Halloween decorations are slowly disappearing from front porches — skeletons and witches are back in the garage — and frightful films are starting to lose steam as we transition into Turkey Lurkey Time. Thus, it’s time to deck the halls, put Mariah Carey on the Bluetooth speaker, and pick a Christmas movie to stream. Get out the candy canes and gingersnaps, sit back, and let the magic of Christmas sweep you off your feet with these holiday movies.
‘A Christmas Frequency’ | November 1 | Hulu
A Christmas Frequency — following in the lovestruck footsteps of many a Hallmark Christmas movie — is yet another holiday rom-com. This one follows a young radio show producer who sets up her recently-separated boss on live-air blind dates to save their struggling show, Breakfast With Brook. There’s just one problem: she accidentally falls for one of the contenders.
With some exaggerated facial expressions and somewhat cringey dialogue, the trailer suggests that this upcoming holiday movie will feature a simple feel-good premise with minor conflicts and a rosy-hued atmosphere, or should we say green and red-hued? Denise Richards stars alongside Ansley Gordon, Jonathan Stoddard, and Casey Waller in the film from Nicely Entertainment with Director Lindsay Hartley at the helm.
Dashing Through the Snow | November 17 | Disney+
This Christmas movie follows a tried-and-true formula: The Christmas grouch finds his holiday spirit. Yet, it boasts a more substantial subtext. Ludacris stars as Eddie Garick — a good-hearted man who has turned his back on the holiday following a traumatic childhood experience. Whether calling carollers “wounded ducks” or judging Lil Rey Howery’s Santa Claus (who arrives upside down via chimney, head dangling in the fireplace), he’s ceaselessly unimpressed. He doesn’t believe that this man claiming to be Santa is truly Ol’ St. Nick. But, the magical adventure of a lifetime may change his mind and restore his faith in Christmas.
‘Best. Christmas. Ever!’ | November 16 | Netflix
With quite a talented cast, including Heather Graham, Brandy Norwood, and Jason Biggs, Best. Christmas. Ever! boasts a promising ensemble and premise. A twist of fate brings Charlotte Sanders (Graham) to her college friend Jackie’s (Norwood) house days before Christmas. Upon her arrival, Charlotte sets out to prove that Jackie’s life isn’t as picture-perfect as she makes it seem in her crafty holiday newsletter. Could Jackie’s life be that ideal? Is Jackie hiding her true misery beneath layers of feigned affection and excitement? Or, is Charlotte merely searching for something to justify her personal disappointments in life? With a trailer that suggests saccharine sensibilities and a large dose of physical humor, we’re in for a few laughs and maybe a heartwarming sigh or two.
‘The Naughty Nine’ | November 23 | Disney+
Premiering on Disney Channel on November 22 and the streamer on Thanksgiving Day, The Naughty Nine follows a mischievous fifth grader who, upon receiving no gifts on Christmas day, pulls together a team of eight other “naughty list” members who set their sights on robbing the North Pole. Think Ocean’s 11 but Christmas-themed and a bit more family-friendly. Can they execute this elaborate heist? Will they learn there’s a better use for their talents outside mischief? The film stars Danny Glover as Santa Claus, Winslow Fegley, Camila Rodriguez, Anthony Joo, Imogen Cohen, Clara Stack, Deric McCabe, Ayden Elijah, Madilyn Kellam, and Derek Theler.
‘Genie’ | November 22 | Peacock
Melissa McCarthy as a genie who met Jesus back in the day (thought he was kidding about the son of god thing) and discovers the glory of pepperoni pizza upon her latest release from jewelry-box captivity…count us in. We couldn’t imagine a better actor to take on this playful character with a contagious cackle and a laid-back, wish-granting disposition. She was in that box for quite some time, so she washes her hair in the toilet, slingshots a cheetah thong, and eats “zesty” hand sanitizer. Yet, she also helps our protagonist Bernard (Paapa Kwakye Essiedu) get back on his family’s good side and makes a great friend in him along the way.
‘Family Switch’ | November 30 | Netflix
Magnify the Freaky Friday premise to an entire family, and you’ve got Family Switch, starring Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, Wednesday alumnus Emma Myers, Brady Noon, and the legend herself Rita Moreno. A cosmic event, which takes hold days before Christmas, sends this family into chaos when mom and daughter, son and dad, and baby and canine, swap places. Can they take on each other’s lives and succeed? Can teens survive the corporate world? Can adults return to teenagedom with any sense of believability? Can a baby drink out of a dog bowl on the ground and satisfy his thirst? The trailer suggests that this film will be filled with crazy hijinks, funny one-liners, and an obvious message about walking a day in another’s shoes — and finding some sensitivity to struggles outside your own. As Moreno says in the trailer, this family “needs to fix what is broken.”
‘Candy Cane Lane’ | December 1 | Prime Video
The words “Be careful what you wish for” flash across the screen in glittery red letters at the onset of this trailer, so this one is throwing its message (or at least part of it) right in your face. Eddie Murphy stars in this family-friendly Christmas film as a man who wishes for “the best Christmas ever,” and signs a deal with a mischievous elf to set his dreams into motion. But why? He must win his neighborhood’s home decoration contest. Oh, how we love the petty motivation. Who could predict the elaborate and disastrous consequences that would follow suit when the elf cast a magic spell to bring the 12 Days of Christmas to life? Murphy’s Chris must now work with his wife (Tracee Ellis Ross) and kids to break the spell and save Christmas before time runs out.
