Netflix’s Christmas Movies Are Eerily Normal This Year

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Netflix’s Christmas movies have taken a strange turn this year. They used to be delightfully bizarre – like a hazy, nonsensical dream. They felt similar to the show Twin Peaks, but for people who’ve been locked out of social media. The storylines were often illogical, the lighting was gloomy, and the characters acted strangely. They typically involved improbable romances between journalists and royalty, or made-up European kingdoms with strangely similar people, or stories about Lindsay Lohan or Brooke Shields experiencing mild mishaps. I used to watch them purely for the absurdity, but I’m starting to wonder if my constant commentary on how weird they are has inadvertently pushed Netflix to make them more conventional.

This year’s batch of Netflix Christmas movies – Champagne Problems, Jingle Bell Heist, A Merry Little Ex-Mas, and My Secret Santa – aren’t exactly good. If you watched them without knowing they were supposed to be Christmas movies, they’d be pretty confusing. (And with Netflix buying Warner Bros, we might see even more movies like this in the future!) But surprisingly, at least two or three of these aren’t as bizarre as previous Netflix Christmas films. They’re actually somewhat understandable and feel… professionally made. The dialogue is cheesy and old-fashioned, but it makes sense. The characters are original, and there are no confusing plot devices like mistaken identities or amnesia. Plus, the costumes look like regular clothes, and the sets aren’t made of flimsy materials like cardboard and tape.

Even so, I’m going to keep watching. Thankfully, these movies still have some familiar elements – like fake small towns, lengthy introductions narrated by a voiceover (probably required by Netflix), scenes in Christmas markets, ridiculously expensive and unattractive winter coats, one brief, awkward kiss between an unlikely couple, and a celebrity who used to be a big star but isn’t quite as well-known anymore.

My Secret Santa

The movie My Secret Santa feels like a classic, simple Netflix Christmas film – not particularly memorable, but familiar. It closely follows the plot of Mrs. Doubtfire, even copying scenes directly. The story centers on Taylor Jacobson (Alexandra Breckenridge), a single mom who gave up her music dreams to raise her daughter. She’s working at a Christmas cookie factory when she’s suddenly laid off right before the holidays. Desperate, she sends her daughter to an expensive snowboarding school, hoping to offset the cost by working at the resort as Santa Claus – with the help of her brother and his husband, she creates the persona “Hugh Man.” Meanwhile, she starts a romance with Matthew (Ryan Eggold), the spoiled and initially reluctant son of the ski resort’s owner, who is forced to work to avoid some unspecified legal trouble. Tia Mowry also appears in the film.

Is the movie set in a made-up European country? Not exactly, but it looks like it was filmed at the same ski resort used in the Lindsay Lohan movie Falling for Christmas. That makes sense, considering I previously described that film as a strange mix of It’s a Wonderful Life and Dante’s Inferno, almost like a dream sequence set in a sort of neutral, otherworldly place.

The movie actually begins with a spoken line, not a voice-over. Detective Taylor is examining a Santa cookie at the Clotz Cookie Factory – one of the film’s oddly named locations – and remarks with disappointment, “Found another one. Look at Santa’s face. He is clearly depressed.” Almost immediately after, she’s fired by her boss because of poor sales of Christmas cookies.

This movie is full of lines that sound like everyday conversation, but are actually quite strange or unusual. For example, characters say things like, “I promised your mother I’d raise you as well as I could, and I thought that meant giving you everything you wanted,” or “I’m a free spirit – you can’t control me!” There are also odd lines delivered in normal contexts, such as telling Santa Claus, “You seem so familiar,” or explaining, “Santa isn’t just a person, it’s an idea we all share.”

Does this movie include a plot point that seems deliberately set up early on, but feels completely out of place – like something from a Chekhov play? Actually, it’s more like a nod to Mrs. Doubtfire. The film essentially remakes the makeover scene, complete with prosthetics, a flamboyant gay brother, and a party where the main character has to convincingly play two roles. Realizing this, I came to believe My Secret Santa takes place in a world where Mrs. Doubtfire never existed, which was oddly reassuring. This idea was solidified by the film’s use of fictional social media and websites, including a platform called Happened for sharing personal events, a meme-based site called CeeZu, and a search engine named LookPath.

