars as another historically beloved Irishman in this film that’s very believably Irish, despite the fact it turns a real-life historical figure’s life into a romantic drama.

Far and Away (1992) - American Tom Cruise stars opposite his Australian, then-wife Nicole Kidman, in a much, much less believably Irish romantic drama.

The Boondocks Saints (1999) - This hardboiled, Boston-set crime drama opens on St. Patrick’s Day.

Angela’s Ashes (1999) - Based on Frank McCourt’s novel, this movie is about as Irish as you can get, but also overlong and full of cliches.

Patrick’s Day (2014) - A schizophrenic man goes missing during Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Pot O’ Gold (1941) - It’s not a holiday until Jimmy Stewart stars in a charming, somewhat-themed movie relating to it. Based on a popular radio program, Stewart and Paulette Goddard are star-crossed lovers.

A Very Unlucky Leprechaun (1998) - I don’t know where you’d find this Warwick Davis-starring Roger Corman movie, sometimes known just as Unlucky Leprechaun, but it sounds…interesting.

Chasing Leprechauns (2012, Hallmark) - Hallmark made a St. Patrick’s Day movie, y’all, and it’s as bonkers as you’d hope.

As Luck Would Have It (2021, Hallmark) - While it debuted in April, this Irish-shot tale starring JoAnna Garcia Swisher was clearly destined to have St. Patty’s Day appeal.

Leapin’ Leprechauns! (1995) - direct-to-DVD family film shot in Romania, about leprechaun and fairy homeland destruction, that features a lot of fantasy-town board meetings—since, as we all know, kids love magical creature civics lessons.

Spellbreak: Secret of the Leprechauns (1996) - Sequel to Leapin’ Leprechauns, set in Ireland, but still shot in Romania.

Crawlers (2020, Hulu) - Three friends on a St. Patrick’s day pub crawl find themselves in horrific circumstances.

A Meowy St. Patrick’s Day (2020) - Third in the cat-themed, low-budget kids series from director Steve Rudzinski. Available on Amazon Prime.

[sleepykittypaws]

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Well, folks, the time has come for me to bid holiday movie tracking adieu.

This was never anything but a (more-than-slightly-weird) hobby which, quite honestly, became overwhelming several years ago, when the TV Christmas movie explosion made keeping track of the annual influx of holiday content way more time consuming than I ever bargained for. But, something—for instance, needing a distraction from a global pandemic, combined with a Type-A personality that loathes leaving a job left undone, plus a few fellow Christmas movie-loving online pals I’d made along the way—always kept me going…Until now. 

As someone congenitally unable to do anything halfway, I’ve felt increasingly uninterested in keeping up with all the ins-and-outs of holiday movie production for a while now. That, combined with Twitter’s increasing lack of usability, has led me to the decision it’s time to rest my paws, and hang up ye olde Santa hat.

In real life, I’m just a boring, stay-at-home mom who used to work in (non-Christmas movie) TV production. I started keeping a holiday movie list for a few like-minded pals, and when they wanted to share it with a few others, posted it online for easy access. What started as a couple updates annually (a did-you-see-this-article? sort of thing), morphed into a year-round hobby, and then something more akin to unpaid, part-time employment—not that making this a job was ever a goal. (In fact, I’ve studiously avoided being public and declined the very small amount of opportunities people have offered.)

While I did (very) occasionally hear a few things from folks I’d become friendly online with, none of that is what I shared publicly. Everything I posted was gleaned from publicly available news stories, press releases, IMDb listings, production info, casting notices, and social media posts. Though there was some dot connecting on my part, it’s all stuff absolutely anyone half-decent at research and logic could easily find and readily duplicate. (TL;DR I’m not special, and never thought I was.)

Thanks to those who were so kind to me over the years, and all who share my fascination with cheesy holiday fare. I will most definitely still be watching, and if Twitter still exists this holiday season, quite possibly will return there to share what I loved, and what I didn’t, but I’ll no longer be keeping a holiday movie list, with my apologies to the twos of folks this likely disappoints.

For what it’s worth (likely, not that much) I’ve updated all the upcoming lists—theatrical and TV, for 2023 and 2024—one last time (UPDATE: Well, now that the season is upon us did my best to keep the 2023 schedule up-to-date, least as of November 15, as a final hurrah), with what I know, as of today. There are, I’m positive, typos and errors and things that will be out of date as soon as tomorrow. But there it is, the end.

Cheers, and a very merry everything to all!

💛 Sleepy Kitty Paws

[sleepykittypaws]

New Year's Eve Favorites

New Year’s Eve rolls around just six days after Christmas, when many are still knee-deep in wrapping paper and ribbon. It’s easy to just roll New Year’s into the Christmas celebrations, doing little to mark the moment beyond watching the ball drop at midnight. But there are plenty of films centered around New Year’s that deserve their own holiday film recognition. 

Updated: May 3, 2025

My Favorites…

About Time (2013) - This Richard Curtis written/directed movie is one of my all-time favorite films, period. But it all starts with a life-changing New Year’s Eve party.

When Harry Met Sally (1989) - Often considered a bit of a stealth Christmas movie, this rom-com classic ends, unforgettably, on New Year’s Eve.

The Cutting Edge (1992) - It’s hard to call this movie about a former hockey star turned Olympic figure skater “good,” in any objective sense, but that doesn’t keep me from loving it wholeheartedly. Even if you haven’t seen it 50 or so times, like I have, I doubt anyone can forget that moment when sparks fly, literally, between Doug Dorsey and Kate Moseley at a New Year’s Eve party, when they twirl into each other’s arms with sparklers at the stroke of midnight (sigh). 

Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019) - Not specifically holiday-themed but Brittany makes a pretty perfect New Year’s watch. Funny, inspirational and all about self-improvement. Absolutely adore this one.

About a Boy (2002) - While it also features some sweet Christmas scenes, Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz meet cute on New Year’s Eve.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972) - The movie that defined 1970s disaster movies remains good, cheese-tastic New Year’s fun. I remember the first time I saw this one as a kid, on cable, on New Year’s Eve. A group of New Year’s revelers trying to escape a cruise ship that flips over? Indelible.

Starstruck (2021, HBO Max) - Think of season one of this 6-episode British series, written and created by a Kiwi, as a three hour rom-com that begins on New Year’s Eve and ends the following Christmas. A delightful watch any time, but extra-special during the holiday season.

Peter’s Friends (1992) - This criminally under-rated British ensemble  comedy features a host of stars—Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton, Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh and Rita Rudner—gathering to celebrate the New Year at their college chum’s English estate. 

Something from Tiffany’s (2022, Prime Video) - This holiday romance centers around Christmas gifts from the famous jewelry store being inadvertently swapped, but most of the movie takes place between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve when everything comes to a head.

Plane (2023) - If this New Year’s Eve-set action movie leaned in just a bit more to its New Year celebration, it could reach Die Hard-style holiday classic status. While the New Year’s element doesn’t factor much after the first 15 minutes, this is a well-made, well-acted and well-paced watch. Honestly, some of Gerard Butler’s best work which, yeah, isn’t the highest bar, but Plane is a super entertaining action-disaster pic that, forgive the pun, is a lot more grounded than expected.

Other People (2016) - This very well told story about losing a loved one to cancer is funnier than you’d think, given the subject matter, has an amazing cast—led by Jesse Plemons, Molly Shannon and Bradley Whitford—and starts off with a New Year’s Eve bash.

About Fate (2022) - This American remake of a Soviet-era New Year classic, 1976′s The Irony of Fate (available to legally watch on YouTube via Mosfilm), stars Emma Roberts and Thomas Mann as recent (sort of) dumpees who meet cute due to alcohol-induced architectural confusion, and end up attending a New Year’s Eve wedding together with chaotic results, with the whole story playing out from December 30th to January 1st.

Fruitvale Station (2013) - This gut-wrenching Ryan Coogler feature directorial debut should have won Michael B. Jordan an Oscar. Set entirely on New Year’s Eve, it’s the devastating true story of the last day of Oscar Grant’s life. 

Phineas and Ferb: Happy New Year (2012, Disney Channel) - This fun episode of the crazy kids’ series works as a stand-alone New Year’s special that’s better than most.

Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: Two Doors Down (2019, Netflix) - Cheese-y, feel-good, queer holiday romance that ends with Dolly Parton singing Auld Lang Syne. What more could you want?

An Affair to Remember (1957) - This Cary Grant-Deborah Kerr classic is basically the third lead in Sleepless in Seattle, but it is a New Year’s classic in its own right, as Kerr and Grant’s characters vow to meet on the top of the Empire State building after an epic New Year’s Kiss.

Entrapment (1999) - There’s just something about thieves and New Year’s, I guess, as the final job in this Sean Connery-Catherine Zeta Jones film is set on Y2K. There’s also a good bit of bonus millenium Christmas content.

Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne (2021, Apple TV+) - A kid-friendly New Year's Eve watch the whole family can enjoy. Apple is doing a fantastic job of preserving the Peanuts legacy with their new holiday specials.

Holiday (1938) - Another Cary Grant classic that features a memorable New Year’s Eve. Even though the “holiday” of the title refers to a vacation, it’s on New Year’s Eve that sparks really begin to fly between Grant and Katherine Hepburn. Trouble is, she’s his fiancee’s sister.

After the Thin Man (1936) - This sequel to the runaway 1934 hit kicks off on New Year’s Eve, with James Stewart joining Myrna Loy and William Powell for more mystery solving slapstick antics.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025) - Like the original, a New Year's-Christmas classic in our house, this fourth installment in the Bridget Jones movie series becomes a full on holiday film in the final 25 minutes, despite its Valentine's Day-timed release. Time your viewing right, and you can count down to New Year's with Bridge and all her pals.

Red, White & Royal Blue (2023, Prime Video) - Based on the book of the same name, this delightful rom-com’s President’s son-meets-Prince romance really gets going at a New Year’s Eve party, following fitful Thanksgiving-Christmas flirting via text.

In Search of a Midnight Kiss (2007) - This independent dark-ish, rom-com can be a little hard to find, but it’s worth seeking out. Two lonely people looking for hope and love by New Year’s Eve.

Boogie Nights (1997) - Definitely not an uplifting New Year’s Eve watch, this Paul Thomas Anderson classic does feature outstanding performances and an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party appearance by William H Macy.

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976, ABC) - Not the only animated New Year’s special, but easily the most memorable, this Rankin-Bass classic has Rudolph teaming up with Baby New Year and Father Time to save the holiday.

More to Explore…

If my New Year’s picks don’t make your ball drop, there’s plenty more movies/specials set around welcoming the new year.

Happy New Year (2014) - This bouncy, Bollywood showstopper is available on Netflix.

New Year’s Eve (2011) - This farly-cynical Garry Marshall attempt to recreate the holiday anthology magic of Love, Actuallyshouldn’t even be mentioned in the same breath as that film, but this mess of a movie can still be fairly good fun when watched ironically with enough wine and the right friends.

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (1986, CBS) - Nowhere near as iconic as the 1960s Peanuts specials, this is still a solid, kid-friendly New Year’s watch.

Pete the Cat: A Groovy New Year (2017, Amazon Prime) - Hep cat animated special based on the popular children’s book character.

200 Cigarettes (1999) - Set in the 1980s, this follows a group of young New Yorkers looking for a memorable New Year’s Eve.

Ghostbusters II (1989) - Definitely less than the original classic, this holiday-set sequel concludes with New Yorker’s saving the city via a chorus of Auld Lang Syne, with an assist from Lady Liberty.

Snowpiercer (2013) - The Chris Evans dystopian thriller where civilization is relegated to an always moving train, strictly divided by class, and New Year’s is celebrated every time they circumnavigate the globe.

Highball (1997) - This very early, extremely low budget Noah Baumbach movie takes place over a series of holiday parties that culminates with a New Year’s Eve bash. Is it good? Well, Baumbach petitioned to have his name removed from it, so…

Waiting to Exhale (1995) - This movie about a close-knit friend group and their complicated romantic lives, based on the book by Terry McMillan, is framed by New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Four Rooms (1995) - This overly ambitious anthology, featuring four stories each written and directed by a different high profile auteur, with only one connecting character, a hotel bellman, takes place entirely on New Year’s Eve.

Ocean’s Eleven (1960) - The Rat Pack original isn’t as fun as the George Clooney-Brad Pitt remakes, but it does set its heist on New Year’s Eve.

The Sword in the Stone (1963) - This Disney animated classic’s pivotal moment—the extraction of Excalibur—occurs at the New Year’s tournament, which Arthur attends as a lowly squire.

The Godfather Part II (1972) - Fredo Corleone is handing out New Year’s party kisses in this, the only sequel to ever win the best picture Oscar.

Midnighters (2017) - When a couple accidentally hit a man with their car on New Year’s Eve, they put him in the backseat and go home to avoid the consequences.

Radio Days (1987) - This Woody Allen (yeah, I know) movie ends with the cast welcoming 1944 on a wintry New York, New Year’s Eve.

Repeat Performance (1947) - A New Year’s Eve wish to repeat the year comes true, but fixing mistakes made proves more difficult than Joan Leslie imagined.

Sunset Boulevard (1950) - The iconic tale, later turned into a Broadway musical, hinges on a New Year’s Eve party. 

A Midnight Kiss (2018, Hallmark) - Carlos PenaVega helps Adelaide Kane plan a New Year’s bash. 

Royal New Year’s Eve (2017, Hallmark) - Designer Jessy Schram meets her Prince at a New Year’s ball. 

The Birthday Wish (2017, Hallmark) - This is another Jessy Schram-joint that starts at New Year’s and is one of the more original Hallmark movies of recent years.

A New Year’s Resolution (2021, Hallmark) - This long-delayed Aimee Teegarden and Michael Rad movie finally got an airdate in early 2021.

Midnight at the Magnolia (2020, Netflix) - Natalie Hall and Evan Williams are radio hosts who fake a romance for a New Year’s Eve live show.

A Year and Change (2015) - Bryan Greenberg topples off a roof at a New Year’s Eve party, leading him to change his life.

The Gold Rush (1925) - For those who like their New Year’s celebrations extra-classic, this iconic Charlie Chaplin outing features the Little Tramp all alone on New Year’s Eve.

Two Lovers (2008) - This little-known Joaquin Phoenix-Gwenyth Paltrow movie culminates on New Year’s Eve.

Strange Days (1995) - Kathryn Bigelow’s sci-fi/romance prominently features a plot pivotal New Year’s Eve party.

Hudsucker Proxy (1994) - Some have called this critically-panned Tim Robbins movie It’s a Wonderful Life for New Year’s Eve. It even features Charles Durning as an angel.

Poseidon (2006) - This overly serious remake was a box office flop, but it’s still a big, dumb New Year’s Eve disaster flick. Just be careful it’s extra-long run time doesn’t make you miss the ball drop.

Money Train (1995) - This heist film starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson (remember when those guys were leading men and action stars?) has these former cops robbing the NYC subway on New Year’s Eve.

Are We There Yet? (2005) - Ice Cube’s original road trip comedy takes place on New Year’s Eve.

Carol (2015) - It’s a New Year’s Eve party that lets these repressed ladies first turn their passion loose.

Phantom Thread (2017) - Not mostly about the holiday, but does feature one of the most visually stunning New Year’s Eve parties ever committed to film.

The Life List (2025) - Sofia Carson races to finish a happiness to-do list she wrote as a 13-year-old before New Year's Eve, as mom Connie Britton stipulated in her will.

New Year’s Evil (1980) - It wouldn’t be a holiday without a bad slasher film taking place on it.

Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) - The ladies celebrate a very memorable New Year’s Eves in this movie, based on the HBO series.

A Frozen New Year’s Eve (2019) - Direct-to-VOD animated kids’ movie

Dr Who: The Movie (1996, BBC) - The Time Lord takes on the millennium in this made-for-TV movie.

New Year’s Day (1989) - This little known movie is David Duchovny’s first major role. He plays a man who moves to L.A. on New Year’s Eve, only to find his newly-rented apartment occupied by three women. 

A Long Way Down (2014) - Four strangers meet on a rooftop on New Year’s Eve, each contemplating jumping.

Endings, Beginnings (2020) - This Shailene Woodley-starring movie features a love triangle that begins at a fateful New Year’s Eve party.

Do It Yourself, Mr. Bean (1994, ITV) - Mr. Bean plans a New Year’s bash in this ITV special. 

A Month in Thailand (2012) - This Romanian film follows a man in the time between Christmas and New Year’s trying to decide if he should pursue the ex who broke his heart, or stick with his current adoring girlfriend.

Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) - Not exactly an uplifting way to ring in the New Year, but the culmination of this crime drama, based on the novel and inspired by a real case, does take place on New Year's Eve.

Dead of Winter (1987) - Twisty horror-thriller starring Mary Steenburgen that starts with a mysterious New Year's Eve murder.

Age of Adaline (2015) - This very weird movie starring Harrison Ford and Blake Lively begins at a New Year’s Eve party, with the holiday holding other significance in the story.

Someone Like You (2001) - Friendship turns to something more between Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman when he comes to her rescue after being stood up on New Year's Eve, in this early aughts rom-com.

New Year, New You (2018, Hulu) - New Year’s entry in the Blumhouse-produced horror, holiday anthology movie series.

What for New Year’s Eve? (2018, a.k.a. Cosa Fai a Capodanno?) - This Italian comedy-drama from writer-director Filippo Bologna recently became available in the U.S. and explores what happens when a group of friends decide to switch partners at a New Year’s Eve party.

Midnight Kiss (2019, Hulu) - more holiday-set horror from Blumhouse.

New Year’s Kiss (2019) - Made-for-TV rom-com starring Erin Karpluk and Robin Dunne.

Way Through Snow (2017) - Russian movie about an online couple meeting for the first time on New Year’s, available on Amazon Prime.

Break (2019) - Russian horror-thriller directed by Tigran Shakyan about group of friends who get stuck in a gondola during a New Year’s Eve power outage.

I Hate New Year’s (2020) - LGBTQ holiday rom-com about a singer who goes home for the holidays and (surprise!) finds unexpected romance, made by TelloFilms.com.

The Lost Husband (2020) - Gentle romantic, Texas-set drama that’s not full of holiday cheer, but does start on New Year’s Eve, if you’re looking for a low stakes way to ring in the New Year.

The Silver Skates (2021, Netflix) - This sweeping Russian romantic epic, a lavish costume drama filmed in St. Petersburg, is set around the holidays, namely New Year’s, and is Netflix’s first-ever Russian-language international original.

All My Friends Are Dead (2021, Netflix) - Polish horror-comedy set at a New Year’s Eve party that takes an unexpected turn.

Prime Time (2021, Netflix) - Polish-language hostage thriller set on New Year’s Eve 1999. 

Ask Me to Dance (2022) - Rom-com set between Christmas and New Year’s when a fortune teller promises two strangers they’ll meet their true love by midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Stuck with You (2022, Netflix) - French romance about strangers stuck in an elevator on their way to a New Year’s Eve party.

Terror Train 2 (2022, Tubi) - Tubi original slasher sequel set during a New Year’s Eve train ride.

Snow Falls (2023) - The New Year’s Eve horror movie about a group of friends trapped by snow in a remote cabin stars Hallmark regular Jonathan Bennett.

To Catch a Killer (2023) - Shailene Woodley plays a troubled cop trying to catch a New Year’s Eve killer.

New Year, New Us (2019) - A newlywed couple overcomes challenges in their marriage with New Year’s resolutions.

Pirates (2022) - Two friends are determined to find and attend the best Millennium New Year's Eve party of 1999.

New Year, New Us 2: Love Goals (2023) - Sequel to New Year, New Us

Sealed with a List (2023) - Hallmark holiday romance about undone resolutions that concludes on New Year's Eve

Y2K (2024) - High school seniors crash a New Year's Eve party and find themselves fighting for their lives when all the worst millennium predictions come true.

This Time Next Year (2024) - Born one minute apart on just as the clock struck midnight on the New Year, a London twosome's paths keep crossing, with luck seemingly bestowed only on one of them.

Christmas ➜ New Year’s

And don’t forget to consider these movies that carry over from Christmas to New Year’s, giving us a solid dose of both holidays.

Rent (2005)

Bridget Jones’s Diary* (2001) 

Last Holiday** (2006)

Holiday Inn (1942)

The Holiday*** (2006)

Sleepless In Seattle (1993)

Trading Places (1983)

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Bachelor Mother (1939)

Bundle of Joy (1956, a remake of Bachelor Mother)

The Apartment (1960)

A Christmas Prince (2017, Netflix)

Holidate***** (2020, Netflix)

Starstruck***** (2021, HBO Max)

About Fate (2022)

Ask Me to Dance (2022)

Something from Tiffany’s (2022, Prime Video)

The Holdovers (2023)

*If I hadn’t already dubbed Bridget my all-time favorite stealth Christmas movie, I’d have put it on my New Year’s list for sure, probably at No. 1, since Jones’s New Year’s resolutions bookend the film, which actually starts on New Year’s Day (when she meets Darcy at her mom’s annual turkey curry buffet). Really, it’s a pretty perfect New Year’s watch and an annual in between Christmas and New Year’s must-view in our house.

**As with Bridget, Last Holiday would be at or near the top of my New Year’s favorites, if I hadn’t already dubbed it one of my favorite Christmas films. But, while it takes place over the entire Christmas season, much more happens on New Year’s in this Queen Latifah classic, than Christmas, and it’s a great way to spend any New Year’s Eve.

***And the same goes for The Holiday, which is mostly Christmas, but culminates on New Year’s Eve, the only part of the film where all four leads share a scene.

****Yet another that would be at or near the top of my New Year’s list, if it weren’t already on my Top 25 Stealth Christmas Movies list, as the New Year’s Eve in Holidate was among its best, and most memorable, moments. 

*****Starstruck takes the opposite tack of the rest of this list, starting on New Year’s Eve and ending at Christmas, and it's that New Year's forward feeling that make this one of my faves for the season.

TV Series Standouts

While Thanksgiving and Christmas-themed episodes of TV series abound, the timing of New Year’s, coming when most shows are on hiatus, means there are only a few truly iconic television episodes devoted to this holiday. A handful worth noting…

Mum: December (2016, BBC, series 1)

Absolutely Fabulous: Happy New Year (1995, BBC, series 3)

Dr. Who: Resolution (2019, BBC)

On My Block: Chapter Eleven (2019, Netflix)

My So-Called Life: Resolutions (1995, ABC, season 1)

The X-Files: Millennium (1999, FOX, season 7)

Futurama: Space Pilot 3000 (1999, FOX, pilot) - Like Matt Groening’s Christmas-themed Simpson’s pilot, this series intro could also be seen as a New Year’s Eve holiday special.)

That ‘70s Show: Finale (2006, FOX, season 8) -Though it aired in May, this series ender was set on New Year’s Eve 1979

Fraiser: RDWRER (2000, NBC, season 7)

30 Rock: Klaus and Greta (2010, NBC, season 4)

Friends: The One with the Monkey (1994, NBC, season 1)

Friends: The One With All the Resolutions (1999, NBC, season 5)

Friends: The One with the Routine (1999, NBC, season 6)

Modern Family: New Year’s Eve (2013, ABC, season 4)

How I Met Your Mother: The Limo (2005, CBS, season 1)

How I Met Your Mother: Tailgate (2012, CBS, season 7)

The Office: Ultimatum (2011, NBC, season 7)

Seinfeld: The Millennium (1997, NBC, season 8) - This one actually doesn’t take place at New Year’s, but is about a New Year’s Eve party

The Four Seasons: Winter (2025, Netflix) - It's not surprising a series set around seasons would have a holiday episode, and the penultimate, and pivotal, New Year's Eve episode really packs a wallop.

[sleepykittypaws]

New Year’s Eve Favorites

New Year’s Eve rolls around just six days after Christmas, when many are still knee-deep in wrapping paper and ribbon. It’s easy to just roll New Year’s into the Christmas celebrations, doing little to mark the moment beyond watching the ball drop at midnight. But there are plenty of films centered around New Year’s that deserve their own holiday film recognition. 

Updated: August 14, 2023

My Favorites…

About Time (2013) - This Richard Curtis written/directed movie is one of my all-time favorite films, period. But it all starts with a life-changing New Year’s Eve party.

When Harry Met Sally (1989) - Often considered a bit of a stealth Christmas movie, this rom-com classic ends, unforgettably, on New Year’s Eve.

The Cutting Edge (1992) - It’s hard to call this movie about a former hockey star turned Olympic figure skater “good,” in any objective sense, but that doesn’t keep me from loving it wholeheartedly. Even if you haven’t seen it 50 or so times, like I have, I doubt anyone can forget that moment when sparks fly, literally, between Doug Dorsey and Kate Moseley at a New Year’s Eve party, when they twirl into each other’s arms with sparklers at the stroke of midnight (sigh). 

Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019) - Not specifically holiday-themed but Brittany makes a pretty perfect New Year’s watch. Funny, inspirational and all about self-improvement. Absolutely adore this one.

About a Boy (2002) - While it also features some sweet Christmas scenes, Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz meet cute on New Year’s Eve.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972) - The movie that defined 1970s disaster movies remains good, cheese-tastic New Year’s fun. I remember the first time I saw this one as a kid, on cable, on New Year’s Eve. A group of New Year’s revelers trying to escape a cruise ship that flips over? Indelible.

Starstruck (2021, HBO Max) - Think of season one of this 6-episode British series, written and created by a Kiwi, as a three hour rom-com that begins on New Year’s Eve and ends the following Christmas. A delightful watch any time, but extra-special during the holiday season.

Peter’s Friends (1992) - This criminally under-rated British ensemble  comedy features a host of stars—Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton, Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh and Rita Rudner—gathering to celebrate the New Year at their college chum’s English estate. 

Something from Tiffany’s (2022, Prime Video) - This holiday romance centers around Christmas gifts from the famous jewelry being inadvertently swapped, but most of the movie takes place between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve when everything comes to a head.

Plane (2023) - If this New Year’s Eve-set action movie leaned in just a bit more to its New Year celebration, it could reach Die Hard-style holiday classic status. While the New Year’s element doesn’t factor much after the first 15 minutes, this is a well-made, well-acted and well-paced watch. Honestly, some of Gerard Butler’s best work which, yeah, isn’t the highest bar, but Plane is a super entertaining action-disaster pic that, forgive the pun, is a lot more grounded than expected.

Other People (2016) - This very well told story about losing a loved one to cancer is funnier than you’d think, given the subject matter, has an amazing cast, led by Jesse Plemons, Molly Shannon and Bradley Whitford, and starts off with a New Year’s Eve bash.

About Fate (2022) - This American remake of a Soviet-era New Year classic, 1976′s The Irony of Fate, available to legally watch on YouTube via Mosfilm, stars Emma Roberts and Thomas Mann as recent (sort of) dumpees who meet cute due to alcohol-induced architectural confusion, and end up attending a New Year’s Eve wedding together with chaotic results, with the whole story playing out from December 30th to January 1st.

Fruitvale Station (2013) - This gut-wrenching Ryan Coogler feature directorial debut should have won Michael B. Jordan an Oscar. Set entirely on New Year’s Eve, it’s the devastating true story of the last day of Oscar Grant’s life. 

Phineas and Ferb: Happy New Year (2012, Disney Channel) - This fun episode of the crazy kids’ series works as a stand-alone New Year’s special that’s better than most.

Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: Two Doors Down (2019, Netflix) - Cheese-y, feel-good, queer holiday romance that ends with Dolly Parton singing Auld Lang Syne. What more could you want?

An Affair to Remember (1957) - This Cary Grant-Deborah Kerr classic is basically the third lead in Sleepless in Seattle, but it is a New Year’s classic in its own right, as Kerr and Grant’s characters vow to meet on the top of the Empire State building after an epic New Year’s Kiss.

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976, ABC) - Not the only animated New Year’s special, but easily the most memorable, this Rankin-Bass classic has Rudolph teaming up with Baby New Year and Father Time to save the holiday.

Holiday (1938) - Another Cary Grant classic that features a memorable New Year’s Eve. Even though the “holiday” of the title refers to a vacation, it’s on New Year’s Eve that sparks really begin to fly between Grant and Katherine Hepburn. Trouble is, she’s his fiancee’s sister.

After the Thin Man (1936) - This sequel to the runaway 1934 hit kicks off on New Year’s Eve, with James Stewart joining Myrna Loy and William Powell for more mystery solving slapstick antics.

Red, White & Royal Blue (2023, Prime Video) - Based on the book of the same name, this delightful rom-com’s President’s son-meets-Prince romance really gets going at a New Year’s Eve party, following fitful Thanksgiving-Christmas flirting via text.

In Search of a Midnight Kiss (2007) - This independent dark-ish, rom-com can be a little hard to find, but it’s worth seeking out. Two lonely people looking for hope and love by New Year’s Eve.

Ghostbusters II (1989) - Definitely less than the original classic, this holiday-set sequel concludes with New Yorker’s saving the city via a chorus of Auld Lang Syne, with an assist from Lady Liberty.

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (1986, CBS) - Nowhere near as iconic as the 1960s Peanuts specials, this is still a solid, kid-friendly New Year’s watch.

Entrapment (1999) - There’s just something about thieves and New Year’s, I guess, as the final job in this Sean Connery-Catherine Zeta Jones film is set on Y2K. There’s also a good bit of bonus millenium Christmas content.

Boogie Nights (1997) - Definitely not an uplifting New Year’s Eve watch, this Paul Thomas Anderson classic does feature outstanding performances and an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party appearance by William H Macy.

More to Explore…

If my New Year’s picks don’t make your ball drop, there’s plenty more movies/specials set around welcoming the new year.

Happy New Year (2014) - This bouncy, Bollywood showstopper is available on Netflix.

New Year’s Eve (2011) - This farly-cynical Garry Marshall attempt to recreate the holiday anthology magic of Love, Actually shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same breath as that film, but this mess of a movie can still be fairly good fun when watched ironically with enough wine and the right friends.

Pete the Cat: A Groovy New Year (2017, Amazon Prime) - Hep cat animated special based on the popular children’s book character.

200 Cigarettes (1999) - Set in the 1980s, this follows a group of young New Yorkers looking for a memorable New Year’s Eve.

Snowpiercer (2013) - The Chris Evans dystopian thriller where civilization is relegated to an always moving train, strictly divided by class, and New Year’s is celebrated every time they circumnavigate the globe.

Highball (1997) - This very early, extremely low budget Noah Baumbach movie takes place over a series of holiday parties that culminates with a New Year’s Eve bash. Is it good? Well, Baumbach petitioned to have his name removed from it, so…

Waiting to Exhale (1995) - This movie about a close-knit friend group and their complicated romantic lives, based on the book by Terry McMillan, is framed by New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Four Rooms (1995) - This overly ambitious anthology, featuring four stories each written and directed by a different high profile auteur, with only one connecting character, a hotel bellman, takes place entirely on New Year’s Eve.

Ocean’s Eleven (1960) - The Rat Pack original isn’t as fun as the George Clooney-Brad Pitt remakes, but it does set its heist on New Year’s Eve.

The Sword in the Stone (1963) - This Disney animated classic’s pivotal moment—the extraction of Excalibur—occurs at the New Year’s tournament, which Arthur attends as a lowly squire.

The Godfather Part II (1972) - Fredo Corleone is handing out New Year’s party kisses in this, the only sequel to ever win the best picture Oscar.

Midnighters (2017) - When a couple accidentally hit a man with their car on New Year’s Eve, they put him in the backseat and go home to avoid the consequences.

Radio Days (1987) - This Woody Allen (yeah, I know) movie ends with the cast welcoming 1944 on a wintry New York, New Year’s Eve.

Repeat Performance (1947) - A New Year’s Eve wish to repeat the year comes true, but fixing mistakes made proves more difficult than Joan Leslie imagined.

Sunset Boulevard (1950) - The iconic tale, later turned into a Broadway musical, hinges on a New Year’s Eve party. 

A Midnight Kiss (2018, Hallmark) - Carlos PenaVega helps Adelaide Kane plan a New Year’s bash. 

Royal New Year’s Eve (2017, Hallmark) - Designer Jessy Schram meets her Prince at a New Year’s ball. 

The Birthday Wish (2017, Hallmark) - This is another Jessy Schram-joint that starts at New Year’s and is one of the more original Hallmark movies of recent years.

A New Year’s Resolution (2021, Hallmark) - This long-delayed Aimee Teegarden and Michael Rad movie finally got an airdate in early 2021.

Midnight at the Magnolia (2020, Netflix) - Natalie Hall and Evan Williams are radio hosts who fake a romance for a New Year’s Eve live show.

A Year and Change (2015) - Bryan Greenberg topples off a roof at a New Year’s Eve party, leading him to change his life.

The Gold Rush (1925) - For those who like their New Year’s celebrations extra-classic, this iconic Charlie Chaplin outing features the Little Tramp all alone on New Year’s Eve.

Two Lovers (2008) - This little-known Joaquin Phoenix-Gwenyth Paltrow movie culminates on New Year’s Eve.

Strange Days (1995) - Kathryn Bigelow’s sci-fi/romance prominently features a plot pivotal New Year’s Eve party.

Hudsucker Proxy (1994) - Some have called this critically-panned Tim Robbins movie It’s a Wonderful Life for New Year’s Eve. It even features Charles Durning as an angel.

Poseidon (2006) - This overly serious remake was a box office flop, but it’s still a big, dumb New Year’s Eve disaster flick. Just be careful it’s extra-long run time doesn’t make you miss the ball drop.

Money Train (1995) - This heist film starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson (remember when those guys were leading men and action stars?) has these former cops robbing the NYC subway on New Year’s Eve.

Are We There Yet? (2005) - Ice Cube’s original road trip comedy takes place on New Year’s Eve.

Carol (2015) - It’s a New Year’s Eve party that lets these repressed ladies first turn their passion loose.

Phantom Thread (2017) - Not mostly about the holiday, but does feature one of the most visually stunning New Year’s Eve parties ever committed to film.

New Year’s Evil (1980) - It wouldn’t be a holiday without a bad slasher film taking place on it.

Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) - The ladies celebrate a very memorable New Year’s Eves in this movie, based on the HBO series.

A Frozen New Year’s Eve (2019) - Direct-to-VOD animated kids’ movie

Dr Who: The Movie (1996, BBC) - The Time Lord takes on the millennium in this made-for-TV movie.

New Year’s Day (1989) - This little known movie is David Duchovny’s first major role. He plays a man who moves to L.A. on New Year’s Eve, only to find his newly-rented apartment occupied by three women. 

A Long Way Down (2014) - Four strangers meet on a rooftop on New Year’s Eve, each contemplating jumping.

Endings, Beginnings (2020) - This Shailene Woodley-starring movie features a love triangle that begins at a fateful New Year’s Eve party.

Do It Yourself, Mr. Bean (1994, ITV) - Mr. Bean plans a New Year’s bash in this ITV special. 

A Month in Thailand (2012) - This Romanian film follows a man in the time between Christmas and New Year’s trying to decide if he should pursue the ex who broke his heart, or stick with his current adoring girlfriend.

The Shining (1980) - This bleak, wintery horror classic wouldn’t be the most uplifting way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, but its plot pivotal NYE party photo certainly makes it seasonally appropriate if you’re looking to scream in the New Year.

