The most wonderful time of the year is here! Now that the hype surrounding Beyonce’s Renaissance Tour film has died down, there is no better way to transition into the holidays than with a Christmas movie that will get you in the spirit. Though many of us enjoy watching the classics during the holiday season, 2023 has given us some new Christmas movies that are just too good to ignore.
From comedies to cute rom-coms, these movies are perfect for a night in with family, lovers, or friends as you sip a warm and toasty drink by the fireplace.
Candy Cane Lane
Deck the halls with Eddie Murphy, as he stars as Chris Carver, a family man who’s dedicated to winning the contest for the most decorated house in his neighborhood. Since Chris is unemployed for the holidays, he believes that winning the $100,000 prize will solve his family’s financial situation.
In the midst of their family problems, Chris and his daughter, Holly (Madison Thomas) discover an alluring Christmas Shop, where they buy items and ornaments for the contest. When it’s time for Chris to check out, he unknowingly signs his receipt to a naughty elf who has no good intentions for the gift-giving holiday.
Once the family realizes that Pepper the elf (Jillian Bell) isn’t one of Santa’s helpers, they work together to prevent her from turning Chris into a toy.
Candy Cane Lane is now streaming on Prime
Family Switch
The Walkers aren’t the first family to swap bodies, but they are the first to do it during the holidays… which ultimately means that they have to make things right before Christmas.
The family of five gets themselves in an odd situation after Jess (Jennifer Garner), Bill (Ed Helms), Wyatt (Brady Noon), and CC (Emma Myers) wish to be each other as a means to get rid of their personal problems. After their family picture is taken by a mysterious woman who may have been the reason behind their body swap, everything changes.
Family Switch is now streaming on Netflix
Dashing Through The Snow
Eddie Garrick (Ludacris) is convinced by his wife, Allison (Teyonah Parris), from whom he’s separated from, to spend time with his daughter (Madison Skye Validum) on Christmas Eve. The only problem, Eddie isn’t into the festive holiday as it reminds him of a traumatic childhood experience. After he finds Nicholas Sinterklaas (Lil Rel Howery) hanging upside down in his chimney, an unpleasant surprise turns into an adventure with Santa and friends, as Garrick and his daughter help him get back into the spirit of the holidays.
Dashing Through The Snow is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+
Genie
Just like Eddie Garrick, Bernard (Paapa Esseidu) is also separated from his wife, Julie (Denée Benton) for the holidays. And as if things couldn’t get any worse, he missed his daughter, Eve (Jordyn Mclntosh) birthday, causing friction in their relationship, and lost his job.
But, before Bernard knows it, he may be able to get his family back, as he stumbles upon an antique jewelry box with a genie inside. With a growing friendship between him and his genie, Flora (Melissa McCarthy), and the ability to make unlimited wishes, Bernard just might be able to get his family back in time for Christmas.
Genie is now streaming on Peacock
EXmas
What are Christmas movies without a nice rom-com? Amid family-oriented themed movies, EXmas gives off the romantic feeling many of us enjoy.
Ali (Leighton Meester) misses spending the holidays with her ex-fiancé, Graham’s (Robbie Amell) family, but not with Graham. Luckily, his family feels the same way about Ali and they invite her to spend the holidays with them. As soon as Graham returns home to spend the holidays with his family, he’s surprised to find Ali is there with his parents. Though he tries to sabotage Ali to make her leave, their hatred for each other as exes eventually evolves back into lovers.
EXmas is now streaming on Amazon Freevee
Let the holiday festivities commence!