It feels a little convenient that Taylor has no family – she’s an orphan, and it allows her to easily leave everything behind during the holidays. While she briefly mentions a grandfather, he never appears, even at Christmas. Similarly, Henri has a difficult relationship with his father and a deceased mother, a common trope for the male leads in these kinds of films.

Is there a character who repairs a strained or broken relationship with their absent or emotionally distant father by the end of the movie? While Zoe’s father, a rockstar who abandoned her as a baby, doesn’t reconcile with her, Matthew does heal his relationship with his emotionally unavailable billionaire father, who finally admits he underestimated Matthew and wasn’t there for him after his mother died.

Are relationships built entirely through video calls? In the world of Secret Santa, though, things like FaceTime and Skype don’t exist – only characters named CeeZu, Happened, LookPath, and Clotz. Also, financial details are glossed over; no one questions how Hugh Man is connected to Taylor’s daughter, who mysteriously gets a tuition discount but fails to recognize her own mother dressed as Santa at the resort.

Okay, let’s talk about dialogue. It’s a bit of a problem in this film. Characters constantly tell each other what they want, instead of showing us through action. For example, Zoe literally says to her mother – who is disguised as Santa, no less – “I want you to get a boyfriend!” It feels incredibly unnatural. And it doesn’t stop there. Her brother chimes in, essentially giving a character analysis right to her face, reminding her about her rebellious past and suggesting she rediscover that side of herself. It’s less like a conversation and more like characters explicitly stating their motivations for the audience’s benefit.

Is something set on fire? A flaming candy cane shot sets Santa/Taylor’s beard on fire.

Okay, so every good Christmas movie needs that mischievous character who shakes things up, right? Here, that role falls to Tia Mowry, playing Matthew’s coworker. She starts off trying to make things difficult for him at his new hotel job, and even accidentally reveals Taylor’s little Santa secret. But trust me, by the end of the film, you can see she’s totally getting into the Christmas spirit herself. It’s a classic arc, and she pulls it off!

You know what I loved about this movie? Taylor’s Santa was brilliant. She plays this seemingly ordinary woman – the kind you see in every Netflix Christmas film, all tightly wound and needing to loosen up – but then she becomes Santa, and it’s magical. She’s hilariously wise, dispensing surprisingly insightful advice to everyone. There’s this sweet scene where she helps a little girl overcome her stutter just by encouraging her to sing ‘Jingle Bells’! It’s unexpected and genuinely heartwarming – a real standout performance.

Is the movie about someone stuck in a job they dislike who then pursues an unusual dream? In this case, Taylor is unhappy working at a Christmas cookie factory, but she dreams of being a rockstar. Ultimately, she lands a job at a ski resort, managing family events.

Does the story jump ahead to show everyone happily together a year later? It doesn’t go a full year forward, but it does jump to Christmas Day. Everyone’s gathered at Taylor’s apartment, enjoying a surprisingly cheerful time – including the wealthy owner of the ski resort and Taylor’s building superintendent.

Champagne Problems

This Christmas movie follows Sydney, a driven American marketing executive, who’s sent to France to convince the owner of a family-owned Champagne vineyard to sell. She arrives at Château Cassell just before Christmas to find she’s not the only one trying to buy the property – she’s up against a German businessman, a scheming Frenchwoman, and a wealthy American. To complicate things, Sydney unexpectedly falls for the vineyard owner’s son, Henri, and now has to decide what to do about her growing feelings while still trying to close the deal.

Is the story set in a made-up European nation? This particular depiction of France feels unrealistic because the hotel employee is unusually kind to the main character.

I was immediately captivated by the opening of the movie! It starts with Sydney saying, “Let’s talk about Champagne,” and it’s delivered over these really interesting, almost surreal visuals – it looks like AI created scenes of people enjoying Champagne in all sorts of settings. She goes on to explain that Champagne isn’t just something you drink, it is a celebration – something for New Year’s, weddings, and every joyful occasion.

