At Variety, we’re serious about the business of entertainment — and equally serious about our holiday rom-com viewing. We’ve diligently studied each of this year’s offerings from the major streamers, and this crop really has it all: mystery Santas, precocious kids, grand larceny, ski-slope bullies, chaste smooches, sculpted abs, snowstorms, messy divorces — and Oliver Hudson. With so many presents to choose from, this handy chart will help you pick the right movie for a hot cocoa-fueled evening by the fire.
Finding Joy
Image Credit: Chip Bergmann/Prime Amazon Prime Video
Lovelorn New York fashion designer Joy (Shannon Thornton) is stranded in a snowstorm in Colorado for Christmas. Luckily, a mysterious man, Ridge (Tosin Morohunfola), is ready to assist.
CHEMISTRY: Fine? The enemies-to-lovers trope is convincing, but the cutting away to her two stoner friends distracts from the romance.
CHEER: Negative. This could have taken place any time of year.
VERDICT: If you’re looking for a light holiday romance, this isn’t it! (But it’s almost worth it for the very nontraditional Christmas movie ending.)
Champagne Problems
Image Credit: ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection Netflix
Executive Sydney (Minka Kelly) is sent to Paris to acquire a Champagne brand, then accidentally falls for the heir of the empire, Henri (Tom Wozniczka).
CHEMISTRY: Decent. They hook up the night they meet(!) — plus, he doesn’t lose interest after she reveals her relatable tummy issues.
CHEER: Pretty. How could Christmas in Paris with holiday markets and bubbly not be pretty?
VERDICT: It’s charming and sweet, while reminding you to follow your heart, pursue your career aspirations … and go to Europe.
Merv
Image Credit: ©Amazon/Courtesy Everett Collection Amazon Prime Video
Charlie Cox and Zooey Deschanel are exes who split custody of their pup, Merv. But when Merv is diagnosed with depression, the trio heads to a pampered dog resort where the human romance rekindles. Plenty of cute set pieces and misunderstandings follow.
CHEMISTRY: Intense. Cox and Deschanel play yearning just right, and once the sad reason behind their split is revealed, there won’t be a dry eye in the audience.
CHEER: Apathetic. It’s snowy in one early scene, but most of the movie takes place on a Florida beach.
VERDICT: It’s a mostly cute sitcom-level romp, but the lack of holiday tidings doesn’t make it feel seasonal at all.
My Secret Santa
Image Credit: ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection Netflix
“Mrs. Doubtfire,” but with a single mom (Alexandra Breckenridge) cosplaying as St. Nick who falls in love with a nepo baby ski lodge tycoon (Ryan Eggold).
CHEMISTRY: Low. He bares great abs (and almost flashes his buns!), but she mostly keeps her Santa suit on.
CHEER: High. It looks like Buddy the Elf set-decorated this drenched-in-tinsel production.
VERDICT: So delightfully sweet and sappy it will rot your teeth.
Joy to the World
Image Credit: Courtesy of Hulu Hulu
Lifestyle author Joy (Emmanuelle Chriqui) enlists her best friend (Chad Michael Murray) to play her husband for a Christmas broadcast — but he’s a little too believable.
CHEMISTRY: Joyful! The trope of the best friend who secretly wants more packs on extra heat here — pun intended for that kitchen kiss.
CHEER: Happy. Joy and her fake family give her house a complete Christmas makeover. Gorgeous.
VERDICT: Highly predictable, but combining veteran actors with great chemistry works holiday wonders.
A Merry Little Ex-Mas
Image Credit: ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection Netflix
Kate (Alicia Silverstone) and Everett (Oliver Hudson) are recent exes hoping to do Christmas as a family with the kids — but he brings along his new girlfriend.
CHEMISTRY: Merry! Kate and Everett are clearly meant for each other, since they broke up for … no real reason.
CHEER: Bright! There’s sledding, cozy sweaters, snuggling, tree trimming, snowmen and flannel everywhere.
VERDICT: It’s the perfect family holiday vibe, and Pierson Fodé takes MVP as Chet, Kate’s hunky and good-natured fling.
Jingle Bell Heist
Image Credit: Rob Baker Ashton/Netflix ©2025 Netflix
Sophie (Olivia Holt) and Nick (Connor Swindells) are two desperate (and sexy!) singles who conspire to rob her greedy boss.
CHEMISTRY: Sad. Sophie and Nick are much more focused on their tragic backstories than on flirting.
CHEER: Happy. The mood is heavy, but the department store backdrop dazzles.
VERDICT: If you’re looking for a sappy Hallmark movie knockoff, search elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a darkly comedic heist film with a Christmas setting, this is a solid watch.
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