Best Christmas movies on Netflix 2021 to watch right now

The best Christmas movies on Netflix will have you laughing and crying in equal measure as their huge variety of emotional and feel-good films will see you through the festive season this year.  

As Christmas approaches, film fans will soon be thinking about which ultimate festive movies will be on their list to enjoy with friends and family in 2021. And for those who have already raced through all the best Christmas movies on Disney Plus, there’s never been a better time to see what fellow streaming giant Netflix has to offer. Simply settle down and pamper yourself with your best beauty advent calendar and choose your next watch from Netflix’s full selection, including nostalgic favorites and brand new Originals. 

When it comes to the Christmas movies we can’t help but fall in love with, Netflix has things pretty much wrapped up. So why not save yourself some much needed time as the yearly festive season busyness begins to ramp up and spend it snuggled up on the sofa with one of these great Netflix Christmas movies instead?    

Here we reveal our pick of the best Christmas movies on Netflix to enjoy this year...

Best Christmas movies on Netflix 2021 to watch right now

The Holiday 

Perhaps one of the most feel good Christmas movies of all, The Holiday is universally loved for its joyful festive tale of romance, all thanks to a serendipitous house swap. Starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as the trans-Atlantic home owners who decide to trade places for the holidays and find themselves (and true love) along the way. But will they achieve their fairy-tale endings? You'll just have to watch this festive classic to find out! 

A Christmas Inheritance

In order to inherit her father's company, socialite Ellen must learn more about the true spirit of the business she's set to inherit and visit the small town where it all started. This Netflix Original movie stars Andie MacDowell, of Four Weddings And A Funeral fame, and at it heart has an incredibly important—and pertinent—message at its core about the importance of helping others. If this isn't one of your best Christmas movies on Netflix since its initial release, it soon will be!

Let it Snow

A story about three different holiday romances and a group of students whose lives suddenly become intertwined when a snowstorm hits a small Midwestern town on Christmas Eve. What at first seems simple is more complicated than they could have imaged and by Christmas morning, things will be forever changed.

The Christmas Chronicles 

A brother and sister must work together to save Christmas after accidentally crashing Santa's sleigh. The original film, starring Kurt Russell as a silver fox-take on Santa, is a fun addition to the festive movie archives but don't be tempted to watch the sequel – it doesn't hit anywhere near as close to the mark.

Nativity!

Martin Freeman stars as a lovelorn primary school teacher who ends up being tasked with his worst nightmare – direct the school nativity play. A heart-warming and comical tale commences. If you fall in love with the characters of this feel-good film and are left wanting more, the sequel is on Netflix too, so you can have a festive movie marathon.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

One for the whole family to enjoy, this Netflix original movie stars Forest Whittaker and Downtown Abbey's Hugh Bonneville. This Netflix Original arrived on the streaming platform last year and follows the story of a toymaker, Jeronicus Jangle, who was betrayed by his apprentice, only to rediscover joy and hope when his granddaughter comes into his life. 

Klaus

This animated, feel-good Christmas film is so good that it was recognised by the Academy Awards and nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film in 2020. The movie is about a selfish postman and reclusive toymaker who form an unlikely alliance in the hope of bringing joy to a rundown, unhappy town.

A Christmas Prince 

This Netflix Original has been popular with viewers since it first debuted in 2017 and is still one of the best Christmas movies on Netflix to add to your to-watch list in 2021. It follows an aspiring writer who is sent abroad to get a scoop on an eligible young prince about to become king. If you don't already know the film, we won't spoil what happens next but let's just say that the film's two sequels - A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby – are also available to watch on Netflix.

Operation Christmas Drop 

A brand new Netflix Original Christmas movie last year, this film forgoes the stereotypical winter wonderland backdrop for a tropical paradise instead. A festive rom-com with an island-twist, this is a story about a political aide who travels out to the tropics to shut down a base there—and an Air Force pilot who is tasked with changing her mind.

Holiday in the Wild

Kristin Davis is perhaps best known for playing Charlotte in Sex and the City and is set to reprise her role in the upcoming Sex and the City reboot. Though here she has shown her acting talents in a film that couldn't be more different as she stars as a woman who embarks on what was meant to be her second honeymoon alone, after her husband abruptly ends their marriage. Whilst taking a solo safari, Kate discovers much more in Africa than she was counting on.

Holidate

Just as compelling as any of the best Christmas TV specials, this Netflix Original movie stars Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey as two singletons who team up to be each other's date for the holidays—with no strings attached. But whilst they may have started out with strictly platonic intentions, as all movie fans know, things rarely end as planned...

The Princess Switch 

For those who can’t get enough of Hallmark's Christmas Movie Schedule, The Princess Switch has all the romance, misunderstandings and ultimate twists you could ever want. Starring former High School Musical actor Vanessa Hudgens, she plays both Margaret, Duchess of Montenaro and baker Stacy. But whilst the two women look identical, they have very different backgrounds. Keen to get a taste of the other’s life, they agree to switch places. And for those who are already fans, The Princess Switch: Switched Again is also available on Netflix this holiday season.  