As a movie lover, I’ve noticed a weird thing in scripts – characters often say things that sound like everyday conversation, but are actually pretty strange if you think about them. Like, someone might casually say, “I lived a whole life today,” which is…intense! Or, “Trust and I aren’t getting along right now,” as if trust is a person they’re having a disagreement with. It’s a little off, but it’s meant to feel real, you know?

As a movie buff, I always notice little things, and this film is full of them. There are a couple of moments that just stick out as totally unnecessary. The most obvious is the blatant product placement. Seriously, there’s a scene where Henri’s butler greets him and immediately mentions how quiet Henri’s new electric Peugeot is – and then Henri tells him to take it for a test drive! Later, the butler conveniently uses that car for a chase scene. It feels so forced. And it doesn’t stop there. At one point, Henri casually tells his dad how easy the drive was because the car’s navigation system picked the best route. It’s just… weirdly specific and doesn’t really add anything to the story.

In one memorable scene, Sydney jokingly tells her rivals she can’t digest lactose. Shortly after, a mischievous competitor deliberately gives her cheese to eat, resulting in a very uncomfortable night. Despite accidentally passing gas in front of Henri, he remains attracted to her, suggesting a genuine connection.

It feels a little cliché, but Sydney’s backstory is definitely set up to allow her to just leave everything behind. Her mom passed away – honestly, it seems like only one character in these kinds of movies even has a mom, and hers is sick – and her dad isn’t around. Her sister, Skyler, is stateside, struggling financially and obsessed with SoulCycle, which feels… convenient. She keeps pushing Sydney to have some fun, saying things like, “You deserve an adventure, even just for one night!” It reminds me a lot of the supportive, fun-loving gay brother from that Secret Santa movie – always encouraging the main character to step outside their comfort zone.

As a critic, I’m always looking for those father-son (or daughter) dynamics in films, especially when there’s a journey towards reconciliation. This movie… well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Skyler’s dad is completely absent – no heartwarming reunion there. And Henri’s relationship with his father is strained by a silly argument about champagne, but it runs much deeper. We learn his dad emotionally shut down after his wife died and, bizarrely, resented young Henri for enjoying The Little Prince! They do eventually talk things through, revealing the pain beneath the surface, but it’s less a full healing and more of an understanding of why things went wrong. It’s a complicated paternal relationship, to say the least.

Is there a lot of characters simply telling each other what they’re thinking and feeling? For example, Sydney admits she pretends to be brave but secretly feels like an imposter, and Henri reveals he’s trying to earn his father’s approval. Even early on, like just a day after arriving in Paris, Sydney’s boss notices a change in her behavior.

Is something set on fire? Just Sydney’s bowels.

Are relationships now conducted entirely through video calls like FaceTime or Skype? In this story, yes. Sydney and Skyler primarily connect online, and Skyler mainly exists to move Sydney’s story forward. They share one short scene early on, featuring this conversation:

“I’m too busy for fun, Sky. This is a really important chance for me,” he said. “You’re starting to sound just like Mom!” “What’s wrong with that?” she asked. “We promised each other when we were kids that we’d travel the world together.”

When Skyler learns about Henri, she excitedly points out how ideal the situation is, saying it feels like fate is pushing them to achieve a better work-life balance. And she’s right – it really does feel that way.

Does the story feature a playful, unexpected character who appears and adds a Christmas spirit to the main character’s life? In this case, it’s the hotel concierge. When Sydney asks him for a bookstore recommendation to find a gift for her sister, he playfully suggests a place called “Les Etoiles.” There, she meets Henri, a wealthy man who gave up his family fortune to pursue his dream of owning a bookstore and wine shop. The concierge hints that she’ll find exactly what she’s looking for there…

Is there a wise, bawdy elderly person? The butler who steals the car is very elderly and bawdy.