Age of Adaline (2015) - This very weird movie starring Harrison Ford and Blake Lively begins at a New Year’s Eve party, with the holiday holding other significance in the story.

New Year, New You (2018, Hulu) - New Year’s entry in the Blumhouse-produced horror, holiday anthology movie series.

What for New Year’s Eve? (2018, a.k.a. Cosa Fai a Capodanno?) - This Italian comedy-drama from writer-director Filippo Bologna recently became available in the U.S. and explores what happens when a group of friends decide to switch partners at a New Year’s Eve party.

Midnight Kiss (2019, Hulu) - more holiday-set horror from Blumhouse.

New Year’s Kiss (2019) - Made-for-TV rom-com starring Erin Karpluk and Robin Dunne.

Way Through Snow (2017) - Russian movie about an online couple meeting for the first time on New Year’s, available on Amazon Prime.

Break (2019) - Russian horror-thriller directed by Tigran Shakyan about group of friends who get stuck in a gondola during a New Year’s Eve power outage.

I Hate New Year’s (2020) - LGBTQ holiday rom-com about a singer who goes home for the holidays and (surprise!) finds unexpected romance, made by TelloFilms.com.

The Lost Husband (2020) - Gentle romantic, Texas-set drama that’s not full of holiday cheer, but does start on New Year’s Eve, if you’re looking for a low stakes way to ring in the New Year.

The Silver Skates (2021, Netflix) - This sweeping Russian romantic epic, a lavish costume drama filmed in St. Petersburg, is set around the holidays, namely New Year’s, and is Netflix’s first-ever Russian-language international original.

All My Friends Are Dead (2021, Netflix) - Polish horror-comedy set at a New Year’s Eve party that takes an unexpected turn.

Prime Time (2021, Netflix) - Polish-language hostage thriller set on New Year’s Eve 1999. 

Ask Me to Dance (2022) - Rom-com set between Christmas and New Year’s when a fortune teller promises two strangers they’ll meet their true love by midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Stuck with You (2022, Netflix) - French romance about strangers stuck in an elevator on their way to a New Year’s Eve party.

Terror Train 2 (2022, Tubi) - Tubi original slasher sequel set during a New Year’s Eve train ride.

Plane (2023) - Though it was released in mid-January, the B-action movie starring Gerard Butler is set on New Year’s Eve.

Snow Falls (2023) - The New Year’s Eve horror movie about a group of friends trapped by snow in a remote cabin stars Hallmark regular Jonathan Bennett.

To Catch a Killer (2023) - Shailene Woodley plays a troubled cop trying to catch a New Year’s Eve killer.

New Year, New Us (2019) - A newlywed couple overcomes challenges in their marriage with New Year’s resolutions.

New Year, New Us 2: Love Goals (2023) - Sequel to New Year, New Us

Christmas ➜ New Year’s

And don’t forget to consider these movies that carry over from Christmas to New Year’s, giving us a solid dose of both holidays.

Rent (2005)

Bridget Jones’s Diary* (2001) 

Last Holiday** (2006)

Holiday Inn (1942)

The Holiday*** (2006)

Sleepless In Seattle (1993)

Trading Places (1983)

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Bachelor Mother (1939)

Bundle of Joy (1956, a remake of Bachelor Mother)

The Apartment (1960)

A Christmas Prince (2017, Netflix)

Holidate***** (2020, Netflix)

Starstruck***** (2021, HBO Max)

About Fate (2022)

Ask Me to Dance (2022)

Something from Tiffany’s (2022, Prime Video)

*If I hadn’t already dubbed Bridget my all-time favorite stealth Christmas movie, I’d have put it on my New Year’s list for sure, probably at No. 1, since Jones’s New Year’s resolutions bookend the film, which actually starts on New Year’s Day (when she meets Darcy at her mom’s annual turkey curry buffet). Really, it’s a pretty perfect New Year’s watch and an annual in between Christmas and New Year’s must-view in our house.

**As with Bridget, Last Holiday would be at or near the top of my New Year’s favorites, if I hadn’t already dubbed it one of my favorite Christmas films. But, while it takes place over the entire Christmas season, much more happens on New Year’s in this Queen Latifah classic, than Christmas, and it’s a great way to spend any New Year’s Eve.

***And the same goes for The Holiday, which is mostly Christmas, but culminates on New Year’s Eve, the only part of the film where all four leads share a scene.

****Yet another that would be at or near the top of my New Year’s list, if it weren’t already on my Top 25 Stealth Christmas Movies list, as the New Year’s Eve in Holidate was among its best, and most memorable, moments. 

*****Starstruck takes the opposite tack of the rest of this list, starting on New Year’s Eve and ending at Christmas.

TV Series Standouts

While Thanksgiving and Christmas-themed episodes of TV series abound, the timing of New Year’s, coming when most shows are on hiatus, means there are only a few truly iconic television episodes devoted to this holiday. A handful worth noting…

Mum: December (2016, BBC, series 1)

Absolutely Fabulous: Happy New Year (1995, BBC, series 3)

Dr. Who: Resolution (2019, BBC)

On My Block: Chapter Eleven (2019, Netflix)

My So-Called Life: Resolutions (1995, ABC, season 1)

The X-Files: Millennium (1999, FOX, season 7)

Futurama: Space Pilot 3000 (1999, FOX, pilot) - Like Matt Groening’s Christmas-themed Simpson’s pilot, this series intro could also be seen as a New Year’s Eve holiday special.)

That ‘70s Show: Finale (2006, FOX, season 8) -Though it aired in May, this series ender was set on New Year’s Eve 1979

Fraiser: RDWRER (2000, NBC, season 7)

30 Rock: Klaus and Greta (2010, NBC, season 4)

Friends: The One with the Monkey (1994, NBC, season 1)

Friends: The One With All the Resolutions (1999, NBC, season 5)

Friends: The One with the Routine (1999, NBC, season 6)

Modern Family: New Year’s Eve (2013, ABC, season 4)

How I Met Your Mother: The Limo (2005, CBS, season 1)

How I Met Your Mother: Tailgate (2012, CBS, season 7)

The Office: Ultimatum (2011, NBC, season 7)

Seinfeld: The Millennium (1997, NBC, season 8) - This one actually doesn’t take place at New Year’s, but is about a New Year’s Eve party

[sleepykittypaws]

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Well, folks, the time has come for me to bid holiday movie tracking adieu.

This was never anything but a (more-than-slightly-weird) hobby which, quite honestly, became overwhelming several years ago, when the TV Christmas movie explosion made keeping track of the annual influx of holiday content way more time consuming than I ever bargained for. But, something—for instance, needing a distraction from a global pandemic, combined with a Type-A personality that loathes leaving a job left undone, plus a few fellow Christmas movie-loving online pals I’d made along the way—always kept me going…Until now. 

As someone congenitally unable to do anything halfway, I’ve felt increasingly uninterested in keeping up with all the ins-and-outs of holiday movie production for a while now. That, combined with Twitter’s increasing lack of usability, has led me to the decision it’s time to rest my paws, and hang up ye olde Santa hat.

In real life, I’m just a boring, stay-at-home mom who used to work in (non-Christmas movie) TV production. I started keeping a holiday movie list for a few like-minded pals, and when they wanted to share it with a few others, posted it online for easy access. What started as a couple updates annually (a did-you-see-this-article? sort of thing), morphed into a year-round hobby, and then something more akin to unpaid, part-time employment—not that making this a job was ever a goal. (In fact, I’ve studiously avoided being public and declined the very small amount of opportunities people have offered.)

While I did (very) occasionally hear a few things from folks I’d become friendly online with, none of that is what I shared publicly. Everything I posted was gleaned from publicly available news stories, press releases, IMDb listings, production info, casting notices, and social media posts. Though there was some dot connecting on my part, it’s all stuff absolutely anyone half-decent at research and logic could easily find and readily duplicate. (TL;DR I’m not special, and never thought I was.)

Thanks to those who were so kind to me over the years, and all who share my fascination with cheesy holiday fare. I will most definitely still be watching, and if Twitter still exists this holiday season, quite possibly will return there to share what I loved, and what I didn’t, but I’ll no longer be keeping a holiday movie list, with my apologies to the twos of folks this likely disappoints.

For what it’s worth (likely, not that much) I’ve updated all the upcoming lists—theatrical and TV, for 2023 and 2024—one last time (UPDATE: Well, now that the season is upon us did my best to keep the 2023 schedule up-to-date, least as of November 15, as a final hurrah), with what I know, as of today. There are, I’m positive, typos and errors and things that will be out of date as soon as tomorrow. But there it is, the end.

Cheers, and a very merry everything to all!

💛 Sleepy Kitty Paws

[sleepykittypaws]

2023 TV Holiday Premieres

Updated: December 16, 2023 (NOTE: Will try to keep schedule up-to-date for this last year, but no longer following production)

ABC

NOTE: Most will also be available to stream on Hulu and/or Disney+ next day

America’s Funniest Home Video Holiday (user-submitted holiday home video clips) - Nov. 26

The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration (musical performances and holiday celebrations from various Disney properties hosted byJulianne and Derek Hough with performances from Michael Bolton, Mickey Guyton, Adam Blackstone and Andra Day, Chris Janson, Tori Kelly, Chrissy Metz, Robin Thicke and Iam Tongi) - Nov. 26

The Great Christmas Light Fight (season 11 of the reality competition featuring outrageous holiday displays judged by Carter Oosterhouse and Taniya Nayak) - Nov. 26 (Facebook)

Press Your Luck’s Holiday Extravaganza II (special Christmas edition of the game show hosted by Elizabeth Banks) - Dec. 5

Shark Tank Holiday (Christmas-themed entrepreneurs looks for holiday cheer) - Dec. 8

Celebrity Family Feud: Rosie O’Donell vs Billy Porter (special holiday-themed edition of the game show hosted by Steve Harvey) - Dec. 13

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Holiday (Lil Rel Howery, Paula Abdul and Matt Rogers play for charity in this Pat Sajak and Hanna White-hosted holiday game show) - Dec. 13

$100,000 Pyramid Holiday (special holiday themed edition of the game show featuring Matt Walsh vs Malin Akerman) - Dec. 13

CMA Country Christmas (annual holiday concert special hosted by Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood, featuring Lainey Wilson, Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, Jordan Davis, Lindsey Sterling, Lady A, Zach Williams and The War and Treaty; filmed at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville on Oct. 12) - Dec. 14 (Website)

iHeart Radio Jingle Ball (annual holiday music concert special featuring Olivia Rodrigo, Usher, Nicki Minaj, SZA, Niall Horan, OneRepublic, AJR, Sabrina Carpenter, Miguel, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, NCT DREAM and Flo Rida; filmed at Madison Square Garden in New York on December 8th) - Dec. 21

Christmas Eve Worship Service (holiday worship and musical service led by Rev. Michael Brown at High Point University; filmed on November 6) - Dec. 24

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (annual holiday parade/musical showcase hosted by Jesse Palmer and Mickey Guyton; featuring performances by Adam Blackstone and Andra Day, Chris Janson, Chrissy Metz, Iam Tongi, Meg Donnelly, Michael Bolton, Mickey Guyton, Robin Thicke, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tori Kelly, Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine and DJ Khaled; taped in Disney World, Disneyland and other Disney Parks worldwide) - Dec. 25

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024 (LIVE annual Times Square ball drop celebration hosted by Seacrest in New York, Jeannie Mai in Los Angeles and Dayanara Torres in Puerto Rico; featuring performances by Aqua, Doechii, Ellie Goulding, Green Day, Janelle Monáe, Loud Luxury x Two Friends with Bebe Rexha, Ludacris, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Paul Russell, Reneé Rapp with Coco Jones and Thirty Seconds to Mars; LIVE) - Dec. 31 

NBC

NOTE: Most will also be available to stream on Peacock

134th Rose Parade (parade coverage live from Pasadena, Calif.) - Jan. 2

Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (parade pre-show that takes a look at prep and previews new additions) - Nov. 22

A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving Special (highlights from SNL’s best Thanksgiving sketches) - Nov. 22

97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (official parade coverage featuring appearances by Cher, Jon Batiste, Bell Biv DeVoe, Brandy, Chicago, En Vogue, ENHYPEN and David Foster and Katharine McPhee; LIVE)  - Nov. 23

National Dog Show Presented by Purina (taped coverage of the 2023 National Dog Show from Oaks, Pennsylvania, hosted by John O’Hurley) - Nov. 23

That’s My Jam Holiday (holiday special episode of the Jimmy Fallon-hosted music game show) - Nov. 27

100th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center (annual New York City tree lighting, hosted by Kelly Clarkson, who will also perform along with Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Cher, David Foster, Liz Gillies, Darlene Love, Seth MacFarlane, Barry Manilow, Katharine McPhee, Keke Palmer, and Carly Pearce; LIVE) - Nov. 29

Christmas at Graceland (musical special from the Memphis estate of Elvis Presley, produced by his granddaughter, Riley Keough, and featuring performances by Alanis Morissette, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, Lana Del Rey, Post Malone, and The War And Treaty) - Nov. 29

Blake Shelton’s Holiday Bartacular Ft. Ice T  (Christmas special based on the Barmageddon game show hosted by Carson Daly and Blake Shelton along with special guest Ice T playing holiday-themed pub games like Christmas Carole-oke) - Dec. 4

Christmas at the Opry (musical special hosted by Wynnona Judd featuring performances from BRELAND, Brenda Lee, Chris Janson, Chrissy Metz, Kelly Clarkson, Lauren Alaina, Mickey Guyton and Trace Adkins; filmed in Nashville on Oct. 3) - Dec. 7

Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas (musical holiday special featuring the legendary singer; filmed in Las Vegas) - Dec. 11 

A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special (highlights from SNL’s best Christmas sketches) - Dec. 14

Password Holiday Special (special holiday episode of the game show hosted by Keke Palmer) - Dec. 18

Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party (New Year’s countdown hosted by Miley Cyrus; executive produced by Lorne Michaels) - Dec. 31

135th Rose Parade (Annual New Year’s parade LIVE from Pasadena, Calif., hosted by Hoda Kotb and Al Roker.) - Jan. 1, 2024

CBS

NOTE: Most will also be available to stream on Paramount+

The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS (unofficial parade coverage of the Macy’s parade hosted by Kevin Frazier and Keltie Knight, LIVE)  - Nov. 23

The Greatest @HomeVideos Holiday (holiday video clip compilation hosted by Cedric the Entertainer) - Nov. 24

The Price is Right at Night Holidays (Drew Carey hosts five holiday-themed episodes of the popular game show in prime-time) - Dec. 4

Big Brother: Reindeer Games (special, holiday-themed six episode installment featuring returning Big Brother contestants) - Dec. 11

National Christmas Tree Lighting (annual holiday musical special culminating with lighting of the National tree in President’s Park, Washington, D.C; taped on November 30th) - Dec. 15

Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic (special celebrating the 98th birthday of the iconic actor) - Dec. 21

The 25th Annual A Home For the Holidays (annual special honoring foster care and recognizing outstanding kids and parents) - Dec. 22

Loteria Loca Feliz Navidad (special holiday edition of the Latin-American inspired game show hosted by Jaime Camil) - Dec. 24

LINGO for the Holidays (special holiday edition of the game show hosted by RuPaul) - Dec. 24

New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash (LIVE musical special and countdown to the New Year from Nashville, featuring Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lainey Wilson, Trace Adkins, Grace Bowers, Kane Brown, Jackson Dean, HARDY, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton, Trombone Shorty, Morgan Wallen and Bailey Zimmerman) - Dec. 31

FOX

NOTE: Most will also be available to stream on Hulu and/or Tubi next day

TMZ’s Merry Elfin’ Christmas (year-end showbiz gossip recap hosted by Harvey Levin) - Dec. 5

MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays (two-night cooking competition featuring nine young chefs making holiday favorites, hosted by Gordon Ramsey) - Dec. 10-11

The Masked Singer Sing-Along (holiday music special featuring Masked Singer favorites and judges Nick Cannon, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger) - Dec. 12

Lego Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular (season two of the holiday competitive reality miniseries hosted by Will Arnett) - Dec. 18-19

The Christmas Break (holiday movie starring Justin Long, India Mullen, Arlo Buchanan, Mark Huberman, Ruth Kearney, Tom Moran, Bill Murphy, Robert Mitchell. Aaron Monaghan, Marion O'Dwyer, Norma Sheahan, Shane Casey, and Cate Russell; directed by Prarthana Mohan; A couple travel to Ireland for Christmas and must deal with the wife’s dysfunctional family while in the midst of marital troubles; filmed in Ballymore Eustace, Ireland) - Dec. 21 (Trailer)

CW

Son of a Critch: Merry Christmas (2022 holiday special of the sit-com, which aired in 2022 in Canada ) - Sep. 4

PBS

NOTE: Most also available to stream on PBS Passport; check local listings as debut dates and re-airs vary across different PBS stations and not all specials available nationally

London’s New Year’s Day Parade: Welcome Back to London (24 American marching bands and 1,000 cheerleaders perform in London to welcome the New Year) - Jan. 1

Great Performances—From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2023 (New Year classical music concert hosted by Huge Bonneville) - Jan. 1

All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special 2022 (o-production with Channel 5 in the UK, starring Nicholas Ralph and Anna Madeley, based on the book series by James Herriot, shot on location in Yorkshire; aired in 2022 in the UK) - Feb. 19

KPBS Holiday Special 2023 (musical holiday special produced by the San Diego PBS station and featuring the San Diego Children’s Choir, Encore Vocal Ensemble, the Jewish Men’s Choir, the San Diego Master Chorale, Promotora de las Bella Artes, Sacra/Profana, and the San Diego Chorus) - Nov. 25 (Preview)

Songs of the Season (fourth annual holiday music special, featuring 19 choral groups from Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.) - Dec. 11

Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir (edited holiday concert special, filmed in December 2022 featuring the famed Mormon choir featuring Tony Award winner and Disney Princess Lea Salonga along with Sir David Suchet) - Dec. 12, will re-air on BYU TV and also available unedited on DVD, Nov. 10 (Preview)

Ball and Vase (award-winning holiday short starring Austin Pendleton and Diane J Findlay; written and directed by David Baram; An aging magician with little to look forward to is determined to pull off one last Christmas Eve illusion) - Dec. 15, NY PBS stations and WNET “All Arts” app (Trailer)

The Erie Philharmonic Christmas Holiday Concert (holiday concert from Pennsylvania featuring special guest Melinda Doolittle) - Dec. 14

Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas (UK cooking and travel special hosted by Dame Mary Berry and special guests Andy Murray, Iain Stirling and Emeli Sandé; filmed in Scotland) - Dec. 18

Holiday Concert from UW-Eau Claire (the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s 49th annual Holiday Concert, led by executive director Dr. John R. Stewart and produced by PBS Wisconsin) - Dec. 20

Call the Midwife Christmas Special 2023 (special holiday episode of the 12th season of the long-running BBC series, airing same day as in the UK) - Dec. 25

Next At The Kennedy Center: A New Year’s Eve Celebration (Cynthia Erivo rings in the New Year with special guests Ben Platt and Joaquina Kalukango; filmed Dec. 6) - Dec. 31

Hallmark Channel

Note: Will also be available to stream live and next day, for 72 hours, on Peacock

The Love Club: Nicole (first in four-movie holiday-adjacent series—each named after its main character: Nicole, Lauren, Sydney and Tara—starring Brittany Bristow, Lily Gao, Chantel Riley, Camille Stopps, Marcus Rosner, Jesse Hutch, Andrew Bushell and Brett Donahue; Four women commiserate about their lousy dates at a college New Year’s party, forming the ‘Love Club’ and vowing to always be there for each other in future romantic emergencies; filmed in Toronto) - Mar. 4 (Trailer), all four movies available on Hallmark Movies Now

A Royal Christmas Crush (holiday movie starring Stephen Huszar and Katie Cassidy; directed by Marita Grabiak; Christmas-set third in the ice hotel trilogy which includes 2019′s Winter Castle and 2021′s Baby, It’s Cold Inside; A prince ends up at the Hotel de Glace for Christmas; filmed in Ottawa and Valcartier, Quebec) - July 8

Take Me Back for Christmas (holiday movie starring starring Vanessa Lengies, Corey Sevier and Kimberly-Ann Truong; directed by Corey Sevier; A happily married woman in a dead end job makes a Christmas wish for a new life and wakes up with her dream career, but without her husband; filmed in Hamilton, Ontario) - July 15

Checkin’ It Twice (holiday hockey-themed movie starring Kim Matula, Kevin McGarry, Brittany Mitchell, Pete MacLeod, Craig March, Desiree Zurowski, Tucker Bowman and Kairo Ellis; directed by Kevin Fair; hockey-themed Christmas story; filmed in Kelowna and Vernon, B.C.) - Oct. 20

Where Are You Christmas? (holiday movie starring Michael Rady Lyndsy Fonseca, Jim O’Heir, Mandi Masden, Annie Tisdale and Mitch Poulos; directed by Dustin Rikert; A woman wishes for a world without Christmas and wakes up in a black and white world where she must fight to restore the holiday; filmed in New London and Mystic, Conn.) - Oct. 21

Under the Christmas Sky (holiday movies tarring Jessica Parker Kennedy, Ryan Paevy, Sarah Luby and Emmy Richardson; directed by Sean Geraughty; written by Kristine Huntley; A grounded astronaut joins forces with a writer for a holiday exhibit; filmed in Winnipeg,) - Oct. 22 

Christmas by Design (holiday movie starring Becky Dalton, Jonathan Keltz and David Pinard; directed by Max McGuire; A designer enters a holiday fashion challenge; filmed in Ottawa) - Oct. 27

Mystic Christmas (holiday movie starring Jessy Schram, Chandler Massey, Patti Murin, Jennifer Markes, Ralph Adriel Johnson, Nick Jordan and Dan Albertson; directed by Marlo Hunter; written by Nicole Drespel; An animal expert answers a call for help from an old friend and takes a job that puts her in the path of an ex at Christmas; filmed in Connecticut) - Oct. 28

Joyeux Noel (holiday movie starring Juicy Elliot and Brant Daugherty; directed by Jessica Harmon; A reporter travels to a French Christmas market to investigate an artist; filmed in Rouen, France) - Oct. 29

Flipping for Christmas (holiday movie starring Ashley Newbrough, Marcus Rosner, Ray Galletti, Natalie Lisinska, Kyana Teresa and Varun Saranga; directed by Katherine Barrell; written by Brett Heard; A contractor and a realtor inherit a house they plan to flip, but each have different motives for the sale; filmed Dundas, Ontario) - Nov. 3

Never Been Chris’d (holiday movie starring Janel Parrish, Tyler Hynes and Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes; directed by Jeff Beesley; written by Joie Botkin; Lifelong best friends and business partners’ bond is tested when they’re reunited with their mutual high school crush, who ends up falling for one of them; filmed in Winnipeg) - Nov. 4

The Santa Summit (holiday movie starring Hunter King and Ben Hollingsworth; directed by Jeff Beesley; written by Russell Hainline; A trio of best friends set out for a fun night at their town’s annual holiday celebration, but end up with more than they bargained for; filmed in Winnipeg) - Nov. 5

Everything Christmas (holiday movie starring Katherine Barrell, Cindy Busby, Corey Sevier and Matt Wells; directed by Marni Banack; written by T Booker James; A Christmas obsessive quits her job and convinces her friend to road trip to a holiday mecca, where they find what might be real Christmas magic; filmed in St. John’s, Newfoundland) - Nov. 10

Christmas Island (holiday movie starring Rachel Skarsten and Andrew Walker; directed by David Weaver; A charter pilot forced to land on an island near Nova Scotia bonds with a local at the holidays as they try to entertain her rich clients; filmed in Lunenberg and Halifax, Nova Scotia) - Nov. 11

A Heidelberg Holiday (holiday movie starring Frédéric Brossier, Ginna Claire Mason and Alexander Schubert; directed by Maclain Nelson; An artist gets the chance to sell her handblown glass ornaments at a famous European market; filmed in Germany and Serbia) - Nov. 12

Navigating Christmas (holiday movie starring Chelsea Hobbs and Stephen Huszar, and Lindsay Gibson; directed by Peter Benson; A single mom visits a remote island and connects with the surly lighthouse owner; filmed in Victoria, B.C.) - Nov. 17

A Merry Scottish Christmas (holiday movie starring Lacey Chabert, Scott Wolf and Fiona Bell; directed by Dustin Rikert; Estranged siblings reunite to spend holiday with their mom; filmed in Ireland and Scotland) - Nov. 18

Holiday Hotline (holiday movie starring Niall Matter and Emily Tennant; directed by Mark Jean; written by Julie Sherman Wolfe; A widowed dad tries to cook the perfect holiday meal and turns to help from the Butterball hotline where he connects with a new-in-town chef; filmed in Winnipeg) - Nov. 19

Catch Me If You Claus (holiday movie starring Italia Ricci and Luke Macfarlane; directed by Bradley Walsh; written by Nina Weinman; A reporter looking for her big break  catches a man dressed as Santa breaking into her house who says he’s Santa’s son on the run; filmed in Ottawa, Ont) - Nov. 23

Letters to Santa (holiday movie starring Rafael De La Fuente, Katie LeClerc, Laura Cerón, Mariana Paola Vicente, Kellen Raffaelo and Taylor Pezza; directed by John Stimpson; written by Danielle Artigo and Jon Artigo; Kids use Santa’s wish-granting pen to try to reunite their separated parents; filmed in Worcester, Mass.) - Nov. 24

Holiday Road (holiday movie starring Warren Christie and Sara Canning; directed by Martin Wood; written by Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo; A diverse group of strangers decide to travel together during a storm in an effort to get everyone home for the holidays; inspired by true events; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 24

Christmas in Notting Hill (holiday movie starring Sarah Ramos, William Moseley and Donia Kash; directed by Ali Liebert; written by Alex Yonks; A soccer story finds love with an American visitor while home for the holidays; filmed in Dublin and London) - Nov. 25

Haul out the Holly: Lit Up (sequel to 2022 movie starring Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Melissa Peterman, Ellen Travolta, Seth Morris, andJennifer Aspen; directed by Maclain Nelson; written by Christopher Sey; The cul-de-sac prepares for another Christmas and new neighbors; filmed in Cottonwood Heights, Utah) - Nov. 25

Our Christmas Mural (holiday movie starring Alex Paxton-Beesley and Dan Jeannotte; A widowed artist reluctantly becomes involved in a holiday mural contest which helps her start to heal; filmed in Vieux-Saint-Jean, Quebec) - Nov. 26

A Biltmore Christmas (holiday movie starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Kristoffer Polaha, Colton Little, Annabelle Borke, A.K. Benninghofen and Jonathan Frakes; directed by John Putch; written by Marcy Holland; A screenwriter tasked with remaking a Christmas classic goes to the original filming site for research, only to be transported back in time; filmed at the famed North Carolina estate) - Nov. 26

My Norwegian Holiday (holiday movie starring Rhiannon Fish and David Elsendoorn; directed by David Mackay; written by Betsy Morris; A woman grieving her grandmother travels to Norway with a handsome stranger to explore the origins of a troll statue from her her grandmother’s collection) - Dec. 1

A Not So Royal Christmas (holiday movie starring Brooke D'Orsay and Will Kemp; directed by Jonathan Wright; A gossip columnist pretends to be a serious journalist in order to get close to a mysterious Count, only to find out he’s now who he seems either; filmed in Hamilton, Ontario) - Dec. 2

Christmas with a Kiss (holiday movie starring Mishael Morgan, Ronnie Rowe Jr., and Jaime M. Callica; directed by Roger Bobb; A woman returns home to help with the Christmas carnival and runs into an old flame) - Dec. 3

Magic in Mistletoe (holiday movie starring Lyndie Greenwood and Paul Campbell; directed by Paula Elle; A grumpy author reluctantly agrees to attend a Christmas festival in order to make up for backlash to online comments; filmed in B.C.) - Dec. 8

Christmas on Cherry Lane (holiday movie starring Catherine Bell, Jonathan Bennett, John Brotherton, Erin Cahill, James Denton and Vincent Rodriguez III; directed by Gail Harvey; written by Rick Garman; Neighbors in different stages of their lives come together at the holidays) - Dec. 9

Round and Round (holiday movie starring Bryan Greenberg, Vic Michaelis and Rick Hoffman; A woman is stuck reliving her parents’ Hanukkah party over and over) - Dec. 10

The Secret Gift of Christmas (holiday movie starring Meghan Ory and Christopher Russell; directed by Christie Will Wolf; A personal shopper helps a single dad find the perfect gift) - Dec. 15

Sealed with a List (holiday movie starring Katie Findlay and Evan Roderick; directed by Lucie Guest; written by Emily Ting and Melynda Bissmeyer; Co-workers scramble to set a new course for their lives by tackling a New Year’s resolution every day in December; filmed in B.C.) - Dec. 16

Friends & Family Christmas (holiday movie starring Humberly Gonzalez and Ali Liebert; An artist and lawyer meet on a reluctant set-up, where they decide to pretend to date to avoid further pressure from their parents; directed by Anne Wheeler; filmed in B.C.) - Dec. 17

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Note: Will also be available to stream live and next day, for 72 hours, on Peacock

Ms. Christmas Comes to Town (holiday movie starring Brennan Elliott, Erica Durance and Barbara Niven; directed by Jason Bourque; A shopping channel host receives a terminal diagnosis filmed in B.C.) - Oct. 26

My Christmas Guide (holiday movie starring Amber Marshall, Ben Mehl, Ava Weiss, Justin Nurse, Peter Soucy, Bridget Wareham and Vox Smith; directed by Maxwell McGuire; A professor who lost his eye sight regains his confidence with the help of a guide dog; filmed in St. John’s, Newfoundland) - Nov. 2

Mystery on Mistletoe Lane (holiday movie starring Erica Cerra and Victor Webster; directed by Allan Harmon; A new homeowner solves a mystery with the help of a handyman; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 9

A World Record Christmas (holiday movie starring Nikki DeLoach, Lucas Bryant, Aias Dalman, Matt Hamilton, Alison Wandzura, April Telek, Miranda Edwards and Beverley Elliott; directed by Jason Bourque; written by Mark Hefti; A Washington town tries to set a record on Christmas Eve; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 16

A Season for Family (holiday movie starring Brendan Penny, Stacey Farber, Benjamin Jacobson and Azriel Dalman; Adoptees reunite with biological family at the holidays) - Nov. 22 

Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas (sixth in the holiday movie series executive-produced by Blake Shelton, following 2018′s Time for Me to Come Home For Christmas, 2019′s Time for You to Come Home for Christmas, 2020′s Time for Us to Come Home For Christmas, 2021′s Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas and 2022′s Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas; starring Shenae Grimes-Beech, Chris Carmack and Grace Leer; directed by Ali Liebert; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 30

To All a Good Night (holiday movie starring Kimberley Sustad and Mark Ghanimé; A photographer saves a man’s life only to learn he’s trying to buy her family’s land) - Dec. 7

Heaven Down Here (holiday movie based on the song by Mickey Guyton; Four troubled people find themselves trapped in a diner during a Christmas Eve snowstorm, and find they’re the answer to each other’s prayers) - Dec. 14

Miracle in Bethlehem, PA (holiday movie starring Laura Vandervoort and Benjamin Ayres; directed by Jeff Beesley; Single mom Mary and her baby seek shelter from a sudden snowstorm with a stranger named Joe; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 21

Lifetime

Christmas Plus One (holiday movie starring Corey Sevier, Emily Alatalo, Vanessa Smythe and Michael Dickson; directed by Meeshelle Neal; written by Erica Deutschman; Sisters make a holiday pact to find true love before next Christmas, one succeeds so well she’s planning a holiday wedding, while the other meets the ‘perfect guy’ to bring as her date, but immediately loses his number; filmed in Ontario and debuted internationally in 2022) - Nov. 18 (Trailer)

Planes, Trains, and Christmas Trees (holiday movie starring Kathryn Davis and Olivier Renaud; directed by Marta Borowski and written by Cera Rose Pickering; A pair of strangers desperate to get home for the holidays try to drive themselves through a snowstorm but end up stranded together in a small Ohio town; filmed in Ontario and debuted internationally in 2022) - Nov. 19 (Trailer)

Christmas at the Chalet (holiday movie starring Teri Hatcher, William deVry, Dan Payne, Aleksandra Cross, Nick Preston, Mila Jones and Patti Allen; directed by Lucie Guest; filmed at the Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna, B.C.) - Nov. 25

Laughing all the Way (holiday movie starring Jake Epstein, Paniz Zade, Ish Morris and Mary Walsh; An aspiring comedian stuck writing jokes for others gets a chance to make her mark when she teams up with a famous headliner for a holiday variety show; directed by Marita Grabiak; filmed in Ottawa) - Nov. 26

Ladies of the ‘80s: A Diva’s Christmas (holiday movie starring Loni Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Nicollette Sheridan, Travis Burns and Taylor Ann Thompson; A director and producer try to wrangle a gaggle of divas for a reunion Christmas special, only to find themselves drawn together) - Dec. 2

Mistletoe Match (holiday movie starring Elena Juatco, Ryan Bruce, Vas Saranga, Tessa Kozma and Dianne Aguilar; directed by Graeme Campbell; written by Jesica L. Randall; A journalist goes undercover at a holiday singles event, but finds herself falling for a single dad; filmed in Ontario and debuted internationally in 2022) - Dec. 3 (Trailer)

A Cowboy Christmas Romance (holiday movie starring Jana Kramer, Adam Senn, Mary-Margaret Humes, Cassie Randolph, Curt Mega, Bruce Thomas, Lisa Lee and Max Ehrich; written by Sarah Drew; A developer returns to her hometown to convince a reluctant owner to sell his ranch) - Dec. 9

Yes, Chef! Christmas (holiday movie starring Tia Mowry; directed by Maxwell McGuire; written by Carley Smale; An adoptee/chef is invited to enter a cooking contest by a mysterious benefactor where she clashes with a celebrity chef;  filmed in Ottawa) - Dec. 10

The Holiday Proposal Plan (holiday movie starring Tatyana Ali, Jesse Kove, Whitney Able, Geovanni Gopradi, Tiffany Shepis and Whitney Able; written and directed by Jake Helgren; Exes reunite to plan a magical holiday engagement for their best friends; filmed in Big Bear Lake, Calif.) - Dec. 16 (Trailer)

A Christmas Intern (holiday movie starring Jackée Harry, Ciarra Carter, Vivica A. Fox, Doug Rogers, Jasmine Avialotis and Michael Paré; A driven mom who hates retirement visits her daughter for Christmas and ends up interning at her startup.) - Dec. 16

Merry Magic Christmas (holiday movie starring Patricia Isaac, Andrew Dunbar and Mela Pietropalo; directed by Aubrey Arnason; A financial analyst starts seeing the same number everywhere, leading her to love; filmed in B.C.) - Dec. 17

Mom’s Christmas Boyfriend (holiday movie starring Jeananne Goossen and Zach Smadu; directed by Graeme Campbell; A single mom’s daughter wins a Christmas wish contest and asks for her mom to find love; filmed in and around Toronto) - Dec. 23

Lifetime Movie Network

Silent Night, Fatal Night (holiday thriller starring Alex Camacho and Matthew Pohlkamp; An author decides to end her long-running mystery series, but a crazed fan has other ideas) - Dec. 7

Great American Family (formerly GAC)

⚠️ Want all to be aware there is more to Great American Family, née GAC, than G-rated Christmas movies. Though I’m including dates and details here in the spirit of being a completist, worth noting the funding and founding of this channel, which comes from the Donald Trump-aligned Hicks Equity Group, brings with it an explicit anti-diversity agenda, hiding under guise of harmless sounding words like “family-friendly” and “safe” programming. More detailed explanation here (bottom of page), and additional more recent thoughts, for those who want it. And if you’re looking for outside sources on GAF’s political affiliations and lack of inclusion, see these stories from The Daily Beast, Vulture, the L.A. Times and Bloomberg.

