Netflix’s new 2025 Christmas movies ranked from worst to best

A Merry Little Ex-Mas

The first to be released — on 12 November, more than a month before Christmas Day — is A Merry Little Ex-Maswhich is also the Netflix festive film with the lowest rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film stars Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson as Kate and Everett, a married couple who resent each other over their past choices and decide to get divorced. As they agree to spend one last Christmas together, chaos ensues as Kate finds out her husband is dating a new woman, Tilly (Jameela Jamil), who will also be part of the celebrations.

A Merry Little Ex-Mas has a critics’ score of 50% out of 16 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have pointed out the plot’s predictability and the film’s lacklustre romance to the detriment of the committed cast.

“It is silly, predictable, and lacks the quality to be somewhat memorable,” Digital Mafia Talkies wrote, while The Guardian noted: “Predictably, specificity subsides and broader, physical humour takes over, all of it unfunny not only for its lack of originality but for how it forces a mostly adequate cast into outsized cartoon acting that they can’t convincingly pull off.”

Champagne Problems

Following at number 3 is France-set rom-com Champagne Problemsstarring Minka Kelly as an executive for an investment group who travels to Paris to acquire a champagne company, Champagne Château.

As usual, the businesswoman finds more than she bargained for when she meets charming stranger Henri (Tom Wozniczka), who offers to accompany her around town. Except he’s not really a stranger — he’s the son of Champagne Château boss Hugo Cassell.

The film has a decent score of 73% out of 15 reviews, as critics praised the film’s “fizzy” comedic tone.

“Like champagne itself, the film adds some fizzy fun to the holiday season,” Decider wrote in the review, as TheWrap argued: “The romantic part of Johnson’s rom-com barely reaches a low simmer, but the comedy part burns a little brighter.”

My Secret Santa

Just missing out on top spot is the most recent Netflix Christmas flick, secret identity rom-com My Secret Santa.

The film stars Virgin River‘s Alexandra Breckenridge as Taylor Jacobson, a single mother who disguises herself as an elderly man to be hired as Santa at a ski resort. While there, Taylor falls for the resort’s owner, Matthew Layne, played by New Amsterdam‘s Ryan Eggold.

My Secret Santa stands at 73% from its 11 reviews to date, so a few more positive reviews would push it up to top spot.

Critics have praised Breckenridge’s performance and the make-up, while calling the film “surprisingly watchable” (via Digital Mafia Talkies).

“Not only did the makeup team, both in and out of universe, perfectly nail the traditional Santa look, the warmth and joy we’ve all come to associate with jolly old Kris Kringle shines throughout Breckenridge’s performance, ” FandomWire wrote.

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“The film’s leads are a charming couple with undeniable on-screen chemistry,” Screen Rant noted. “However, despite (director Michael) Rohl’s oeuvre of Christmas-themed features and the leads’ charisma, the film struggles to rise above its predictable script.”


Jingle Bell Heist



Claiming the top spot is rom-com Jingle Bell Heiststarring Cruel Summer‘s Olivia Holt and Sex Education‘s Connor Swindells.

Released on 26 November, the film follows Sophie and Nick, two strapped-for-cash strangers who team up to rob one of London’s biggest department stores to seek revenge on the owner Maxwell Sterling (Peter Serafinowicz).

Jingle Bell Heist as a critics’ score of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, as most of the 20 reviews hailed the film as “breezy and fun” and having more “of an edge” compared to the other Netflix’s 2025 titles.

“Jingle Bell Heist has it all – London at Christmas! A solid comedic cast! A revenge plot that sticks it to the man! – which helps make it a breezy and fun holiday romp,” Decider wrote.

The Guardian acknowledged that Netflix’s Christmas slate is not “remarkable”, but argued that Jingle Bell Heist has “just about enough to give it an edge over its more anaemic peers”.

You can find My Secret Santa, Jingle Bell Heist, Champagne Problems and A Merry Little Ex-Mas on Netflix, together with the streamer’s original Christmas films from previous years.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).