Is there a character who’s stuck in a job they dislike, but secretly pursues an unusual hobby or dream that comes to fruition by the movie’s end? Henri, for example, wants to open a bookstore that also serves wine, but his father expects him to continue the family business, leading to frequent arguments. Sydney, on the other hand, has a passion for rescuing struggling small businesses, seeing it as a way to honor her mother. Perhaps their shared interests could bring them together…

Does the story conclude with a scene set a year in the future, showing all the characters happily enjoying themselves? Yes, it does! The scene takes place in a wine bookstore located on the grounds of Château Cassell.

A Merry Little Ex-Mas

The movie, A Merry Little Ex-Mas, is a bit better than the previous installments and focuses on Kate and Everett, a couple who have decided to separate after many years together. Kate feels resentful because Everett’s success as a doctor eclipsed her own aspirations of becoming an environmentally-focused architect, and she now works as a handyman with two difficult college-aged children. Their disagreement over whether to make or buy Christmas gifts seems to be the final straw. The story begins with Kate planning to leave Everett and pursue her architectural dreams in Boston, but her plans are complicated when she sees him with his new girlfriend, Tess, and starts a flirtation with a younger man named Chet.

The story isn’t set in a made-up European country. It takes place in a fictional town in Vermont called “Winter Light.” While the name might remind you of Ingmar Bergman’s 1963 film, which dealt with difficult themes like incest and the existence of God, the two aren’t directly related – though they share similar ideas.

The movie begins with Kate saying, “Have I got a story to tell you!” This is spoken as an animated version of her life unfolds on screen. She then introduces the story as a Christmas tale and explains that it’s about her life twenty years prior, shortly after graduating college. She had just started a job at an architecture firm in Boston with dreams of making a difference, but everything changed when she met a medical student named Everett at a party.

What phrases do people use to sound casual and natural, even though they’re actually quite unusual or pointed? For example, someone might say, “Hashtag lighten up. It’s Christmas,” or, “As the mayor of Winter Light and your friend, I think you’re making a mistake.”

Does the movie include an early detail that seems pointless at first, like something out of a Chekhov play? Yes, several. The film emphasizes Kate’s commitment to eco-friendly living – solar power, repairing items, and buying secondhand clothes. However, there’s a contradiction, as her daughter wears expensive new clothes and she herself owns a costly coat. Early on, a friend jokingly tells Kate she’s stockpiling enough energy to power Times Square! Later, when a storm causes a town-wide blackout, everyone ends up at Kate’s house, which, unsurprisingly, has enough stored power to accommodate them all.

As a movie fan, I always notice these things: is it just me, or does it feel like everyone in these holiday romances conveniently has no family? Everett isn’t an orphan – we actually meet his two dads, which is great – but we never learn anything about Kate’s family. And it’s the same with their love interests, Chet and Tess. They don’t seem to have any friends or family either, which makes it super easy for them to just…hang around at Christmas and push Kate and Everett towards getting back together. It’s a little convenient, don’t you think?

Is there a character (or characters) in the movie who repairs a strained or absent relationship with their father? Everett is a workaholic who is criticized for prioritizing his job over his family. Interestingly, he is unique in having two fathers, while no other characters share this situation.

Is there a lot of characters simply stating what they want to each other? Yes, there is. For example, near the end of the movie, Everett unexpectedly shares a very personal story. He explains that he became a workaholic doctor because of his upbringing – his gay fathers made him feel like he needed to prove that even the sons of gay parents could achieve success as doctors.

Does the story involve a fire? A character receives a small, portable heater – nicknamed a “pocket fireplace” – which accidentally ignites a Christmas tree. This incident ultimately allows Kate’s son, who dreams of being a firefighter, to act heroically.

Why don’t we see long-distance relationships play out through video calls in this story? It’s likely because the narrative focuses on the comfort and simplicity of small-town life, portraying the outside world as disruptive and unimportant.

Does a mischievous and unpredictable character appear to bring more Christmas spirit into the main character’s life? That character is Chet, who surprisingly works as everything from a Christmas tree salesman to a nanny – and a lot of other jobs in between!

Kate’s neighbor, Doris, perfectly embodies a delightfully outspoken and mischievous older woman. She’s known for her candid, playfully irreverent comments – like admitting her book club hasn’t actually read a book in ten years, preferring to gossip and enjoy drinks.