The Knight Before Christmas 

Who doesn’t love some time-traveling magic, especially at Christmas time? The Knight Before Christmas sees 14th century Cole Christopher Fredrick Lyons tasked to fulfil an uncertain quest by midnight on Christmas eve or he will never return to his time or become a real knight. Transported to the present, he meets science teacher Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens) and as romance blossoms between them, viewers can’t help wondering if he will ever return to his own time period... 

A California Christmas 

Living a carefree life thanks to his wealthy San Francisco real estate tycoon mom, Joseph is sent to finalize a deal for the purchase of a nearby dairy farm, only to be mistaken for the new ranch hand by owner Callie. But after initially hoping to gain Callie’s trust in order to secure her agreement for the buy-out of her land, Joseph’s eyes are soon opened to another way of life as his respect and love for Callie grows. 

Christmas With A View

Released in 2018, Christmas With A View is set in perhaps one of the most magical and festive of places-a ski resort. After a celebrity chef, Shane Roarke, is named the new head chef at the resort, gossip spreads and Clara is less than delighted at the prospect of welcoming him as her new boss. It’s only after the two cross paths more and more often that the pair start to wonder if they have more in common than they first thought...

Holiday Rush 

Encompassing all the joy and coming together of families that you’re looking for in a Christmas movie, comedy-drama Holiday Rush stars Romany Malco as Rashon ‘Rush’ Williams, a widower and hip hop radio DJ. When Rush unexpectedly loses his job after the radio station is bought out, he and his children are forced to move in with his Aunt Jo. Rush then begins to reassess the path his life is taking as he and his producer Roxy buy the old radio station where they used to work. Will their new venture go ahead as planned? 

Santa Girl

Whilst Christmas movie fans might be accustomed to the idea of Santa Claus having a son in films such as Arthur Christmas, Santa Girl follows the journey of Santa’s only daughter. Desperate to experience the “real world” before she marries Jack Frost, Cassie sets off for college, all the while keeping her famous father and magic powers secret. It’s only after she meets Sam, Cassie’s commitment to the holiday season, her father and her impending marriage comes into question as she wonders what path her life should really take.  

Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square

Starring Mamma Mia favorite Christine Baranski as wealthy Regina Fuller and Dolly Parton as an Angel, if that alone doesn’t get you excited for this musical Christmas film, then the heart-warming story surely will. Regina might have returned to her hometown at Christmas to evict the residents and sell the land to a developer, but a series of magical events and her own nostalgic memories begin to make her have second thoughts. Fans of Dolly Parton's music will also appreciate this feel-good film's equally magical soundtrack. 

New Christmas movies coming to Netflix in 2021

Robin Robin

This Aardman special will soon be landing this autumn ahead of the coming holiday season and is perhaps set to be one of the best Christmas movies on Netflix for families this year. After the egg of a robin lands in the home of mice, the hatchling soon finds herself adopted into the family. However, it’s not long before she realizes that the time has come to spread her wings as she sets out on a voyage of self-discovery. Coming to Netflix November 24, 2021 and starring Gillian Anderson and Richard E. Grant, this feel-good film is not one to miss.  

The Princess Switch 3

If you loved the Princess Switch and it’s equally charming sequel The Princess Switch: Switched Again, then hold on to your Christmas hats because Vanessa Hudgens is set to reprise her role in this year’s The Princess Switch 3. Once again playing multiple roles, Vanessa will be taking on Margaret, Stacy and Margaret’s cousin Fiona’s roles as the three women attempt to recover a priceless relic that has been stolen. And as we might have expected, some switching trickery is soon to unfold... Thought to be coming to Netflix in November. 

A Boy Called Christmas 

Based on Matt Haig’s bestselling novel of the same name, this exciting adaptation is reportedly coming to Netflix in 2021 and is already one of the most anticipated Christmas movies so far this year. Featuring an all-star cast including Dame Maggie Smith, Kristen Wiig, Sally Hawkins and Stephen Merchant, it follows young boy Nikolas as he undertakes a truly magical Christmas adventure. It's understood to be coming to Netflix in November 2021. 

Christmas at the Castle

With its impressive setting and intriguing title, Christmas at the Castle follows American author Sophie as she travels to Scotland, only to find herself transfixed by a stunning castle during her vacation. Though the castle’s owner, a Duke named Myles, is less than thrilled about the prospect of selling his beloved home to an outsider, despite her eagerness to call the place her own. This romantic, location-focused movie is set for release in winter 2021. 

Single All the Way

Sick and tired of being on the receiving end of his family’s judgement as a single man, Peter decides the time has come to do something about his perpetual relationship status. Convincing his friend Nick to join him for the holidays, the two go on to pretend they’re in a relationship in front of Peter’s family. However, when Peter’s mother sets him up on a blind date with a fitness trainer, the pair’s plan is soon overturned... This not-to-be-missed LGBTQ+ holiday rom com is coming to Netflix Winter 2021. 

Love Hard

Starring Vampire Diaries' alum Nina Dobrev as Natalie Bauer, Love Hard explores the world of dating apps with a brilliantly festive twist. After falling for a supposedly perfect man that she’s been chatting with on an app, Natalie takes the brave, and some might say shocking decision, to travel to his hometown as a Christmas surprise. Sadly for Natalie she soon discovers that the man she’s been talking to has been using his neighbor’s picture. The guy who tricked her offers to set them up but only on one condition: she pretends to be his girlfriend for the holidays. Coming to Netflix Winter 2021.