A Belgian Chocolate Christmas (holiday movie starring Jaclyn Hales and Zane Stephens; directed by Maximilian Elfeldt; written by Scott Adkins; A food stylist travels to Belgium for the holidays; filmed in L.A. and Brussels; originally announced as for 2022 by Great American Family, but pulled from their schedule for not meeting their “standards” ) - Jul. 8

Destined 2: Christmas Once More (holiday movie sequel starring Shae Robins and Casey Elliott; Trying to propose he once again keeps missing his girlfriend) - Oct. 14

‘Twas the Text Before Christmas (holiday movie starring Trevor Donovan and Merritt Patterson; directed by TW Peacocke; written by Cara J. Russell; A woman receives an accidental text that leads to her regularly spending the holiday with a stranger and falling in love with her son; filmed in North Bay, Ontario) - Oct. 21

Bringing Christmas Home (military-themed holiday movie starring Jill Wagner and Paul Greene; A teacher and an antique store owner try to track down the WW2 solider who left love letters in his pocket; directed by Mike Rohl; filmed in B.C.) - Oct. 28

Journey to Christmas (a.k.a. A Model Christmas; holiday movie starring Ash Tsai and Joey Heyworth; written by Missy Cohen-Fyffe; directed by Brian Brough; A model is forced to spend the holidays with her driver and his family when a storm strands them in a small town; filmed in Orem, Utah) - Oct. 29

A Dash of Christmas (holiday movie starring Laura Osnes and Christopher Russell; To get a job a marketing exec must team up with a chef to learn a recipe) - Nov. 4

Our Christmas Wedding (holiday movies starring Holly Deveaux, Drew Seeley and Brigitte Kingsley; directed by Andrew Cymek; written by Courtney McAllister and Patrick McBrearty; filmed in Canada) - Nov. 5

Christmas Keepsake (holiday movie starring Jillian Murray and Daniel Lissing; A single dad teams up with a stranger to help find a time capsule’s owner) - Nov. 11

A Christmas Blessing (holiday movie starring Lori Loughlin, James Tupper and Jesse Hutch; directed by David Winning; A food critic on her way to Paris, stops to spend Christmas at a food pantry she recently inherited; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 12

Santa, Maybe (holiday movie starring Aubrey Reynolds and Sam Whitten; A woman falls in love with her secret Santa, who happens to be her high school nemesis; filmed in Utah) - Nov. 18

Paris Christmas Waltz (billed as a “sequel” to Hallmark’s 2020 Christmas Waltz, but featuring zero original cast members; starring Jen Lilley and Matthew Morrison; written and directed by Michael and Janeen Damian; filmed partly in Paris) - Nov. 19

My Christmas Hero (holiday movie starring Candace Cameron Bure, Irene Reynolds, Ken Kramer and Kenneth Luong; directed by Martin Wood; A women works to honor a fallen solider and his family at Christmas; filmed in B.C., Canada) - Nov. 24

A Royal Date for Christmas (holiday movie starring Danica McKellar and Damon Runyan; directed by Bradley Walsh; A boutique owner styles a prince who lost his luggage; filmed in Sudbury, Ontario) - Nov. 25

A Christmas for the Ages (holiday movie starring Natasha Bure, Anthony Timpano, Kate Craven and Cheryl Ladd; directed by Martin Wood; written by Jim Head; A family tries to celebrate Christmas as it was in different decades; executive produced by Candace Cameron Bure) - Nov. 26

Christmas on Windmill Way (holiday movie starring Chad Michael Murray and Christa Taylor Brown; To save a family windmill a woman must charm her ex boyfriend; filmed in Toronto) - Dec. 2

The Jingle Bell Jubilee (holiday movie starring Erin Agostino, Marshall Williams and Samantha Kendrick; directed by Ernie Barbarash; A woman recruits an old friend to help with a charity event; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 3, streaming same day on Hulu

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (holiday movie starring Sarah Fisher and Simon Arblaster; directed by Robin Dunne; Relators work together to sell a house before Christmas; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 9, streaming same day on Hulu

Peppermint & Postcards (a.k.a. It’s A Christmas Thing; holiday movie starring Ella Cannon, Christopher Russell and Dave Kenneth MacKinnon; directed by Jim Cliffe; written by Hayley November; A child’s Christmas wish for her mom to find love goes viral; filmed in Kelowna, B.C.) - Dec. 10 (Trailer); already streaming on Pluto and Freevee as It’s A Christmas Thing

Designing Christmas with You (a.k.a. Mistletoe Moments; holiday movie starring Susie Abromeit and Liam McIntyre; A decorator reluctantly works with partner for a Christmas gala) - Dec. 16

12 Games of Christmas (holiday movie starring Johnny Ramey and Felisha Cooper; A group of friends are dragged into a holiday board game) - Dec. 17

A Royal Christmas Holiday (holiday movie starring Brittany Underwood, Jonathan Stoddard and Billy Baldwin; directed by Fred Olen Ray; A prince is charmed by TV presenter at the holidays; filmed in Buffalo, N.Y.) - Dec. 23

UPtv

Note: Will also be available to stream on UP Faith & Family, some before their linear debut

We’re Scrooged (holiday movie starring Tamara Duarte, Andrew Bushell, Nykeem Provo and Sergio Di Zio; directed by Amy Force; written by Jennifer Snow; High school sweethearts who meet again at their reunion and are visited by three ghosts that make them reconsider why they ever broke up; filmed in Newmarket, Ontario) - Nov. 5

Christmas Time Capsule (holiday movie starring Emily Alatalo, Franco Lo Presti and Lindura; directed by Marco Deufemia; written by Jennifer Snow; Two friends go on road trip to track down his grandmother’s ring in order to propose, but the besties find themselves drawn to each other instead; filmed in Barrie, Ontario) - Nov. 12

Country Hearts Christmas (holiday movie sequel to Country Hearts, starring Chris Jericho, Lanie McAuley, Katerina Maria, Brendan Morgan, Jeff Irving, Craig Strickland, David Pinard, Michelle Nolden, Genevieve Fisher, Roy Lewis, Lara Amersey, Greg Ellwand, Bebsabe Duque, Celine Bauwmans and Neil Whitely; directed by Marco Deufemia and Amy Force; written by Jennifer Snow; The daughters of a country star try to find their own place in the world; filmed in Toronto) - Nov. 19

Mistletoe Connection (holiday movie Jessica Sipos and Markian Tarasiuk; directed by David Strasser; Shop Around the Corner pastiche, with a local shop owner falling for a handsome stranger she doesn’t know is the developer trying to ruin her town) - Nov. 26

A Christmas Homecoming (holiday music special hosted by Bill Gaither and featuring Josh Turner and the Gaither Vocal Band) - Dec. 2

Yuletide the Knot (holiday movie starring Mary Antonini, Peter Porte, Kelley Jakle, Melissa Peterman and Kelsey Scott; directed by Nanea Miyata; written by Daniel Mahler Landman; A wedding planner hired to organize an influencer’s holiday wedding finds herself unexpectedly having to work her ex to get the job done; filmed in Colorado) - Dec. 3

Christmas at the Amish Bakery (holiday movie starring Sean Koetting, Alexandra Harris, Francesca Barker McCormick and Mischa Hutchings; directed by Jeff Hare; written by Jennifer Snow; A woman who grew up in Amish country but is now an editor in New York, reluctantly returns home to assemble a cookbook; filmed in Somerset, Kentucky) - Dec. 10

Dial S for Santa (holiday movie starring Sarah Dugdale, Julian Haig and Lynda Boyd; directed by David Strasser; An investigator visiting her sister and nephew for the holidays finds herself trying to help the local police solve a string of robberies) - Dec. 17

A Christmas Letter (holiday family movie starring David Lipper, Glenda Bragzana, Jorja Cadence, Enrico Colantoni, Roger Cross and Colin Mochrie; directed by Brian Roberts; A little girl’s letter to Santa is intercepted by two elves who bring chaos to her small town; filmed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.; premiered in 2021 on CBC Gem, Canada, first time available in the U.S.) - Dec. 24

OWN

NOTE: All will also be available to stream next day on Max

A Christmas Serenade (holiday movie starring Skye Townsend and BJ Britt; directed by Roger M. Bobb; written by Lenore Coer; When a touring musician finds himself back home for the holidays, he reconnects with his ex, who is now in charge of the church choir; filmed in Ottawa) - Dec. 2

Christmas of Yes (holiday movie starring Jeff Pierre, Michele Weaver and Yanna McIntosh; directed by Rhonda Baraka; A Type-A mom makes a Christmas vow to let go, and say yes more often; filmed in Alberta, Canada) - Dec. 9

The Christmas Detective (holiday mystery starring Javicia Leslie and Brad James; directed by Winnifred Jong; A pageant queen turned private investigator is determined to solve a holiday art heist; filmed in Ottawa) - Dec. 16

Christmas Revisited (holiday movie starring Tanyell Waivers, Jaime M. Callica and Andrea Lewis; College friends reunite for the holidays after the death of a classmate; directed by Winnifred Jong; filmed in Ottawa) - Dec. 23

Nickelodeon

NOTE: All will also be available to stream live or next day on Paramount+

The Tiny Chef Show: Fwendsgiving (animated holiday special based on the preschool series; A snow storm threatens the chef’s holiday feast) - Nov. 20

The Loud House: ‘Twas the Fight Before Christmas (special holiday episode of the animated series; Lincoln and his cousins try to end a years-long feud between their fathers) - Dec. 1

Tiny Chef’s Marvelous Mish Mesh Special (animated holiday special based on the preschool series featuring special guest voice Alan Cumming; The chef hosts a celebrity cookie baking competition with special guest Santa J. Claus) - Dec. 4

NFL Nickmas (LIVE, kid-friendly presentation of the Las Vegas Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs) - Dec. 25

Disney Channel

NOTE: All will also be available to stream next day on Disney+ unless otherwise noted

The Naughty Nine (holiday family movie starring Winslow Fegley, Camila Rodriguez, Anthony John Joo, Clara Stack, Imogen Cohen, Madilyn Kellam and Deric McCable; directed by Alberto Belli; written by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas; A group of kids plan a North Pole heist for presents when they learn they’re on Santa’s naughty list; filmed in Montreal) - Nov. 22

Mickey Saves Christmas Extended Version (extended version of the 2022 stop-motion, animated holiday special featuring the voices of Brock Powell and Camryn Grimes; Mickey and friends quiet cabin holiday is interrupted when Pluto accidentally causes Santa to lose all the presents in his sleigh) - Nov. 25

Pupstruction Saves Christmas (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; A sleigh crash leaves Santa needing help from the pups) - Nov. 27 (available on Disney+, Dec. 20)

Me & Mickey: Decorating for Christmas (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Mickey decorates his Christmas tree) - Nov. 27 (available on Disney+, Dec. 13)

Mickey’s Christmas Tales  (five, stop-motion animated shorts featuring Mickey and his pals having holiday fun) - Nov. 27 (available on Disney+, Nov. 29)

Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Camp Minnie: Campground Christmas (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Minnie’s friends get stuck in the snow on the way to the camp for Christmas) - Nov. 27

Superkitties: Merry Mousemas (animated holiday special based on the Disney Junior preschool series with special voice guest Justin Guarini; The Superkitties must stop the Cat Burglar from ruining Christmas) - Nov. 28 (available on Disney+, Dec. 6)

Firebuds: Blizzard Buds (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; A sleigh crash leaves Santa needing help from the pups) - Nov. 30

The Ghost and Molly McGee: White Christmess/Perfect Day (special holiday episodes of the animated series; In ”White Christmess” the McGees throw a party for retirees that goes awry; In “Perfect Day” magic is used to repeat New Year’s Day until they get it right) - Dec. 1

The Villains of Valley View: A Very Villain Christmas (special holiday episode of the  series; The Maddens celebrate their first Christmas in Valley View) - Dec. 1

Hailey’s On It!: We Wish You A Merry Chaos-mas (special holiday episode of the animated series) - Dec. 1 (available on Disney+, Dec. 20)

Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Santa’s Crash Landing (animated holiday special based on the Disney Junior preschool series with special voice guest Brock Powell; Santa crash lands in Funhouse Forest) - Dec. 1 (available on Disney+, Dec. 13)

Me & Mickey: Dreidel Play (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Mickey shares his favorite Hanukkah traditions) - Dec. 4

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery: A Hat-Bachi Hanukkah (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Alice encourages Hattie to keep trying to make Hanukkah treats) - Dec. 9

Playdate with Winnie the Pooh: Piglet and the Snow Bear (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Piglet and Pooh worry their snowman will get lonely outside) - Dec. 27

Me & Mickey: New Year’s Eve (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Mickey and Minnie celebrate New Year’s) - Dec. 29

HGTV

NOTE: Will also be available to stream next day on Discovery+ and Max

White House Christmas 2023 (explore the decorations of the White House with First Lady Jill Biden, hosted by Drew and Jonathan Scott) - Dec. 10

Food Network

NOTE: Will also be available to stream next day on Discovery+ and Max

Christmas Cookie Challenge (seventh season of the competition series hosted by Eddie Jackson and Ree Drummond, featuring bakers from across the country competing for a weekly cash prize) - Nov. 2

Holiday Wars (fourth-season of the holiday-themed baking competition show hosted by Jeff Mauro, with judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira rating expert sugar and cake artists on their Christmas creations) - Nov. 5

Holiday Baking Championship (tenth season of the holiday-themed backing competition show, hosted by Jesse Palmer, with judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Carla Hall looking for the best holiday home baker to award the $25,000 prize) - Nov. 6

Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown (second season of the reality series that pairs an all-star guest roster against Flay in head-to-head festive cooking competitions) - Nov. 7

The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown (competition series set in an Elf-themed wonderland where contestants must make magical holiday creations) - Nov. 19

Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays (Selena Gomez-hosted cooking show focused on holiday celebration meals) - Nov. 30

TLC

NOTE: Will also be available to stream next day on Discovery+ and Max

90 Day Fiance Holiday Special (two-part holiday special from the reality series) - Dec. 24-25

BYU TV

NOTE: Available to stream without login via BYU TV app or website

Studio C Christmas: A Snowy Stuntman (all-new comedy Christmas special of the long-running series) - Dec. 4

Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir (edited holiday concert special, filmed in December 2022 featuring the famed Mormon choir featuring Tony Award winner and Disney Princess Lea Salonga along with Sir David Suchet) - Dec. 17, airs first on PBS and also available unedited on DVD, Nov. 10 (Preview)

AXS TV

Luminare Christmas! (holiday musical experience from director John Blasucci ) - Dec. 16

Fox Business

Small Town Christmas (abbreviated, two-episode season three of the holiday travel series hosted by Megan Alexander that previously aired on UPtv) - Dec. 16 & 23

Starz

Plane (New Year’s-set action movie starring Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Yonson An and Tony Goldwyn; directed by Jean-François Richet; A New Year’s Eve storm causes a plane to crash lang on an island occupied by dangerous criminals, forcing the pilot to work with a convict to protect his passengers) - July 12  (Trailer); also available PVOD

Momma Said Come Home for Christmas (holiday movie starring K.D. Aubert, Sean Riggs and Jo Marie Payton; directed by Jason Weary; written by Dan Garcia) - Nov. 1

How the Gringo Stole Christmas (holiday movie starring George Lopez, Emily Tosta, Mariana Treviño, Jack Kilmer and Alma Martinez; directed by Angel Gracia; written by Ezequiel Martinez Jr.; A father is shocked when his daughter comes home for the holidays with a new, white boyfriend in tow; filmed in Jackson, Miss.) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

BET+

A Wesley Christmas Wedding (holiday movie sequel to 2022′s A Wesley Christmas, starring Dorien Wilson, Terrence TC Carson, Loren Lott, Terayle Hill, Kiki Haynes, Jasmine Guy, Camille Chase and Judi Johnson; directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones; written by Bree West; filmed in and around D.C.) - Nov. 2

Heart for the Holidays (holiday movie starring Erica Peeples, Starletta DuPois, Kyle Lowder, Asia Harmony and Leila Weisberg; directed by David “Mitch” Parks; written by David and Lori Beth Bernat; After receiving a heart transplant, a high-powered businesswoman feels compelled to stay in the donor’s small town; filmed in Redondo Beach, Calif.) - Nov. 2

Christmas Angel (holiday movie starring Romeo Miller, Tamar Braxton, DaniLeigh, Shanequa Reed, Gerran Reese, Christopher 'C-Ray’ Roberts, Amber Smoke, written and directed by LazRael Lison; An R&B star dissatisfied with her life who meets up with a stranger who helps her reevaluate everything via a trip down memory lane; filmed in L.A.) - Nov. 9

Sworn Justice: Taken Before Christmas (holiday thriller starring Mishael Morgan, Vivicia A Fox, Leland B. Martin, Benz Antoine and Zak Santiago; directed by Nicole G. Leier; filmed in Toronto) - Nov. 16

So Fly Christmas (holiday movie starring Tichina Arnold, Jackie Harry, Tami Roman, Tommy Davidson, Michael Colyar, Okema Moore and Robert Christopher Riley; directed by Terri J Vaughn; written by Clarence Williams IV; filmed in Atlantic City, New Jersey) - Nov. 23

Ms. Pat Father Christmas (holiday special directed by Debbie Allen, starring Ms. Pat) - Nov. 23

A Royal Christmas Surprise (holiday movie sequel to 2022′s A Royal Surprise, starring Jennifer Freeman and Thapelo Mokoena; directed by Beautie Masvaure Alt; second in a planned trilogy about an American woman who learns her boyfriend is a South African prince when she meets his family; filmed in Glasgow, Kentucky) - Nov. 30

The Christmas Ringer (holiday movie starring Tyler Lepley, Trenyce Cobbins, Tamika Scott, Chrisette Michele and Kelly Price; directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones; A pop star in desperate need of a holiday hit takes over a church choir; filmed in Atlanta) - Nov. 30

Never Alone for Christmas (holiday movie starring Mignon, Allen Maldonado and Macy Gray; directed by Kenny Young; A divorcee attends a holiday convention to avoid being alone on Christmas; filmed in Shreveport, La.) - Dec. 7

Favorite Son Christmas (faith-based, musical holiday movie sequel to 2021′s Favorite Son, starring Darrel Walls, Tank and Ace Tucker; directed by Robin Givens; based on the books by Tiffany L. Warren; A pastor and his wife struggle to conceive, while his mother deals with fall out from his father’s recently exposed secret as they work to produce a holiday album to help fund the church; filmed in Atlanta) - Dec. 14

Christmas Rescue (holiday rom-com directed by and starring Robin Givens) - Dec. 14

Whatever It Takes (holiday movie starring and produced by Tami Roman along with Stevie Baggs Jr., Andre Wilkerson and Katherine RomRell; directed by Tailiah Breon; written by Tu-Shonda Whitaker and Amaleka McCall; Five women bond as family secrets are revealed and dealt with at the holidays) - Dec. 21

Hallmark Movies Now

The Love Club (four-movie holiday-adjacent series—each named after its main character: Nicole, Lauren, Sydney and Tara—starring Brittany Bristow, Lily Gao, Chantel Riley, Camille Stopps, Marcus Rosner, Jesse Hutch, Andrew Bushell and Brett Donahue; Four women commiserate about their lousy dates at a college New Year’s party, forming the ‘Love Club’ and vowing to always be there for each other in future romantic emergencies; filmed in Toronto) - Feb. 2

Three Wise Men and a Baby: Extended Version (Exclusive, extended “Director’s Cut” of the 2022 Hallmark holiday movie starring Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes and Andrew Walker; Hallmark’s highest-rated movie since 2019) - Nov. 27

Rescuing Christmas (holiday movie starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Sam Page and Rob Kasai; directed by Emily Moss Wilson; written by Sarah Montana and Jim Head; A Scroogey photographer wishes Christmas would disappear and when her wish come true finds herself needing to save the holiday; filmed in Duluth, Minnesota) - Dec. 7

An Ice Palace Romance (holiday movie starring Celeste Desjardins and Marcus Rosner; directed by Shawna Steele; A former figure skater turned reporter returns home for a story about the local ice rink, where she connects with its single dad owner; filmed in Ottawa, Canada) - Dec. 14

A Holiday Spectacular: Extended Version (Exclusive, extended “Director’s Cut” of the 2022 Hallmark holiday movie starring Ginna Claire Mason, Derek Klena and Ann-Margret, focused on the Radio City Rockettes; Not my favorite) - Dec. 21

Great American Pure Flix

5000 Blankets (holiday-set, faith-centered, docudrama starring Anna Camp, Carson Minniear and Rob Mayes; directed by Amin Matalqa; written by Matthew Antonelli and Larry Postel; based on the true story of a missing mentally ill father and his son’s idea that ended up helping the local homeless population; filmed in Grapevine, Texas) - Jan. 5 (Trailer)

Dove Channel

Santa Saves the Universe 2 (WOWNow animated special directed by Jacob Trill) - Oct. 21

QVC+

The Recipe Files (holiday movie starring Ashlee Simpson, Morgan Bradley, Doug Noble, and QVC hosts: David Venable, Ali Carr, Steve Doss, and Rachel Boesing; directed by Lindsay Hartley) - Nov. 24

The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge (reality competition series hosted by Lauren McBride with judges Alton DuLaney and Jane Means; Contestants compete to be named the ultimate gift wrapper) - Dec. 4

FOX Nation

Christmas with the Foxes (holiday movie starring Gina Vitori, Max Budroe and Patrick M.J. Finerty; A woman attempts to thwart her father’s new romance, which she thinks has come too soon after mother’s death) - Nov. 23

Christmas in Big Sky Country (holiday movie starring Rebecca Dalton, Olivier Renaud, Tamara Duarte, Mark Ghanime and Shaun Johnston; directed by Marco Deufemia; Sisters come together at Christmas when one’s husband is trapped in a oil rig as they deal with a PR representative from the oil company; filmed in Newmarket, Ontario) - Nov. 23, also available on DVD and digital, Nov. 7 (Trailer)

Christmas in Maple Hills (holiday movie starring Marcus Rosner, Emily Alatalo, Amanda Jordan, Andrew Jackson, Zarrin Darnell-Martin and Bukola Ayoka; directed by Marco Deufemia; written by Jennifer Snow; Two people set out to solve the mystery of a Christmas card sent in the 1940s; filmed in Toronto) - Nov. 23, also available on DVD and digital, Nov. 7 (Trailer)

Christmas with the Knightlys (holiday movie starring Celeste Desjardins, Joe Scarpellino, Roy Lewis and Kym Johnson Herjavec; directed by Macro Deufemia; written by Natasha Baron; A teacher agrees to pose as a billionaire’s girlfriend for the holidays in order to get a new community center for her town) - Nov. 23, also available on DVD and digital, Nov. 7 (Trailer)

Crunchyroll

The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague (Japanese winter and holiday-set anime romance series adapted from Miyuki Tonogaya’s series by Zero-G; In an alternate universe Japan where ancestors were spirits, an office worker meets a man descended from a snow woman.) - Mar. 30, also available via Amazon PVOD

Kaguya-sama: Love is War - The First Kiss That Never Ends (holiday-set season two of anime series adapted from Aka Akasaka’s series about students at an elite academy who refuse to confess their feelings for each other; released as a feature-length movie in Japan in December 2022) - Mar. 31

Dekkoo

Wake Up, Leonard (partially improvised holiday movie starring and written by Nigel DeFriez; directed by Kat Mills Martin; A man struggling with his life and mental health focuses all of his energy on reuniting with an ex) - Nov. 15 (Trailer); also available PVOD

OutTV

Camp Wannakiki Holiday Camp (drag holiday special based on the summer camp-set series) - Dec. 15 (Trailer)

ViaPlay

R.S.V.P. (a.k.a. Tack för Senast!; partially holiday-set Swedish romantic comedy starring Lisa Carlehed and Christian Hillborg; Follows a group of close friends as they fall in and out of love over the course of nine holidays and celebrations in three years; premiered in 2022 in Sweden) - April 25 (Trailer)

ViX

El Sabor De La Navidad (a.k.a. The Taste of Christmas; Spanish language holiday movie starring Mariana Treviño, Pamela Almanza and Andrés Almeida; directed by Alejandro Lozano; written by Jose Tamez; executive produced by Salma Hayek Pinault; Three groups of people navigate complicated family dynamics at the holidays) - Nov. 16

MHz Choice

Paris Police 1905 (French language, holiday-set, historical thriller series starring Jérémie Laheurte, Evelyne Brochu and Thibaut Evrard; follow-up to Paris Police 1900; A Christmas Eve murder involving the city’s seedy underbelly must be solved despite rampant police corruption; previously aired in France and the UK, first time available in the US) - Nov. 14 (Trailer)

Netflix

The Price of Family (a.k.a. Natale a Tutti i Costi; Italian-language holiday comedy starring Christian De Sica, Angela Finocchiaro and Dharma Mangia Woods; written and directed by Giovanni Bognetti; Parents trick their adult children into coming home for Christmas; filmed in Rome and Lazio, Italy) - Jan. 25 (Trailer)

Christmas Love (Kenyan holiday short starring Mkurugenzi Abel Mutua,  Ekirapa Grace, Robert Burale and Neema Kawa; directed by Peter Kawa; A man struggles to balance his work and home life with his faith; debuted on Safaricom Baze in Africa in 2022) - May 1

Love at First Sight (holiday-set movie starring Ben Hardy, Haley Lu Richardson and Jameela Jamil; directed by Vanessa Caswill; Two strangers meet at an airport on their way to London.) - Sep. 15

Strawberry Shortcake’s Perfect Holiday (animated holiday special based on the animated series) - Nov. 1

Gabby’s Dollhouse: Mermaid Christmas Cruise (animated preschool holiday special based on the series) - Nov. 6 (Trailer)

The Claus Family 3 (a.k.a. De Familie Claus 3; Dutch-language family film sequel, starring Jan Declair, Bracha van Doesburgh; Eva van dec Gucht and Mo Bakker;  written and directed by Ruben Vandenborre; The Claus family must once again band together to save Christmas; filmed in Belgium; debuted in 2022 in Europe) - Nov. 8

Crashing Eid (Saudi holiday rom-com series in both Arabic and English; A young woman struggles to tell her Saudi family about her British boyfriend, who they mistake for a handyman; originally scheduled for an October 19, 2023 release but delayed) - Nov. 15 (Trailer)

Best. Christmas. Ever. (holiday comedy starring Heather Graham, Brandy Norwood, Jason Biggs and Matt Cedeno; directed by Mary Lambert; written by Charles Shyer and Todd Calgi; A woman forced to spend Christmas with her picture-perfect college best friend sets out to find cracks in their glossy exterior, but ends up almost ruining the holiday; filmed in Utah) - Nov. 16 (Trailer)

Virgin River Holiday (two, special holiday-set episodes of the series starring Lauren Hammersley, Kai Bradbury, Sarah Dugdale, Annette O'Toole, Tim Matheson, Colin Lawrence, Lexa Doig and Steve Bacic; announced in July ) - Nov. 30

Family Switch (holiday-set family comedy starring Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, Rita Moreno, Emma Myers and Brady Noon; In the days leading up to Christmas a family experiences a body swapping mishap) - Nov. 30

The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday (animated holiday special based on the characters from the DreamWorks movie, directed by Bret Haaland) - Nov. 30

Christmas as Usual (a.k.a. Så Var Det Jul Igjen; Norwegian holiday movie starring Ida Ursin-Holm, Kanan Gill and Marit Andreassen; written and directed by Petter Holmsen; A woman brings her Indian boyfriend home to experience his first traditional Norwegian Christmas.) - Dec. 6

I Hate Christmas (a.k.a. Odio Il Natale; second season of the Italian-language holiday rom-com series starring Pilar Fogliati, Marzia Ubaldi, Fiorenza Pieri, Massimo Rigo, Alessio Praticò, Cecilia Bertozzi and Marcos Piacentini; A nurse who is happily single the rest of the year is sick of being shamed for being alone at the holidays, so vows on December 1 to find someone to take home for Christmas; filmed in Italy) - Dec. 7

The Great British Baking Show: Holidays (US debut of 2022 Christmas and New Year’s special episodes of the Great British Bake Off, featuring returning Bake Off favorites and Channel 4 presenters battling for holiday cake plates) - Dec. 8

Holiday in the Vineyards (holiday movie starring Josh Swickard, Sol Rodriguez, Eileen Davidson, Annika Noelle, Omar Gooding, Alex Taylor and Lindsay Brewer; A widowed single mom works to save her family vineyard; directed by Alex Ranarivelo; filmed in Petaluma, Calif.) - Dec. 13

YOH’ Christmas (South African holiday series starring Katlego Lebogang, Sthandiwe Kgoroge, Tumisho Masha, Kagiso Modupe and Hlomla Dandala; produced by Johnny Barbuzano, Tiffany Barbuzano and Morishe Matlejoane; Tired of being stuck at the kids’ table a woman vows to find a boyfriend for the holidays; filmed in South Africa) - Dec. 15 

Max

Starstruck (season 3 of the BBC co-production and partially-holiday-set series created by and starring Rose Matafeo, along with Nikesh Patel; a budding movie star dates a struggling woman he met on New Year’s Eve) - Sep. 28

Holiday Party with Andrew and Zoe (cooking and entertaining special hosted by Andrew Zimmerman and Zoe François who plan a joint Christmas-Hanukkah party for friends) - Dec. 1

Elmo & Tango Holiday Helpers (original Muppet special featuring the Sesame Street characters; Elmo and Tango help Jasmine Roth renovate a classroom) - Dec.7

Paramount+ with Showtime

The Christmas Classic (holiday movie starring Malin Ackerman, Amy Smart, Ryan Hansen, Will Blagrove, Wes Hager and Charlotte Taylor; written and directed by Shane Dax Taylor; A ski resort owner promises to sell if his ex can defeat her sister, the reigning champ, in an annual Christmas contest a series of outrageous, holiday-themed challenges; filmed in Ruidoso, New Mexico) - Dec. 1 (Trailer)

Peacock

Sam & Kate (holiday-set movies starring Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek, Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk; written and directed by Darren Le Gallo; A son moves home to care for his ailing father and the pair get involved with a mother-daughter duo; Hoffman and Spacek’s children are played by their real-life offspring) - Feb. 1 (Trailer); limited theatrical release in November 2022

Genie (holiday comedy starring Melissa McCarthy, Paapa Essiedu and Marc Maron; directed by Sam Boyd; remake of 1991′s Bernard and the Genie, both written by Richard Curtis; A man makes a wish to win his family back by magic in time for Christmas; expanded remake of the 1991 BBC holiday special; filmed in New York City) - Nov. 22

AMC+

Graham Norton New Year’s Eve Show (New Year’s special hosted by Graham Norton and featuring guests Olivia Coleman, Michael Ward, Leah Williamson and more; aired December 31, 2022 in the UK) - Jan. 6

R.M.N. (Romanian-French movie directed by Cristian Mungiu; A man who has been working overseas returns to his small, Romanian village for Christmas, only to find his former friends and neighbors caught up in fear and prejudice, which comes to a head when new foreign workers come to town) - July 28

Corsage (Austrian movie starring Vicky Krieps about the later life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria; the story begins on the Christmas Eve Elisabeth turns 40, where she vows to maintain her world famous beauty.) Mar. 10 (Trailer)

It’s a Wonderful Knife (holiday horror-thriller starring Jane Widdop, Joel McHale, Justin Long, Sydney Scotia, Sean Depner, Aiden Howard, Erin Boyes and William B. Davis; directed by Tyler MacIntyre; written by Michael Kennedy; A final girl wishes she’d never been born, and lands in an alternate reality where she must once again battle the Christmas Eve killer; filmed in Vancouver) - Dec. 1 (Trailer), also on Shudder

The Sacrifice Game (holiday-set horror movie starring Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, Gus Kenworthy, Chloë Levine, Derek Johns, Laurent Pitre, Madison Baines and Georgia Acken; directed and co-written by Jenn Wexler with Sean Redlitz; Two students, alone at an all-girls boarding school over Christmas break, have to fight off uninvited guests to survive; filmed in Montreal) - Dec. 8 (Trailer), also on Shudder

In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin: A Holiday Special (cooking and entertainment show featuring Hamlin, his family, including niece and chef Renee Guilbault, and special guest Kenny G) - Dec. 13, also available on IFC

Joe Bob’s Creepy Christmas (double feature of holiday horror hosted live by Joe Bob Briggs with charity auctions; LIVE) - Dec. 15, archive available to stream Dec. 17, also on Shudder

ALLBLK

Christmas Holidate (holiday movie starring Jasmine Burke, Deanna Yarbough, Derrick Dee, Xamon Glasper and Gregory Alan Williams, who also directs; A woman uses her company’s new dating app to find someone to bring home for the holidays, but a glitch causes more than one man to show up) - Nov. 2 (Trailer)

Shudder

It’s a Wonderful Knife (holiday horror-thriller starring Jane Widdop, Joel McHale, Justin Long, Sydney Scotia, Sean Depner, Aiden Howard, Erin Boyes and William B. Davis; directed by Tyler MacIntyre; written by Michael Kennedy; A final girl wishes she’d never been born, and lands in an alternate reality where she must once again battle the Christmas Eve killer; filmed in Vancouver) - Dec. 1 (Trailer), also on AMC+

The Sacrifice Game (holiday-set horror movie starring Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, Gus Kenworthy, Chloë Levine, Derek Johns, Laurent Pitre, Madison Baines and Georgia Acken; directed and co-written by Jenn Wexler with Sean Redlitz; Two students, alone at an all-girls boarding school over Christmas break, have to fight off uninvited guests to survive; filmed in Montreal) - Dec. 8 (Trailer), also on AMC+

SCREAMBOX

Secret Santa (holiday horror comedy starring Michael Rady, Drew Lynch and Debra Sullivan; directed and co-written by Adam Marcus; A mysterious virus turns Christmas dinner into a bloodbath and only one person can save the rest of the world; has been on the horror festival circuit since 2018, but this is first time available to general public) - Nov. 7 (Trailer)

Night of the Missing (holiday-set horror movie starring Meredith Thomas, Jill Awbrey and Gigi Gustin; directed by Samuel Gonzalez Jr. and Matthew Hersh; co-written by Gonzalez Jr and Gustin; A mysterious woman visits a sheriff on Christmas Eve with an interesting tale to tell) - Nov. 28

Santastein (partially Kickstarter-funded holiday horror comedy based on a film school short, co-directed by Benjamin Edelman and Manuel Camilion; In a world without Christmas, a vengeful Santa takes his rage out on a group of unsuspecting teens; filmed in Miami) - Dec. 19 (Trailer)

