The 2025 holiday season has officially wrapped, leaving us with a massive slate of festive films that ranged from box-office titans to cozy streaming rom-coms. Whether you missed the theatrical rush or you’re looking to extend the holiday spirit into the new year, this guide covers every must-watch title released this past December.
From the return of the Na’vi in Avatar: Fire and Ash to the Jonas Brothers’ chaotic race home, the lineup for new Christmas movies 2025 was one for the history books.
In this post, we break down the best releases from Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and theaters, helping you decide what to add to your watchlist right now.
Table of Contents
Theatrical Blockbusters: What Ruled the Box Office in December 2025
While streaming services flooded our living rooms with romance, the cinemas were dominated by sequels and family adventures. If you haven’t seen these yet, they are likely hitting VOD platforms soon.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
- Release Date: December 19, 2025
- Genre: Sci-Fi / Adventure
- Why Watch: The undisputed king of the 2025 holiday box office. James Cameron returned to Pandora, introducing the “Ash People” and expanding the lore in a way that demanded the biggest screen possible. It’s not a “Christmas movie” by theme, but it was the movie of Christmas 2025.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
- Release Date: December 19, 2025
- Genre: Animation / Comedy
- Why Watch: Perfect for families who needed a break from the intense drama of other releases. This 3D adventure brought the Bikini Bottom gang to the surface world again with a fresh visual style that delighted kids and nostalgic adults alike.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (Remake)
- Release Date: December 12, 2025
- Genre: Horror / Slasher
- Why Watch: For those who prefer scares over Santa. This modern reimagining of the 1984 controversies delivered gore and chills, becoming the surprise cult hit of the season.
Pro Tip: If you missed Zootopia 2 (released late November), it was still a top performer throughout December, making it a staple of the new Christmas movies 2025 lineup.
Netflix Christmas 2025: Rom-Coms, Heists, and Tearjerkers
Netflix continued its tradition of dominating the “cozy night in” market. This year, they leaned into high-concept comedies and star-studded dramas.
1. Champagne Problems
- Starring: Minka Kelly
- Plot: An American executive travels to France to acquire a champagne brand, only to fall for the charming owner she is supposed to buy out.
- Verdict: It’s Emily in Paris meets Hallmark. The scenery is gorgeous, making it one of the most visually escapist Netflix Christmas movies 2025 offered.
2. Jingle Bell Heist
- Starring: Olivia Holt, Connor Swindells
- Plot: Two down-on-their-luck strangers team up to rob a corrupt department store owner on Christmas Eve.
- Verdict: A fun departure from the usual romance formula. Think Ocean’s Eleven but with more tinsel and a lower budget.
3. My Secret Santa
- Starring: Alexandra Breckenridge
- Plot: In a Mrs. Doubtfire-style twist, a single mom disguises herself as an older man to land a job as a mall Santa.
- Verdict: Surprisingly funny and heartwarming. It requires some suspension of disbelief, but Breckenridge sells the physical comedy well.
4. Goodbye June
- Starring: Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren
- Plot: A family gathers for a final holiday with their matriarch.
- Verdict: This was the critical darling of the season. Bring tissues this isn’t a light watch, but it features some of the best acting of the year.
Disney+ and Prime Video Highlights:
Disney and Amazon didn’t let Netflix have all the fun. They dropped some of the most talked-about new Christmas movies 2025.
A Very Jonas Christmas Movie (Disney+)
The Jonas Brothers (Kevin, Joe, and Nick) play fictionalized versions of themselves racing to get from London to New York in time for Christmas dinner. It’s chaotic, musical, and packed with celebrity cameos.
- Best For: Pop culture fans and families.
The Family Plan 2 (Apple TV+)
Mark Wahlberg returns as the suburban dad with a secret assassin past. This time, the family vacation in Europe is interrupted by old enemies. It balances action and holiday comedy, similar to Die Hard but much lighter.
Oh. What. Fun. (Prime Video)
Michelle Pfeiffer stars as a mom who, feeling unappreciated, leaves her family behind during the holidays. It’s a “mom rebellion” movie that resonated with many parents this season.
Merv (Prime Video)
Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox star as a broken-up couple forced to co-parent their depressed dog during the holidays. It’s quirky, indie-flavored, and undeniably charming.
Analyzing the Trends: What Defined Holiday Movies in 2025?
Looking back at the new Christmas movies 2025 slate, three clear trends emerged that content creators and viewers should note:
- The “Reverse” Trope: Movies like My Secret Santa and Oh. What. Fun. subverted traditional roles, focusing on women taking charge (or disguises) rather than just waiting under the mistletoe.
- Action-Comedy Hybrids: The Family Plan 2 and Jingle Bell Heist proved that audiences want adrenaline mixed with their eggnog.
- Sequel Dominance: From Avatar to Zootopia 2, the biggest numbers came from established franchises.
Conclusion:
The new Christmas movies 2025 season offered something for everyone, from the high-stakes world of Pandora to the snowy streets of Paris in Champagne Problems. Whether you are looking for a laugh, a cry, or a thrill, the titles listed above are the definitive hits of the year.
If you haven’t cleared your watchlist yet, start with Avatar: Fire and Ash for the spectacle, and follow it up with A Very Jonas Christmas Movie for pure, lighthearted fun.
Ready to build your perfect movie night? Grab your popcorn, fire up your streaming service, and dive into the best of 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What was the #1 Christmas movie in 2025?
In terms of box office revenue, Avatar: Fire and Ash was the number one movie released during the holiday window. For streaming, A Very Jonas Christmas Movie on Disney+ and Champagne Problems on Netflix were among the most-watched titles.
Are there any new Hallmark Christmas movies from 2025?
Yes, Hallmark released its usual “Countdown to Christmas” slate. Standouts included Christmas Above The Clouds and various titles featuring network favorites like Lacey Chabert.
Is “Red One” considered a 2025 Christmas movie?
Red One, starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, was originally slated for 2023/2024 but saw release shifts. However, for the 2025 season, the focus was largely on fresh releases like The Family Plan 2 and Merv.
Where can I watch the new Jonas Brothers Christmas movie?
A Very Jonas Christmas Movie is streaming exclusively on Disney+.
What are the best family Christmas movies of 2025?
For families, the top picks are The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (Theaters/VOD) and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (Disney+).
