By: Jeanne Edson

Christmas comes but once a year…so how are we supposed to make time to watch all the newest holiday-themed movies? Christmas came early this year with Netflix releasing a very holly jolly selection of feel-good films. Between the shopping, decorating, and wrapping that’s filling up everyone’s December schedule, there’s little remaining for cozy movie time (coupled, of course, with a steaming cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine). With that in mind, here’s my selection of the five must-watch Christmas movies that combine the shiny and new with the tried and true. So throw on your footie pajamas and settle in for a Netflix-themed winter wonderland.White

White Christmas (1954)

Directed by: Michael Curtiz

Song-and-dance men, Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye), team up with a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen) to put on a Christmas show in the hopes of saving an inn in Vermont run by their former commanding general (Dean Jagger).

Love Actually (2003)

Directed by: Richard Curtis

Eight separate, but interconnected, love stories play out in London in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The star-studded cast includes: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andrew Lincoln, Martin Freeman, Joanna Page, Bill Nighy, Martine McCutcheon and Rowan Atkinson.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Directed by: Clay Kaytis

Kurt Russell plays Santa Claus in this Netflix original film about a brother and sister who have to save Christmas after accidentally causing Santa to crash his sleigh due to their attempts to get proof of his existence.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (1993)

Kevin Kline narrates this movie version of George Balanchine’s beloved ballet. 

Fireplace for Your Home

There’s no plot, dialog, or theme, but is there anything more cozy than a crackling fire? There are three editions of this yule log available on Netflix. They each run about an hour long and feature instrumental versions of classic Christmas songs. Make these the background of your next family get together!

Let us know which ones are your favorites and if you can finish all five before Christmas (is that a challenge? I think so)!