Netflix already has a wide-ranging collection of original Christmas movies ready for a holiday marathon, even before its star-filled 2026 seasonal lineup arrives. The strongest choices stretch well beyond one familiar formula, covering animated storytelling, musical fantasy, action comedy and romance.
These five films offer different routes into the festive spirit, from an unusual Santa Claus origin story to teenagers navigating relationships during a snowstorm. Several also earned major awards recognition or strong critical scores, proving that lighthearted holiday entertainment can still make an industry impact.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn play Santa and Mrs. Claus in this family action comedy, which begins with siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce attempting to capture Santa on camera. Darby Camp plays Kate, while Judah Lewis portrays Teddy.
Their plan quickly spirals out of control. After the siblings reach Santa’s sleigh and startle him, he crashes in Chicago and loses his presents, reindeer and magical hat. Unless everything is recovered, children could be left without Christmas gifts.
Russell’s less conventional St. Nick gives the adventure an energetic edge. Following a police chase, Santa even performs “Santa Claus Is Back in Town” alongside fellow inmates. The result is a magic-heavy Christmas caper built for families willing to embrace its larger-than-life premise.
Let It Snow (2019)
Adapted from the book featuring connected short stories by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle, “Let It Snow” tracks several teenagers whose lives intersect in one town during a snowstorm.
Pop star Stuart Bale (Sameik Moore) meets Julie (Isabela Merced), and their day together begins with lunch at Waffle Town. He discusses the challenges that come with fame, while Julie faces a difficult college decision because her mother is sick.
Elsewhere, server Dorrie (Liv Hewson) is dealing with cheerleader Kerry (Anna Akana), her crush who is ignoring her despite their previous hookup. Dorrie’s friend Addie (Odeya Rush) is convinced that her boyfriend will soon end their relationship. Tobin (Mitchell Hope), meanwhile, wants to reveal his feelings for best friend Angie, also known as “The Duke” (Kiernan Shipka), but sees college student J.P. (Matthew Noszka) as competition.
The ensemble approach earned a positive critical response: “Let It Snow” holds an 85% Tomatometer score, although audiences were less enthusiastic. Its wintry setting ties together the characters’ separate personal and romantic turning points.
Single All the Way (2021)
For the romantic-comedy portion of the marathon, “Single All the Way” centers on roommates Peter and Nick, played by Michael Urie and Philemon Chambers. Newly single, Peter persuades Nick to join him for the holidays, but Nick refuses to pretend that they are a couple in front of Peter’s family.
Peter’s mother, Carole (Kathy Najimy), responds by arranging a date between her son and trainer James (Luke Macfarlane). As Nick helps Peter’s family get ready for Christmas and watches Peter date someone else, previously concealed feelings begin to emerge.
The movie combines its friends-to-lovers story with family interference, a choreographed routine set to a Britney Spears Christmas song and Jennifer Coolidge performing every role in a nativity play during a meltdown. Its queer romance remains at the center of the story, and the film won the 2022 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Movie.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Netflix’s musical fantasy begins with inventor Jeronicus Jangle, played in his younger years by Justin Cornwell. The owner of Jangles and Things discovers a way to make toys come alive, but his apprentice Gustafson (Miles Barrow) and a doll voiced by Ricky Martin plot to steal his inventions.
Decades later, Jeronicus—now played by Forest Whitaker—is a widower estranged from his daughter Jessica (Anika Noni Rose). His store is struggling, while the older Gustafson (Keegan-Michael Key) operates a competing toy shop stocked with ideas taken from Jeronicus.
Change arrives when his granddaughter Journey (Madalen Mills) visits. Her intuition and generosity help revive the magic surrounding the business, giving the movie its blend of family, music, invention and STEM.
Critics awarded “Jingle Jangle” a 91% Tomatometer score. It also received 10 NAACP Image Award nominations in 2021, with Phylicia Rashad delivering its sole victory in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture category.
Klaus (2019)
The animated “Klaus” reimagines the beginnings of Santa Claus through Jesper (Jason Schwartzman), a lazy and privileged postal academy student. His father sends him to the grim town of Smeerensburg, where Jesper must establish a functioning post office to receive his inheritance.
That assignment appears nearly impossible because most residents belong to two feuding families who barely acknowledge one another, much less exchange letters. Encounters with teacher Alva (Rashida Jones) and Klaus (J.K. Simmons), an isolated carpenter who makes toys, give Jesper a way to generate mail while bringing happiness to local children.
The story gradually builds familiar Christmas customs while exploring community, service, cooperation and selflessness. Its critical standing was matched by major awards attention: “Klaus” received a 2020 Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film.
ShowBiz Take
What makes this group marathon-ready is its variety. “The Christmas Chronicles” supplies spectacle, “Let It Snow” and “Single All the Way” handle contemporary romance, “Jingle Jangle” delivers an elaborate musical world, and “Klaus” offers an atmospheric animated fable.
The recognition for “Single All the Way,” “Jingle Jangle” and “Klaus” also gives the lineup weight beyond seasonal comfort viewing. Together, the five movies show how Netflix’s original holiday catalog can move between familiar Christmas warmth and markedly different storytelling styles.