Netflix has revealed its 2026 Christmas film line-up, with one festive movie arriving each week in the build-up to the holiday. The streaming giant's four seasonal offerings have been described as its "best line-up yet" by television critic Kate Ellen.
Discussing the announcement in a TikTok video, Ellen highlighted past titles such as Hot Frosty and The Merry Gentlemen as examples of previous years' releases. "Last year wasn't so strong, but this year I think it is their [Netflix] best line-up yet," she said.
A Dog's Perfect Christmas leads the schedule
The first film to stream is A Dog's Perfect Christmas, arriving on November 4. It stars Dennis Quaid and Milo Ventimiglia, known for his role as Jess in Gilmore Girls, as a talking Basset Hound. Ellen described the plot: "Apparently Dennis is like a grumpy grandad who lost his wife a few years ago, and this year it's up to him, the Basset Hound and his teenage granddaughter to pull the family together and save Christmas."
Netflix's synopsis reads: "From the bestselling author of A Dog's Purpose, a tale of a family in crisis where a teenager, her grandfather and his trusty basset hound struggle to keep the household together at Christmas."
Tyler Perry's The Gospel of Christmas and Guarding Stars
On November 11, Tyler Perry's The Gospel of Christmas debuts. Ellen noted: "This one is set in New York and follows a pastor [played by actor and singer, Tank] who has inherited his family's church. Apparently he's going to be battling temptation and doubt - and needing to rediscover his faith before Christmas."
Netflix adds: "Hark! The herald angels sing - and that's not all they're getting up to. A brand-new Tyler Perry movie is being gift-wrapped and tied up with a ribbon, right on time for the holiday season, and it features a series of vocal performances that are not to be missed."
November 18 brings Guarding Stars, starring Leighton Meester from Gossip Girl and Jared Padalecki from Gilmore Girls. Ellen explained: "Jared plays an action movie star and Leighton is his no-nonsense bodyguard who is there to protect him over Christmas." She also noted Meester's previous success in Christmas romances, having starred in the 2023 rom-com EXMas.
Netflix's synopsis for Guarding Stars reads: "An upcoming holiday romantic comedy movie about a no-nonsense bodyguard assigned to protect a charming action star over the holidays. Of course, sparks fly, secrets unravel, and Christmas gets a lot more complicated!"
In a Holidaze closes the line-up
The final release, In a Holidaze, arrives on December 2 and features former Dance Moms star Maddie Ziegler. Ellen described Ziegler's role: "She's playing a directionless 20-something who, after a romantic mistake of epic proportions, gets stuck inside a time loop, living the same Christmas at her family's cabin again and again. And apparently she keeps going until she finds out what makes her happy."
IMDb elaborates: "Maelyn Jones' holiday takes an unexpected turn when her wish for happiness at her family's snowy Utah cabin results in a time-loop, forcing her to relive Christmas repeatedly."