BBC Select

The Secret World of Christmas Chocolate (2022 BBC Channel 4 documentary on the making of holiday confections; first time available in the U.S.) - Nov. 21

Wonderland: The Story of Christmas (2022 BBC Channel 4 documentary exploring holiday portrayals in classic literature; first time available in the U.S.) - Nov. 29

Acorn

The Spirit of Winter (a.k.a. Espirit d’ Hiver; French language, Christmas-set miniseries starring Audrey Fleurot, Cédric Kahn and Lily Taieb; A woman comes to believe a malevolent spirit followed her home for Christmas and has taken possession of her daughter; debuted in 2022 in France, first time available in U.S.) - Sep. 11

The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special (holiday one-off episode of the mystery series starring Sally Lindsay and Sue Vincent; airs same day as UK) - Dec. 25

Britbox

Sister Boniface Mysteries Christmas Special 2023 (one-off holiday episode of the mystery series) - Dec. 12

Vera Christmas Special (one-off, season 12 holiday episode of the series) - Dec. 20

Lot No. 249 (annual holiday ghost story adaptation from Mark Gatiss, starring Kit Harrington, Freddie Fox, Colin Ryan, John Heffernan, James Swanton, Jonathan Rigby and Andrew Horton; adapted from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story; A group of college students research an ancient Egyptian find; filmed in Hertfordshire, England) - Dec. 22

Here We Go Christmas 2023 (one-off holiday episode of the series; available same day as UK) - Dec. 24

The King’s Christmas Address (annual holiday speech delivered by King Charles III via the BBC) - Dec. 25

Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas Special (one-off holiday episode of the series; available same day as UK) - Dec. 25

Death in Paradise Christmas 2023 (holiday movie based on the BBC series starring Sara Martins and Ralf Little about a British detective sent to a Caribbean island; filmed in Guadeloupe; available same day as UK) - Dec. 26

Beyond Paradise Christmas Special (holiday special based on the BBC crime-solving series spun off from Death in Paradise and starring Kris Marshall, Sally Bretton, Zahra Ahmadi and Dylan Llewellyn; filmed in Looe, Cornwall, England; available same day as UK) - Dec. 27

Gardeners’ World Winter Specials (Monty Don, Adam Frost, and the team celebrate year-end gardening delights with four new specials, including special guest Mary Berry) - Dec. 31

Disney+

I Am Groot: Groot’s Snow Day (animated short featuring the Guardians of the Galaxy character experiencing his first winter) - Sep. 6

The Santa Clauses (season two of the series based on the Disney movies, starring Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, Austin Kane, Devin Bright, Matilda Lawler, Eric Stonestreet, Tracy Morgan, Laura San Giacomo and Gabriel Iglesias; Back in the North Pole after once again saving Christmas, Scott works to train his son to take over the family Santa business) - Nov. 8

Dashing Through the Snow (Disney holiday movie starring Lil Rel Howery, Ludacris, Teyonah Parris, Oscar Nunez, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Ravi Patel, Marcus Lewis and Madison Skye Validum; directed by Tim Story; written by Paula Pell and Scott Rosenberg; A police dept. social worker must win back his daughter’s trust after a botched Christmas Eve call, with some help from a man that just might be Santa; first announced in 2016; filmed in Atlanta) - Nov. 17 (Trailer)

Christmas with Walt Disney (2009 documentary compiled for and previously only shown at The Walt Disney Family Museum; A look at how Walt Disney, the man and the company, celebrated the holidays in the 1950s-60s) - Nov. 24 (Trailer)

Mickey’s Christmas Tales: Starstruck (five, stop-motion animated shorts featuring Mickey and his pals having holiday fun that first aired on Disney Junior) - Nov. 29

The Shepherd (holiday-set short starring John Travolta, Ben Radcliffe, Steven Mackintosh, Asan N'Jie and Scarlet Grace; based on the short story by Frederick Forsyth; adapted and directed by Iain Softley; A British pilot heading home from Germany for the holidays has all his instruments fail in deep fog and is miraculously saved by a mysterious plane that guides him home safely; filmed in Norfolk, UK) - Dec. 1 (Trailer)

Isabel Preysler: My Christmas (a.k.a Isabel Preysler: Mi Navidad; The Spanish lifestyle guru takes you inside her home for the holidays) - Dec. 5 (Trailer)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas Cabin Fever (animated holiday movie based on the Jeff Kinney book series; directed by Luke Cormican; starring the voices of Cyrus Arnold, Braxton Baker and Erica Cerra; Greg tries to keep his parents in the dark about his part in the giant snowball that destroyed a snowplow, which is complicated when a blizzard traps the family in their house without power and no plow) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life Christmas (animated special based on the UK series) - Dec. 20

What If…Happy Hogan Saved Christmas? (animated Marvel alternative universe self-contained story, featuring the voice of Jon Favreau) - Dec. 24 (Trailer)

Dr. Who Christmas Special: The Church on Ruby Road (holiday themed episode introducing Ncuti Gatwa as the new doctor and Millie Gibson as his companion; filmed in Bristol, England) - Dec. 25

AppleTV+

The Velveteen Rabbit (live-action/animated hybrid movie starring Phoenix Laroche, Alex Lawther, Helena Bonham Carter, Nicola Coughlan, Bethany Antonia, Lois Chimimba, Clive Rowe, Nathaniel Parker and  Samantha Colley; based on the classic children’s book, adapted by Tom Bidwell) - Nov. 22

Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas (musical holiday special featuring the Ted Lasso/West End star and special guests; directed but Hamish Hamilton and filmed in front of a live audience at the London Coliseum) - Nov. 22 (Trailer)

The Making of Spirited (behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the 2022 film) - Nov. 22

Frog and Toad Christmas Eve (animated holiday special based on the classic children’s book series) - Dec. 1

The Snoopy Show: Happiness is Holiday Traditions (special holiday episode of the animated series based on the classic Peanuts characters) - Dec. 1

Shape Island: The Winter Blues (special holiday episode of the stop-motion animated preschool series) - Dec. 1

Spirited Sing-Along (special sing-along version of the 2022 musical) - Dec. 1

Sago Mini Friends New Year’s Steve (special holiday episode of the animated series) - Dec. 22 

Hulu

The Bear: Fishes (this Christmas Eve flashback episode of the series starring Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, featured a great guest star appearance from Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, and was the critically-acclaimed show’s most talked about season 2 outing ) - June 22

To Catch a Killer (partially holiday-set thriller starring Shailene Woodley and Ben Mendelsohn; directed by Damián Szifron; co-written by Jonathan Wakeham and Szifron; A troubled Baltimore police detective tracks down a New Year’s Eve serial killer) - Aug. 19 (Trailer) 

Futurama: I Know What You Did Last Xmas (special Christmas episode of the recently rebooted animated series) - Aug. 28

A Christmas Frequency (holiday movie starring Jonathan Stoddard, Ansley Gordon, Denise Richards and Casey Walker; directed by Lindsay Hartley; written by Gordon; A radio show producer devises a holiday ratings stunt to set-up her newly single boss up with eligible bachelors on air; filmed in Santa Clarita, Calif.) - Nov. 1

Reporting for Christmas (holiday movie starring Tamera Feldman, Matt Trudeau, D.B. Sweeney, Amara Zaragoza, Maura Kidwell, Matt Trudeau and Ira Amyx; directed by Jack C Newell; written by Adam Rockoff; A TV news producer doing a holiday story falls for a toymaker; filmed in Chicago) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

The Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade (parade coverage from the world’s oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in Philadelphia) - Nov. 23

Stars Fell Again (holiday-set sequel to 2021′s Stars Fell on Alabama starring James Maslow, Ciara Hanna, Cecilia Kim and Johnnie Mack; co-written and directed by V.W. Scheich; A year after they reunited at a high school reunion, Bryce is ready to pop the question with a Christmas proposal, but family drama interferes with his plans; filmed in Atlanta) - Nov. 24 (Trailer); also available PVOD

The Jingle Bell Jubilee (holiday movie starring Erin Agostino, Marshall Williams and Samantha Kendrick; directed by Ernie Barbarash; A woman recruits an old friend to help with a charity event; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 3

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (holiday movie starring Sarah Fisher and Simon Arblaster; directed by Robin Dunne; Relators work together to sell a house before Christmas; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 9

Prime Video

LOL Xmas Special: Last One Laughing Italy (charity comedy special of the series that puts comedians in a room and challenges them to make each other laugh, without breaking themselves; hosted by Fedez and featuring comedians Mara Maionchi, Frank Matano, Maria Di Biase, Angelo Pintus, Michela Giraud and Lillo Petroloin; debuted in Italy in 2022) - Mar 1

With Love (season two of the series starring Emeraude Toubia, Mark Indelicato, Isis King, Desmond Chiam, Rome Flynn, Vincent Rodriguez III, Constance Marie and Benito Martinez; The lives and loves of a family centered around holiday celebrations and major life milestones) - June 2

Nelly & Nadine (documentary directed by Magnus Gertten about two women who fall in love on Christmas Eve 1944 in the Ravensbrück concentration camp, then reconnect later in life) - July 15

American Girl: Corinne Tan (winter-set kids movie starring real-life sisters Miya and Kai Cech, along with Jason Cermak and Michelle Krusiec; directed by Angela C. Tortu; written by May Chan; A teen skier struggling with her parents divorce gets a new puppy) - Sep. 1

Holidays at the Ranch (holiday movie starring Joe Gallina, Gill Broderick Sarah Jane Duncan and Chelsea Marie; written and directed by Liana Failla; A woman home for the holidays agrees to help her childhood sweetheart on his ranch; filmed in the UK) - Oct. 1

One Last Christmas (holiday movie starring Kelley Barnes, Stephen Barrington and Tracey Bonner; written and directed by Henderson Maddox) - Oct. 1

L’immenmsita (partially holiday-set, Italian drama starring Penelope Cruz, Vincenzo Amaro and Luana Giuliani; co-written and directed by Emanuele Crialese; A mother and her children move to Rome in the 1970s; filmed in Italy, where it was released theatrically in 2022; first U.S. release) - Nov. 11 (Trailer)

Improvvisamente a Natale Mi Sposo (a.k.a. Suddenly at Christmas I’m Getting Married; sequel to 2022′s Improvvisamente Natale starring Diego Abatantuono, Nino Frassica, Violante Placido, Michele Foresta, Carol Alt, Stefano Belisari, Primo Reggiani and Valentina Filippeschi; directed by Francesco Patierno; Back at Grandpa’s hotel for the holidays, the family is shocked to learn he has a new girlfriend and plans to marry her on Christmas; filmed in San Vito di Cadore, Italy) - Nov. 16, Italy

Elf Me (Italian holiday movie starring Pasquale Petrolo, Anna Foglietta and Federico Ielapi; A North Pole elf steps in to help a bullied boy and his toymaker single mom; filmed in Italy) - Nov. 24

Candy Cane Lane (holiday movie starring Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Robin Thede, Nick Offerman, Chris Redd, Ken Marino, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, D.C. Young Fly, Genneya Walton, Madison Thomas, Thaddeus J. Mixson and Danielle Pinnock; directed by Reginald Hudlin; written by Kelly Younger and based on Murphy’s own childhood holiday memories; announced in 2022; filmed in L.A.) - Dec. 1 (Trailer)

Your Christmas or Mine? 2 (holiday movie sequel to the 2022 film, starring Asa Butterfield, Cora Kirk, Daniel Mays, Angela Griffin and Alex Jennings; written by Tom Parry and directed by Jim O’Hanlon; When James’ father invites everyone on a luxury ski vacation for Christmas, the Taylors insist on making their own reservations, which leads to arrangements being bungled and the two groups Christmases getting swapped, again; filmed in the UK and Austria) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

Merry Little Batman (animated holiday action-comedy; directed by Mike Roth; written by Morgan Evans; Six-year-old Damian Wayne has to become Little Batman to defend Wayne Manor from criminals, in this Home Alone tribute) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

The Santa Stories (holiday short anthology starring Octavia Spencer and Colm Meaney in two short stories directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, ”The Note,” and Steven Caple Jr., “The Heist,” produced by Coca-Cola) - Dec. 8, also available on Coca-Cola YouTube

Dating Santa (a.k.a. Santa Mi Amor; Spanish holiday rom-com starring Ana Serradilla, Olivia Duflos and David Chocarro; A single mom falls for a chef but is reluctant to let him meet her young daughter. When he accidentally does, dressed as Santa, mom panics and tells her daughter he’s the real deal. Suspicious, the daughter sets out to test his St. Nick bonafides.) - Dec. 8

The World’s First Christmas (a.k.a. O Primeiro Natal do Mundo; Portuguese holiday movie starring Lázaro Ramos, Ingrid Guimarães and Rafael Infante; directed by Susana Garcia and Gigi Soares; As a dysfunctional family’s holiday plans dissolve into a chaos, one of the children wishes Christmas just didn’t exist, leaving the family struggling to recreate the magic of the season for the whole world; filmed in Brazil) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

Dealing with Christmas (a.k.a. Un Stupefiant Noel; French holiday movie starring Eric Judor, Ragnar le Breton, Matthias Quiviger and Hafid F. Benamar; directed by Arthur Sanigou; written by Pierre Dudan and Sanigou; When a daughter wishes her overworked detective dad was more like her favorite Christmas movie father, the two are swapped, with the cop stuck in a holiday movie plot and the bumbling Christmas movie hero trying to take down a drug ring) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

LOL Xmas Special: Last One Laughing Germany (charity comedy special of the series that puts comedians in a room and challenges them to make each other laugh, without breaking themselves; hosted by Michael Bully Herbig and featuring comedians Anke Engelke, Bastian Pastewika and more) - Dec. 21

Freevee

Christmas Cheer (faith-based, holiday short film starring Jeff Clay, Kate Larson, Coleman Christian and Davey Moore; written and directed by Alyssa Giese; a spoiled cheerleader learns the true meaning of the holiday when she’s forced to spend winter break working at a food bank) - June 26

Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse (holiday movie inspired by a true story, made for Sky One in the UK; starring Dawn French, Jessica Hynes, John Hannah, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Nina Sosanya, Bill Bailey and Nick Mohammed; written by Abi Wilson;  Beatrix Potter is no longer enjoying her role as beloved children author and her eyesight is failing when her path crosses with a six-year-old fan, Roald Dahl, at the holidays; aired in 2020 in the UK, first time available in the U.S.) - July 20

The Christmas Venue (holiday movie starring Jessy Holtermann and James Liddell; A daughter pairs up with an employee to try and host a wedding to save her family’s inn) - Oct. 1

A Perfect Christmas Pairing (holiday movie starring Ansley Gordon, Chris Connell, Meg Biddle Smith and Kelly Ryan; directed by Dave Thomas; written by Jenna Brister; A chef trying to escape a bad review meets her match in a travel writer who never wants to settle down; filmed in LaGrange, Ga.) - Oct. 27

A Christmas Vintage (holiday movie starring Ignacyo Matynia, Karlee Eldridge and Reid Rathore; directed by Lexi Giovagnoli; written by Ferguson Sauv-Rogan; A woman returns home to help save her family’s winery at the holidays; filmed in Hermann, Missouri) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

EXmas (holiday movie starring Leighton Meester, Robbie Amell, Michael Hitchcock and Kathryn Greenwood; directed by Jonah Feingold; written by Dan Steele; When a man goes home for Christmas to surprise his parents, he finds his ex already there celebrating the season with his family; filmed in Kelowna, B.C.) - Nov. 17 (Trailer)

It’s a Christmas Thing (a.k.a. Peppermint and Postcards; holiday movie starring Ella Cannon, Christopher Russell and Dave Kenneth MacKinnon; directed by Jim Cliffe; written by Hayley November; A child’s Christmas wish for her mom to find love goes viral; filmed in Kelowna, B.C.) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

Xumo Play

A Christmas Heist (holiday movie starring Billy Blair, Thom Hallum and Tiffany McDonald; written and directed by Brett Bentman; A desperate man decides to attempt a Christmas Eve robbery; filmed in Texas) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

Take a Chance at Christmas (holiday movie starring Alli Chung, Michael Brown and Sophie Bastelle; directed by Laurie Mirsky; written by Leigh Joel Scott; A single mom finds love and career success with the help of her son’s belief in Christmas magic) - Nov. 1

12 Dares of Christmas (holiday movie starring Brittany Underwood, Sean Yves Lessard and Eric Pollins; directed by Panta Mosleh; written by Paris Herbert-Taylor; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 1

Unforgettable Christmas (holiday movie starring Celeste Desjardins and Brett Donahue; directed by John Bradshaw; written by Jennifer Edwards and Shannon Latimer; A princess’ Christmas wish comes true when she gets to forget about being royal to focus on fashion; filmed in Hamilton, Ontario) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

Christmas by Candlelight (holiday movie starring Erin Agostino, Harmon Walsh, Christian Potenza and Shauna MacDonald; directed by Brian Roberts; written by Alessandra Brook; A woman works with a reluctant store owner to create a new holiday candle line; filmed in Toronto) - Nov. 1

Christmas Casanova (holiday movie starring Kalinka Petrie, Fuad Ahmed, Samantha Brown, Elise Hanneman, Daniyal Khan, Catherine McGregor and Tanya Schultz; directed by Will Bowes; written by Shannon Latimer; A podcaster documents the challenge of helping a man plan the perfect romantic Christmas, but finds herself falling for him; filmed in Cambridge and Galt, Ontario) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

Christmas in Scotland (holiday movie starring Jill Winternitz, Dominic Watters and Scott Mooney; directed by David Lumsden; written by Steve Turner; filmed in Culross and Edinburgh, Scotland) - Nov. 1

Coupled Up for Christmas (holiday movie starring Marcus Rosner, Sara Canning, Megan Tracz, Jocelyn Chugg, Sue Huff and Ashlee Pearce; directed by Dylan Pearce; written by Erica Deutschman and Katy Breier; A pair of heartbroken friends pretend to date in order to make their true loves jealous; filmed in Edmonton, Alberta) - Nov. 1

The Fabric of Christmas (holiday movie starring Ferelith Young, Harmon Walsh and Jason Lemmon; directed by Don McBrearty; written by Sarah Mayberry; A firefighter wants to learn how to quilt to carry on a family tradition and make a gift for his sister; filmed in Brant, Ontario) - Nov. 1

A Very English Christmas (holiday movie starring Kimberley Nixon, Poppy Gilbert, Lewis Griffiths, Russell Clive Biles and Jenni Bowden; written and directed by Tim Clague and Danny Stack; An American event planner comes to England for her sister’s Christmas Eve wedding; filmed in Dorset, England) - Nov. 1

A Vineyard Christmas (holiday movie starring Nikki McKenzie, Victor Zinck Jr., Brittany Clough, Lucas Penner and Vincent Ross; directed by Ana Valine; written by Katie Wilbert; wine-themed holiday movie filmed in Kelowna, B.C.) - Nov. 1

Waking Up to Christmas (a,k.a. Just Like a Christmas Movie; holiday movie starring Brad Harder, Marlie Collins, Brittany Mitchell and Nick Preston; Holiday romance parody; directed by Soran Mardookhi; A woman is sucked into her favorite Christmas romance; filmed in Kelowna, B.C.) - Nov. 1

The Christmas Checklist (holiday movie starring Sarah Power, Jarod Joseph, Monica Rodriguez Knox, Dakota Jamal Wellman and Laura Mitchell; directed by Anne De Lean; written by Lisa Hepner; After her mother’s death a woman strives to complete her complicated Christmas checklist, alongside a reporter covering the tasks for the local paper; filmed in Montreal and debuted in Canada in 2022 as a four-episode series, condensed into one movie for U.S. release) - Nov. 4 (Trailer)

Plex

The Secret of the Emerald Green & White, Part 1 (holiday thriller starring NeShaunda Mays, Jermaine Jackson and Patrice Jennings; written and directed by Felicia Rivers; A sorority Christmas party turns murderous in this Gullah-Geechee centered story; filmed in South Carolina)  - Mar. 30

Vandits (holiday movie starring Enrico Colantoni, Robb Wells, Tony Nappo, Francesco Antonio, Jesse Camacho, Victoria Turko, and Jann Arden; directed by Stuart Stone; written by Rodness and Stone; A group of stoners decide to rob a senior center bingo hall on Christmas Eve; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 1 (Trailer)

Bringing Back Christmas (faith-based movie starring Dean Cain, Leigh Allyn Baker, Gabriel C. Brown, Aaron Fullan and Mark Christopher Lawrence; directed by Lisa Arnold; written by Ariel and Trey Fernald; from the Evangelical Eastern Sky Theatre Company; A man with a special needs son, fired just before the holidays, has his Christmas spirit restored by a guardian angel who takes him back in time to view the birth of Jesus) - Dec. 12 (Website)

Redbox

A Cowboy Christmas (holiday movie starring Teagan Vincze, Brennan Martin, Brenna Coates, Jason Truong and Leo Fafard; directed by Jeremy Drummond; written by Heather Wright; A marketing exec must go to a dude ranch to woo a client, but she ends up falling for a local cowboy; filmed in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan) - Nov.14 (Trailer); also available PVOD

MANSA

He Who Findeth: A Cinderella Christmas Tale (holiday movie starring Erica Hubbard, Brad James and LaKeta Booker; directed by Michael A. Pinckney; written by Ramona DeBreaux; Wealthy parents host a lavish party in hopes of finding their stubbornly single adult son a wife, but when word gets out an heir is up for grabs, chaos ensues) - Nov. 22 (Trailer)

Red Coral Universe

This Christmas Chance (holiday movie starring Ashley Forrestier, Benny Andrews, Dee Hill, Ali Siddiq and Shavon Majoi; directed by William Collins; written by Leah Pride; A businessman and a doctor fall in love, but secrets from their past threaten their future) - Dec. 10 (Trailer)

Pluto TV

A Coldhearted Christmas (holiday thriller written, directed and starring LaQuita Langhorn, along with Mike Love and Antoine Williams; A woman who runs a closing homeless shelter tries to help a group of teens who once lived there; filmed in Memphis, Tenn.) - Nov. 7

A Christmas Miracle (holiday movie starring Kris D’Sha, Eboni Owens, Snoop Robinson, Davian Jackson and A.D Scott; directed by Snoop Robinson; A singer who doesn’t appreciate her success is in an accident that restores her spirit) - Nov. 15

Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade (live parade coverage from Chicago) - Nov. 23

A Christmas Family Secret (holiday movie starring Malachi E Hamilton, Caranita Harrelson and Deja McCown; written and directed by Nakia T Hamilton; A woman heads home for the holidays hoping to restore the relationship with her father) - Dec. 1

Tubi

Finding Santa (documentary special on the history of Santa Claus; directed by Lucy Ciara McCutcheon) - Aug. 15

What About Christmas? (holiday movie starring Tommy Potter, Crystal Mckinney, Sonny Cruz and DJ Burch; written and directed by Je’McClain; A young boy and his family spend Christmas in a new home, but fears his family’s problems will ruin the holiday, so he asks Santa for help) - Aug. 24 (Trailer)

Danksgiving (holiday comedy starring Markice Moore, Tray Chaney and Chaz 2.0 Scott; written and directed by Queen Norris) - Sep. 1 

Jingle Bell Ranch (holiday movie starring Andrew S Cortez, Ali Alkhafaji and Mandy Lee Rubio; directed by Isaac Rodriguez; filmed in San Antonio, Texas) - Sep. 1

A Sir Charles Christmas (holiday movie starring KD Aubert, Charles Jones and Cocoa Brown; written and directed by Vernon Snoop Robinson) - Sep. 1

A Christmas Blessing (holiday movie starring BernNadette Stanis, Lala Nicole Black, Serilda Goodwin, Joshua Lewis, Toni Henderson Mayers and Gabby Moore; directed and co-written by Stacie Davis; A grandmother fakes an illness to help her granddaughter find holiday love) - Sep. 1

A Pumpkin Spice Holiday (holiday movie starring Madison Paige, Riley Rose Downey, Glenn Dossin and Kevin Ridsdale; directed by Caleb Silvers, written by Shane Nelson; filmed in Holly, Mich.) - Sep. 11

A Bengal for Christmas (family holiday movie starring Brad Banacka, Vida Ghaffari, Erik Anthony Russo and Breana Mitchell; directed by Dustin Ferguson; A family gets a new cat for Christmas) - Sep. 15

The Drone that Saved Christmas (holiday movie written and directed by Miriam Bavly; starring Rodney Perry, Miguel Nunez Jr., Palmer Williams Jr, Rashan Ali and Buddy Lewis; A tech entrepreneur develops a high-powered drone he hopes will save Christmas; filmed in Atlanta) - Sep. 26

Christmas with the Prince (holiday movie starring Cleopatra Wood, Richard Bobb-Semple, N Walters, Jamaicia James and Kimberley Sterling; directed by Louisa Warren; written by Tom Jolliffe; A fashion designer finds herself spending the holidays with royalty) - Oct. 1

Christmas Time (holiday movie starring Bobby O’ Neill, Henri Charles and Shelly Bentley; based on the book A Magical Christmas Adventure by Daniel Colyer; written by Laurie Asbourne; A science teacher who hates Christmas finds himself stuck on a Lapland adventure dedicated to the holiday with his family) - Oct. 21, also available via digital and DVD (Trailer)

The Perfect Gift (holiday movie starring NuNu Thurman, Wesley King, Jayda Jones, Brian Gilbert and Tierra Mitchell; directed by Michael Jeffers; With all her friends in love, a young woman wishes for romance for Christmas) - Oct. 25

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (holiday movie starring Drew Pipkin, Jaeden Riley Juarez and Katerina Sifuentes; written and directed by Stephen Allen Gutierrez; A high school student risks his life to save the girl of his dreams from a crazed killer) - Oct. 27

Black Santa (holiday horror-thriller starring Turell Robins, Denise Mone’t, Ma'ya Jackson, Desi French, Shelly Rose and Ed Guidry; A man looks for revenge after childhood trauma; filmed in Houston) - Oct. 28

Everybody Hates Christmas (holiday movie starring Tom Vera, Jen Barbeito, Dessi Sykes, Sydni Alynn Law, and Catina Thomas; directed and produced by Joseph A Elmore Jr.; A group of people who have lost their holiday spirit have it restored by an angel; filmed in Houston) - Oct. 31

Sleigh Queen (holiday movie Tyeshia Frazier, Madison Warren-Coombs, NeShaunda Mays, Bee Badd, Dejia McCowan and Renaissance Jones; directed by Felicia Rivers; A struggling stylist wishes for success at the holidays) - Nov. 1

Hank’s Christmas Wish (faith-based holiday movie starring Dean Cain and Julie McCullough; from far-right filmmaker Jason Campbell; A retired North Pole elf regains his Christmas spirit) - Nov. 2; also available on DVD Nov. 7

Colorado Christmas (holiday movie starring Luba Bocian, Brit Ellerman and Paul Anthony McLean; co-written and directed by Elgin Cahill; co written by Kate Mobley; A single mom who dreams of a being a singer meets a country star who mentors her) - Nov. 2 (Trailer)

The Christmas Pledge (holiday movie starring Isabelle Almoyan, Wes Deitrick and Kathie Doyle-Lipe; directed and co-written by James Temple; Rivals at a local TV station have to plan a Christmas concert together; filmed in Spokane, Wash.) - Nov. 3, also available on DVD

Perfect Messy Holiday (2021 Australian holiday movie available for the first time in the U.S. starring Michelle Brass, Aliandra Calabrese and Tarah Elizabeth Clark; directed by Tam Sainsbury; A broken hearted, wannabe romance novelist leaves London for a beach Christmas in Australia) - Nov. 4

A Thanksgiving Christmas (holiday movie starring Rodney Perry, Simeon Henderson and David Leonard; directed by Quincy Trent; A dying man tries to reconcile with his sister on the holiday) - Nov. 7

Giving Thanks (holiday movie starring Alexis “Lexxy” Walker, J. Elliot, Samuel Smith and Denzell Dandridge; directed by Mark K Buddington; A widow plans a Thanksgiving reunion) - Nov. 7

Thanksgiving Roast 2 (sequel to the 2021 movie starring Charles Archie, Brianna Blackburn and Deuce Deuce; directed by MJ Harrell; filmed in Washington, D.C.) - Nov. 7

Curves Under the Mistletoe (holiday movie starring Damondray Christle, Draper Wynston and Kendra Rainey-King; directed by Lakisha Avery Stewart and written by Rainey-King; A former foster child tries to make a better life for herself) - Nov. 12

For the Love of Christmas 2: A Heart for the Holidays (sequel to the 2022 movie starring Donald Ross Jr., Ron Way and Charmeka Robinson; written and directed by Karlton T. Clay; Rashad and Annie spend the holiday in Georgia, where family secrets are revealed; filmed in Augusta, Ga.) - Nov. 12

Just in Time for the Holidays (holiday drama starring Bronsonn Taylor, Braxton Richburg, Jashawn Colston, Wade A. Banner II, Marcio Byrd and Jashawn Colston; co-written and directed by Ayanna Shon; A single father struggling with trauma and grief gets much-needed help from an unexpected source) - Nov. 7

Family Ornaments (holiday horror comedy starring Alicia Blasingame, Autumn Harrison and Michael Paré; directed by Gregory Oehler; written by Liam Finn; A wish brings a family’s Christmas decorations to life, causing chaos) - Nov. 17 (Trailer)

Hot Girl Winter (holiday comedy starring Golden Brooks, Jean Bennett, Bryan Lopez, Marisa Maddox and Gabriel Bonilla, directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones; A neglected Mrs. Claus who heads to Miami for some spicy fun over the holidays) - Nov. 24 (Trailer)

10 Kilos in the Trunk (holiday crime drama starring Chanel Collins, Asia Antoinette, Vicky Yvonne and Bernard Q. Settles; directed by Jeff Profitt;  A desperate mom agrees to transport drugs for holiday cash) - Nov. 28

Christmas with Jerks (holiday movie starring, written and directed by Leanna Adams, along with Tyler Buckingham; A struggling, former child star just wants to hide out for the holidays, but to do so must get the recently-dumped stuntman out of her sister’s house, so she reluctantly tries to help him win back his ex; filmed in Atlanta) - Dec. 1 (Trailer)

Stand in the Gap (holiday-themed sequel to the faith-based 2020 movie The Author, The Star and the Keeper; starring Bruce Marchiano, Simon Jon Provan, Heather Ricks and Dale Waddington; written and directed by Steve F Zambo; filmed in Florence, Wis.) - Dec. 1

New Year, New Us 2: Love Goals (New Year-set sequel to the 2019 movie from writer-director Nina Stakz; starring Kellen Marcus and Erika Ward; The couple addresses new challenges and temptations in their marriage) - Dec. 5

A Fireman for Christmas (holiday movie sequel to 2022′s Christmas at the Holly Hotel starring Kristen Ryda, Donnell J Clayton, Joe Kurak and Jesi Jensen; directed and co-written by Joel Paul Reisig; A woman falls in love with a firefighter at the holidays; filmed in Michigan) - Dec. 17

Roku Channel

How to Fall in Love by the Holidays (holiday movie starring Teri Hatcher and Dan Payne; directed by Michael Kennedy; A lifestyle guru tries to secure a new brand partnership by writing a romantic Christmas puff piece) - Nov. 3 

The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday Edition (U.S.-based version of the classic British baking series, hosted by Casey Wilson and Zach Cherry; with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, featuring celebrity contestants Arturo Castro, DeAndre Jordan, Ego Nwodim, Heather McMahan, Joel McHale and Phoebe Robinson competing for the Christmas cooking crown; filmed in the UK) - Nov. 10 (Trailer)

The Holiday Shift (five-episode, holiday series directed by Paul Fox, focused on a young-adult friend group that works at a local mall, with a central rekindled high school love story alongside other ground dramas; filmed in Winnipeg ) - Nov. 17 (Trailer)

Amor en Navidad (four-episode anthology Spanish-language mini-movie series, aired on Lifetime Latin America in 2022; includes La Mejor Navidad, a.k.a. The Best Christmas; starring Gaby Spanic and Juan Soler; directed by Nicolás Di Blasi; a divorced couple reconnect while spending the holidays together on a ranch; Una Navidad Para Recordar, a.k.a. A Christmas to Remember, starring Danna García and Cristián de la Fuente; A divorced man, missing his kids at Christmas, finds himself drawn to his father’s nurse; Deliciosa Navidad, a.k.a. Delicious Christmas,   starring Rafael Novoa and Patty Manterola; A chef goes on a Christmas trip to rediscover his roots; Un Papá Para Navidad, a.k.a. A Dad for Christmas, starring Marlene Favela and Ricardo Álamo; A therapist’s long lost father returns at the holidays; first time available in the U.S.; all filmed in Jalisco, Mexico) - Dec. 1

The Christmas Star (a.k.a. O Vánocní Hvezde; Czech holiday fairy tale starring Anna Geislerová, Leonie Brill and Tereza Ramba; A teacher who is in love with a skating beauty far beyond his station, gets the help of a fallen star in making his unrequited love a reality; released in the Czech republic in 2020 and Germany and Slovakia the following year; first time available in the U.S.) - Dec. 2

Martha Holidays (season two of the holiday entertaining series; Martha Stewart provides cooking, decorating and entertaining inspiration for the holiday season) - Dec. 4

A Very Demi Holiday Special (musical special featuring Demi Lovato and celebrity friends singing Christmas classics) - Dec. 8

Digital/DVD/Other

Snow Falls (holiday-set horror movie starring Victoria Morales, Anna Grace Barlow, Johnny Berchtold, Patrick Fabian and Jonathan Bennett; A group of friends goes to a remote cabin to celebrate New Year’s, only to be trapped by a winter storm that may contain something more sinister) - Jan. 17, PVOD (Trailer)

Snow Angel (Quebecois horror-thriller starring Kimberly-Sue Murray, Catherine Berube and Olivier Renaud; directed by Gabriel Allard; A snowboarder tries to leave town after a tragic accident, only to find herself trapped by an ominous presence.) - Jan. 20, Canada

Black Out (a.k.a. Stranded; eight-episode, Italian language, holiday-set series; starring Alessandro Preziosi, Rike Schmid, Marco Rossetti and Aurora Ruffino; directed by Riccardo Donna; A Christmas Eve avalanche strands a group of people in a luxury ski resort, where they soon learn not everything is as it seems, but they still must band together in order to survive; filmed in Italy) - Jan. 23, Italy (Website)

Raven Van Slender Saves Christmas! (small-budget sci-fi holiday movie starring Bill Victor Arucan, James Balsamo and Sephdok Ramone; directed by Balsamo; written by Bill Victor Arucan and Balsamo) - Jan. 31, DVD/Blu-Ray (Trailer)

One Fine Morning (a.k.a. Un Beau Matin; French-language, partially holiday-set movie starring Pascal Lea-Seydoux, Melvil Greggory, Nicole Poupaud and Garcia; written and directed by Mia Hansen-Love; A widow and single mom juggles caring for her family, including her father with dementia, and a new affair with an old friend of her late husband’s) - Apr. 9, PVOD (Trailer)

Epiphany: God Among Men (faith-based movie from writer-director Bill Hand that resets the Biblical Nativity story in Depression-era America) - Apr. 9, Hess Media

