5 Best New Christmas Films Coming Out This Holiday Season

For many people, the holiday season begins on the first of November. If you look on Twitter every year as soon as the 31^st of October passes by and the clock hits all zeroes, some version of “Merry Christmas” immediately starts trending. Some want to savor the Thanksgiving period during November, however, most of the world starts listening to Bing Crosby and looking for Christmas decorations promptly.

Movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Home Alone” are synonymous with this time of the year, but there are also literally hundreds of brand-new Christmas-themed films that come out each year as well. Let’s take a look at some of the most noteworthy releases this year.

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (Netflix)

Yet again, the classic Charles Dickens story will be adapted into a movie, this time by Netflix. Director Stephen Donnelly has stated that the story will stay more or less the same as the book, with the main change being the fact that this will be a musical take on the classic telling.

Seemingly the best thing about this new adaptation is the cast. Though the film will be animated, some of Hollywood’s most recognizable voices will surely draw in a large audience. Oscar winner Olivia Coleman will play the Ghost of Christmas Past, Luke Evans is the main character Ebeneezer Scrooge, the legendary Jonathan Pryce is Jacob Marley, and the hugely talented Jessie Buckley will be voicing Isabel Fezziwig.

Here is a teaser trailer for the new animated Scrooge musical on Netflix! I had a blast working on this 🥰

The songs are great and yes, this Scrooge is kinda hot 😏

It’ll be great family film to watch this Christmas ✨https://t.co/yxKExxI3F3

— Isa Mocha (@IsadoraMocha) November 6, 2022

Stream Scrooge: A Christmas Carol from December 2 on Netflix.

Spirited (Apple TV)

Just in case you haven’t gotten enough of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol story, here comes Spirited. Starring some discernible actors like Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, and Octavia Spencer, this is a modern retelling of said story.

Told from the perspective of the ghosts this time, Spirited is all about showing different points of view and trying to freshen up a little the classic story. Whether that is a good idea or not it’ll be left up to the audience’s interpretations once the movie comes out. Oh, and another thing, this is also a musical, so that’ll be a lot of fun… You can watch spirited from November 18 with a subscription to Apple TV.

Violent Night (Theatres)

David Harbour has already made a very recognizable name for himself with the hit series Stranger Things. Now though, he presents himself to the world as Santa Claus. Don’t be mistaken though, this is not a happy-go-lucky kind of movie. As the title suggests, this one is more for grown-ups. The main plotline revolves around Santa Clause coming in and saving the day from some mercenaries who are up to no good. Directed by Tommy Wirkola, Violent Night releases on December 2 in theatres everywhere.

Destined at Christmas (Hallmark)

The Hallmark Channel is known for its many, many, many, Christmas films released every year during November and December in particular. Most of the films are in the romance genre with very familiar plots and cheesy dialogue. However, there’s a reason why so many people watch them and why they keep making such films.

You could pick and choose any film from their official website and you’ll still get the same cozy Christmas feelings, and Destined at Christmas fits that mold exactly. Kim and Theo meet while shopping and then get separated, but of course, they can’t forget about each other. Will they be able to meet again? Will there be romance in the air? You can tune in to the Hallmark Channel and watch this, and many other films like this, now available in the US.

A Christmas Story Christmas (HBO Max)

We’ve all seen and loved 1983’s A Christmas Story. Now, 39 years later, we have the sequel. Among a few other returning actors, Peter Billingsley is back in the main role as Ralphie.

The story takes place thirty years later as Ralphie returns to his old hometown, now married and with kids, and reunites with some old friends. Trying to conjure up the old Christmas magical feeling, Ralphie slowly realizes that it was much easier to enjoy Christmas at his old house when he was a kid, as opposed to now as an adult with responsibilities.

You can watch this legacy sequel on HBO Max starting November 17.

Photo: Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

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