Christmas and movies go hand in hand, and for many people, watching a festive film is just as much a part of the season as decorating the tree or exchanging gifts. From heartwarming family adventures to romantic comedies and wildly unconventional takes on Christmas, the genre continues to find new ways to bring a little festive entertainment to the screen.
And with another holiday season just around the corner, there are loads of upcoming releases to look forward to. Whether you’re after a lighthearted movie to watch with the family, a dreamy romance to settle in with, or something with a little more action mixed into the story, the 2026 lineup has a little bit of everything.
The 12 Dates of Christmas (2026) stars Lucy Hale as the career-focused Christina Walker, who spends so much time working that her romantic life is non-existent. So her best friend encourages her to go on 12 dates in the 12 weeks leading up to Christmas. Each one is a total disaster, and somewhere in that mess, Christina accidentally crashes into Peter Grant (Harding). But the catch is he’s already taken.
I’m curious to see how The 12 Dates of Christmas balances the familiar holiday rom-com formula with the complication of Peter already being taken. That said, reuniting Hale and Harding after their time on 2010’s Pretty Little Liars is a fun bit of casting, especially for fans who remember their on-screen history. Viewers who enjoy festive romances will find lots to love in this movie.
The 12 Dates of Christmas debuts onHulu on Nov. 6.
We checked for updates on 373 streaming services on November 11, 2026
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The Christmas Switch (2026) follows sisters, Mathilda (Felice Jankell) and Freddie (Happy Jankell), who have very different personalities and lifestyles. Mathilda is a homebody who has never left her small-town village, while Freddie is a city girl with a much busier social life. Things get interesting when the siblings unexpectedly swap lives in the weeks before Christmas.
Body-swap comedies have been around for ages. But using the idea to explore the relationship between sisters is different since Mathilda and Freddie aren’t just dealing with a change of scenery. They’re being forced to see the choices they’ve made from someone else’s perspective. I also like that the lead roles are played by real-life sisters, which makes it perfect for viewers who enjoy feel-good, family stories.
The Christmas Switch will premiere on Netflix on Nov. 12.
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Ebenezer (2026) is a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with Johnny Depp playing the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. Set in Victorian London, the story follows Scrooge as the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future take the notorious businessman on a supernatural trip that might be his one last chance at redemption.
There have been so many versions of A Christmas Carol that it’s fair to wonder what another adaptation can bring to the story. But this one is described as a Gothic dark fantasy, suggesting that it might lean further into the unsettling parts of the original story than some movies. It will also be interesting to see Depp’s interpretation of a character that’s become such a recognizable part of Christmas.
Ebenezer hits cinemas on Nov. 13.
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Guarding Stars (2026) begins when bodyguard Hanna Brooks (Leighton Meester) is hired to protect action movie star Jack Stapleton (Jared Padalecki) during the holidays. To keep Jack’s family from worrying, they pretend to be in a relationship. Things become complicated when they also have to deal with a stalker and the feelings developing between them.
The reason the fake-dating setup keeps showing up in movies is because everyone loves watching the lead characters pretend there’s nothing romantic going on. But the best part is that the bodyguard angle (adapted from Katherine Center’s 2022 novel The Bodyguard) gives Hanna a different role from the usual Christmas rom-com heroine.
Guarding Stars is set to hit Netflix on Nov. 18.
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Mickey’s Home Alone (2026) is an animated Christmas special starring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto. Mickey is looking forward to spending a quiet Christmas at home, but Minnie surprises everyone with tickets to a famous Ice Palace. During the chaotic rush to leave, Mickey and Pluto are accidentally left behind and have to protect their home and dinner from two troublemakers.
The Home Alone (1990) inspiration is pretty obvious, but it will be fun to see how Disney puts its own spin on the setup. Mickey and Pluto are a fun pairing for this kind of adventure. It’s also nice to see a new Christmas special built around these classic characters rather than another sequel to an existing Disney movie that everyone has seen a million times.
Mickey’s Home Alone debuts on Disney+ on Nov. 27.
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In a Holidaze (2026) follows Maelyn Jones (Maddie Ziegler), who feels completely lost after her parents’ divorce. To make matters worse, the family is set to host their last Christmas get-together at their cabin before it is sold. After accidentally kissing Theo (Elias Kacavas) instead of her crush, Andrew (Graham Phillips), Mae gets into an accident and wakes up at the start of the holiday gathering.
Christmas movies that bring together family with a bit of magic are my favorite. And In a Holidaze seems to have both those things. Throw in a snowy cabin, a complicated romance, and a time-loop twist, and it sounds like a really fun festive watch. I also like that Mae’s story isn’t just about finding the right guy, but figuring out what she wants from her own life.
In a Holidaze debuts on Netflix on Dec. 2.
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The Man with the Bag (2026) begins when a sack of presents belonging to Santa Claus (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is stolen by a rogue elf named Nadia Nyce (Awkwafina). With Christmas in danger, Santa turns to local thief Vance (Alan Ritchson) to help recover the bag. Together, the unlikely pair have to pull off a dangerous heist to get the presents back in time.
Getting Schwarzenegger to play Santa is a brilliant idea, especially for anyone who remembers his 1996 Christmas comedy Jingle All the Way. But I think the heist angle is what makes this one different from the usual holiday releases. Instead of following Santa as he prepares for his annual trip around the world, the story puts him in the middle of a criminal operation.
The Man with the Bag hits Prime Video on Dec. 2.
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Released in 2022, the first Violent Night was a pretty unusual Christmas movie that turned Santa Claus (David Harbour) into a former Viking warrior. Santa returns in 2026’s Violent Night 2. Only this time he’s placed on the naughty list and loses his magic. With the holidays approaching, Santa has to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas while teaming up with Mrs. Claus (Kristen Bell) to stop a gangster.
The thing I like most about this franchise is how it’s taken one of the most recognizable Christmas characters and given him a really unexpected backstory. Harbour clearly has fun playing Santa, and that gives the movie a unique personality. It’s also worth noting that the film is aimed at people who enjoy their holiday stories with a lot more bloodshed and a much less conventional Santa.
Violent Night 2 debuts in cinemas on Dec. 4.
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We checked for updates on 373 streaming services on November 10, 2026
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