Pets: Christmas Animals (WOWNow animated special directed by Neo Hallway) - May 12, DVD

The Fright Before Christmas 2 (small-budget holiday horror sequel to the 2020 original; written, directed and starring John Johnson, along with Steven Haar and Tobias Doesken) - June 1, Blu-Ray

A Home for Christmas: A Foster Care Story (holiday short starring Aden Ajayi, Eve Angel, Frankie Barrios and Preston Galli; written and directed by Kevin North Ruiz) - July 1, Vimeo

Grumpy Old Santa (holiday comedy starring Glenn Morshower, Gary Valentine, Kevin P. Farley and Kara Rainer; directed by Jay Dee Walters; co-written by Walters and Justin Chaffee; A man is rocked when his wife wants a divorce after their daughter leaves for college; filmed in East Texas) - Sep. 1, Amazon PVOD (Website)

Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas (animated short version of the children’s book by Matt Tavares) - Sep. 5, Dreamscape Publishing (Trailer)

Stab 3: Holiday Horror (small budget slasher sequel inspired by the faux-movies featured in the Scream franchise starring, written and directed by Joshua Patrick Dudley; along with David Afflick, Teddy Pryor and Douglas Graves; Home for the holidays a year after her brother was convicted of a killing spree, Cassie begins to doubt his innocence when he escapes and the killings start again) - Oct. 1, YouTube

Chantilly Bridge (holiday-set sequel to 1993′s Chantilly Lace starring Talia Shire, Jill Eikenberry, Lindsay Crouse, Helen Slater and Ally Sheedy; co-written and directed by Linda Yellen; The friends gather to celebrate the life of one of their own) - Oct. 9, PVOD (Trailer)

Dean of the Dead Holiday Horrors (holiday horror anthology in the Tales of the Crypt tradition, hosted by the Dean of the Dead) - Oct. 13, Amazon PVOD

Christmas with the Tuches (a.k.a. Les Tuche 4; 2021 French-language, holiday-set sequel, starring Jean-Paul Rouve, Isabelle Nanty, and Michel Blanc; co-written and directed by Olivier Baroux; The family reunites in their hometown and reconciles; first time available in the U.S.) - Oct. 22, PVOD

Holiday Boyfriend (holiday movie starring Sally Kirkland, Natassia Malthe and Louis Mandylor; written and directed by Paul Collett; When her British boyfriend bails on her family Thanksgiving, a woman gets her best friend to pose as him; filmed in L.A.) - Oct. 25, Amazon PVOD (Trailer)

The Worst Janitors: Christmas Special (holiday special written, directed and starring Jaiden Marchetti; The worst janitors ever are sent to clean Santa’s Workshop) - Oct. 27, YouTube

Santa’s Second Wife (holiday movie starring Chelsea Gilson, Jason Frederick, Kenny Meyers, Kerri Louise, Rae-Shan Barclift, John Romanski; written and directed by Candy Cain; story by Anna Zap; After Mrs. Claus asks for a divorce, Nick finds new love with a single mom who doesn’t know he’s the real Santa; filmed in Long Island, NY) - Nov. 4, Movie Central YouTube

LEGO Friends: The Next Chapter: The Perfect Holiday (special holiday episode of the animated series) - Nov. 4, Lego YouTube

A Home for the Holidays (holiday movie starring Shannon Elizabeth. Daniel Cudmore and Dreyden Stephens; directed by Kyle Cooper and Jason Wan Lim; written by Steve Goldsworth; A local fixes up a run down house to live in, only to have the original owner’s heir show up to claim it at Christmas; filmed in Alberta) - Nov. 7, PVOD (Trailer)

Christmas at the Holly Day Inn (holiday movie starring Tamla Kari, Anita Dobson, Colin Baker and Kevin Leslie; directed by Adam Wilson; written by Lisa Chapman; A businesswoman who just quit her stressful job, spends the holidays at her family’s quaint country inn which she learns is on the brink of being sold; filmed in the UK) - Nov. 7, PVOD (Trailer)

Christmas Party (NSFW holiday movie starring Emily van den Berg, Dani Thompson and Stephen Staley; directed by Francesco Gabriele; A cheated-on woman finds new love with a guy who is into BDSM and agrees to experiment for Christmas; filmed in the UK) - Nov. 7, PVOD

Werewolf Santa (UK-filmed horror movie starring Nicholas Vince, Mark Arnold and Joe Bob Briggs; written and directed by Arielle Anthony Hayles; Santa turns into a werewolf on Christmas Eve and a YouTuber catches it all on camera; filmed in Surrey, England) - Nov. 7, PVOD (Trailer)

Lil’ Santa’s Christmas Chronicles: Betty Leicester’s Christmas (WOWNow animated special directed by Sandy Lynn Smith) - Nov. 7, DVD

Lil’ Santa’s Book Club: The Christmas Reindeer (WOWNow animated special directed by Sandy Lynn Smith) - Nov. 7, DVD

Fishmas 2 (WOWNow animated special sequel directed by Evan Tramel) - Nov. 7, DVD

Merry Mystery Christmas (holiday movie starring Brittany Bristow, Olivier Renaud, Eliza King and Justin Nurse; directed by Michelle Ouellet; A journalist and a detective team up to catch whoever is stealing outdoor Christmas displays; filmed in St. John’s, Newfoundland) - Nov. 8, Canada on the W Network

A Holiday I Do (holiday rom-com starring Marsha Warfield, Lindsay Hicks, Rivkah Reyes, Joe Piazza and Jill Larson; A lesbian single mom falls for her ex-husband’s wedding planner while serving as the ‘Best Woman’ at his Christmas wedding; filmed in Michigan) - Nov. 10, TelloFilms.com

A Season of Light: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir (full 2022 concert Lea Salonga; an edited version will appear on PBS and BYU later this holiday season) - Nov. 10, DVD 

I Slay on Christmas (small budget holiday horror movie starring Phil Herman, Alba O'Neill, Christopher Kahler and Jon Whitwell; directed by Derek Braasch, Marcelo Fabani, Phil Herman, James Panetta and Joel D. Wynkoop; A disturbed man wanders into the forest on Christmas Eve and experiences four, separate holiday horrors) - Nov. 10, DVD (Facebook)

Super Papa (French-language holiday movie starring Michaël Youn, Jenifer Bartoli and Gabriel Diefenthal; A widower is roped into chaperoning a school Christmas ski trip where he suddenly starts hearing the thoughts of all the teenagers) - Nov. 12, TF1 in France

I’ll See You on Thanksgiving (holiday movie starring Aditya 'Adi’ Maitra, Ramona Schwalbach and Ulises Ruiz; written and directed by Meshach Malley; College friends meet up after graduation for the holiday and quickly learn how much has changed; filmed in Ohio) - Nov. 14, Amazon PVOD (Website)

A Law for Christmas (faith-based holiday movie starring Savannah Lathem and Chase Giacomo; produced by a non-profit committed to “to promoting the spread of the Christian message.”) - Nov. 20, DVD/Blu-Ray

Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie! (animated movie based on the iconic Family Matters character portrayed by Jaleel White, who does voice work here alongside Nicole Byer, Roy Wood Jr., and Kym Whitley; written and produced by Wyatt Cenac; To try to make up for a shopping mall disaster, Urkel creates an app to help wow Santa, only to end up on the naughty list) - Nov. 21, PVOD (Trailer)

Jones Family Christmas (holiday movie starring Heather Mitchell, Ella Scott Lynch, Max McKenna, Neil Melville and Nicholas Denton; Based on Tegan Higginbotham’s audio play; An Australian family’s Christmas is disrupted by wildfires; filmed in Australia) - Nov. 23, Australia on STAN

Jingle Smells (right-wing holiday comedy starring John Schneider, Eric Roberts, Victoria Jackson, Sean Hannity and Mike Huckabee; directed by Daniel Lusko; A garbage man gives away toys that were set to be destroyed; filmed in New Mexico) - Nov. 23, digital purchase on Rumble

A Laurie Berkner Christmas Special (holiday musical special geared to kids and hosted by the YouTube star, featuring special guests and sing-alongs) - Nov. 24, YouTube

The Great Canadian Baking Show Holiday Special (holiday competition special; hosts Ann Pornel and Alan Shane Lewis welcome former champions back into the tent for a holiday showdown) - Nov. 26, Canada on CBC

What Happens Later (rom-com starring Meg Ryan and David Duchovny; directed by Ryan; Exes snowed in at a small airport spend a magical night together) - Nov. 28, PVOD (Trailer)

The Holdovers (1970s-set holiday drama starring Paul Giamatti, Carrie Preston and Da’Vine Joy Randolph; directed by Alexander Payne and written by David Hemingson; A universally despised teacher without family of his own is forced to stay at his boarding school to supervise students who can’t go home for the holidays, including one particularly surly teen, with only the school’s longtime cook to help; filmed in New England) - Nov. 28, PVOD (Trailer)

Giada Valenti: Love Under The Christmas Tree (live-streamed holiday concert featuring songs from Valenti’ s new holiday album; Live from the Ahern Showroom in Las Vegas) - Nov. 30, Eventbrite

How to Ruin the Holidays (holiday comedy starring Colin Mochrie and Amber Nash; directed by Arlen Konopaki and written by Kevin Gillese; filmed in Atlanta; Originally set for 2020, but delayed due to COVID-19) - Dec. 1, PVOD (Website)

Christmas at Keestone (faith-based holiday movie starring Kevin Sorbo, Corbin Bernsen, Gigi Orsillo, Ben Graham and Bryan McClure; directed by Ricky Borba; A widower spends every holiday at the hotel his wife adored, but this season faces had choices about whether he’s ready to love again; filmed at the Keestone Resort in Tennessee) -Dec. 1, PVOD (Trailer)

Glisten and the Merry Mission (animated holiday movie from Build-A-Bear, starring Julia Michaels, Dionne Warwick, Chevy Chase, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss and Sisanie Villaclara; directed by Cory Morrison; written by Temple Matthews; A young elf and her mother must find an enchanted deer to save Christmas) - Dec. 1, PVOD (Trailer)

The Wiggles: The Sound of Christmas (all-new holiday special from the kids’ musical group) - Dec. 1, PVOD (Trailer)

American Santa (documentary short subject directed by Avi Zev Weider about Black Santas, and the discrimination and prejudice they face in their portrayal) - Dec. 1, L.A. Times YouTube

Ghosts Christmas Special: It’s Behind You (2022 Christmas special of the BBC series; first time available in the U.S.) - Dec. 3, PVOD

There’s Something in the Barn (holiday horror movie starring Martin Starr, Amrita Acharia and Jeppe Beck Laursen; directed by Magnus Martens; written by Aleksander Kirkwood Brown; An American family inherits a remote cabin in the Norwegian mountains and heads there for the holidays only to find they’re not alone; filmed in Norway) - Dec. 5, PVOD (Trailer)

Nightmare on 34th Street (holiday horror movie starring Caroline Boulton, Lucy Pinder, Dani Thompson, Ewen MacIntosh, Andy Gatenby and Adam Greaves; directed by James Crow; A psychopathic Santa visits a small town) - Dec. 5, PVOD

A Disturbance in the Force (documentary from filmmakers Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak on how the infamous 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special came to be) - Dec. 5, digital and DVD (Website)

Christmas Under the Sea 3 (WOWNow animated sequel directed by Barry Markle) - Dec. 5, DVD

Lil Santa’s Christmas Chronicles: Miss Santa Claus (WOWNow animated special directed by Sandy Lynn Smith) - Dec. 5, DVD

Jurassic Planet Christmas (WOWNow animated special directed by Evan Tramel; The dinosaurs get ready for the holiday) - Dec. 5, DVD

Santa Isn’t Real (holiday horror movie starring Scarlett Sperduto, Dana Millican and Kaya Coleman; written and directed by Zac Locke; A woman’s friends don’t believe her when she says Santa attacked her on Christmas Eve, until he returns to terrorize them all) - Dec. 8, PVOD (Trailer)

Journey to Bethlehem (musical retelling of the Biblical Christmas story, starring Fiona Palomo, Milo Manheim, Antonio Banderas,  Stephanie Gil, Joel Smallbone, Lecrae, Rizwan Manji, Geno Seagers and Omid Djalili; directed by Adam Anders; written by Anders and Peter Barsocchini; original music by Adam and Nikki Anders, along with Peer Astrom; filmed in Spain) - Dec. 8, PVOD (Trailer); also in theatrical release

New Years Dance 3 (WOWNow animated special directed by Jim Ardent) - Dec. 12, DVD

A Creature was Stirring (holiday-set horror movie starring Chrissy Metz, Annalise Basso, Scout Taylor-Compton and Connor Paolo; directed by Damien LeVeck; written by Shannon Wells; A nurse’s plan to keep her daughter sedated to protect her from a mysterious, malevolent affliction is thwarted by unexpected holiday houseguests with tragic consequences) - Dec. 12, PVOD (Trailer); also in limited theatrical release

Navidad En Familia (Lincoln Center holiday concert with Jaime Lozano, featuring Krystina Alabado, Mayelah Barrera, Cedric Leiba Jr., Shereen Pimentel, Mario Tadeo and Migguel Anggelo; streamed LIVE from Lincoln Center) - Dec. 14, Lincoln Center

Christmas and the Hard-Luck Lady (Drag queen Barb Hardly, a.k.a. Brett White, hosts a classic holiday special) - Dec. 15, YouTube

Ingrid Michaelson 17th Annual Holiday Hop: Live From New York (live-streamed concert featuring Michaelson and special guests; from New York City) - Dec. 15, Veeps PVOD or subscription

The Christmas Room (holiday movie starring Kelsey Delemar, Donnie Brown Jr., Kimia’ Workman, Cassandra Grant, Jordan Nancarrow, Maya Jai Pinson, Chanel Collins, Kelsey Delemar, Mignon Pinson and Faheem Saadiq Abdus-Salaam; written and directed by Pinson; A woman home for the holidays is shocked by her grandfather’s slide into dementia and struggles to get him the help he needs; filmed in Prince George’s County, Maryland) -  Dec. 16 (Instagram)

Christmas Spirit (small budget holiday horror movie written, directed and starring Dennis Edwards; along with Jonathan Childers and Ethan Fender; A family’s Christmas gathering has a body count) - Dec. 16, YouTube (Teaser)

The Gifted Family (a.k.a. Die Geschenkte Familie; German-language holiday movie starring Jasmin Gerat and Maximilian Brückner, directed by Esther Gronenborn; written by Chris Silbe and Tracey Graves; A single father and his new wife deal with a chaotic family Christmas; filmed in the Czech Republic) - Dec. 17, ZDF in Germany

Merry Good Enough (holiday movie starring Raye Levine, Sawyer Spielberg, Joel Murray, Susan Gallagher, Rosemary Howard, Neil Casey and Comfort Clinton; co-directed by Caroline Keene and Dan Kennedy; written by Keene; When her mother goes missing on Christmas Eve, a daughter must assembly her dysfunctional family to search for her; filmed in Boston and Rhode Island) - Dec. 19, PVOD (Trailer)

Snow White’s Christmas Adventure (family holiday movie starring Jennifer Mischiati, Elijah Rowen and Michael Cervantes; directed by Stefano Milla; written by Mark Morgan and Katherine Tomlinson; Snow White tries to evade the evil queen at Christmas) - Dec. 19, PVOD

Thanksgiving (holiday horror movie starring Milo Manheim, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Nell Verlaque, Addison Rae, Gina Gershon and Patrick Dempsey; directed by Eli Roth, written by Jeff Rendell; based on the mock trailer seen in Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s 2007 movie Grindhouse, where a killer fashions a carving board out of his victims; filmed in Toronto) - Dec. 19, PVOD (Trailer)

Silent Night (holiday-set, dialogue-free, action-thriller starring Joel Kinnaman, Kid Cudi, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Harold Torres; directed by John Woo; written by Robert Lynn; A father avenges the death of his son, killed by gang violence on Christmas Eve; filmed in Mexico) - Dec. 19, PVOD (Trailer)

An L.A. Christmas Story (holiday movie starring Jessica Moore, Derrick Zonca, Kaylee Frazier, Marla Lizbeth Perez, McKenzie Kelly and Eric Marq; written and directed by Michael Kallio; When her online video asking for a man who is “not an idiot” for Christmas goes viral, a lifestyle vlogger finds her life turned upside down; filmed in Hollywood, Ca.) - Dec. 20 (Facebook) 

Athena Saves Christmas (holiday comedy starring Cuba Gooding Jr, Joseph Baena, Ludovica Frasca, Paxton Kubitz, Michael Blackson, Robert Costanzo and Glenn Plummer; directed by Josh Webber; written by Greg Crowder and Webber; A group of young adults and their dog must solve a series of riddles to save Christmas in their town from a mob boss; filmed in Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, Calif.) - Dec. 20

Mog’s Christmas (British animated special featuring the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy, Adjoa Andoh, Miriam Margolyes, Maggie Steed, Zawe Ashton, Charlie Higson and Gareth Berliner; directed by Robin Shaw; adapted from the children’s book by Judith Kerr; With the house full for the holidays, Mog is feeling ignored by the Thomas family, so takes to the roof to escape the ruckus but becomes stuck only to make a surprise Christmas entrance) - Dec. 24, Channel 4 in the UK

The Heist Before Christmas (holiday movie starring James Nesbitt and Timothy Spall; directed by Edward Hall; written by Ronan Blaney; Two bank robbers pull off the perfect heist, dressing as Santa then disappearing into a town’s Claus-themed festival, but they’re spotted by two young boys, one of whom thinks one might be the real deal, the other who would like to get in on their grift; filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland) - Dec. 24, Sky Max UK (Trailer)

Christmas Couples Retreat (holiday movie starring Vincent De Paul, Jimmy Clabots, Bill Dawes, Dana Jamison, Christene Marie and Vanessa Meadows; directed by Matt Shapira and Salvatore Zannino; written by Clabots, F.D. Lewis and Anthony Mormile) - Dec. 25

Silent Night Bloody Night 3 (holiday slasher sequel starring Lloyd Kaufman, Julie Anne Prescott and Tina Krause; written and directed by Will Collazo Jr. and Prescott; The final girl wakes up in an asylum and must avoid being murdered by a killer who wants to see her dead for the holidays) - Dec. 25

Tabby McTat (British animated special featuring the voices of Rob Brydon, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú, Cariad Lloyd, Joanna Scanlan, Susan Wokoma and Jodie Whittaker; directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman; adapted by Max and Suzanne Lang; based on the children’s book by Julia Donaldson) - Dec. 25, BBC in the UKw

[sleepykittypaws]

2023 TV Holiday Premieres

Updated: December 11, 2023 (NOTE: Will try to keep schedule up-to-date for this last year, but no longer following production)

ABC

NOTE: Most will also be available to stream on Hulu and/or Disney+ next day

America’s Funniest Home Video Holiday (user-submitted holiday home video clips) - Nov. 26

The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration (musical performances and holiday celebrations from various Disney properties hosted byJulianne and Derek Hough with performances from Michael Bolton, Mickey Guyton, Adam Blackstone and Andra Day, Chris Janson, Tori Kelly, Chrissy Metz, Robin Thicke and Iam Tongi) - Nov. 26

The Great Christmas Light Fight (season 11 of the reality competition featuring outrageous holiday displays judged by Carter Oosterhouse and Taniya Nayak) - Nov. 26 (Facebook)

Press Your Luck’s Holiday Extravaganza II (special Christmas edition of the game show hosted by Elizabeth Banks) - Dec. 5

Shark Tank Holiday (Christmas-themed entrepreneurs looks for holiday cheer) - Dec. 8

Celebrity Family Feud: Rosie O’Donell vs Billy Porter (special holiday-themed edition of the game show hosted by Steve Harvey) - Dec. 13

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Holiday (Lil Rel Howery, Paula Abdul and Matt Rogers play for charity in this Pat Sajak and Hanna White-hosted holiday game show) - Dec. 13

$100,000 Pyramid Holiday (special holiday themed edition of the game show featuring Matt Walsh vs Malin Akerman) - Dec. 13

CMA Country Christmas (annual holiday concert special hosted by Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood, featuring Lainey Wilson, Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, Jordan Davis, Lindsey Sterling, Lady A, Zach Williams and The War and Treaty; filmed at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville on Oct. 12) - Dec. 14 (Website)

iHeart Radio Jingle Ball (annual holiday music concert special featuring Olivia Rodrigo, Usher, Nicki Minaj, SZA, Niall Horan, OneRepublic, AJR, Sabrina Carpenter, Miguel, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, NCT DREAM and Flo Rida; filmed at Madison Square Garden in New York on December 8th) - Dec. 21

Christmas Eve Worship Service (holiday worship and musical service led by Rev. Michael Brown at High Point University; filmed on November 6) - Dec. 24

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (annual holiday parade/musical showcase hosted by Jesse Palmer and Mickey Guyton; featuring performances by Adam Blackstone and Andra Day, Chris Janson, Chrissy Metz, Iam Tongi, Meg Donnelly, Michael Bolton, Mickey Guyton, Robin Thicke, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tori Kelly, Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine and DJ Khaled; taped in Disney World, Disneyland and other Disney Parks worldwide) - Dec. 25

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024 (LIVE annual Times Square ball drop celebration hosted by Seacrest in New York, Jeannie Mai in Los Angeles and Dayanara Torres in Puerto Rico; featuring performances by Aqua, Doechii, Ellie Goulding, Green Day, Janelle Monáe, Loud Luxury x Two Friends with Bebe Rexha, Ludacris, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Paul Russell, Reneé Rapp with Coco Jones and Thirty Seconds to Mars; LIVE) - Dec. 31 

NBC

NOTE: Most will also be available to stream on Peacock

134th Rose Parade (parade coverage live from Pasadena, Calif.) - Jan. 2

Countdown to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (parade pre-show that takes a look at prep and previews new additions) - Nov. 22

A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving Special (highlights from SNL’s best Thanksgiving sketches) - Nov. 22

97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (official parade coverage featuring appearances by Cher, Jon Batiste, Bell Biv DeVoe, Brandy, Chicago, En Vogue, ENHYPEN and David Foster and Katharine McPhee; LIVE)  - Nov. 23

National Dog Show Presented by Purina (taped coverage of the 2023 National Dog Show from Oaks, Pennsylvania, hosted by John O’Hurley) - Nov. 23

That’s My Jam Holiday (holiday special episode of the Jimmy Fallon-hosted music game show) - Nov. 27

100th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center (annual New York City tree lighting, hosted by Kelly Clarkson, who will also perform along with Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Cher, David Foster, Liz Gillies, Darlene Love, Seth MacFarlane, Barry Manilow, Katharine McPhee, Keke Palmer, and Carly Pearce; LIVE) - Nov. 29

Christmas at Graceland (musical special from the Memphis estate of Elvis Presley, produced by his granddaughter, Riley Keough, and featuring performances by Alanis Morissette, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, Lana Del Rey, Post Malone, and The War And Treaty) - Nov. 29

Blake Shelton’s Holiday Bartacular Ft. Ice T  (Christmas special based on the Barmageddon game show hosted by Carson Daly and Blake Shelton along with special guest Ice T playing holiday-themed pub games like Christmas Carole-oke) - Dec. 4

Christmas at the Opry (musical special hosted by Wynnona Judd featuring performances from BRELAND, Brenda Lee, Chris Janson, Chrissy Metz, Kelly Clarkson, Lauren Alaina, Mickey Guyton and Trace Adkins; filmed in Nashville on Oct. 3) - Dec. 7

Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas (musical holiday special featuring the legendary singer; filmed in Las Vegas) - Dec. 11 

A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special (highlights from SNL’s best Christmas sketches) - Dec. 14

Password Holiday Special (special holiday episode of the game show hosted by Keke Palmer) - Dec. 18

Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party (New Year’s countdown hosted by Miley Cyrus; executive produced by Lorne Michaels) - Dec. 31

135th Rose Parade (Annual New Year’s parade LIVE from Pasadena, Calif., hosted by Hoda Kotb and Al Roker.) - Jan. 1, 2024

CBS

NOTE: Most will also be available to stream on Paramount+

The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS (unofficial parade coverage of the Macy’s parade hosted by Kevin Frazier and Keltie Knight, LIVE)  - Nov. 23

The Greatest @HomeVideos Holiday (holiday video clip compilation hosted by Cedric the Entertainer) - Nov. 24

The Price is Right at Night Holidays (Drew Carey hosts five holiday-themed episodes of the popular game show in prime-time) - Dec. 4

Big Brother: Reindeer Games (special, holiday-themed six episode installment featuring returning Big Brother contestants) - Dec. 11

National Christmas Tree Lighting (annual holiday musical special culminating with lighting of the National tree in President’s Park, Washington, D.C; taped on November 30th) - Dec. 15

Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic (special celebrating the 98th birthday of the iconic actor) - Dec. 21

The 25th Annual A Home For the Holidays (annual special honoring foster care and recognizing outstanding kids and parents) - Dec. 22

Loteria Loca Feliz Navidad (special holiday edition of the Latin-American inspired game show hosted by Jaime Camil) - Dec. 24

LINGO for the Holidays (special holiday edition of the game show hosted by RuPaul) - Dec. 24

New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash (LIVE musical special and countdown to the New Year from Nashville, featuring Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lainey Wilson, Trace Adkins, Grace Bowers, Kane Brown, Jackson Dean, HARDY, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton, Trombone Shorty, Morgan Wallen and Bailey Zimmerman) - Dec. 31

FOX

NOTE: Most will also be available to stream on Hulu and/or Tubi next day

TMZ’s Merry Elfin’ Christmas (year-end showbiz gossip recap hosted by Harvey Levin) - Dec. 5

MasterChef Junior: Home for the Holidays (two-night cooking competition featuring nine young chefs making holiday favorites, hosted by Gordon Ramsey) - Dec. 10-11

The Masked Singer Sing-Along (holiday music special featuring Masked Singer favorites and judges Nick Cannon, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger) - Dec. 12

Lego Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular (season two of the holiday competitive reality miniseries hosted by Will Arnett) - Dec. 18-19

The Christmas Break (holiday movie starring Justin Long, India Mullen, Arlo Buchanan, Mark Huberman, Ruth Kearney, Tom Moran, Bill Murphy, Robert Mitchell. Aaron Monaghan, Marion O'Dwyer, Norma Sheahan, Shane Casey, and Cate Russell; directed by Prarthana Mohan; A couple travel to Ireland for Christmas and must deal with the wife’s dysfunctional family while in the midst of marital troubles; filmed in Ballymore Eustace, Ireland) - Dec. 21 (Trailer)

CW

Son of a Critch: Merry Christmas (2022 holiday special of the sit-com, which aired in 2022 in Canada ) - Sep. 4

PBS

NOTE: Most also available to stream on PBS Passport; check local listings as debut dates and re-airs vary across different PBS stations and not all specials available nationally

London’s New Year’s Day Parade: Welcome Back to London (24 American marching bands and 1,000 cheerleaders perform in London to welcome the New Year) - Jan. 1

Great Performances—From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2023 (New Year classical music concert hosted by Huge Bonneville) - Jan. 1

All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special 2022 (o-production with Channel 5 in the UK, starring Nicholas Ralph and Anna Madeley, based on the book series by James Herriot, shot on location in Yorkshire; aired in 2022 in the UK) - Feb. 19

KPBS Holiday Special 2023 (musical holiday special produced by the San Diego PBS station and featuring the San Diego Children’s Choir, Encore Vocal Ensemble, the Jewish Men’s Choir, the San Diego Master Chorale, Promotora de las Bella Artes, Sacra/Profana, and the San Diego Chorus) - Nov. 25 (Preview)

Songs of the Season (fourth annual holiday music special, featuring 19 choral groups from Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.) - Dec. 11

Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir (edited holiday concert special, filmed in December 2022 featuring the famed Mormon choir featuring Tony Award winner and Disney Princess Lea Salonga along with Sir David Suchet) - Dec. 12, will re-air on BYU TV and also available unedited on DVD, Nov. 10 (Preview)

Ball and Vase (award-winning holiday short starring Austin Pendleton and Diane J Findlay; written and directed by David Baram; An aging magician with little to look forward to is determined to pull off one last Christmas Eve illusion) - Dec. 15, NY PBS stations and WNET “All Arts” app (Trailer)

The Erie Philharmonic Christmas Holiday Concert (holiday concert from Pennsylvania featuring special guest Melinda Doolittle) - Dec. 14

Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas (UK cooking and travel special hosted by Dame Mary Berry and special guests Andy Murray, Iain Stirling and Emeli Sandé; filmed in Scotland) - Dec. 18

Holiday Concert from UW-Eau Claire (the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s 49th annual Holiday Concert, led by executive director Dr. John R. Stewart and produced by PBS Wisconsin) - Dec. 20

Call the Midwife Christmas Special 2023 (special holiday episode of the 12th season of the long-running BBC series, airing same day as in the UK) - Dec. 25

Next At The Kennedy Center: A New Year’s Eve Celebration (Cynthia Erivo rings in the New Year with special guests Ben Platt and Joaquina Kalukango; filmed Dec. 6) - Dec. 31

Hallmark Channel

Note: Will also be available to stream live and next day, for 72 hours, on Peacock

The Love Club: Nicole (first in four-movie holiday-adjacent series—each named after its main character: Nicole, Lauren, Sydney and Tara—starring Brittany Bristow, Lily Gao, Chantel Riley, Camille Stopps, Marcus Rosner, Jesse Hutch, Andrew Bushell and Brett Donahue; Four women commiserate about their lousy dates at a college New Year’s party, forming the ‘Love Club’ and vowing to always be there for each other in future romantic emergencies; filmed in Toronto) - Mar. 4 (Trailer), all four movies available on Hallmark Movies Now

A Royal Christmas Crush (holiday movie starring Stephen Huszar and Katie Cassidy; directed by Marita Grabiak; Christmas-set third in the ice hotel trilogy which includes 2019′s Winter Castle and 2021′s Baby, It’s Cold Inside; A prince ends up at the Hotel de Glace for Christmas; filmed in Ottawa and Valcartier, Quebec) - July 8

Take Me Back for Christmas (holiday movie starring starring Vanessa Lengies, Corey Sevier and Kimberly-Ann Truong; directed by Corey Sevier; A happily married woman in a dead end job makes a Christmas wish for a new life and wakes up with her dream career, but without her husband; filmed in Hamilton, Ontario) - July 15

Checkin’ It Twice (holiday hockey-themed movie starring Kim Matula, Kevin McGarry, Brittany Mitchell, Pete MacLeod, Craig March, Desiree Zurowski, Tucker Bowman and Kairo Ellis; directed by Kevin Fair; hockey-themed Christmas story; filmed in Kelowna and Vernon, B.C.) - Oct. 20

Where Are You Christmas? (holiday movie starring Michael Rady Lyndsy Fonseca, Jim O’Heir, Mandi Masden, Annie Tisdale and Mitch Poulos; directed by Dustin Rikert; A woman wishes for a world without Christmas and wakes up in a black and white world where she must fight to restore the holiday; filmed in New London and Mystic, Conn.) - Oct. 21

Under the Christmas Sky (holiday movies tarring Jessica Parker Kennedy, Ryan Paevy, Sarah Luby and Emmy Richardson; directed by Sean Geraughty; written by Kristine Huntley; A grounded astronaut joins forces with a writer for a holiday exhibit; filmed in Winnipeg,) - Oct. 22 

Christmas by Design (holiday movie starring Becky Dalton, Jonathan Keltz and David Pinard; directed by Max McGuire; A designer enters a holiday fashion challenge; filmed in Ottawa) - Oct. 27

Mystic Christmas (holiday movie starring Jessy Schram, Chandler Massey, Patti Murin, Jennifer Markes, Ralph Adriel Johnson, Nick Jordan and Dan Albertson; directed by Marlo Hunter; written by Nicole Drespel; An animal expert answers a call for help from an old friend and takes a job that puts her in the path of an ex at Christmas; filmed in Connecticut) - Oct. 28

Joyeux Noel (holiday movie starring Juicy Elliot and Brant Daugherty; directed by Jessica Harmon; A reporter travels to a French Christmas market to investigate an artist; filmed in Rouen, France) - Oct. 29

Flipping for Christmas (holiday movie starring Ashley Newbrough, Marcus Rosner, Ray Galletti, Natalie Lisinska, Kyana Teresa and Varun Saranga; directed by Katherine Barrell; written by Brett Heard; A contractor and a realtor inherit a house they plan to flip, but each have different motives for the sale; filmed Dundas, Ontario) - Nov. 3

Never Been Chris’d (holiday movie starring Janel Parrish, Tyler Hynes and Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes; directed by Jeff Beesley; written by Joie Botkin; Lifelong best friends and business partners’ bond is tested when they’re reunited with their mutual high school crush, who ends up falling for one of them; filmed in Winnipeg) - Nov. 4

The Santa Summit (holiday movie starring Hunter King and Ben Hollingsworth; directed by Jeff Beesley; written by Russell Hainline; A trio of best friends set out for a fun night at their town’s annual holiday celebration, but end up with more than they bargained for; filmed in Winnipeg) - Nov. 5

Everything Christmas (holiday movie starring Katherine Barrell, Cindy Busby, Corey Sevier and Matt Wells; directed by Marni Banack; written by T Booker James; A Christmas obsessive quits her job and convinces her friend to road trip to a holiday mecca, where they find what might be real Christmas magic; filmed in St. John’s, Newfoundland) - Nov. 10

Christmas Island (holiday movie starring Rachel Skarsten and Andrew Walker; directed by David Weaver; A charter pilot forced to land on an island near Nova Scotia bonds with a local at the holidays as they try to entertain her rich clients; filmed in Lunenberg and Halifax, Nova Scotia) - Nov. 11

A Heidelberg Holiday (holiday movie starring Frédéric Brossier, Ginna Claire Mason and Alexander Schubert; directed by Maclain Nelson; An artist gets the chance to sell her handblown glass ornaments at a famous European market; filmed in Germany and Serbia) - Nov. 12

Navigating Christmas (holiday movie starring Chelsea Hobbs and Stephen Huszar, and Lindsay Gibson; directed by Peter Benson; A single mom visits a remote island and connects with the surly lighthouse owner; filmed in Victoria, B.C.) - Nov. 17

A Merry Scottish Christmas (holiday movie starring Lacey Chabert, Scott Wolf and Fiona Bell; directed by Dustin Rikert; Estranged siblings reunite to spend holiday with their mom; filmed in Ireland and Scotland) - Nov. 18

Holiday Hotline (holiday movie starring Niall Matter and Emily Tennant; directed by Mark Jean; written by Julie Sherman Wolfe; A widowed dad tries to cook the perfect holiday meal and turns to help from the Butterball hotline where he connects with a new-in-town chef; filmed in Winnipeg) - Nov. 19

Catch Me If You Claus (holiday movie starring Italia Ricci and Luke Macfarlane; directed by Bradley Walsh; written by Nina Weinman; A reporter looking for her big break  catches a man dressed as Santa breaking into her house who says he’s Santa’s son on the run; filmed in Ottawa, Ont) - Nov. 23

