Bold opening: Christmas is calling with a lineup that could outshine the classics this year. But here’s where it gets controversial: there’s a surprising spread of under-the-radar gems alongside the familiar favorites, and that mix might redefine your festive movie night.
This rewrite preserves the original meaning and key details while offering clearer, beginner-friendly explanations and expanded context. It spotlights 15 standout films across Netflix, Channel 4, Sky, and more, each chosen for their quality and Christmas appeal. From a heartwarming quest to confirm Santa’s existence in Finding Father Christmas to a witty, star-studded mystery in a Knives Out-style caper, these picks are touted as 10/10 by the editors.
Finding Father Christmas
A warming tale that rekindles the holiday spirit. Sixteen-year-old Chris believes in Santa, and his father tries to gently tell him the truth. He resists and embarks on a mission to prove Santa is real, guiding him through encounters with a cadre of scientists and thinkers, including Stephen Fry and Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock. Think A Christmas Carol but with experts instead of ghosts. Airing on Channel 4 on Wednesday, December 24.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
In this third Knives Out installment, Josh O’Connor plays Jud Duplenticy, a priest who finds himself in a tense parish after clashing with a deacon. A sovereignly controlled church is run by the intimidating Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). After a murder, Benoit Blanc arrives to interrogate a cast of peculiar suspects, including Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, and Jeremy Renner. Glenn Close portrays Martha, the church’s steadfast operations manager. In theaters now and on Netflix from Friday, December 12.
Zootropolis 2
Disney’s sequel returns Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as rookie partners in a “Partners in Crisis” program. They’re tasked with tracking a nefarious reptile, while Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) oversees the investigation. The voice cast also features Andy Samberg, Shakira, Macaulay Culkin, and Danny Trejo. Currently in cinemas.
Jay Kelly
A quiet, reflective film by Noah Baumbach, starring George Clooney as a famous, aging actor reflecting on a life of professional triumph and private vulnerabilities. The story threads through his relationships with his daughters and his entourage, all anchored by Clooney’s magnetic presence. Available on Netflix now.
Tinsel Town
Danny Dyer leads alongside Kiefer Sutherland in a holiday-season comedy set in an English town staging Cinderella. Rebel Wilson and Katherine Ryan fill key roles, with a broad ensemble including Derek Jacobi, Alice Eve, and James Lance. Available on Sky Cinema and NOW.
Wicked: For Good
The much-anticipated sequel to the blockbuster Wicked sequel continues the Oz saga, focusing on Glinda and Elphaba as political and personal pressures rise. Elphaba fights for animal rights while continuing to pursue her own arc, with familiar faces returning and pieces braided with the original Oz story. Currently in cinemas.
A Merry Little Ex-mas
Alicia Silverstone returns to the screen with a family-centric Christmas comedy about ex-spouses, new relationships, and holiday dynamics. She stars as Kate, navigating one last family Christmas as her ex-husband brings his younger girlfriend into the mix. Available on Netflix now.
Ella McCay
Emma Mackey headlines a politically charged comedy-drama about a 34-year-old who unexpectedly becomes governor of a U.S. state. The cast includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, and Jack Lowden, with James L. Brooks directing. In cinemas from December 12.
Goodbye June
Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut with a Christmas-set drama about four adult siblings reuniting due to their mother’s illness. The film features a stellar ensemble—Helen Mirren, Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Stephen Merchant, and more—and was written by Winslet’s son, Joe Anders. In cinemas from December 12 and on Netflix from December 24.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron returns to Pandora, following Jake Sully and Neytiri as their clan faces off against a rival tribe led by Varang. Expect spectacular visuals in IMAX as the story unfolds. In cinemas from December 19.
The Housemaid
An adaptation of Freida McFadden’s novel, this psychological thriller pits Nina Winchester against her family’s new live-in housekeeper, Millie Calloway. Secrets loom in a luxurious Long Island home, and so does Millie’s mystery. In cinemas from December 22.
Anaconda
For fans of meta-horror, this reboot-era entry teams Jack Black and Paul Rudd as friends chasing a dream in the Amazon, with Thandiwe Newton joining as a trusted ally. A thrilling, slightly chaotic holiday viewing option. In cinemas from December 26.
Marty Supreme
A 1950s New York tale about table tennis star Marty Reisman (Timothée Chalamet) chasing big dreams and a complicated romance with Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow). Tyler, the Creator appears in his screen debut, signaling a bold start to 2026. In cinemas from December 26.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Jim Carrey’s iconic Grinch returns in a beloved Dr. Seuss adaptation, celebrated for its humor and heart. Now streaming on Prime Video.
Arthur Christmas
Aardman’s follow-up to their acclaimed stop-motion festive film features Arthur Claus (voiced by James McAvoy) navigating a Christmas crisis with the help of family members and loyal allies. Available on Prime Video.
Explore more: For a complete guide to 14 days of Christmas TV listings and the ultimate festive viewing plan, check out the Good Housekeeping Christmas TV Guide, releasing in major retailers on Tuesday, December 9.
Would you watch any of these when you’re streaming or shopping for holiday classics? Which pick would you defend as your top Christmas movie, and why?
