Best New Holiday Movies 2025 to Stream for Festive Cheer

It’s that magical time of year again. The lights twinkle a little brighter, love stories unfold in the coziest corners of our screens, and the scent of peppermint is everywhere.

The 2025 holiday movie lineup looks like one of the most diverse and heartwarming yet. Black creatives are leading the charge across every major streaming platform and network.

From Tyler Perry’s snow-covered romance to Brandy and Sy’Rai Smith’s family affair, this year’s slate bursts with laughter, love, and life lessons. It’s all wrapped up in festive cheer.

Looking for a laugh-out-loud family reunion? Or maybe a soulful romance, or even a mystery set under the mistletoe? These new titles are here to make your holiday watchlist merry and bright.

Let’s dig into the stories, stars, and standout moments that’ll define your 2025 holiday binge. There’s a lot to look forward to.

The Season of Love, Laughter, and Legacy

Holiday movies have always been about connection. This year, that theme really takes center stage.

The 2025 lineup celebrates the many ways people come together, fall apart, and somehow find their way back. These films give us the expected charm and romance, but they also dig into self-discovery, faith, and family legacy.

With talents like Tyler Perry, Brandy Norwood, Tamera Mowry-Housley, and Jordin Sparks at the helm, the season feels both familiar and refreshingly new. There’s a sense of legacy being built, and it’s honestly kind of exciting.

Finding Joy: Tyler Perry’s Snowy Love Story

Tyler Perry brings his signature heart and humor to *Finding Joy*, a Prime Video romance starring Shannon Thornton and Tosin Morohunfola. Joy is a talented but overlooked fashion designer whose holiday trip to Colorado takes an unexpected turn.

A snowstorm leaves her stranded and face-to-face with a stranger who changes everything. Perry’s direction captures the warmth of unexpected connection and the beauty of rediscovering yourself when life gets messy.

Breathtaking winter scenery, heartfelt performances, and a message that love shows up when you least expect it? That’s what you’ll find here.

#WorstChristmasEver: A Family Reunion Gone Wild

Comedian Lil Rel Howery and the ever-charming Tabitha Brown headline *#WorstChristmasEver*, a chaotic dramedy about a family reunion that spirals into hilarious mayhem. Directed by Michael Vaughn Hernandez, this film promises equal parts laughter and heart.

Exes, secrets, and long-buried surprises collide under one roof. With a supporting cast including Anna Maria Horsford and Reagan Gomez, this one’s for anyone who’s ever survived a family holiday dinner with their sanity (mostly) intact.

Romance, Redemption, and a Dash of Holiday Magic

From rekindled flames to new beginnings, 2025’s holiday romances are here to melt even the frostiest of hearts. These stories remind us that love doesn’t always arrive neatly wrapped.

Sometimes, it sneaks in through the back door of forgiveness and second chances. Isn’t that always the way?

Unexpected Christmas and Tidings for the Season

In *Unexpected Christmas*, B.J. Britt and Shanti Lowry play a divorced couple forced to spend the holidays together with their new partners and kids. Emotional fireworks, awkward reunions, and a surprising rediscovery of what love really means follow.

*Tidings for the Season* stars Tamera Mowry-Housley as a driven newscaster who learns the biggest headlines come from the heart, not the newsroom. Both films dig into how the holidays can bring a bit of clarity to the chaos of modern relationships.

A Soulful Christmas and Christmas Everyday

Music takes center stage in *A Soulful Christmas*. Two children of rival R&B icons must record a duet that could heal old wounds and spark new romance.

Directed by Cas Sigers, the film stars Kaci Walfall and Myles Truitt in a story about legacy, forgiveness, and finding harmony again. Over on Lifetime, *Christmas Everyday* pairs Brandy Norwood and her daughter Sy’Rai Smith in a heartwarming family story about balancing faith, fashion, and family chaos during the holidays.

The real-life mother-daughter chemistry is honestly pretty special. It adds a warmth you can’t fake.

Star Power and New Traditions

This year’s lineup doesn’t just bring familiar faces. It introduces fresh voices and bold storytelling choices that shake up what a holiday movie can be.

From heartfelt dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies, there’s something for every mood. Or every moment, really.

The Jonas Brothers’ Holiday Adventure

The Jonas Brothers — Kevin, Joe, and Nick — play themselves in a globe-trotting adventure. They’re racing from London to New York to make it home for Christmas.

Directed by Jessica Yu, this film blends comedy, music, and brotherly chaos in a way only the Jonas trio can. Cameos from Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, Laverne Cox, and Randall Park add extra sparkle to this high-energy holiday romp.

Secret Santa and The Christmas Checklist

Grammy-nominated artist Jordin Sparks stars in *Secret Santa*, a tender romance about a small-town woman whose generosity catches the eye of a persistent reporter. Sparks not only acts but also performs an original song written for the film, so music lovers, take note.

*The Christmas Checklist* follows a grieving daughter who receives a list of twelve heartfelt tasks from her late mother — each one leading her closer to healing and joy. Sometimes, the greatest gifts really do come from the ones we’ve lost.

Fresh Faces and Festive Surprises

Beyond the big names, 2025’s holiday lineup shines a light on emerging talent and inventive storytelling. These films offer everything from cozy mysteries to laugh-out-loud comedies.

The holiday genre still has plenty of surprises up its sleeve, apparently. And I’m not mad about it.

From Baking Battles to Holiday Whodunits

Tamera Mowry-Housley also hosts a new baking competition series. Contestants whip up dazzling holiday desserts under the watchful eyes of Mowry-Housley and judges Chef Anna Haugh and Vaughn Vreeland.

*Vera Vexley and the Christmas Murder* flips the script with a holiday mystery. Vivica A. Fox stars as a puzzle editor turned detective investigating a shocking Christmas morning murder.

It’s part *Knives Out*, part classic holiday drama — and, honestly, kind of addictive.

Love, Lies, and Second Chances

Other standouts: *A Mrs. Clause for Christmas*, where Alexandra Breckenridge disguises herself as Santa at a luxury ski resort, only to fall for the unsuspecting manager. There’s also *The Christmas Reunion*, which brings old friends and rivals together for a holiday event that reignites both friendship and romance.

And in *Unexpected Faith*, Gabrielle Graham and Chris LeBlanc explore love, legacy, and belief in a story that blends business ambition with spiritual awakening. There’s a lot going on here, but in the best way.

The Magic of Representation and Connection

This year’s holiday lineup stands out for its commitment to representation. Black creatives aren’t just participating — they’re leading, writing, directing, and producing stories that reflect the full spectrum of love, joy, and community.

These films bring authenticity, diversity, and depth to a genre that’s long needed fresh voices. The 2025 season proves holiday storytelling is evolving — and it’s more inclusive, inspiring, and honestly, a lot more fun than ever before.

Final Thoughts: Your Holiday Watchlist Awaits

Maybe you’re curling up with cocoa. Or maybe you’re hosting a movie marathon with friends.

This year’s holiday films are set to deliver everything—laughter, tears, and, who knows, maybe a life lesson or two. Grab your blanket, light up the tree, and let these stories remind you what makes the holidays feel so much like home.

• Must-watch for romance lovers: *Finding Joy*, *Secret Santa*, *Christmas Everyday*
• For comedy fans: *#WorstChristmasEver*, *Unexpected Christmas*, *A Mrs. Clause for Christmas*
• For family and faith: *The Christmas Checklist*, *A Soulful Christmas*, *Unexpected Faith*