Letters to Santa (holiday movie starring Rafael De La Fuente, Katie LeClerc, Laura Cerón, Mariana Paola Vicente, Kellen Raffaelo and Taylor Pezza; directed by John Stimpson; written by Danielle Artigo and Jon Artigo; Kids use Santa’s wish-granting pen to try to reunite their separated parents; filmed in Worcester, Mass.) - Nov. 24

Holiday Road (holiday movie starring Warren Christie and Sara Canning; directed by Martin Wood; written by Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo; A diverse group of strangers decide to travel together during a storm in an effort to get everyone home for the holidays; inspired by true events; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 24

Christmas in Notting Hill (holiday movie starring Sarah Ramos, William Moseley and Donia Kash; directed by Ali Liebert; written by Alex Yonks; A soccer story finds love with an American visitor while home for the holidays; filmed in Dublin and London) - Nov. 25

Haul out the Holly: Lit Up (sequel to 2022 movie starring Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Melissa Peterman, Ellen Travolta, Seth Morris, andJennifer Aspen; directed by Maclain Nelson; written by Christopher Sey; The cul-de-sac prepares for another Christmas and new neighbors; filmed in Cottonwood Heights, Utah) - Nov. 25

Our Christmas Mural (holiday movie starring Alex Paxton-Beesley and Dan Jeannotte; A widowed artist reluctantly becomes involved in a holiday mural contest which helps her start to heal; filmed in Vieux-Saint-Jean, Quebec) - Nov. 26

A Biltmore Christmas (holiday movie starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Kristoffer Polaha, Colton Little, Annabelle Borke, A.K. Benninghofen and Jonathan Frakes; directed by John Putch; written by Marcy Holland; A screenwriter tasked with remaking a Christmas classic goes to the original filming site for research, only to be transported back in time; filmed at the famed North Carolina estate) - Nov. 26

My Norwegian Holiday (holiday movie starring Rhiannon Fish and David Elsendoorn; directed by David Mackay; written by Betsy Morris; A woman grieving her grandmother travels to Norway with a handsome stranger to explore the origins of a troll statue from her her grandmother’s collection) - Dec. 1

A Not So Royal Christmas (holiday movie starring Brooke D'Orsay and Will Kemp; directed by Jonathan Wright; A gossip columnist pretends to be a serious journalist in order to get close to a mysterious Count, only to find out he’s now who he seems either; filmed in Hamilton, Ontario) - Dec. 2

Christmas with a Kiss (holiday movie starring Mishael Morgan, Ronnie Rowe Jr., and Jaime M. Callica; directed by Roger Bobb; A woman returns home to help with the Christmas carnival and runs into an old flame) - Dec. 3

Magic in Mistletoe (holiday movie starring Lyndie Greenwood and Paul Campbell; directed by Paula Elle; A grumpy author reluctantly agrees to attend a Christmas festival in order to make up for backlash to online comments; filmed in B.C.) - Dec. 8

Christmas on Cherry Lane (holiday movie starring Catherine Bell, Jonathan Bennett, John Brotherton, Erin Cahill, James Denton and Vincent Rodriguez III; directed by Gail Harvey; written by Rick Garman; Neighbors in different stages of their lives come together at the holidays) - Dec. 9

Round and Round (holiday movie starring Bryan Greenberg, Vic Michaelis and Rick Hoffman; A woman is stuck reliving her parents’ Hanukkah party over and over) - Dec. 10

The Secret Gift of Christmas (holiday movie starring Meghan Ory and Christopher Russell; directed by Christie Will Wolf; A personal shopper helps a single dad find the perfect gift) - Dec. 15

Sealed with a List (holiday movie starring Katie Findlay and Evan Roderick; directed by Lucie Guest; written by Emily Ting and Melynda Bissmeyer; Co-workers scramble to set a new course for their lives by tackling a New Year’s resolution every day in December; filmed in B.C.) - Dec. 16

Friends & Family Christmas (holiday movie starring Humberly Gonzalez and Ali Liebert; An artist and lawyer meet on a reluctant set-up, where they decide to pretend to date to avoid further pressure from their parents; directed by Anne Wheeler; filmed in B.C.) - Dec. 17

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Note: Will also be available to stream live and next day, for 72 hours, on Peacock

Ms. Christmas Comes to Town (holiday movie starring Brennan Elliott, Erica Durance and Barbara Niven; directed by Jason Bourque; A shopping channel host receives a terminal diagnosis filmed in B.C.) - Oct. 26

My Christmas Guide (holiday movie starring Amber Marshall, Ben Mehl, Ava Weiss, Justin Nurse, Peter Soucy, Bridget Wareham and Vox Smith; directed by Maxwell McGuire; A professor who lost his eye sight regains his confidence with the help of a guide dog; filmed in St. John’s, Newfoundland) - Nov. 2

Mystery on Mistletoe Lane (holiday movie starring Erica Cerra and Victor Webster; directed by Allan Harmon; A new homeowner solves a mystery with the help of a handyman; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 9

A World Record Christmas (holiday movie starring Nikki DeLoach, Lucas Bryant, Aias Dalman, Matt Hamilton, Alison Wandzura, April Telek, Miranda Edwards and Beverley Elliott; directed by Jason Bourque; written by Mark Hefti; A Washington town tries to set a record on Christmas Eve; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 16

A Season for Family (holiday movie starring Brendan Penny, Stacey Farber, Benjamin Jacobson and Azriel Dalman; Adoptees reunite with biological family at the holidays) - Nov. 22 

Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas (sixth in the holiday movie series executive-produced by Blake Shelton, following 2018′s Time for Me to Come Home For Christmas, 2019′s Time for You to Come Home for Christmas, 2020′s Time for Us to Come Home For Christmas, 2021′s Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas and 2022′s Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas; starring Shenae Grimes-Beech, Chris Carmack and Grace Leer; directed by Ali Liebert; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 30

To All a Good Night (holiday movie starring Kimberley Sustad and Mark Ghanimé; A photographer saves a man’s life only to learn he’s trying to buy her family’s land) - Dec. 7

Heaven Down Here (holiday movie based on the song by Mickey Guyton; Four troubled people find themselves trapped in a diner during a Christmas Eve snowstorm, and find they’re the answer to each other’s prayers) - Dec. 14

Miracle in Bethlehem, PA (holiday movie starring Laura Vandervoort and Benjamin Ayres; directed by Jeff Beesley; Single mom Mary and her baby seek shelter from a sudden snowstorm with a stranger named Joe; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 21

Lifetime

Christmas Plus One (holiday movie starring Corey Sevier, Emily Alatalo, Vanessa Smythe and Michael Dickson; directed by Meeshelle Neal; written by Erica Deutschman; Sisters make a holiday pact to find true love before next Christmas, one succeeds so well she’s planning a holiday wedding, while the other meets the ‘perfect guy’ to bring as her date, but immediately loses his number; filmed in Ontario and debuted internationally in 2022) - Nov. 18 (Trailer)

Planes, Trains, and Christmas Trees (holiday movie starring Kathryn Davis and Olivier Renaud; directed by Marta Borowski and written by Cera Rose Pickering; A pair of strangers desperate to get home for the holidays try to drive themselves through a snowstorm but end up stranded together in a small Ohio town; filmed in Ontario and debuted internationally in 2022) - Nov. 19 (Trailer)

Christmas at the Chalet (holiday movie starring Teri Hatcher, William deVry, Dan Payne, Aleksandra Cross, Nick Preston, Mila Jones and Patti Allen; directed by Lucie Guest; filmed at the Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna, B.C.) - Nov. 25

Laughing all the Way (holiday movie starring Jake Epstein, Paniz Zade, Ish Morris and Mary Walsh; An aspiring comedian stuck writing jokes for others gets a chance to make her mark when she teams up with a famous headliner for a holiday variety show; directed by Marita Grabiak; filmed in Ottawa) - Nov. 26

Ladies of the ‘80s: A Diva’s Christmas (holiday movie starring Loni Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Nicollette Sheridan, Travis Burns and Taylor Ann Thompson; A director and producer try to wrangle a gaggle of divas for a reunion Christmas special, only to find themselves drawn together) - Dec. 2

Mistletoe Match (holiday movie starring Elena Juatco, Ryan Bruce, Vas Saranga, Tessa Kozma and Dianne Aguilar; directed by Graeme Campbell; written by Jesica L. Randall; A journalist goes undercover at a holiday singles event, but finds herself falling for a single dad; filmed in Ontario and debuted internationally in 2022) - Dec. 3 (Trailer)

A Cowboy Christmas Romance (holiday movie starring Jana Kramer, Adam Senn, Mary-Margaret Humes, Cassie Randolph, Curt Mega, Bruce Thomas, Lisa Lee and Max Ehrich; written by Sarah Drew; A developer returns to her hometown to convince a reluctant owner to sell his ranch) - Dec. 9

Yes, Chef! Christmas (holiday movie starring Tia Mowry; directed by Maxwell McGuire; written by Carley Smale; An adoptee/chef is invited to enter a cooking contest by a mysterious benefactor where she clashes with a celebrity chef;  filmed in Ottawa) - Dec. 10

The Holiday Proposal Plan (holiday movie starring Tatyana Ali, Jesse Kove, Whitney Able, Geovanni Gopradi, Tiffany Shepis and Whitney Able; written and directed by Jake Helgren; Exes reunite to plan a magical holiday engagement for their best friends; filmed in Big Bear Lake, Calif.) - Dec. 16 (Trailer)

A Christmas Intern (holiday movie starring Jackée Harry, Ciarra Carter, Vivica A. Fox, Doug Rogers, Jasmine Avialotis and Michael Paré; A driven mom who hates retirement visits her daughter for Christmas and ends up interning at her startup.) - Dec. 16

Merry Magic Christmas (holiday movie starring Patricia Isaac, Andrew Dunbar and Mela Pietropalo; directed by Aubrey Arnason; A financial analyst starts seeing the same number everywhere, leading her to love; filmed in B.C.) - Dec. 17

Mom’s Christmas Boyfriend (holiday movie starring Jeananne Goossen and Zach Smadu; directed by Graeme Campbell; A single mom’s daughter wins a Christmas wish contest and asks for her mom to find love; filmed in and around Toronto) - Dec. 23

Lifetime Movie Network

Silent Night, Fatal Night (holiday thriller starring Alex Camacho and Matthew Pohlkamp; An author decides to end her long-running mystery series, but a crazed fan has other ideas) - Dec. 7

Great American Family (formerly GAC)

⚠️ Want all to be aware there is more to Great American Family, née GAC, than G-rated Christmas movies. Though I’m including dates and details here in the spirit of being a completist, worth noting the funding and founding of this channel, which comes from the Donald Trump-aligned Hicks Equity Group, brings with it an explicit anti-diversity agenda, hiding under guise of harmless sounding words like “family-friendly” and “safe” programming. More detailed explanation here (bottom of page), and additional more recent thoughts, for those who want it. And if you’re looking for outside sources on GAF’s political affiliations and lack of inclusion, see these stories from The Daily Beast, Vulture, the L.A. Times and Bloomberg.

A Belgian Chocolate Christmas (holiday movie starring Jaclyn Hales and Zane Stephens; directed by Maximilian Elfeldt; written by Scott Adkins; A food stylist travels to Belgium for the holidays; filmed in L.A. and Brussels; originally announced as for 2022 by Great American Family, but pulled from their schedule for not meeting their “standards” ) - Jul. 8

Destined 2: Christmas Once More (holiday movie sequel starring Shae Robins and Casey Elliott; Trying to propose he once again keeps missing his girlfriend) - Oct. 14

‘Twas the Text Before Christmas (holiday movie starring Trevor Donovan and Merritt Patterson; directed by TW Peacocke; written by Cara J. Russell; A woman receives an accidental text that leads to her regularly spending the holiday with a stranger and falling in love with her son; filmed in North Bay, Ontario) - Oct. 21

Bringing Christmas Home (military-themed holiday movie starring Jill Wagner and Paul Greene; A teacher and an antique store owner try to track down the WW2 solider who left love letters in his pocket; directed by Mike Rohl; filmed in B.C.) - Oct. 28

Journey to Christmas (a.k.a. A Model Christmas; holiday movie starring Ash Tsai and Joey Heyworth; written by Missy Cohen-Fyffe; directed by Brian Brough; A model is forced to spend the holidays with her driver and his family when a storm strands them in a small town; filmed in Orem, Utah) - Oct. 29

A Dash of Christmas (holiday movie starring Laura Osnes and Christopher Russell; To get a job a marketing exec must team up with a chef to learn a recipe) - Nov. 4

Our Christmas Wedding (holiday movies starring Holly Deveaux, Drew Seeley and Brigitte Kingsley; directed by Andrew Cymek; written by Courtney McAllister and Patrick McBrearty; filmed in Canada) - Nov. 5

Christmas Keepsake (holiday movie starring Jillian Murray and Daniel Lissing; A single dad teams up with a stranger to help find a time capsule’s owner) - Nov. 11

A Christmas Blessing (holiday movie starring Lori Loughlin, James Tupper and Jesse Hutch; directed by David Winning; A food critic on her way to Paris, stops to spend Christmas at a food pantry she recently inherited; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 12

Santa, Maybe (holiday movie starring Aubrey Reynolds and Sam Whitten; A woman falls in love with her secret Santa, who happens to be her high school nemesis; filmed in Utah) - Nov. 18

Paris Christmas Waltz (billed as a “sequel” to Hallmark’s 2020 Christmas Waltz, but featuring zero original cast members; starring Jen Lilley and Matthew Morrison; written and directed by Michael and Janeen Damian; filmed partly in Paris) - Nov. 19

My Christmas Hero (holiday movie starring Candace Cameron Bure, Irene Reynolds, Ken Kramer and Kenneth Luong; directed by Martin Wood; A women works to honor a fallen solider and his family at Christmas; filmed in B.C., Canada) - Nov. 24

A Royal Date for Christmas (holiday movie starring Danica McKellar and Damon Runyan; directed by Bradley Walsh; A boutique owner styles a prince who lost his luggage; filmed in Sudbury, Ontario) - Nov. 25

A Christmas for the Ages (holiday movie starring Natasha Bure, Anthony Timpano, Kate Craven and Cheryl Ladd; directed by Martin Wood; written by Jim Head; A family tries to celebrate Christmas as it was in different decades; executive produced by Candace Cameron Bure) - Nov. 26

Christmas on Windmill Way (holiday movie starring Chad Michael Murray and Christa Taylor Brown; To save a family windmill a woman must charm her ex boyfriend; filmed in Toronto) - Dec. 2

The Jingle Bell Jubilee (holiday movie starring Erin Agostino, Marshall Williams and Samantha Kendrick; directed by Ernie Barbarash; A woman recruits an old friend to help with a charity event; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 3, streaming same day on Hulu

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (holiday movie starring Sarah Fisher and Simon Arblaster; directed by Robin Dunne; Relators work together to sell a house before Christmas; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 9, streaming same day on Hulu

Peppermint & Postcards (a.k.a. It’s A Christmas Thing; holiday movie starring Ella Cannon, Christopher Russell and Dave Kenneth MacKinnon; directed by Jim Cliffe; written by Hayley November; A child’s Christmas wish for her mom to find love goes viral; filmed in Kelowna, B.C.) - Dec. 10 (Trailer); already streaming on Pluto and Freevee as It’s A Christmas Thing

Designing Christmas with You (a.k.a. Mistletoe Moments; holiday movie starring Susie Abromeit and Liam McIntyre; A decorator reluctantly works with partner for a Christmas gala) - Dec. 16

12 Games of Christmas (holiday movie starring Johnny Ramey and Felisha Cooper; A group of friends are dragged into a holiday board game) - Dec. 17

A Royal Christmas Holiday (holiday movie starring Brittany Underwood, Jonathan Stoddard and Billy Baldwin; directed by Fred Olen Ray; A prince is charmed by TV presenter at the holidays; filmed in Buffalo, N.Y.) - Dec. 23

UPtv

Note: Will also be available to stream on UP Faith & Family, some before their linear debut

We’re Scrooged (holiday movie starring Tamara Duarte, Andrew Bushell, Nykeem Provo and Sergio Di Zio; directed by Amy Force; written by Jennifer Snow; High school sweethearts who meet again at their reunion and are visited by three ghosts that make them reconsider why they ever broke up; filmed in Newmarket, Ontario) - Nov. 5

Christmas Time Capsule (holiday movie starring Emily Alatalo, Franco Lo Presti and Lindura; directed by Marco Deufemia; written by Jennifer Snow; Two friends go on road trip to track down his grandmother’s ring in order to propose, but the besties find themselves drawn to each other instead; filmed in Barrie, Ontario) - Nov. 12

Country Hearts Christmas (holiday movie sequel to Country Hearts, starring Chris Jericho, Lanie McAuley, Katerina Maria, Brendan Morgan, Jeff Irving, Craig Strickland, David Pinard, Michelle Nolden, Genevieve Fisher, Roy Lewis, Lara Amersey, Greg Ellwand, Bebsabe Duque, Celine Bauwmans and Neil Whitely; directed by Marco Deufemia and Amy Force; written by Jennifer Snow; The daughters of a country star try to find their own place in the world; filmed in Toronto) - Nov. 19

Mistletoe Connection (holiday movie Jessica Sipos and Markian Tarasiuk; directed by David Strasser; Shop Around the Corner pastiche, with a local shop owner falling for a handsome stranger she doesn’t know is the developer trying to ruin her town) - Nov. 26

A Christmas Homecoming (holiday music special hosted by Bill Gaither and featuring Josh Turner and the Gaither Vocal Band) - Dec. 2

Yuletide the Knot (holiday movie starring Mary Antonini, Peter Porte, Kelley Jakle, Melissa Peterman and Kelsey Scott; directed by Nanea Miyata; written by Daniel Mahler Landman; A wedding planner hired to organize an influencer’s holiday wedding finds herself unexpectedly having to work her ex to get the job done; filmed in Colorado) - Dec. 3

Christmas at the Amish Bakery (holiday movie starring Sean Koetting, Alexandra Harris, Francesca Barker McCormick and Mischa Hutchings; directed by Jeff Hare; written by Jennifer Snow; A woman who grew up in Amish country but is now an editor in New York, reluctantly returns home to assemble a cookbook; filmed in Somerset, Kentucky) - Dec. 10

Dial S for Santa (holiday movie starring Sarah Dugdale, Julian Haig and Lynda Boyd; directed by David Strasser; An investigator visiting her sister and nephew for the holidays finds herself trying to help the local police solve a string of robberies) - Dec. 17

A Christmas Letter (holiday family movie starring David Lipper, Glenda Bragzana, Jorja Cadence, Enrico Colantoni, Roger Cross and Colin Mochrie; directed by Brian Roberts; A little girl’s letter to Santa is intercepted by two elves who bring chaos to her small town; filmed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.; premiered in 2021 on CBC Gem, Canada, first time available in the U.S.) - Dec. 24

OWN

NOTE: All will also be available to stream next day on Max

A Christmas Serenade (holiday movie starring Skye Townsend and BJ Britt; directed by Roger M. Bobb; written by Lenore Coer; When a touring musician finds himself back home for the holidays, he reconnects with his ex, who is now in charge of the church choir; filmed in Ottawa) - Dec. 2

Christmas of Yes (holiday movie starring Jeff Pierre, Michele Weaver and Yanna McIntosh; directed by Rhonda Baraka; A Type-A mom makes a Christmas vow to let go, and say yes more often; filmed in Alberta, Canada) - Dec. 9

The Christmas Detective (holiday mystery starring Javicia Leslie and Brad James; directed by Winnifred Jong; A pageant queen turned private investigator is determined to solve a holiday art heist; filmed in Ottawa) - Dec. 16

Christmas Revisited (holiday movie starring Tanyell Waivers, Jaime M. Callica and Andrea Lewis; College friends reunite for the holidays after the death of a classmate; directed by Winnifred Jong; filmed in Ottawa) - Dec. 23

Nickelodeon

NOTE: All will also be available to stream live or next day on Paramount+

The Tiny Chef Show: Fwendsgiving (animated holiday special based on the preschool series; A snow storm threatens the chef’s holiday feast) - Nov. 20

The Loud House: ‘Twas the Fight Before Christmas (special holiday episode of the animated series; Lincoln and his cousins try to end a years-long feud between their fathers) - Dec. 1

Tiny Chef’s Marvelous Mish Mesh Special (animated holiday special based on the preschool series featuring special guest voice Alan Cumming; The chef hosts a celebrity cookie baking competition with special guest Santa J. Claus) - Dec. 4

NFL Nickmas (LIVE, kid-friendly presentation of the Las Vegas Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs) - Dec. 25

Disney Channel

NOTE: All will also be available to stream next day on Disney+ unless otherwise noted

The Naughty Nine (holiday family movie starring Winslow Fegley, Camila Rodriguez, Anthony John Joo, Clara Stack, Imogen Cohen, Madilyn Kellam and Deric McCable; directed by Alberto Belli; written by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas; A group of kids plan a North Pole heist for presents when they learn they’re on Santa’s naughty list; filmed in Montreal) - Nov. 22

Mickey Saves Christmas Extended Version (extended version of the 2022 stop-motion, animated holiday special featuring the voices of Brock Powell and Camryn Grimes; Mickey and friends quiet cabin holiday is interrupted when Pluto accidentally causes Santa to lose all the presents in his sleigh) - Nov. 25

Pupstruction Saves Christmas (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; A sleigh crash leaves Santa needing help from the pups) - Nov. 27 (available on Disney+, Dec. 20)

Me & Mickey: Decorating for Christmas (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Mickey decorates his Christmas tree) - Nov. 27 (available on Disney+, Dec. 13)

Mickey’s Christmas Tales  (five, stop-motion animated shorts featuring Mickey and his pals having holiday fun) - Nov. 27 (available on Disney+, Nov. 29)

Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Camp Minnie: Campground Christmas (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Minnie’s friends get stuck in the snow on the way to the camp for Christmas) - Nov. 27

Superkitties: Merry Mousemas (animated holiday special based on the Disney Junior preschool series with special voice guest Justin Guarini; The Superkitties must stop the Cat Burglar from ruining Christmas) - Nov. 28 (available on Disney+, Dec. 6)

Firebuds: Blizzard Buds (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; A sleigh crash leaves Santa needing help from the pups) - Nov. 30

The Ghost and Molly McGee: White Christmess/Perfect Day (special holiday episodes of the animated series; In ”White Christmess” the McGees throw a party for retirees that goes awry; In “Perfect Day” magic is used to repeat New Year’s Day until they get it right) - Dec. 1

The Villains of Valley View: A Very Villain Christmas (special holiday episode of the  series; The Maddens celebrate their first Christmas in Valley View) - Dec. 1

Hailey’s On It!: We Wish You A Merry Chaos-mas (special holiday episode of the animated series) - Dec. 1 (available on Disney+, Dec. 20)

Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Santa’s Crash Landing (animated holiday special based on the Disney Junior preschool series with special voice guest Brock Powell; Santa crash lands in Funhouse Forest) - Dec. 1 (available on Disney+, Dec. 13)

Me & Mickey: Dreidel Play (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Mickey shares his favorite Hanukkah traditions) - Dec. 4

Alice’s Wonderland Bakery: A Hat-Bachi Hanukkah (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Alice encourages Hattie to keep trying to make Hanukkah treats) - Dec. 9

Playdate with Winnie the Pooh: Piglet and the Snow Bear (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Piglet and Pooh worry their snowman will get lonely outside) - Dec. 27

Me & Mickey: New Year’s Eve (special animated holiday episode of the Disney Junior preschool series; Mickey and Minnie celebrate New Year’s) - Dec. 29

HGTV

NOTE: Will also be available to stream next day on Discovery+ and Max

White House Christmas 2023 (explore the decorations of the White House with First Lady Jill Biden, hosted by Drew and Jonathan Scott) - Dec. 10

Food Network

NOTE: Will also be available to stream next day on Discovery+ and Max

Christmas Cookie Challenge (seventh season of the competition series hosted by Eddie Jackson and Ree Drummond, featuring bakers from across the country competing for a weekly cash prize) - Nov. 2

Holiday Wars (fourth-season of the holiday-themed baking competition show hosted by Jeff Mauro, with judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira rating expert sugar and cake artists on their Christmas creations) - Nov. 5

Holiday Baking Championship (tenth season of the holiday-themed backing competition show, hosted by Jesse Palmer, with judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Carla Hall looking for the best holiday home baker to award the $25,000 prize) - Nov. 6

Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown (second season of the reality series that pairs an all-star guest roster against Flay in head-to-head festive cooking competitions) - Nov. 7

The Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown (competition series set in an Elf-themed wonderland where contestants must make magical holiday creations) - Nov. 19

Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays (Selena Gomez-hosted cooking show focused on holiday celebration meals) - Nov. 30

TLC

NOTE: Will also be available to stream next day on Discovery+ and Max

90 Day Fiance Holiday Special (two-part holiday special from the reality series) - Dec. 24-25

BYU TV

NOTE: Available to stream without login via BYU TV app or website

Studio C Christmas: A Snowy Stuntman (all-new comedy Christmas special of the long-running series) - Dec. 4

Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir (edited holiday concert special, filmed in December 2022 featuring the famed Mormon choir featuring Tony Award winner and Disney Princess Lea Salonga along with Sir David Suchet) - Dec. 17, airs first on PBS and also available unedited on DVD, Nov. 10 (Preview)

AXS TV

Luminare Christmas! (holiday musical experience from director John Blasucci ) - Dec. 16

Fox Business

Small Town Christmas (abbreviated, two-episode season three of the holiday travel series hosted by Megan Alexander that previously aired on UPtv) - Dec. 16 & 23

Starz

Plane (New Year’s-set action movie starring Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Yonson An and Tony Goldwyn; directed by Jean-François Richet; A New Year’s Eve storm causes a plane to crash lang on an island occupied by dangerous criminals, forcing the pilot to work with a convict to protect his passengers) - July 12  (Trailer); also available PVOD

Momma Said Come Home for Christmas (holiday movie starring K.D. Aubert, Sean Riggs and Jo Marie Payton; directed by Jason Weary; written by Dan Garcia) - Nov. 1

How the Gringo Stole Christmas (holiday movie starring George Lopez, Emily Tosta, Mariana Treviño, Jack Kilmer and Alma Martinez; directed by Angel Gracia; written by Ezequiel Martinez Jr.; A father is shocked when his daughter comes home for the holidays with a new, white boyfriend in tow; filmed in Jackson, Miss.) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

BET+

A Wesley Christmas Wedding (holiday movie sequel to 2022′s A Wesley Christmas, starring Dorien Wilson, Terrence TC Carson, Loren Lott, Terayle Hill, Kiki Haynes, Jasmine Guy, Camille Chase and Judi Johnson; directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones; written by Bree West; filmed in and around D.C.) - Nov. 2

Heart for the Holidays (holiday movie starring Erica Peeples, Starletta DuPois, Kyle Lowder, Asia Harmony and Leila Weisberg; directed by David “Mitch” Parks; written by David and Lori Beth Bernat; After receiving a heart transplant, a high-powered businesswoman feels compelled to stay in the donor’s small town; filmed in Redondo Beach, Calif.) - Nov. 2

Christmas Angel (holiday movie starring Romeo Miller, Tamar Braxton, DaniLeigh, Shanequa Reed, Gerran Reese, Christopher 'C-Ray’ Roberts, Amber Smoke, written and directed by LazRael Lison; An R&B star dissatisfied with her life who meets up with a stranger who helps her reevaluate everything via a trip down memory lane; filmed in L.A.) - Nov. 9

Sworn Justice: Taken Before Christmas (holiday thriller starring Mishael Morgan, Vivicia A Fox, Leland B. Martin, Benz Antoine and Zak Santiago; directed by Nicole G. Leier; filmed in Toronto) - Nov. 16

So Fly Christmas (holiday movie starring Tichina Arnold, Jackie Harry, Tami Roman, Tommy Davidson, Michael Colyar, Okema Moore and Robert Christopher Riley; directed by Terri J Vaughn; written by Clarence Williams IV; filmed in Atlantic City, New Jersey) - Nov. 23

Ms. Pat Father Christmas (holiday special directed by Debbie Allen, starring Ms. Pat) - Nov. 23

A Royal Christmas Surprise (holiday movie sequel to 2022′s A Royal Surprise, starring Jennifer Freeman and Thapelo Mokoena; directed by Beautie Masvaure Alt; second in a planned trilogy about an American woman who learns her boyfriend is a South African prince when she meets his family; filmed in Glasgow, Kentucky) - Nov. 30

The Christmas Ringer (holiday movie starring Tyler Lepley, Trenyce Cobbins, Tamika Scott, Chrisette Michele and Kelly Price; directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones; A pop star in desperate need of a holiday hit takes over a church choir; filmed in Atlanta) - Nov. 30

Never Alone for Christmas (holiday movie starring Mignon, Allen Maldonado and Macy Gray; directed by Kenny Young; A divorcee attends a holiday convention to avoid being alone on Christmas; filmed in Shreveport, La.) - Dec. 7

Favorite Son Christmas (faith-based, musical holiday movie sequel to 2021′s Favorite Son, starring Darrel Walls, Tank and Ace Tucker; directed by Robin Givens; based on the books by Tiffany L. Warren; A pastor and his wife struggle to conceive, while his mother deals with fall out from his father’s recently exposed secret as they work to produce a holiday album to help fund the church; filmed in Atlanta) - Dec. 14

Christmas Rescue (holiday rom-com directed by and starring Robin Givens) - Dec. 14

Whatever It Takes (holiday movie starring and produced by Tami Roman along with Stevie Baggs Jr., Andre Wilkerson and Katherine RomRell; directed by Tailiah Breon; written by Tu-Shonda Whitaker and Amaleka McCall; Five women bond as family secrets are revealed and dealt with at the holidays) - Dec. 21

Hallmark Movies Now

The Love Club (four-movie holiday-adjacent series—each named after its main character: Nicole, Lauren, Sydney and Tara—starring Brittany Bristow, Lily Gao, Chantel Riley, Camille Stopps, Marcus Rosner, Jesse Hutch, Andrew Bushell and Brett Donahue; Four women commiserate about their lousy dates at a college New Year’s party, forming the ‘Love Club’ and vowing to always be there for each other in future romantic emergencies; filmed in Toronto) - Feb. 2

Three Wise Men and a Baby: Extended Version (Exclusive, extended “Director’s Cut” of the 2022 Hallmark holiday movie starring Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes and Andrew Walker; Hallmark’s highest-rated movie since 2019) - Nov. 27

Rescuing Christmas (holiday movie starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Sam Page and Rob Kasai; directed by Emily Moss Wilson; written by Sarah Montana and Jim Head; A Scroogey photographer wishes Christmas would disappear and when her wish come true finds herself needing to save the holiday; filmed in Duluth, Minnesota) - Dec. 7

An Ice Palace Romance (holiday movie starring Celeste Desjardins and Marcus Rosner; directed by Shawna Steele; A former figure skater turned reporter returns home for a story about the local ice rink, where she connects with its single dad owner; filmed in Ottawa, Canada) - Dec. 14

A Holiday Spectacular: Extended Version (Exclusive, extended “Director’s Cut” of the 2022 Hallmark holiday movie starring Ginna Claire Mason, Derek Klena and Ann-Margret, focused on the Radio City Rockettes; Not my favorite) - Dec. 21

Great American Pure Flix

5000 Blankets (holiday-set, faith-centered, docudrama starring Anna Camp, Carson Minniear and Rob Mayes; directed by Amin Matalqa; written by Matthew Antonelli and Larry Postel; based on the true story of a missing mentally ill father and his son’s idea that ended up helping the local homeless population; filmed in Grapevine, Texas) - Jan. 5 (Trailer)

Dove Channel

Santa Saves the Universe 2 (WOWNow animated special directed by Jacob Trill) - Oct. 21

FOX Nation

Christmas with the Foxes (holiday movie starring Gina Vitori, Max Budroe and Patrick M.J. Finerty; A woman attempts to thwart her father’s new romance, which she thinks has come too soon after mother’s death) - Nov. 23

Christmas in Big Sky Country (holiday movie starring Rebecca Dalton, Olivier Renaud, Tamara Duarte, Mark Ghanime and Shaun Johnston; directed by Marco Deufemia; Sisters come together at Christmas when one’s husband is trapped in a oil rig as they deal with a PR representative from the oil company; filmed in Newmarket, Ontario) - Nov. 23, also available on DVD and digital, Nov. 7 (Trailer)

Christmas in Maple Hills (holiday movie starring Marcus Rosner, Emily Alatalo, Amanda Jordan, Andrew Jackson, Zarrin Darnell-Martin and Bukola Ayoka; directed by Marco Deufemia; written by Jennifer Snow; Two people set out to solve the mystery of a Christmas card sent in the 1940s; filmed in Toronto) - Nov. 23, also available on DVD and digital, Nov. 7 (Trailer)

Christmas with the Knightlys (holiday movie starring Celeste Desjardins, Joe Scarpellino, Roy Lewis and Kym Johnson Herjavec; directed by Macro Deufemia; written by Natasha Baron; A teacher agrees to pose as a billionaire’s girlfriend for the holidays in order to get a new community center for her town) - Nov. 23, also available on DVD and digital, Nov. 7 (Trailer)

Crunchyroll

The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague (Japanese winter and holiday-set anime romance series adapted from Miyuki Tonogaya’s series by Zero-G; In an alternate universe Japan where ancestors were spirits, an office worker meets a man descended from a snow woman.) - Mar. 30, also available via Amazon PVOD

Kaguya-sama: Love is War - The First Kiss That Never Ends (holiday-set season two of anime series adapted from Aka Akasaka’s series about students at an elite academy who refuse to confess their feelings for each other; released as a feature-length movie in Japan in December 2022) - Mar. 31

Dekkoo

Wake Up, Leonard (partially improvised holiday movie starring and written by Nigel DeFriez; directed by Kat Mills Martin; A man struggling with his life and mental health focuses all of his energy on reuniting with an ex) - Nov. 15 (Trailer); also available PVOD

ViaPlay

R.S.V.P. (a.k.a. Tack för Senast!; partially holiday-set Swedish romantic comedy starring Lisa Carlehed and Christian Hillborg; Follows a group of close friends as they fall in and out of love over the course of nine holidays and celebrations in three years; premiered in 2022 in Sweden) - April 25 (Trailer)

ViX

El Sabor De La Navidad (a.k.a. The Taste of Christmas; Spanish language holiday movie starring Mariana Treviño, Pamela Almanza and Andrés Almeida; directed by Alejandro Lozano; written by Jose Tamez; executive produced by Salma Hayek Pinault; Three groups of people navigate complicated family dynamics at the holidays) - Nov. 16

MHz Choice

Paris Police 1905 (French language, holiday-set, historical thriller series starring Jérémie Laheurte, Evelyne Brochu and Thibaut Evrard; follow-up to Paris Police 1900; A Christmas Eve murder involving the city’s seedy underbelly must be solved despite rampant police corruption; previously aired in France and the UK, first time available in the US) - Nov. 14 (Trailer)

QVC+

The Recipe Files (holiday movie starring Ashlee Simpson, Morgan Bradley, Doug Noble, and QVC hosts: David Venable, Ali Carr, Steve Doss, and Rachel Boesing; directed by Lindsay Hartley) - Nov. 24

