Last year I shared 24 films to watch before Christmas, basically one a day, with a few mini-marathons thrown in, because, come on, who doesn’t love a sequel. Well, I thought I would add 8 more Christmas films to your viewing list, all new, all cheesy, and all so much fun. I’ve focused on Netflix and Disney+, so you can stream right away, but if you’ve got Sky Movies also try Christmas24, for pure Hallmark festive joy.
The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two
One of my favourite Christmas films last year had to be Kurt Russell as Santa Claus in Netflix’s The Christmas Chronicles, well the action-packed festive film is back with a second adventure, which includes more Mrs Claus played by Goldie Hawn. Yep, we get to see the real-life couple make movie magic together at Christmastime.
The film takes place two years after siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce saved Christmas, and a lot has changed, mainly their mum’s new relationship. Kate, now a cynical teen is reluctantly spending Christmas in Cancun with her mom’s new boyfriend and his son Jack, and decides to run away and lands at the North Pole, where a naughty elf is plotting to cancel Christmas.
Godmothered
Disney+ offers up a heartwarming and funny tale set at Christmas time where inexperienced fairy godmother-in-training, Eleanor tries to prove that people still need fairy godmothers. Finding a mislaid letter from a 10-year-old girl in distress, Eleanor tracks her down and discovers that the girl, Mackenzie, is now a 40-year-old single mom working at a news station in Boston. Having lost her husband several years earlier, Mackenzie has all but given up on the idea of “happily ever after,” but Eleanor is bound and determined to give Mackenzie a happiness makeover, whether she likes it or not.
Operation Christmas Drop
There are always Christmas films with military connections, and this year Netflix has loosely brought to life the real-life US Air Force’s Operation Christmas Drop humanitarian mission, where they parachute gifts to remote islands nearby. Of course, it wouldn’t be a holiday film without romance and conflict. Congressional aide Erica has been tasked with gathering evidence to support closing a tropical US Air Force base, but she soon warms to Captain Andrew Jantz and the Christmas operation and does all she can to say them both.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
I love a good musical, and this is a great festive musical about an iconic toymaker played by Forest Whitaker who, with the help of his whip-smart granddaughter and their magical creations, must track down his apprentice after he steals one of his inventions. Filled with whimsy and wonder this is a joyful Christmas film, I love the characters and the storyline, but most of all the music. The film features original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan, and ‘This Day’ performed by Usher and Kiana Ledé.
8 Christmas Films To Stream Now
The Princess Switch: Switched Again
The Princess Switch series continues, with this highly-anticipated squeal, because hey, why stop when something creates such magic. The second instalment sees Vanessa Hudgens stepping back into both of her lookalike roles again, as Duchess Margaret calls on Stacy for help after she inherits the throne and has relationship problems. But apparently, it isn’t a party until there are 3, so they’ve added another look-a-like into the mix, Fiona, a party girl who comes to the kingdom to shake things up.
Holidate
No-one wants to be single over the holidays, do they? Well, that’s the premise of this film, two strangers meet during one particularly bad Christmas and agree to be each other’s platonic plus-ones all year long. But as they bond over their hatred for the festive season they only go and catch real feelings along the way to make it a cute, Christmas rom-com.
Christmas on the Square
Have a Holly Dolly Christmas with this Netflix holiday musical featuring 14 original songs by Dolly Parton herself. Not content with being a global saviour as a major financial donor to a Covid-19 vaccine, the country music singer and singer writer is bringing Christmas joy, plus she plays an angel, what could be more fitting.
For me this storyline is a Christmas classic, a cold-hearted woman tries to sell her hometown’s land, without a regard for others, and an angel comes down from heaven to share music, magic and memories to change her mind. Seriously the music adds a joy to this film – you will definitely be in the Christmas spirit after watching this.
Noelle
OK, technical this has been out for a year, but us UK folks didn’t have Disney+ then, so it feels like Noelle is all shiny and new. Basically, this is a joyful holiday comedy to save Christmas. Noelle, Santa’s daughter played by Anna Kendrick has to go and find her brother, who has not returned after a break away, and he is about to take over the reins from their father this Christmas.
Images: via Netflix and Disney+
