Just because it isn’t Christmas doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the holidays by enjoying some hot chocolate with a holiday movie for Christmas in July. There’s no rule that says you need to wait until December, so in case you like getting in the Christmas spirit, I have you covered with all 19 Netflix Original Christmas movies. With all the options out there, I hope the ranking and reviews of the movies below will help you find a new favorite to add to your list.

19. Holiday In The Wild

I was fully expecting a rom-com when I jumped into this movie, but what we have here is a rather serious movie. It’s more about finding yourself than it is about finding love. It’s a drama/romance but also feels part documentary with all the elephant rescue content. There is some Christmas in the movie but barely enough to be considered a holiday movie. It moved more at a tv series pace than at a movie pace. In other words, I was expecting it to be a bit more wild. The movie is actually pretty short but it’s long enough for the story it’s telling.

18. Christmas Inheritance

Here we have a formula that we’re all very familiar with. Big city girl with a jerk fiancé goes to a small town and falls in love with the kind, caring local boy. It’s a romantic storyline that typically gives us the warm and fuzzies no matter how many times we see it. The problem with this movie is it lacks the charm and the chemistry between the two leads that we see in many other Christmas romances. There are a few different subplots going on along the way but not enough time or development is given to any of them to get us very invested in what is going on.

17. The Holiday Calendar

Kat Graham’s likability helped this movie a lot. It has a cute premise but every twist and turn unfolds in predictable ways. The first half of the movie feels slow as we wait for what we know is going to happen to actually happen. There is not much in the way of comedy, so what we are left with is a very familiar feeling of romance.

16. Dolly Parton’s Christmas On The Square

This movie has a very theatrical look and feel to it. Musicals are not for everyone. They tend to be very hit or miss for me. This was a different experience for me because I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t find it super interesting either. This movie gives us a lot of original songs that aren’t bad, but none of them jumped out as something really special either. There are a couple of touching moments that may get some tears out of you. Overall, there is nothing very grand about the songs or the story, but it’s an enjoyable theatrical experience.

15. The Knight Before Christmas

This movie is cute, lighthearted, and cheesy, but in a charming way. The plot is a bit weak as the time travel element seems unnecessary in the end. A knight could fulfill the quest of finding love in his own time just as easily as he could in the future. The time travel element exists only to give us the most entertaining aspect of this film, watching a 14th century knight trying to figure out 21st century technology. Everything else about the movie lacks any real depth.

14. A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby

This movie has something major going for it, it has two other movies to build upon. We already know and like the characters and the setting of this film. I’m sure many were excited when they heard there would be another trip to Aldovia for another fun adventure. This adventure gives us an interesting mystery, but the highlight here is the characters, both old and new. While there is nothing groundbreaking or thrilling about this third Christmas Prince story, it succeeds at being very likable, just like the first two.

13. A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding

This sequel isn’t quite as warm and fuzzy as the original, but it has a fun little mystery. I was pleased that the romance and the wedding were not at the forefront here. The supporting characters that we were introduced to in the first movie get a chance to shine with more screen time and character development.

12. A Christmas Prince

The title of this movie paints a pretty accurate picture of what you can expect to see here. It’s a feel good romance that has an ordinary girl find her “Prince Charming” who is actually a real prince. This Netflix film would fit right in with Hallmark’s Christmas movie catalog. I say none of this to belittle the movie. It has likable characters, pretty scenery, and even a couple of interesting twists. While a bit cheesy, you can’t help but feel the warm and fuzzies at times while watching. And this movie was popular enough to get two sequels.

11. Let It Snow

This isn’t your traditional Christmas movie as it’s very representative of the GenZ culture. It has partying, representation, and teenagers navigating their complicated love lives. It’s not usually my cup of tea, but there are some entertaining storylines here. It’s the style of the movie that switches back and forth between multiple storylines rather than following one big one. 

10. Holidate

This is definitely a holiday movie, but it’s hard to call it a Christmas movie. The movie covers almost all of the American holidays throughout the year, but it does begin and end with Christmas. This isn’t a movie for the whole family. It’s a raunchy rom-com with a predictable outcome, but the goal here is to keep us entertained and laughing along the way. Whether it accomplishes this or not is left up to your personal taste. It is fun watching this love story unfold between the two leads as they both strive to make it all nice and complicated.