The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge (reality competition series hosted by Lauren McBride with judges Alton DuLaney and Jane Means; Contestants compete to be named the ultimate gift wrapper) - Dec. 4

Netflix

The Price of Family (a.k.a. Natale a Tutti i Costi; Italian-language holiday comedy starring Christian De Sica, Angela Finocchiaro and Dharma Mangia Woods; written and directed by Giovanni Bognetti; Parents trick their adult children into coming home for Christmas; filmed in Rome and Lazio, Italy) - Jan. 25 (Trailer)

Christmas Love (Kenyan holiday short starring Mkurugenzi Abel Mutua,  Ekirapa Grace, Robert Burale and Neema Kawa; directed by Peter Kawa; A man struggles to balance his work and home life with his faith; debuted on Safaricom Baze in Africa in 2022) - May 1

Love at First Sight (holiday-set movie starring Ben Hardy, Haley Lu Richardson and Jameela Jamil; directed by Vanessa Caswill; Two strangers meet at an airport on their way to London.) - Sep. 15

Strawberry Shortcake’s Perfect Holiday (animated holiday special based on the animated series) - Nov. 1

Gabby’s Dollhouse: Mermaid Christmas Cruise (animated preschool holiday special based on the series) - Nov. 6 (Trailer)

The Claus Family 3 (a.k.a. De Familie Claus 3; Dutch-language family film sequel, starring Jan Declair, Bracha van Doesburgh; Eva van dec Gucht and Mo Bakker;  written and directed by Ruben Vandenborre; The Claus family must once again band together to save Christmas; filmed in Belgium; debuted in 2022 in Europe) - Nov. 8

Crashing Eid (Saudi holiday rom-com series in both Arabic and English; A young woman struggles to tell her Saudi family about her British boyfriend, who they mistake for a handyman; originally scheduled for an October 19, 2023 release but delayed) - Nov. 15 (Trailer)

Best. Christmas. Ever. (holiday comedy starring Heather Graham, Brandy Norwood, Jason Biggs and Matt Cedeno; directed by Mary Lambert; written by Charles Shyer and Todd Calgi; A woman forced to spend Christmas with her picture-perfect college best friend sets out to find cracks in their glossy exterior, but ends up almost ruining the holiday; filmed in Utah) - Nov. 16 (Trailer)

Virgin River Holiday (two, special holiday-set episodes of the series starring Lauren Hammersley, Kai Bradbury, Sarah Dugdale, Annette O'Toole, Tim Matheson, Colin Lawrence, Lexa Doig and Steve Bacic; announced in July ) - Nov. 30

Family Switch (holiday-set family comedy starring Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, Rita Moreno, Emma Myers and Brady Noon; In the days leading up to Christmas a family experiences a body swapping mishap) - Nov. 30

The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday (animated holiday special based on the characters from the DreamWorks movie, directed by Bret Haaland) - Nov. 30

Christmas as Usual (a.k.a. Så Var Det Jul Igjen; Norwegian holiday movie starring Ida Ursin-Holm, Kanan Gill and Marit Andreassen; written and directed by Petter Holmsen; A woman brings her Indian boyfriend home to experience his first traditional Norwegian Christmas.) - Dec. 6

I Hate Christmas (a.k.a. Odio Il Natale; second season of the Italian-language holiday rom-com series starring Pilar Fogliati, Marzia Ubaldi, Fiorenza Pieri, Massimo Rigo, Alessio Praticò, Cecilia Bertozzi and Marcos Piacentini; A nurse who is happily single the rest of the year is sick of being shamed for being alone at the holidays, so vows on December 1 to find someone to take home for Christmas; filmed in Italy) - Dec. 7

The Great British Baking Show: Holidays (US debut of 2022 Christmas and New Year’s special episodes of the Great British Bake Off, featuring returning Bake Off favorites and Channel 4 presenters battling for holiday cake plates) - Dec. 8

Holiday in the Vineyards (holiday movie starring Josh Swickard, Sol Rodriguez, Eileen Davidson, Annika Noelle, Omar Gooding, Alex Taylor and Lindsay Brewer; A widowed single mom works to save her family vineyard; directed by Alex Ranarivelo; filmed in Petaluma, Calif.) - Dec. 13

YOH’ Christmas (South African holiday series starring Katlego Lebogang, Sthandiwe Kgoroge, Tumisho Masha, Kagiso Modupe and Hlomla Dandala; produced by Johnny Barbuzano, Tiffany Barbuzano and Morishe Matlejoane; Tired of being stuck at the kids’ table a woman vows to find a boyfriend for the holidays; filmed in South Africa) - Dec. 15 

Max

Starstruck (season 3 of the BBC co-production and partially-holiday-set series created by and starring Rose Matafeo, along with Nikesh Patel; a budding movie star dates a struggling woman he met on New Year’s Eve) - Sep. 28

Holiday Party with Andrew and Zoe (cooking and entertaining special hosted by Andrew Zimmerman and Zoe François who plan a joint Christmas-Hanukkah party for friends) - Dec. 1

Elmo & Tango Holiday Helpers (original Muppet special featuring the Sesame Street characters; Elmo and Tango help Jasmine Roth renovate a classroom) - Dec.7

Paramount+ with Showtime

The Christmas Classic (holiday movie starring Malin Ackerman, Amy Smart, Ryan Hansen, Will Blagrove, Wes Hager and Charlotte Taylor; written and directed by Shane Dax Taylor; A ski resort owner promises to sell if his ex can defeat her sister, the reigning champ, in an annual Christmas contest a series of outrageous, holiday-themed challenges; filmed in Ruidoso, New Mexico) - Dec. 1 (Trailer)

Peacock

Sam & Kate (holiday-set movies starring Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek, Jake Hoffman and Schuyler Fisk; written and directed by Darren Le Gallo; A son moves home to care for his ailing father and the pair get involved with a mother-daughter duo; Hoffman and Spacek’s children are played by their real-life offspring) - Feb. 1 (Trailer); limited theatrical release in November 2022

Genie (holiday comedy starring Melissa McCarthy, Paapa Essiedu and Marc Maron; directed by Sam Boyd; remake of 1991′s Bernard and the Genie, both written by Richard Curtis; A man makes a wish to win his family back by magic in time for Christmas; expanded remake of the 1991 BBC holiday special; filmed in New York City) - Nov. 22

AMC+

Graham Norton New Year’s Eve Show (New Year’s special hosted by Graham Norton and featuring guests Olivia Coleman, Michael Ward, Leah Williamson and more; aired December 31, 2022 in the UK) - Jan. 6

R.M.N. (Romanian-French movie directed by Cristian Mungiu; A man who has been working overseas returns to his small, Romanian village for Christmas, only to find his former friends and neighbors caught up in fear and prejudice, which comes to a head when new foreign workers come to town) - July 28

Corsage (Austrian movie starring Vicky Krieps about the later life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria; the story begins on the Christmas Eve Elisabeth turns 40, where she vows to maintain her world famous beauty.) Mar. 10 (Trailer)

It’s a Wonderful Knife (holiday horror-thriller starring Jane Widdop, Joel McHale, Justin Long, Sydney Scotia, Sean Depner, Aiden Howard, Erin Boyes and William B. Davis; directed by Tyler MacIntyre; written by Michael Kennedy; A final girl wishes she’d never been born, and lands in an alternate reality where she must once again battle the Christmas Eve killer; filmed in Vancouver) - Dec. 1 (Trailer), also on Shudder

The Sacrifice Game (holiday-set horror movie starring Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, Gus Kenworthy, Chloë Levine, Derek Johns, Laurent Pitre, Madison Baines and Georgia Acken; directed and co-written by Jenn Wexler with Sean Redlitz; Two students, alone at an all-girls boarding school over Christmas break, have to fight off uninvited guests to survive; filmed in Montreal) - Dec. 8 (Trailer), also on Shudder

In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin: A Holiday Special (cooking and entertainment show featuring Hamlin, his family, including niece and chef Renee Guilbault, and special guest Kenny G) - Dec. 13, also available on IFC

Joe Bob’s Creepy Christmas (double feature of holiday horror hosted live by Joe Bob Briggs with charity auctions; LIVE) - Dec. 15, archive available to stream Dec. 17, also on Shudder

ALLBLK

Christmas Holidate (holiday movie starring Jasmine Burke, Deanna Yarbough, Derrick Dee, Xamon Glasper and Gregory Alan Williams, who also directs; A woman uses her company’s new dating app to find someone to bring home for the holidays, but a glitch causes more than one man to show up) - Nov. 2 (Trailer)

Shudder

It’s a Wonderful Knife (holiday horror-thriller starring Jane Widdop, Joel McHale, Justin Long, Sydney Scotia, Sean Depner, Aiden Howard, Erin Boyes and William B. Davis; directed by Tyler MacIntyre; written by Michael Kennedy; A final girl wishes she’d never been born, and lands in an alternate reality where she must once again battle the Christmas Eve killer; filmed in Vancouver) - Dec. 1 (Trailer), also on AMC+

The Sacrifice Game (holiday-set horror movie starring Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, Gus Kenworthy, Chloë Levine, Derek Johns, Laurent Pitre, Madison Baines and Georgia Acken; directed and co-written by Jenn Wexler with Sean Redlitz; Two students, alone at an all-girls boarding school over Christmas break, have to fight off uninvited guests to survive; filmed in Montreal) - Dec. 8 (Trailer), also on AMC+

SCREAMBOX

Secret Santa (holiday horror comedy starring Michael Rady, Drew Lynch and Debra Sullivan; directed and co-written by Adam Marcus; A mysterious virus turns Christmas dinner into a bloodbath and only one person can save the rest of the world; has been on the horror festival circuit since 2018, but this is first time available to general public) - Nov. 7 (Trailer)

Night of the Missing (holiday-set horror movie starring Meredith Thomas, Jill Awbrey and Gigi Gustin; directed by Samuel Gonzalez Jr. and Matthew Hersh; co-written by Gonzalez Jr and Gustin; A mysterious woman visits a sheriff on Christmas Eve with an interesting tale to tell) - Nov. 28

Santastein (partially Kickstarter-funded holiday horror comedy based on a film school short, co-directed by Benjamin Edelman and Manuel Camilion; In a world without Christmas, a vengeful Santa takes his rage out on a group of unsuspecting teens; filmed in Miami) - Dec. 19 (Trailer)

BBC Select

The Secret World of Christmas Chocolate (2022 BBC Channel 4 documentary on the making of holiday confections; first time available in the U.S.) - Nov. 21

Wonderland: The Story of Christmas (2022 BBC Channel 4 documentary exploring holiday portrayals in classic literature; first time available in the U.S.) - Nov. 29

Acorn

The Spirit of Winter (a.k.a. Espirit d’ Hiver; French language, Christmas-set miniseries starring Audrey Fleurot, Cédric Kahn and Lily Taieb; A woman comes to believe a malevolent spirit followed her home for Christmas and has taken possession of her daughter; debuted in 2022 in France, first time available in U.S.) - Sep. 11

The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special (holiday one-off episode of the mystery series starring Sally Lindsay and Sue Vincent; airs same day as UK) - Dec. 25

Britbox

Sister Boniface Mysteries Christmas Special 2023 (one-off holiday episode of the mystery series) - Dec. 12

Vera Christmas Special (one-off, season 12 holiday episode of the series) - Dec. 20

Lot No. 249 (annual holiday ghost story adaptation from Mark Gatiss, starring Kit Harrington, Freddie Fox, Colin Ryan, John Heffernan, James Swanton, Jonathan Rigby and Andrew Horton; adapted from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story; A group of college students research an ancient Egyptian find; filmed in Hertfordshire, England) - Dec. 22

Here We Go Christmas 2023 (one-off holiday episode of the series; available same day as UK) - Dec. 24

The King’s Christmas Address (annual holiday speech delivered by King Charles III via the BBC) - Dec. 25

Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas Special (one-off holiday episode of the series; available same day as UK) - Dec. 25

Death in Paradise Christmas 2023 (holiday movie based on the BBC series starring Sara Martins and Ralf Little about a British detective sent to a Caribbean island; filmed in Guadeloupe; available same day as UK) - Dec. 26

Beyond Paradise Christmas Special (holiday special based on the BBC crime-solving series spun off from Death in Paradise and starring Kris Marshall, Sally Bretton, Zahra Ahmadi and Dylan Llewellyn; filmed in Looe, Cornwall, England; available same day as UK) - Dec. 27

Gardeners’ World Winter Specials (Monty Don, Adam Frost, and the team celebrate year-end gardening delights with four new specials, including special guest Mary Berry) - Dec. 31

Disney+

I Am Groot: Groot’s Snow Day (animated short featuring the Guardians of the Galaxy character experiencing his first winter) - Sep. 6

The Santa Clauses (season two of the series based on the Disney movies, starring Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Elizabeth Allen-Dick, Austin Kane, Devin Bright, Matilda Lawler, Eric Stonestreet, Tracy Morgan, Laura San Giacomo and Gabriel Iglesias; Back in the North Pole after once again saving Christmas, Scott works to train his son to take over the family Santa business) - Nov. 8

Dashing Through the Snow (Disney holiday movie starring Lil Rel Howery, Ludacris, Teyonah Parris, Oscar Nunez, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Ravi Patel, Marcus Lewis and Madison Skye Validum; directed by Tim Story; written by Paula Pell and Scott Rosenberg; A police dept. social worker must win back his daughter’s trust after a botched Christmas Eve call, with some help from a man that just might be Santa; first announced in 2016; filmed in Atlanta) - Nov. 17 (Trailer)

Christmas with Walt Disney (2009 documentary compiled for and previously only shown at The Walt Disney Family Museum; A look at how Walt Disney, the man and the company, celebrated the holidays in the 1950s-60s) - Nov. 24 (Trailer)

Mickey’s Christmas Tales: Starstruck (five, stop-motion animated shorts featuring Mickey and his pals having holiday fun that first aired on Disney Junior) - Nov. 29

The Shepherd (holiday-set short starring John Travolta, Ben Radcliffe, Steven Mackintosh, Asan N'Jie and Scarlet Grace; based on the short story by Frederick Forsyth; adapted and directed by Iain Softley; A British pilot heading home from Germany for the holidays has all his instruments fail in deep fog and is miraculously saved by a mysterious plane that guides him home safely; filmed in Norfolk, UK) - Dec. 1 (Trailer)

Isabel Preysler: My Christmas (a.k.a Isabel Preysler: Mi Navidad; The Spanish lifestyle guru takes you inside her home for the holidays) - Dec. 5 (Trailer)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas Cabin Fever (animated holiday movie based on the Jeff Kinney book series; directed by Luke Cormican; starring the voices of Cyrus Arnold, Braxton Baker and Erica Cerra; Greg tries to keep his parents in the dark about his part in the giant snowball that destroyed a snowplow, which is complicated when a blizzard traps the family in their house without power and no plow) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life Christmas (animated special based on the UK series) - Dec. 20

What If…Happy Hogan Saved Christmas? (animated Marvel alternative universe self-contained story, featuring the voice of Jon Favreau) - Dec. 24 (Trailer)

Dr. Who Christmas Special: The Church on Ruby Road (holiday themed episode introducing Ncuti Gatwa as the new doctor and Millie Gibson as his companion; filmed in Bristol, England) - Dec. 25

AppleTV+

The Velveteen Rabbit (live-action/animated hybrid movie starring Phoenix Laroche, Alex Lawther, Helena Bonham Carter, Nicola Coughlan, Bethany Antonia, Lois Chimimba, Clive Rowe, Nathaniel Parker and  Samantha Colley; based on the classic children’s book, adapted by Tom Bidwell) - Nov. 22

Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas (musical holiday special featuring the Ted Lasso/West End star and special guests; directed but Hamish Hamilton and filmed in front of a live audience at the London Coliseum) - Nov. 22 (Trailer)

The Making of Spirited (behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the 2022 film) - Nov. 22

Frog and Toad Christmas Eve (animated holiday special based on the classic children’s book series) - Dec. 1

The Snoopy Show: Happiness is Holiday Traditions (special holiday episode of the animated series based on the classic Peanuts characters) - Dec. 1

Shape Island: The Winter Blues (special holiday episode of the stop-motion animated preschool series) - Dec. 1

Spirited Sing-Along (special sing-along version of the 2022 musical) - Dec. 1

Sago Mini Friends New Year’s Steve (special holiday episode of the animated series) - Dec. 22 

Hulu

The Bear: Fishes (this Christmas Eve flashback episode of the series starring Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, featured a great guest star appearance from Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, and was the critically-acclaimed show’s most talked about season 2 outing ) - June 22

To Catch a Killer (partially holiday-set thriller starring Shailene Woodley and Ben Mendelsohn; directed by Damián Szifron; co-written by Jonathan Wakeham and Szifron; A troubled Baltimore police detective tracks down a New Year’s Eve serial killer) - Aug. 19 (Trailer) 

Futurama: I Know What You Did Last Xmas (special Christmas episode of the recently rebooted animated series) - Aug. 28

A Christmas Frequency (holiday movie starring Jonathan Stoddard, Ansley Gordon, Denise Richards and Casey Walker; directed by Lindsay Hartley; written by Gordon; A radio show producer devises a holiday ratings stunt to set-up her newly single boss up with eligible bachelors on air; filmed in Santa Clarita, Calif.) - Nov. 1

Reporting for Christmas (holiday movie starring Tamera Feldman, Matt Trudeau, D.B. Sweeney, Amara Zaragoza, Maura Kidwell, Matt Trudeau and Ira Amyx; directed by Jack C Newell; written by Adam Rockoff; A TV news producer doing a holiday story falls for a toymaker; filmed in Chicago) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

The Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade (parade coverage from the world’s oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in Philadelphia) - Nov. 23

Stars Fell Again (holiday-set sequel to 2021′s Stars Fell on Alabama starring James Maslow, Ciara Hanna, Cecilia Kim and Johnnie Mack; co-written and directed by V.W. Scheich; A year after they reunited at a high school reunion, Bryce is ready to pop the question with a Christmas proposal, but family drama interferes with his plans; filmed in Atlanta) - Nov. 24 (Trailer); also available PVOD

The Jingle Bell Jubilee (holiday movie starring Erin Agostino, Marshall Williams and Samantha Kendrick; directed by Ernie Barbarash; A woman recruits an old friend to help with a charity event; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 3

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (holiday movie starring Sarah Fisher and Simon Arblaster; directed by Robin Dunne; Relators work together to sell a house before Christmas; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 9

Prime Video

LOL Xmas Special: Last One Laughing Italy (charity comedy special of the series that puts comedians in a room and challenges them to make each other laugh, without breaking themselves; hosted by Fedez and featuring comedians Mara Maionchi, Frank Matano, Maria Di Biase, Angelo Pintus, Michela Giraud and Lillo Petroloin; debuted in Italy in 2022) - Mar 1

With Love (season two of the series starring Emeraude Toubia, Mark Indelicato, Isis King, Desmond Chiam, Rome Flynn, Vincent Rodriguez III, Constance Marie and Benito Martinez; The lives and loves of a family centered around holiday celebrations and major life milestones) - June 2

Nelly & Nadine (documentary directed by Magnus Gertten about two women who fall in love on Christmas Eve 1944 in the Ravensbrück concentration camp, then reconnect later in life) - July 15

American Girl: Corinne Tan (winter-set kids movie starring real-life sisters Miya and Kai Cech, along with Jason Cermak and Michelle Krusiec; directed by Angela C. Tortu; written by May Chan; A teen skier struggling with her parents divorce gets a new puppy) - Sep. 1

Holidays at the Ranch (holiday movie starring Joe Gallina, Gill Broderick Sarah Jane Duncan and Chelsea Marie; written and directed by Liana Failla; A woman home for the holidays agrees to help her childhood sweetheart on his ranch; filmed in the UK) - Oct. 1

One Last Christmas (holiday movie starring Kelley Barnes, Stephen Barrington and Tracey Bonner; written and directed by Henderson Maddox) - Oct. 1

L’immenmsita (partially holiday-set, Italian drama starring Penelope Cruz, Vincenzo Amaro and Luana Giuliani; co-written and directed by Emanuele Crialese; A mother and her children move to Rome in the 1970s; filmed in Italy, where it was released theatrically in 2022; first U.S. release) - Nov. 11 (Trailer)

Improvvisamente a Natale Mi Sposo (a.k.a. Suddenly at Christmas I’m Getting Married; sequel to 2022′s Improvvisamente Natale starring Diego Abatantuono, Nino Frassica, Violante Placido, Michele Foresta, Carol Alt, Stefano Belisari, Primo Reggiani and Valentina Filippeschi; directed by Francesco Patierno; Back at Grandpa’s hotel for the holidays, the family is shocked to learn he has a new girlfriend and plans to marry her on Christmas; filmed in San Vito di Cadore, Italy) - Nov. 16, Italy

Elf Me (Italian holiday movie starring Pasquale Petrolo, Anna Foglietta and Federico Ielapi; A North Pole elf steps in to help a bullied boy and his toymaker single mom; filmed in Italy) - Nov. 24

Candy Cane Lane (holiday movie starring Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Robin Thede, Nick Offerman, Chris Redd, Ken Marino, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, D.C. Young Fly, Genneya Walton, Madison Thomas, Thaddeus J. Mixson and Danielle Pinnock; directed by Reginald Hudlin; written by Kelly Younger and based on Murphy’s own childhood holiday memories; announced in 2022; filmed in L.A.) - Dec. 1 (Trailer)

Your Christmas or Mine? 2 (holiday movie sequel to the 2022 film, starring Asa Butterfield, Cora Kirk, Daniel Mays, Angela Griffin and Alex Jennings; written by Tom Parry and directed by Jim O’Hanlon; When James’ father invites everyone on a luxury ski vacation for Christmas, the Taylors insist on making their own reservations, which leads to arrangements being bungled and the two groups Christmases getting swapped, again; filmed in the UK and Austria) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

Merry Little Batman (animated holiday action-comedy; directed by Mike Roth; written by Morgan Evans; Six-year-old Damian Wayne has to become Little Batman to defend Wayne Manor from criminals, in this Home Alone tribute) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

The Santa Stories (holiday short anthology starring Octavia Spencer and Colm Meaney in two short stories directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, ”The Note,” and Steven Caple Jr., “The Heist,” produced by Coca-Cola) - Dec. 8, also available on Coca-Cola YouTube

Dating Santa (a.k.a. Santa Mi Amor; Spanish holiday rom-com starring Ana Serradilla, Olivia Duflos and David Chocarro; A single mom falls for a chef but is reluctant to let him meet her young daughter. When he accidentally does, dressed as Santa, mom panics and tells her daughter he’s the real deal. Suspicious, the daughter sets out to test his St. Nick bonafides.) - Dec. 8

The World’s First Christmas (a.k.a. O Primeiro Natal do Mundo; Portuguese holiday movie starring Lázaro Ramos, Ingrid Guimarães and Rafael Infante; directed by Susana Garcia and Gigi Soares; As a dysfunctional family’s holiday plans dissolve into a chaos, one of the children wishes Christmas just didn’t exist, leaving the family struggling to recreate the magic of the season for the whole world; filmed in Brazil) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

Dealing with Christmas (a.k.a. Un Stupefiant Noel; French holiday movie starring Eric Judor, Ragnar le Breton, Matthias Quiviger and Hafid F. Benamar; directed by Arthur Sanigou; written by Pierre Dudan and Sanigou; When a daughter wishes her overworked detective dad was more like her favorite Christmas movie father, the two are swapped, with the cop stuck in a holiday movie plot and the bumbling Christmas movie hero trying to take down a drug ring) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

LOL Xmas Special: Last One Laughing Germany (charity comedy special of the series that puts comedians in a room and challenges them to make each other laugh, without breaking themselves; hosted by Michael Bully Herbig and featuring comedians Anke Engelke, Bastian Pastewika and more) - Dec. 21

Freevee

Christmas Cheer (faith-based, holiday short film starring Jeff Clay, Kate Larson, Coleman Christian and Davey Moore; written and directed by Alyssa Giese; a spoiled cheerleader learns the true meaning of the holiday when she’s forced to spend winter break working at a food bank) - June 26

Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse (holiday movie inspired by a true story, made for Sky One in the UK; starring Dawn French, Jessica Hynes, John Hannah, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Nina Sosanya, Bill Bailey and Nick Mohammed; written by Abi Wilson;  Beatrix Potter is no longer enjoying her role as beloved children author and her eyesight is failing when her path crosses with a six-year-old fan, Roald Dahl, at the holidays; aired in 2020 in the UK, first time available in the U.S.) - July 20

The Christmas Venue (holiday movie starring Jessy Holtermann and James Liddell; A daughter pairs up with an employee to try and host a wedding to save her family’s inn) - Oct. 1

A Perfect Christmas Pairing (holiday movie starring Ansley Gordon, Chris Connell, Meg Biddle Smith and Kelly Ryan; directed by Dave Thomas; written by Jenna Brister; A chef trying to escape a bad review meets her match in a travel writer who never wants to settle down; filmed in LaGrange, Ga.) - Oct. 27

A Christmas Vintage (holiday movie starring Ignacyo Matynia, Karlee Eldridge and Reid Rathore; directed by Lexi Giovagnoli; written by Ferguson Sauv-Rogan; A woman returns home to help save her family’s winery at the holidays; filmed in Hermann, Missouri) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

EXmas (holiday movie starring Leighton Meester, Robbie Amell, Michael Hitchcock and Kathryn Greenwood; directed by Jonah Feingold; written by Dan Steele; When a man goes home for Christmas to surprise his parents, he finds his ex already there celebrating the season with his family; filmed in Kelowna, B.C.) - Nov. 17 (Trailer)

It’s a Christmas Thing (a.k.a. Peppermint and Postcards; holiday movie starring Ella Cannon, Christopher Russell and Dave Kenneth MacKinnon; directed by Jim Cliffe; written by Hayley November; A child’s Christmas wish for her mom to find love goes viral; filmed in Kelowna, B.C.) - Dec. 8 (Trailer)

Xumo Play

A Christmas Heist (holiday movie starring Billy Blair, Thom Hallum and Tiffany McDonald; written and directed by Brett Bentman; A desperate man decides to attempt a Christmas Eve robbery; filmed in Texas) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

Take a Chance at Christmas (holiday movie starring Alli Chung, Michael Brown and Sophie Bastelle; directed by Laurie Mirsky; written by Leigh Joel Scott; A single mom finds love and career success with the help of her son’s belief in Christmas magic) - Nov. 1

12 Dares of Christmas (holiday movie starring Brittany Underwood, Sean Yves Lessard and Eric Pollins; directed by Panta Mosleh; written by Paris Herbert-Taylor; filmed in B.C.) - Nov. 1

Unforgettable Christmas (holiday movie starring Celeste Desjardins and Brett Donahue; directed by John Bradshaw; written by Jennifer Edwards and Shannon Latimer; A princess’ Christmas wish comes true when she gets to forget about being royal to focus on fashion; filmed in Hamilton, Ontario) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

Christmas by Candlelight (holiday movie starring Erin Agostino, Harmon Walsh, Christian Potenza and Shauna MacDonald; directed by Brian Roberts; written by Alessandra Brook; A woman works with a reluctant store owner to create a new holiday candle line; filmed in Toronto) - Nov. 1

Christmas Casanova (holiday movie starring Kalinka Petrie, Fuad Ahmed, Samantha Brown, Elise Hanneman, Daniyal Khan, Catherine McGregor and Tanya Schultz; directed by Will Bowes; written by Shannon Latimer; A podcaster documents the challenge of helping a man plan the perfect romantic Christmas, but finds herself falling for him; filmed in Cambridge and Galt, Ontario) - Nov. 1 (Trailer)

Christmas in Scotland (holiday movie starring Jill Winternitz, Dominic Watters and Scott Mooney; directed by David Lumsden; written by Steve Turner; filmed in Culross and Edinburgh, Scotland) - Nov. 1

Coupled Up for Christmas (holiday movie starring Marcus Rosner, Sara Canning, Megan Tracz, Jocelyn Chugg, Sue Huff and Ashlee Pearce; directed by Dylan Pearce; written by Erica Deutschman and Katy Breier; A pair of heartbroken friends pretend to date in order to make their true loves jealous; filmed in Edmonton, Alberta) - Nov. 1

The Fabric of Christmas (holiday movie starring Ferelith Young, Harmon Walsh and Jason Lemmon; directed by Don McBrearty; written by Sarah Mayberry; A firefighter wants to learn how to quilt to carry on a family tradition and make a gift for his sister; filmed in Brant, Ontario) - Nov. 1

A Very English Christmas (holiday movie starring Kimberley Nixon, Poppy Gilbert, Lewis Griffiths, Russell Clive Biles and Jenni Bowden; written and directed by Tim Clague and Danny Stack; An American event planner comes to England for her sister’s Christmas Eve wedding; filmed in Dorset, England) - Nov. 1

A Vineyard Christmas (holiday movie starring Nikki McKenzie, Victor Zinck Jr., Brittany Clough, Lucas Penner and Vincent Ross; directed by Ana Valine; written by Katie Wilbert; wine-themed holiday movie filmed in Kelowna, B.C.) - Nov. 1

Waking Up to Christmas (a,k.a. Just Like a Christmas Movie; holiday movie starring Brad Harder, Marlie Collins, Brittany Mitchell and Nick Preston; Holiday romance parody; directed by Soran Mardookhi; A woman is sucked into her favorite Christmas romance; filmed in Kelowna, B.C.) - Nov. 1

The Christmas Checklist (holiday movie starring Sarah Power, Jarod Joseph, Monica Rodriguez Knox, Dakota Jamal Wellman and Laura Mitchell; directed by Anne De Lean; written by Lisa Hepner; After her mother’s death a woman strives to complete her complicated Christmas checklist, alongside a reporter covering the tasks for the local paper; filmed in Montreal and debuted in Canada in 2022 as a four-episode series, condensed into one movie for U.S. release) - Nov. 4 (Trailer)

Plex

The Secret of the Emerald Green & White, Part 1 (holiday thriller starring NeShaunda Mays, Jermaine Jackson and Patrice Jennings; written and directed by Felicia Rivers; A sorority Christmas party turns murderous in this Gullah-Geechee centered story; filmed in South Carolina)  - Mar. 30

Vandits (holiday movie starring Enrico Colantoni, Robb Wells, Tony Nappo, Francesco Antonio, Jesse Camacho, Victoria Turko, and Jann Arden; directed by Stuart Stone; written by Rodness and Stone; A group of stoners decide to rob a senior center bingo hall on Christmas Eve; filmed in Winnipeg) - Dec. 1 (Trailer)

Bringing Back Christmas (faith-based movie starring Dean Cain, Leigh Allyn Baker, Gabriel C. Brown, Aaron Fullan and Mark Christopher Lawrence; directed by Lisa Arnold; written by Ariel and Trey Fernald; from the Evangelical Eastern Sky Theatre Company; A man with a special needs son, fired just before the holidays, has his Christmas spirit restored by a guardian angel who takes him back in time to view the birth of Jesus) - Dec. 12 (Website)

Redbox

A Cowboy Christmas (holiday movie starring Teagan Vincze, Brennan Martin, Brenna Coates, Jason Truong and Leo Fafard; directed by Jeremy Drummond; written by Heather Wright; A marketing exec must go to a dude ranch to woo a client, but she ends up falling for a local cowboy; filmed in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan) - Nov.14 (Trailer); also available PVOD

MANSA

He Who Findeth: A Cinderella Christmas Tale (holiday movie starring Erica Hubbard, Brad James and LaKeta Booker; directed by Michael A. Pinckney; written by Ramona DeBreaux; Wealthy parents host a lavish party in hopes of finding their stubbornly single adult son a wife, but when word gets out an heir is up for grabs, chaos ensues) - Nov. 22 (Trailer)

Red Coral Universe

This Christmas Chance (holiday movie starring Ashley Forrestier, Benny Andrews, Dee Hill, Ali Siddiq and Shavon Majoi; directed by William Collins; written by Leah Pride; A businessman and a doctor fall in love, but secrets from their past threaten their future) - Dec. 10 (Trailer)

Pluto TV

A Coldhearted Christmas (holiday thriller written, directed and starring LaQuita Langhorn, along with Mike Love and Antoine Williams; A woman who runs a closing homeless shelter tries to help a group of teens who once lived there; filmed in Memphis, Tenn.) - Nov. 7

A Christmas Miracle (holiday movie starring Kris D’Sha, Eboni Owens, Snoop Robinson, Davian Jackson and A.D Scott; directed by Snoop Robinson; A singer who doesn’t appreciate her success is in an accident that restores her spirit) - Nov. 15

Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade (live parade coverage from Chicago) - Nov. 23

A Christmas Family Secret (holiday movie starring Malachi E Hamilton, Caranita Harrelson and Deja McCown; written and directed by Nakia T Hamilton; A woman heads home for the holidays hoping to restore the relationship with her father) - Dec. 1

Tubi

Finding Santa (documentary special on the history of Santa Claus; directed by Lucy Ciara McCutcheon) - Aug. 15

What About Christmas? (holiday movie starring Tommy Potter, Crystal Mckinney, Sonny Cruz and DJ Burch; written and directed by Je’McClain; A young boy and his family spend Christmas in a new home, but fears his family’s problems will ruin the holiday, so he asks Santa for help) - Aug. 24 (Trailer)

Danksgiving (holiday comedy starring Markice Moore, Tray Chaney and Chaz 2.0 Scott; written and directed by Queen Norris) - Sep. 1 

Jingle Bell Ranch (holiday movie starring Andrew S Cortez, Ali Alkhafaji and Mandy Lee Rubio; directed by Isaac Rodriguez; filmed in San Antonio, Texas) - Sep. 1

A Sir Charles Christmas (holiday movie starring KD Aubert, Charles Jones and Cocoa Brown; written and directed by Vernon Snoop Robinson) - Sep. 1

A Christmas Blessing (holiday movie starring BernNadette Stanis, Lala Nicole Black, Serilda Goodwin, Joshua Lewis, Toni Henderson Mayers and Gabby Moore; directed and co-written by Stacie Davis; A grandmother fakes an illness to help her granddaughter find holiday love) - Sep. 1

A Pumpkin Spice Holiday (holiday movie starring Madison Paige, Riley Rose Downey, Glenn Dossin and Kevin Ridsdale; directed by Caleb Silvers, written by Shane Nelson; filmed in Holly, Mich.) - Sep. 11

A Bengal for Christmas (family holiday movie starring Brad Banacka, Vida Ghaffari, Erik Anthony Russo and Breana Mitchell; directed by Dustin Ferguson; A family gets a new cat for Christmas) - Sep. 15

The Drone that Saved Christmas (holiday movie written and directed by Miriam Bavly; starring Rodney Perry, Miguel Nunez Jr., Palmer Williams Jr, Rashan Ali and Buddy Lewis; A tech entrepreneur develops a high-powered drone he hopes will save Christmas; filmed in Atlanta) - Sep. 26

Christmas with the Prince (holiday movie starring Cleopatra Wood, Richard Bobb-Semple, N Walters, Jamaicia James and Kimberley Sterling; directed by Louisa Warren; written by Tom Jolliffe; A fashion designer finds herself spending the holidays with royalty) - Oct. 1

