It is the time of year to relax on the sofa and devour a box of mince pies in front of a good movie, a poor film, or one that’s terrible yet terrific.
This year, a crop of fresh holiday movies strives to join part of our festive viewing—maybe even finding a spot alongside enduring classics like Home Alone, Elf, Love Actually, and Die Hard (we won’t debate it).
Thus, in a noble effort to distinguish the gems from the coal, and to find the Christmas spirit, I watched as many fresh holiday releases as possible in a single day.
Beginning, hopefully, on a positive note. This release is the exclusive 2025 movie on a popular review site's list of the top 100 festive features of all time.
The musical trio find themselves trapped in the UK after concluding their global concert series and must return for Christmas. Their endeavors are hindered by an villainous Saint Nick, who sings to announce they won’t get home until they “find their familial spark.”
The back-and-forth between the arguing trio is enjoyable even for the non-fan, while followers will undoubtedly pick up on lots of references as they endeavor to get back using every mode of travel possible.
It’s a travelogue of mishaps.
It’s not an all-time classic, but is great for fans and a positive start to the day.
Christmas tree rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 for Jonas Brothers fans or 🎄🎄🎄 for their relatives who are obliged to sit through it.
A-list actor Kiefer Sutherland stars as a celebrity cast a "panto".
“A panto-what?” asks Sutherland’s “temperamental” and ageing lead Brad Mack, who has hit a rough patch and whose agent has misled him into thinking he’s appearing in high-class London stage.
His pantomime co-stars tell him he’s playing Buttons. “Oh no I’m not,” he protests. You can guess their reply. Unless you’re unfamiliar with traditional British theatre traditions.
There are some very funny lines, some heartwarming storylines, and the ensemble is cracking, too.
It’s the kind of movie that would be a bit tacky at any other time of year, but is a great entertainment at Christmas.
Festive score: 🎄🎄🎄🎄
An actor appears at the beginning of this film, too, insulting someone for the second film in a row. Is this a fresh holiday staple?
This time, he’s a musical taxi operator who encounters Mr Sood, the latest spin on Mr Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Mr Sood is played by The Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar and Christmas Karma is directed by the director of Gurinder Chadha. The classic narrative unfolds as the tight-fisted Mr Sood is confronted by the apparitions of Christmas yesterday, today, and tomorrow, played by Hugh Bonneville, Billy Porter, and Boy George.
This Indian Scrooge is at least different from all the others, but regrettably he’s not very compelling and Nayyar’s portrayal is lifeless—a significant issue when he’s so the main character.
Festive score: 🎄🎄
Before lunch for a channel's holiday special—which stars Guz Khan as a charmingly cantankerous character who “avoids Christmas.”
But after he receives an sizable holiday payout at work, his wife (portrayed by Morgana Robinson) convinces him spending the sum on a holiday to Lapland.
There’s just one problem—he learns there was an mix-up with his bonus, which should have been £800, and he has to figure out how to pay back the remainder.
Fun while it lasts but not lasting.
Festive score: 🎄🎄
This is one of those Christmas films where the decorations and snow are in the backdrop—Christmas is the scene of the film rather than its raison d’etre—but it feels warm and holiday-like all the same.
High-powered businesswoman Sydney (starring Minka Kelly) is dispatched to a French chateau to negotiate a purchase for a champagne business. During her travels, she runs into a fellow in a bookshop who promises to show her Christmas in Paris.
An expert recently stated this is the best new Christmas film of the past few years. That’s a bit of a overstatement, but it is a festive dalliance with a dash of elegance and gives the necessary warm and fuzzy feels.
The scene with a detailed conversation about Die Hard is very good too.
Christmas tree rating: 🎄🎄🎄
Sixteen-year-old Chris, played by Lenny Rush, refuses to stop believing in Father Christmas, despite the efforts of his dad (played by James Buckley) to tell him the truth.
The truth is out there, and Chris embarks on a quest to find it with the assistance of a group of well-known scientists and personalities.
It’s gentle but sweet, and ideal viewing while anticipating Santa to visit.
Festive score: 🎄🎄🎄
Michelle Pfeiffer is the mother of a dysfunctional American family who gather for the holidays—including fellow acclaimed actress Felicity Jones, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jason Schwartzman, and dad Denis Leary.
Pfeiffer starts by mentioning Christmas classics like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, It’s A Wonderful Life and Home Alone, before declaring: “They need to make a movie about the real champions of the holidays—moms.”
So that’s what this is, but in practice it’s really a jumble of those forerunner films, at least until Pfeiffer’s character at last finds her strength.
Festive score: 🎄🎄
The day’s taken a dip, but happily here’s a new offering in the crowded field of formulaic, schmaltzy, badly acted—and highly entertaining—seasonal comfort food.
It’s a tale as familiar as can be: An American woman travels to a far-off wintery locale and ends up finding romance.
In this case, Caprice Bourret plays a publisher
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