9. Holiday Rush

This movie is about family, love, and perseverance. It reminds us that it’s not the gifts that make each Christmas so special but the people we spend it with. It’s an interesting story that keeps us entertained with its comedy, romance, and tear-inducing moments. It’s one of the funniest movies on this list.

8. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

I appreciate the aspiration from Netflix with this movie. It tries to capture the magic that Disney is so successful at giving us. It falls a bit short though. It’s similar to a carnival ride. There are moments that are thrilling and then there are moments where you’re waiting for it to get fun again. It’s a nice change that Netflix got away from Hallmark-ish romances, but many of the other movies on this list are simply more fun and entertaining. This movie has a great atmosphere though. It gets a little odd at times with the magic, but it looks and feels like a Christmas movie. The musical numbers are a nice addition. A couple of them are even reminiscent of The Greatest Showman which is exciting. Many people, especially children, will find a lot to enjoy. The sentimental moments with family are beautiful. Any movie that reminds us not to take family for granted is a good movie in my book.

7. The Princess Switch: Switched Again

Though it doesn’t feel as fresh, I would describe this sequel as having more than the original. It’s more Christmassy, there is more comedy, and there are more lookalikes switching places. Kudos to Vanessa Hudgens for stepping it up and tackling three different personalities in one movie. The third lookalike and her posse are a lot of fun and add some complexity and comedy to the switching up of characters.

6. The Princess Switch

Here is a storyline about two lookalikes switching places. We’ve seen it before, but it always seems to be such fun. Vanessa Hudgens takes on the challenge of playing two very different characters and she does it well. There are two love stories here. Both are interesting and enjoyable to watch and there is a good balance between them. It’s fun watching the romantic connections unfold and evolve as things build to a climax that will give you all the romantic feels.

5. El Camino Christmas

If you hear someone talking about how much they love Tim Allen’s Christmas movies, they probably don’t mean this one. But that’s only because they haven’t seen it. This movie is so fun. It’s not one for the whole family, but it’s very entertaining and full of great actors. Drama and comedy can be a strange combination, but this movie does it well. They switch back and forth between laugh out loud moments to serious and thoughtful moments flawlessly. I was hooked from the very beginning.

4. Operation Christmas Drop

When you think of Christmas, you normally don’t think of military operations in the Pacific, but this movie felt like Christmas. It didn’t need snow or Santa, it captured the spirit of giving. This movie is more than a feel good movie; it’s inspirational. It’ll have you wanting to do some good this holiday season. What makes it even better is that it’s based on something real. It’s enjoyable watching these two likable leads grow in fondness of one another as they serve together. A bonus is the beautiful tropical scenery.

3. The Christmas Chronicles

Here’s a movie for the whole family. The kids will enjoy the crazy story and the adults will enjoy Kurt Russel. His version of Santa is very likable and feels fresh. This movie is lighthearted, fun and ridiculous. Don’t think too much about it, just sit back and enjoy the crazy ride.

2. The Christmas Chronicles 2

This action/adventure sequel is just as ridiculous and fun as the original movie. The characters from the first movie return, but it’s the new additions that shine the brightest. Jack (Mom’s new boyfriend’s son) is a joy to watch. I was afraid that Belsnickel would be unable to carry the weight of being the movie’s big villain, but he proved to be a compelling enough character. We already know that Kurt Russel is a fun Santa Claus. This movie gives us much more Goldie Hawn who is a charming Mrs. Claus. This adventure is just as wild as the first, but this time around there are more Christmas elements. There are lots of elves and magic and North Pole sights and scenery. I believe these two movies are deserving of a third movie which would make them the first Santa Claus trilogy since Tim Allen’s trilogy that began in 1994. Make it happen Netflix!

1. Klaus

Netflix created something special with this movie. Everything about the story is intriguing and entertaining. It’s a very clever movie. The comedic factor is fantastic and it is a lot of fun watching how they connected the mythology of Santa Claus with this storyline. The location is particularly interesting along with its feuding citizens. It’s touching watching everyone come together as Klaus and the postman make such an impact with their kindness. It’s a fun and creative Christmas story for the whole family. This is another example of an animated movie keeping things light hearted for the kids while having moments of depth for the adults.