Christmas Time (holiday movie starring Bobby O’ Neill, Henri Charles and Shelly Bentley; based on the book A Magical Christmas Adventure by Daniel Colyer; written by Laurie Asbourne; A science teacher who hates Christmas finds himself stuck on a Lapland adventure dedicated to the holiday with his family) - Oct. 21, also available via digital and DVD (Trailer)

The Perfect Gift (holiday movie starring NuNu Thurman, Wesley King, Jayda Jones, Brian Gilbert and Tierra Mitchell; directed by Michael Jeffers; With all her friends in love, a young woman wishes for romance for Christmas) - Oct. 25

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (holiday movie starring Drew Pipkin, Jaeden Riley Juarez and Katerina Sifuentes; written and directed by Stephen Allen Gutierrez; A high school student risks his life to save the girl of his dreams from a crazed killer) - Oct. 27

Black Santa (holiday horror-thriller starring Turell Robins, Denise Mone’t, Ma'ya Jackson, Desi French, Shelly Rose and Ed Guidry; A man looks for revenge after childhood trauma; filmed in Houston) - Oct. 28

Everybody Hates Christmas (holiday movie starring Tom Vera, Jen Barbeito, Dessi Sykes, Sydni Alynn Law, and Catina Thomas; directed and produced by Joseph A Elmore Jr.; A group of people who have lost their holiday spirit have it restored by an angel; filmed in Houston) - Oct. 31

Sleigh Queen (holiday movie Tyeshia Frazier, Madison Warren-Coombs, NeShaunda Mays, Bee Badd, Dejia McCowan and Renaissance Jones; directed by Felicia Rivers; A struggling stylist wishes for success at the holidays) - Nov. 1

Hank’s Christmas Wish (faith-based holiday movie starring Dean Cain and Julie McCullough; from far-right filmmaker Jason Campbell; A retired North Pole elf regains his Christmas spirit) - Nov. 2; also available on DVD Nov. 7

Colorado Christmas (holiday movie starring Luba Bocian, Brit Ellerman and Paul Anthony McLean; co-written and directed by Elgin Cahill; co written by Kate Mobley; A single mom who dreams of a being a singer meets a country star who mentors her) - Nov. 2 (Trailer)

The Christmas Pledge (holiday movie starring Isabelle Almoyan, Wes Deitrick and Kathie Doyle-Lipe; directed and co-written by James Temple; Rivals at a local TV station have to plan a Christmas concert together; filmed in Spokane, Wash.) - Nov. 3, also available on DVD

Perfect Messy Holiday (2021 Australian holiday movie available for the first time in the U.S. starring Michelle Brass, Aliandra Calabrese and Tarah Elizabeth Clark; directed by Tam Sainsbury; A broken hearted, wannabe romance novelist leaves London for a beach Christmas in Australia) - Nov. 4

A Thanksgiving Christmas (holiday movie starring Rodney Perry, Simeon Henderson and David Leonard; directed by Quincy Trent; A dying man tries to reconcile with his sister on the holiday) - Nov. 7

Giving Thanks (holiday movie starring Alexis “Lexxy” Walker, J. Elliot, Samuel Smith and Denzell Dandridge; directed by Mark K Buddington; A widow plans a Thanksgiving reunion) - Nov. 7

Thanksgiving Roast 2 (sequel to the 2021 movie starring Charles Archie, Brianna Blackburn and Deuce Deuce; directed by MJ Harrell; filmed in Washington, D.C.) - Nov. 7

Curves Under the Mistletoe (holiday movie starring Damondray Christle, Draper Wynston and Kendra Rainey-King; directed by Lakisha Avery Stewart and written by Rainey-King; A former foster child tries to make a better life for herself) - Nov. 12

For the Love of Christmas 2: A Heart for the Holidays (sequel to the 2022 movie starring Donald Ross Jr., Ron Way and Charmeka Robinson; written and directed by Karlton T. Clay; Rashad and Annie spend the holiday in Georgia, where family secrets are revealed; filmed in Augusta, Ga.) - Nov. 12

Just in Time for the Holidays (holiday drama starring Bronsonn Taylor, Braxton Richburg, Jashawn Colston, Wade A. Banner II, Marcio Byrd and Jashawn Colston; co-written and directed by Ayanna Shon; A single father struggling with trauma and grief gets much-needed help from an unexpected source) - Nov. 7

Family Ornaments (holiday horror comedy starring Alicia Blasingame, Autumn Harrison and Michael Paré; directed by Gregory Oehler; written by Liam Finn; A wish brings a family’s Christmas decorations to life, causing chaos) - Nov. 17 (Trailer)

Hot Girl Winter (holiday comedy starring Golden Brooks, Jean Bennett, Bryan Lopez, Marisa Maddox and Gabriel Bonilla, directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones; A neglected Mrs. Claus who heads to Miami for some spicy fun over the holidays) - Nov. 24 (Trailer)

10 Kilos in the Trunk (holiday crime drama starring Chanel Collins, Asia Antoinette, Vicky Yvonne and Bernard Q. Settles; directed by Jeff Profitt;  A desperate mom agrees to transport drugs for holiday cash) - Nov. 28

Christmas with Jerks (holiday movie starring, written and directed by Leanna Adams, along with Tyler Buckingham; A struggling, former child star just wants to hide out for the holidays, but to do so must get the recently-dumped stuntman out of her sister’s house, so she reluctantly tries to help him win back his ex; filmed in Atlanta) - Dec. 1 (Trailer)

Stand in the Gap (holiday-themed sequel to the faith-based 2020 movie The Author, The Star and the Keeper; starring Bruce Marchiano, Simon Jon Provan, Heather Ricks and Dale Waddington; written and directed by Steve F Zambo; filmed in Florence, Wis.) - Dec. 1

New Year, New Us 2: Love Goals (New Year-set sequel to the 2019 movie from writer-director Nina Stakz; starring Kellen Marcus and Erika Ward; The couple addresses new challenges and temptations in their marriage) - Dec. 5

A Fireman for Christmas (holiday movie sequel to 2022′s Christmas at the Holly Hotel starring Kristen Ryda, Donnell J Clayton, Joe Kurak and Jesi Jensen; directed and co-written by Joel Paul Reisig; A woman falls in love with a firefighter at the holidays; filmed in Michigan) - Dec. 17

Roku Channel

How to Fall in Love by the Holidays (holiday movie starring Teri Hatcher and Dan Payne; directed by Michael Kennedy; A lifestyle guru tries to secure a new brand partnership by writing a romantic Christmas puff piece) - Nov. 3 

The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday Edition (U.S.-based version of the classic British baking series, hosted by Casey Wilson and Zach Cherry; with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, featuring celebrity contestants Arturo Castro, DeAndre Jordan, Ego Nwodim, Heather McMahan, Joel McHale and Phoebe Robinson competing for the Christmas cooking crown; filmed in the UK) - Nov. 10 (Trailer)

The Holiday Shift (five-episode, holiday series directed by Paul Fox, focused on a young-adult friend group that works at a local mall, with a central rekindled high school love story alongside other ground dramas; filmed in Winnipeg ) - Nov. 17 (Trailer)

Amor en Navidad (four-episode anthology Spanish-language mini-movie series, aired on Lifetime Latin America in 2022; includes La Mejor Navidad, a.k.a. The Best Christmas; starring Gaby Spanic and Juan Soler; directed by Nicolás Di Blasi; a divorced couple reconnect while spending the holidays together on a ranch; Una Navidad Para Recordar, a.k.a. A Christmas to Remember, starring Danna García and Cristián de la Fuente; A divorced man, missing his kids at Christmas, finds himself drawn to his father’s nurse; Deliciosa Navidad, a.k.a. Delicious Christmas,   starring Rafael Novoa and Patty Manterola; A chef goes on a Christmas trip to rediscover his roots; Un Papá Para Navidad, a.k.a. A Dad for Christmas, starring Marlene Favela and Ricardo Álamo; A therapist’s long lost father returns at the holidays; first time available in the U.S.; all filmed in Jalisco, Mexico) - Dec. 1

The Christmas Star (a.k.a. O Vánocní Hvezde; Czech holiday fairy tale starring Anna Geislerová, Leonie Brill and Tereza Ramba; A teacher who is in love with a skating beauty far beyond his station, gets the help of a fallen star in making his unrequited love a reality; released in the Czech republic in 2020 and Germany and Slovakia the following year; first time available in the U.S.) - Dec. 2

Martha Holidays (season two of the holiday entertaining series; Martha Stewart provides cooking, decorating and entertaining inspiration for the holiday season) - Dec. 4

A Very Demi Holiday Special (musical special featuring Demi Lovato and celebrity friends singing Christmas classics) - Dec. 8

Digital/DVD/Other

Snow Falls (holiday-set horror movie starring Victoria Morales, Anna Grace Barlow, Johnny Berchtold, Patrick Fabian and Jonathan Bennett; A group of friends goes to a remote cabin to celebrate New Year’s, only to be trapped by a winter storm that may contain something more sinister) - Jan. 17, PVOD (Trailer)

Snow Angel (Quebecois horror-thriller starring Kimberly-Sue Murray, Catherine Berube and Olivier Renaud; directed by Gabriel Allard; A snowboarder tries to leave town after a tragic accident, only to find herself trapped by an ominous presence.) - Jan. 20, Canada

Black Out (a.k.a. Stranded; eight-episode, Italian language, holiday-set series; starring Alessandro Preziosi, Rike Schmid, Marco Rossetti and Aurora Ruffino; directed by Riccardo Donna; A Christmas Eve avalanche strands a group of people in a luxury ski resort, where they soon learn not everything is as it seems, but they still must band together in order to survive; filmed in Italy) - Jan. 23, Italy (Website)

Raven Van Slender Saves Christmas! (small-budget sci-fi holiday movie starring Bill Victor Arucan, James Balsamo and Sephdok Ramone; directed by Balsamo; written by Bill Victor Arucan and Balsamo) - Jan. 31, DVD/Blu-Ray (Trailer)

One Fine Morning (a.k.a. Un Beau Matin; French-language, partially holiday-set movie starring Pascal Lea-Seydoux, Melvil Greggory, Nicole Poupaud and Garcia; written and directed by Mia Hansen-Love; A widow and single mom juggles caring for her family, including her father with dementia, and a new affair with an old friend of her late husband’s) - Apr. 9, PVOD (Trailer)

Epiphany: God Among Men (faith-based movie from writer-director Bill Hand that resets the Biblical Nativity story in Depression-era America) - Apr. 9, Hess Media

Pets: Christmas Animals (WOWNow animated special directed by Neo Hallway) - May 12, DVD

The Fright Before Christmas 2 (small-budget holiday horror sequel to the 2020 original; written, directed and starring John Johnson, along with Steven Haar and Tobias Doesken) - June 1, Blu-Ray

A Home for Christmas: A Foster Care Story (holiday short starring Aden Ajayi, Eve Angel, Frankie Barrios and Preston Galli; written and directed by Kevin North Ruiz) - July 1, Vimeo

Grumpy Old Santa (holiday comedy starring Glenn Morshower, Gary Valentine, Kevin P. Farley and Kara Rainer; directed by Jay Dee Walters; co-written by Walters and Justin Chaffee; A man is rocked when his wife wants a divorce after their daughter leaves for college; filmed in East Texas) - Sep. 1, Amazon PVOD (Website)

Dasher Can’t Wait for Christmas (animated short version of the children’s book by Matt Tavares) - Sep. 5, Dreamscape Publishing (Trailer)

Stab 3: Holiday Horror (small budget slasher sequel inspired by the faux-movies featured in the Scream franchise starring, written and directed by Joshua Patrick Dudley; along with David Afflick, Teddy Pryor and Douglas Graves; Home for the holidays a year after her brother was convicted of a killing spree, Cassie begins to doubt his innocence when he escapes and the killings start again) - Oct. 1, YouTube

Chantilly Bridge (holiday-set sequel to 1993′s Chantilly Lace starring Talia Shire, Jill Eikenberry, Lindsay Crouse, Helen Slater and Ally Sheedy; co-written and directed by Linda Yellen; The friends gather to celebrate the life of one of their own) - Oct. 9, PVOD (Trailer)

Dean of the Dead Holiday Horrors (holiday horror anthology in the Tales of the Crypt tradition, hosted by the Dean of the Dead) - Oct. 13, Amazon PVOD

Christmas with the Tuches (a.k.a. Les Tuche 4; 2021 French-language, holiday-set sequel, starring Jean-Paul Rouve, Isabelle Nanty, and Michel Blanc; co-written and directed by Olivier Baroux; The family reunites in their hometown and reconciles; first time available in the U.S.) - Oct. 22, PVOD

Holiday Boyfriend (holiday movie starring Sally Kirkland, Natassia Malthe and Louis Mandylor; written and directed by Paul Collett; When her British boyfriend bails on her family Thanksgiving, a woman gets her best friend to pose as him; filmed in L.A.) - Oct. 25, Amazon PVOD (Trailer)

The Worst Janitors: Christmas Special (holiday special written, directed and starring Jaiden Marchetti; The worst janitors ever are sent to clean Santa’s Workshop) - Oct. 27, YouTube

Santa’s Second Wife (holiday movie starring Chelsea Gilson, Jason Frederick, Kenny Meyers, Kerri Louise, Rae-Shan Barclift, John Romanski; written and directed by Candy Cain; story by Anna Zap; After Mrs. Claus asks for a divorce, Nick finds new love with a single mom who doesn’t know he’s the real Santa; filmed in Long Island, NY) - Nov. 4, Movie Central YouTube

LEGO Friends: The Next Chapter: The Perfect Holiday (special holiday episode of the animated series) - Nov. 4, Lego YouTube

A Home for the Holidays (holiday movie starring Shannon Elizabeth. Daniel Cudmore and Dreyden Stephens; directed by Kyle Cooper and Jason Wan Lim; written by Steve Goldsworth; A local fixes up a run down house to live in, only to have the original owner’s heir show up to claim it at Christmas; filmed in Alberta) - Nov. 7, PVOD (Trailer)

Christmas at the Holly Day Inn (holiday movie starring Tamla Kari, Anita Dobson, Colin Baker and Kevin Leslie; directed by Adam Wilson; written by Lisa Chapman; A businesswoman who just quit her stressful job, spends the holidays at her family’s quaint country inn which she learns is on the brink of being sold; filmed in the UK) - Nov. 7, PVOD (Trailer)

Christmas Party (NSFW holiday movie starring Emily van den Berg, Dani Thompson and Stephen Staley; directed by Francesco Gabriele; A cheated-on woman finds new love with a guy who is into BDSM and agrees to experiment for Christmas; filmed in the UK) - Nov. 7, PVOD

Werewolf Santa (UK-filmed horror movie starring Nicholas Vince, Mark Arnold and Joe Bob Briggs; written and directed by Arielle Anthony Hayles; Santa turns into a werewolf on Christmas Eve and a YouTuber catches it all on camera; filmed in Surrey, England) - Nov. 7, PVOD (Trailer)

Lil’ Santa’s Christmas Chronicles: Betty Leicester’s Christmas (WOWNow animated special directed by Sandy Lynn Smith) - Nov. 7, DVD

Lil’ Santa’s Book Club: The Christmas Reindeer (WOWNow animated special directed by Sandy Lynn Smith) - Nov. 7, DVD

Fishmas 2 (WOWNow animated special sequel directed by Evan Tramel) - Nov. 7, DVD

Merry Mystery Christmas (holiday movie starring Brittany Bristow, Olivier Renaud, Eliza King and Justin Nurse; directed by Michelle Ouellet; A journalist and a detective team up to catch whoever is stealing outdoor Christmas displays; filmed in St. John’s, Newfoundland) - Nov. 8, Canada on the W Network

A Holiday I Do (holiday rom-com starring Marsha Warfield, Lindsay Hicks, Rivkah Reyes, Joe Piazza and Jill Larson; A lesbian single mom falls for her ex-husband’s wedding planner while serving as the ‘Best Woman’ at his Christmas wedding; filmed in Michigan) - Nov. 10, TelloFilms.com

A Season of Light: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir (full 2022 concert Lea Salonga; an edited version will appear on PBS and BYU later this holiday season) - Nov. 10, DVD 

I Slay on Christmas (small budget holiday horror movie starring Phil Herman, Alba O'Neill, Christopher Kahler and Jon Whitwell; directed by Derek Braasch, Marcelo Fabani, Phil Herman, James Panetta and Joel D. Wynkoop; A disturbed man wanders into the forest on Christmas Eve and experiences four, separate holiday horrors) - Nov. 10, DVD (Facebook)

Super Papa (French-language holiday movie starring Michaël Youn, Jenifer Bartoli and Gabriel Diefenthal; A widower is roped into chaperoning a school Christmas ski trip where he suddenly starts hearing the thoughts of all the teenagers) - Nov. 12, TF1 in France

I’ll See You on Thanksgiving (holiday movie starring Aditya 'Adi’ Maitra, Ramona Schwalbach and Ulises Ruiz; written and directed by Meshach Malley; College friends meet up after graduation for the holiday and quickly learn how much has changed; filmed in Ohio) - Nov. 14, Amazon PVOD (Website)

A Law for Christmas (faith-based holiday movie starring Savannah Lathem and Chase Giacomo; produced by a non-profit committed to “to promoting the spread of the Christian message.”) - Nov. 20, DVD/Blu-Ray

Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie! (animated movie based on the iconic Family Matters character portrayed by Jaleel White, who does voice work here alongside Nicole Byer, Roy Wood Jr., and Kym Whitley; written and produced by Wyatt Cenac; To try to make up for a shopping mall disaster, Urkel creates an app to help wow Santa, only to end up on the naughty list) - Nov. 21, PVOD (Trailer)

Jones Family Christmas (holiday movie starring Heather Mitchell, Ella Scott Lynch, Max McKenna, Neil Melville and Nicholas Denton; Based on Tegan Higginbotham’s audio play; An Australian family’s Christmas is disrupted by wildfires; filmed in Australia) - Nov. 23, Australia on STAN

Jingle Smells (right-wing holiday comedy starring John Schneider, Eric Roberts, Victoria Jackson, Sean Hannity and Mike Huckabee; directed by Daniel Lusko; A garbage man gives away toys that were set to be destroyed; filmed in New Mexico) - Nov. 23, digital purchase on Rumble

A Laurie Berkner Christmas Special (holiday musical special geared to kids and hosted by the YouTube star, featuring special guests and sing-alongs) - Nov. 24, YouTube

The Great Canadian Baking Show Holiday Special (holiday competition special; hosts Ann Pornel and Alan Shane Lewis welcome former champions back into the tent for a holiday showdown) - Nov. 26, Canada on CBC

What Happens Later (rom-com starring Meg Ryan and David Duchovny; directed by Ryan; Exes snowed in at a small airport spend a magical night together) - Nov. 28, PVOD (Trailer)

The Holdovers (1970s-set holiday drama starring Paul Giamatti, Carrie Preston and Da’Vine Joy Randolph; directed by Alexander Payne and written by David Hemingson; A universally despised teacher without family of his own is forced to stay at his boarding school to supervise students who can’t go home for the holidays, including one particularly surly teen, with only the school’s longtime cook to help; filmed in New England) - Nov. 28, PVOD (Trailer)

Giada Valenti: Love Under The Christmas Tree (live-streamed holiday concert featuring songs from Valenti’ s new holiday album; Live from the Ahern Showroom in Las Vegas) - Nov. 30, Eventbrite

How to Ruin the Holidays (holiday comedy starring Colin Mochrie and Amber Nash; directed by Arlen Konopaki and written by Kevin Gillese; filmed in Atlanta; Originally set for 2020, but delayed due to COVID-19) - Dec. 1, PVOD (Website)

Christmas at Keestone (faith-based holiday movie starring Kevin Sorbo, Corbin Bernsen, Gigi Orsillo, Ben Graham and Bryan McClure; directed by Ricky Borba; A widower spends every holiday at the hotel his wife adored, but this season faces had choices about whether he’s ready to love again; filmed at the Keestone Resort in Tennessee) -Dec. 1, PVOD (Trailer)

Glisten and the Merry Mission (animated holiday movie from Build-A-Bear, starring Julia Michaels, Dionne Warwick, Chevy Chase, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss and Sisanie Villaclara; directed by Cory Morrison; written by Temple Matthews; A young elf and her mother must find an enchanted deer to save Christmas) - Dec. 1, PVOD (Trailer)

The Wiggles: The Sound of Christmas (all-new holiday special from the kids’ musical group) - Dec. 1, PVOD (Trailer)

American Santa (documentary short subject directed by Avi Zev Weider about Black Santas, and the discrimination and prejudice they face in their portrayal) - Dec. 1, L.A. Times YouTube

Ghosts Christmas Special: It’s Behind You (2022 Christmas special of the BBC series; first time available in the U.S.) - Dec. 3, PVOD

There’s Something in the Barn (holiday horror movie starring Martin Starr, Amrita Acharia and Jeppe Beck Laursen; directed by Magnus Martens; written by Aleksander Kirkwood Brown; An American family inherits a remote cabin in the Norwegian mountains and heads there for the holidays only to find they’re not alone; filmed in Norway) - Dec. 5, PVOD (Trailer)

Nightmare on 34th Street (holiday horror movie starring Caroline Boulton, Lucy Pinder, Dani Thompson, Ewen MacIntosh, Andy Gatenby and Adam Greaves; directed by James Crow; A psychopathic Santa visits a small town) - Dec. 5, PVOD

A Disturbance in the Force (documentary from filmmakers Jeremy Coon and Steve Kozak on how the infamous 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special came to be) - Dec. 5, digital and DVD (Website)

Christmas Under the Sea 3 (WOWNow animated sequel directed by Barry Markle) - Dec. 5, DVD

Lil Santa’s Christmas Chronicles: Miss Santa Claus (WOWNow animated special directed by Sandy Lynn Smith) - Dec. 5, DVD

Jurassic Planet Christmas (WOWNow animated special directed by Evan Tramel; The dinosaurs get ready for the holiday) - Dec. 5, DVD

Santa Isn’t Real (holiday horror movie starring Scarlett Sperduto, Dana Millican and Kaya Coleman; written and directed by Zac Locke; A woman’s friends don’t believe her when she says Santa attacked her on Christmas Eve, until he returns to terrorize them all) - Dec. 8, PVOD (Trailer)

Journey to Bethlehem (musical retelling of the Biblical Christmas story, starring Fiona Palomo, Milo Manheim, Antonio Banderas,  Stephanie Gil, Joel Smallbone, Lecrae, Rizwan Manji, Geno Seagers and Omid Djalili; directed by Adam Anders; written by Anders and Peter Barsocchini; original music by Adam and Nikki Anders, along with Peer Astrom; filmed in Spain) - Dec. 8, PVOD (Trailer); also in theatrical release

New Years Dance 3 (WOWNow animated special directed by Jim Ardent) - Dec. 12, DVD

A Creature was Stirring (holiday-set horror movie starring Chrissy Metz, Annalise Basso, Scout Taylor-Compton and Connor Paolo; directed by Damien LeVeck; written by Shannon Wells; A nurse’s plan to keep her daughter sedated to protect her from a mysterious, malevolent affliction is thwarted by unexpected holiday houseguests with tragic consequences) - Dec. 12, PVOD (Trailer); also in limited theatrical release

Navidad En Familia (Lincoln Center holiday concert with Jaime Lozano, featuring Krystina Alabado, Mayelah Barrera, Cedric Leiba Jr., Shereen Pimentel, Mario Tadeo and Migguel Anggelo; streamed LIVE from Lincoln Center) - Dec. 14, Lincoln Center

Christmas and the Hard-Luck Lady (Drag queen Barb Hardly, a.k.a. Brett White, hosts a classic holiday special) - Dec. 15, YouTube

Ingrid Michaelson 17th Annual Holiday Hop: Live From New York (live-streamed concert featuring Michaelson and special guests; from New York City) - Dec. 15, Veeps PVOD or subscription

The Christmas Room (holiday movie starring Kelsey Delemar, Donnie Brown Jr., Kimia’ Workman, Cassandra Grant, Jordan Nancarrow, Maya Jai Pinson, Chanel Collins, Kelsey Delemar, Mignon Pinson and Faheem Saadiq Abdus-Salaam; written and directed by Pinson; A woman home for the holidays is shocked by her grandfather’s slide into dementia and struggles to get him the help he needs; filmed in Prince George’s County, Maryland) -  Dec. 16 (Instagram)

Christmas Spirit (small budget holiday horror movie written, directed and starring Dennis Edwards; along with Jonathan Childers and Ethan Fender; A family’s Christmas gathering has a body count) - Dec. 16, YouTube (Teaser)

The Gifted Family (a.k.a. Die Geschenkte Familie; German-language holiday movie starring Jasmin Gerat and Maximilian Brückner, directed by Esther Gronenborn; written by Chris Silbe and Tracey Graves; A single father and his new wife deal with a chaotic family Christmas; filmed in the Czech Republic) - Dec. 17, ZDF in Germany

Merry Good Enough (holiday movie starring Raye Levine, Sawyer Spielberg, Joel Murray, Susan Gallagher, Rosemary Howard, Neil Casey and Comfort Clinton; co-directed by Caroline Keene and Dan Kennedy; written by Keene; When her mother goes missing on Christmas Eve, a daughter must assembly her dysfunctional family to search for her; filmed in Boston and Rhode Island) - Dec. 19, PVOD (Trailer)

Snow White’s Christmas Adventure (family holiday movie starring Jennifer Mischiati, Elijah Rowen and Michael Cervantes; directed by Stefano Milla; written by Mark Morgan and Katherine Tomlinson; Snow White tries to evade the evil queen at Christmas) - Dec. 19, PVOD

Thanksgiving (holiday horror movie starring Milo Manheim, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Nell Verlaque, Addison Rae, Gina Gershon and Patrick Dempsey; directed by Eli Roth, written by Jeff Rendell; based on the mock trailer seen in Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s 2007 movie Grindhouse, where a killer fashions a carving board out of his victims; filmed in Toronto) - Dec. 19, PVOD (Trailer)

Silent Night (holiday-set, dialogue-free, action-thriller starring Joel Kinnaman, Kid Cudi, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Harold Torres; directed by John Woo; written by Robert Lynn; A father avenges the death of his son, killed by gang violence on Christmas Eve; filmed in Mexico) - Dec. 19, PVOD (Trailer)

An L.A. Christmas Story (holiday movie starring Jessica Moore, Derrick Zonca, Kaylee Frazier, Marla Lizbeth Perez, McKenzie Kelly and Eric Marq; written and directed by Michael Kallio; When her online video asking for a man who is “not an idiot” for Christmas goes viral, a lifestyle vlogger finds her life turned upside down; filmed in Hollywood, Ca.) - Dec. 20 (Facebook) 

Athena Saves Christmas (holiday comedy starring Cuba Gooding Jr, Joseph Baena, Ludovica Frasca, Paxton Kubitz, Michael Blackson, Robert Costanzo and Glenn Plummer; directed by Josh Webber; written by Greg Crowder and Webber; A group of young adults and their dog must solve a series of riddles to save Christmas in their town from a mob boss; filmed in Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, Calif.) - Dec. 20

Mog’s Christmas (British animated special featuring the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy, Adjoa Andoh, Miriam Margolyes, Maggie Steed, Zawe Ashton, Charlie Higson and Gareth Berliner; directed by Robin Shaw; adapted from the children’s book by Judith Kerr; With the house full for the holidays, Mog is feeling ignored by the Thomas family, so takes to the roof to escape the ruckus but becomes stuck only to make a surprise Christmas entrance) - Dec. 24, Channel 4 in the UK

The Heist Before Christmas (holiday movie starring James Nesbitt and Timothy Spall; directed by Edward Hall; written by Ronan Blaney; Two bank robbers pull off the perfect heist, dressing as Santa then disappearing into a town’s Claus-themed festival, but they’re spotted by two young boys, one of whom thinks one might be the real deal, the other who would like to get in on their grift; filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland) - Dec. 24, Sky Max UK (Trailer)

Christmas Couples Retreat (holiday movie starring Vincent De Paul, Jimmy Clabots, Bill Dawes, Dana Jamison, Christene Marie and Vanessa Meadows; directed by Matt Shapira and Salvatore Zannino; written by Clabots, F.D. Lewis and Anthony Mormile) - Dec. 25

Silent Night Bloody Night 3 (holiday slasher sequel starring Lloyd Kaufman, Julie Anne Prescott and Tina Krause; written and directed by Will Collazo Jr. and Prescott; The final girl wakes up in an asylum and must avoid being murdered by a killer who wants to see her dead for the holidays) - Dec. 25

Tabby McTat (British animated special featuring the voices of Rob Brydon, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú, Cariad Lloyd, Joanna Scanlan, Susan Wokoma and Jodie Whittaker; directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman; adapted by Max and Suzanne Lang; based on the children’s book by Julia Donaldson) - Dec. 25, BBC in the UKw

[sleepykittypaws]

Top 25 Made-for-TV Holiday Movies

The cheesy, feel-good, cheaply-produced, made-for-TV Christmas movie has been a holiday tradition long before the Hallmark Channel even existed. And even if many people point to them as perfecting the genre, this type of televised cheer has only grown more popular, and infinitely more ubiquitous, in recent years all across the dial. In fact, there were 121 debut movies in 2019 alone, leaving a lot of coal clogging up the cable-Christmas-movie stocking. (Because, yes, there very much are both good and bad versions of the formula in this trope-tastic movie category.) Below are my all-time favorites from this much maligned genre…

Updated: December 12, 2023

Holiday in Handcuffs (2007, ABC Family) - Melissa Joan Hart kidnaps Mario Lopez at gunpoint and takes him to a remote cabin in the woods in order to pass him off as her boyfriend to her judgmental and controlling family. What could be more hilarious and holiday festive? 

Karroll’s Christmas (2004, A&E) - Tom Everett Scott, Wallace Shawn and Larry Miller are all part of a fantastic cast in this Christmas Carol riff where the twist—what if the ghosts got the wrong guy?—actually really works.

Round and Round (2023, Hallmark) - The odds that a Hanukkah time loop tale would be the best Hallmark movie I’ve ever seen were low, but here we are. A rom-com that doesn’t skimp on either romance and comedy, and a Groundhog Day take that totally nails the ending.

Love At the Christmas Table (2012, Lifetime) - Danica McKellar is one half of childhood friends who celebrate every holiday together and slowly fall in love.

Three Days (2001, ABC Family) - Kristin Davis is a doomed but beloved wife, and Reed Diamond the husband who gets a second chance to save her, in this genuinely touching and lovely holiday movie. 

A Christmas No. 1 (2021, Sky TV in UK/2022, Tubi in US) - Just generally better than the holiday romances we get in the U.S., this was deeper and far more moving than I expected going in, and the original song at the heart of the story was also an excellent addition to my holiday playlist, in both its bouncy and acoustic forms.

Christmas Do-Over (2006, ABC Family) - Jay Mohr and Daphne Zuniga shine in this holiday-set Groundhog Day-esque movie about a divorced dad trying to get Christmas right.

A Family Thanksgiving (2010, Hallmark) - It’s Daphne Zuniga again, this time as a no nonsense businesswoman who goes full Family Man and wakes up as a suburban soccer mom.

Holiday Switch (2007, Lifetime) - A former Baywatch babe crawls through her clothes dryer into an alternate reality. That I did not make any of those plot details up is what makes this the bonkers must-see tale the movie that made me a made-for-TV Christmas movie fan.

12 Dates of Christmas (2011, ABC Family) - Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Amy Smart bring above average chemistry to this jaunty relive-a-date-over-and-over-till-you-get-it-right story.

Snowglobe (2007, ABC Family) - Christina Milian is brilliant as the daughter of a boisterous clan who wishes her way into a peaceful snow globe scene. Fresh, funny and an absolute delight, this is one that grows on me with every viewing. Did I mention the great Lorraine Bracco plays the mom?

A Season for Miracles (1999, CBS “Hallmark Hall of Fame”) - Carla Gugino and Kathy Baker star in this drama from back when Hallmark made high-quality, network TV movies. A tearjerking, holiday melodrama that really works.

Kristin’s Christmas Past (2013, Lifetime) - A holiday time travel take starring Shiri Appleby, where a time slip gives a daughter a second chance to counsel her younger self and repair a family rift.

Snow (2004, ABC Family) - Tom Cavanagh is a young Santa looking to retrieve his lost reindeer in this sweet, family film that earned itself a sequel and put Ashley Williams on the Christmas movie map.

The Christmas List (1997, ABC Family) - The fun begins when Mimi Rogers discovers her store’s Santa mailbox is granting actual Christmas wishes.

Naughty or Nice (2012, Hallmark) - Hilarie Burton, who has become something of a Christmas movie queen, accidentally gets a copy of Santa’s Naughty and Nice list, and it goes about how you think. The sort of Christmas magic movie Hallmark now sadly shies away from.

The Princess Switch (2018, Netflix) - Utterly nonsensical, but so much fun, this Vanessa Hudgens and Vanessa Hudgens-led movie spawned two sequels and a whole lot of scene-chewing holiday fun and some really catchy holiday songs from Sam Palladio.

All I Didn’t Want for Christmas (2022, VH1) - Gabourey Sidibe makes an outstanding Christmas leading lady in this genuinely funny holiday comedy where a drunken letter to Santa ends up with her unorthodox Christmas wishes being granted.

Christmas Perfection (2018, Lifetime) - If you don’t know there was a whole genre of wished-into-a-magical-Christmas-village titles, you haven’t seen nearly enough made-for-TV holiday movies. This one is actually sharp and funny, plus good at both being about and making fun of the tropes of these films.

The Christmas Setup (2020, Lifetime) - The first mainstream made-for-TV Christmas movie to feature LGBTQ+ leads is not just good because it’s groundbreaking, it’s great because it’s the perfect cozy holiday romance, done so much better than most.

Christmas on Cherry Lane (2023, Hallmark) - It’s a Hallmark holiday take on This is Us, that works in spite of that obvious inspiration, delivering solid emotional beats, alongside moments of heart and humor, and even a few twists and turns I never saw coming—extremely rare when you’ve seen as many of these as I have. 

One Christmas Eve (2014, Hallmark) - The rare Hallmark Channel movie (it was a Hall of Fame title) that focuses on humor rather than romance, with a solid ensemble cast led by Anne Heche. Absolutely unlike anything else of its time on the network, and that’s a good thing.

Three Wise Men and a Baby (2022, Hallmark) - This Three Men and a Baby pastiche featured not only an all-star Hallmark team-up in Andrew Walker, Paul Campbell and Tyler Hynes, but also a smart and funny script—written by Campbell and Kimberley Sustad, who also cameos. Probably the most joke-dense Hallmark movie well, ever, that it also tells a cohesive and interesting story makes this a Hallmark-movie unicorn.

It’s Christmas, Carol (2012, Hallmark) - Carrie Fisher is the lone ghost—as she says in a true aside, for budgetary reasons—in this gender-swapped, Christmas Carol take-off that works solely due to Fisher’s sarcastic charm.

Snow Bride (2013, Hallmark) - Katrina Law is a reporter who wanders into a snowstorm wearing a wedding dress and is unwittingly saved by the object of her investigative story. It’s one of the more original, recent-ish Hallmark offerings. To paraphrase Linda Holmes of NPR’s take on the movie when it came out: “For people who enjoy these sorts of movies, this is a good one.”