If you’re looking for a way to get yourself into the holiday spirit, Netflix has a ton of offerings to help you do just that. Whether you’re looking for something to warm your heart, make you cry, or make you eye-roll all the cheery cheesiness that makes Christmas films so fun, the streamer has you covered.
Operation Christmas Drop
This light-hearted, romantic comedy is a little hokey, but isn’t that what Christmas films are all about? This one stars Kat Graham, Alexander Ludwig, and Virginia Madsen.
Synopsis: A by-the-book political aide falls for a big-hearted Air Force pilot while looking to shut down his tropical base and its airborne Christmas tradition.
A New York Christmas Wedding
The film that stars Nia Fairweather and Otoja Abit takes elements from the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life and entwines them with 21st century views on love, religion, family, and more.
Synopsis: This film follows the life of Jennifer Ortiz as her Christmas wedding to handsome, successful fiancé, David approaches. Feeling overwhelmed by a dinner with her soon to be in-laws, Jennifer goes out for a jog to clear her mind. While on her run, she meets an angel Azrael who gives her the chance to experience another version of her life with everything she truly wants. In her alternate life, Jennifer sees the way her life could have been if she had only dared to listen to her heart and pursued the feelings for her childhood best friend, Gabrielle Vernaci. As Jennifer begins to embrace this alternate reality, Azrael reminds her she only has a limited amount of time to decide which life she wants to live. Torn between the safe life, she is currently living and the life of her dreams, Jennifer learns to take a risk and follow her heart.
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square
This film, directed and choreographed by Debbie Allen, features an all-star cast that includes Jenifer Lewis, Dolly Parton, Christine Baranski, and Treat Williams.
Here’s the synopsis: A rich and nasty woman, Regina Fuller, returns to her small hometown after her father’s death to evict everyone and sell the land to a mall developer – right before Christmas. However, after listening to stories of the local townsfolk, reconnecting with an old love, and accepting the guidance of an actual angel, Regina starts to have a change of heart. This is the story about family, love, and how a small town’s Christmas spirit can warm even the coldest of hearts.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
From the imagination of writer-director David E. Talbert, this movie stars Forest Whitaker, Phylicia Rashad, Keegan-Michael Key, and Anika Noni Rose. Featuring original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan, and “This Day” performed by Usher and Kiana Ledé, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey reminds us of the strength of family and the power of possibility.
Synopsis: A musical adventure and a visual spectacle for the ages, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a wholly fresh and spirited family holiday event. Set in the gloriously vibrant town of Cobbleton, the film follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Janglewhose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter— and a long-forgotten invention — to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic within.
Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker
Debbie Allen is showing off her talents in another way in this inspiring documentary.
Synopsis: Every year, students at Debbie Allen Dance Academy perform a genre-busting, cutting edge rendition of The Nutcracker ballet called Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. This documentary follows legend Debbie Allen and her students as they prepare for the show-stopping main event.
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