The movie centers around someone stuck in a job they dislike who unexpectedly pursues a quirky passion. Kate initially plans to move to Boston to pursue her dream of becoming an architect, but ultimately decides she’s content with her life in Winter Light and wants to stay with her husband. This shift also allows her son to follow his dream: becoming a firefighter instead of going to college, as Kate finally accepts his wishes after dramatically discarding his college essay.

The story concludes with a scene set a year in the future, showing all the characters happily enjoying their lives. Specifically, Kate and Everett share a kiss in front of their festively decorated home, which they playfully call “The Mothership.”

Jingle Bell Heist

What’s the story of this movie? Jingle Bell Heist is one of the more straightforward films this year – it’s more polished and mature than many similar movies. Sophia, played by Olivia Holt, is a bit of a modern-day Robin Hood. She pickpockets small items while working at a fancy London department store, Sterlings, to help pay for her mother’s healthcare. She meets Nick (Connor Swindells), a former security expert now fixing phones, when he catches her stealing. They team up to rob Sterlings – the titular heist – because they both have reasons to dislike the store’s greedy owner. Sophia needs money for her mother’s medical bills, and Nick wants an apartment closer to his daughter. Despite being a very unlikely couple, they fall in love, largely due to Sophia’s complicated relationship with her father.

I’m so excited because this might be the first Christmas movie on Netflix that’s actually filmed in real London! Usually, these stories are set in made-up European countries, but this one feels different – it really captures the vibe of the city.

The movie starts with Nick and Sophia both saying, “You don’t have to do this,” right before they begin a heist. Unlike most Netflix Christmas movies, there’s no narrator. However, a character named Sterling’s owner does have a short voiceover about three minutes in, musing to himself, “Yes. Keep shopping, keep spending. That’s the true meaning of Christmas.”

What phrases do people use to make something sound like everyday conversation when it’s actually unusual or strange? For once, I don’t have an example to share – this is a first for me!

As a movie lover, I always scan for those little details that seem… off. You know, things introduced early on that feel like they should matter, but you can’t quite place? This film has one of those! The main character, Sophia, keeps mentioning her grandfather was a magician, and then there’s Nick, a hacker who worked on the store’s security. Honestly, they feel like a setup for something that never really happens – a classic ‘Chekhov’s gun’ that just… isn’t fired. It’s like the movie teases a connection that ultimately goes nowhere, which is a bit strange.

As a huge movie fan, I’ve noticed a tired trope: the conveniently orphaned protagonist. It’s like, does everyone have to lose their family to justify suddenly uprooting their life, especially around the holidays? In this case, Nick doesn’t really have a family beyond his daughter and ex-wife – it’s just… not a part of his story. And Sophia? Yep, you guessed it – abandoned by her father at birth. It feels a little cliché, honestly.

Does the movie feature a father who was initially absent or estranged, but ultimately repairs his relationship with his child? Sophia’s father denied being her parent, and it’s revealed he’s the owner of Sterling’s – a villainous character. She mends their relationship by both robbing him and exposing his fraudulent activities, leading to his arrest. Similarly, Nick is an absent father who doesn’t even provide a bed for his daughter, but he rebuilds their connection by robbing Sophia’s father.

Do entire relationships take place over FaceTime or Skype? No! This movie is almost normal!

Does the movie feature characters constantly announcing their plans to each other? It happens a couple of times, but generally, Jingle Bell Heist avoids that trope.

Is something set on fire? No.

Is there a mischievous, random character who playfully disrupts the main character’s life to add some Christmas spirit? No, there isn’t!

Is there a wise, bawdy elderly person? NO!!!

Is this movie about someone stuck in a job they dislike who then pursues an unusual hobby or dream? While the characters are definitely unhappy with their work, they don’t really show a clear passion for anything—except maybe robbing! I’ll give the film credit for subtly touching on themes of social class and the problems with modern Western society.

Does the story conclude with a scene set a year in the future, showing all the characters happily reunited? Yes, it does! The story ends with the entire cast enjoying a cheerful dinner together.

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2025-12-10 00:00