If you’re gearing up for the most festive time of the year — and you need a cinematic soundtrack for the next 25 nights — here’s your backstage pass: a “25 Days ’Til Christmas” watch-list full of holiday flicks, feel-good vibes, and cozy vibes perfect for December nights. Think of this as your holiday viewing roadmap — all you need is cocoa, a comfy blanket, and a remote.
READ: Countdown to Christmas: 25 Best Holiday Movies to Watch Every Christmas Season PART 1
A Very Merry Beauty Salon | Stream: Hulu, Disney+, Netflix
A woman’s budding romance with a charismatic CEO challenges her thoughts on love and family. The film stars Tia Mowry, RonReaco Lee, Donna Biscoe, Cocoa Brown, and Ashli Auguillard. It is directed by Bobby Yan, and written by Tara Knight.
Holiday Rush | Netflix
A widowed New York radio DJ who loses his job and has to move in with his aunt in Pittsburgh with his four children. The family must learn to embrace a simpler life and reconnect, realizing that the greatest joy comes from what they have together, not from material possessions.
The movie stars Romany Malco, Sonequa Martin-Green, Stormi Maya, Darlene Love, Deon Cole, and La La Anthony. It is directed by Leslie Small, with a script by Sean Dwyer and Greg Cope White.
#WorstChristmasEver | Available Plex & VOD
It follows a divorced workaholic, Billy Turner, who travels to spend Christmas with his children and ex-wife and her new fiancé. The film stars BJ Britt, Taja B. Simpson, Maurice Hall, Shanti Lowery, Johnny Lofton, and more.. The film was written by Maurice Hall and Tony L. Patterson, and directed by Maurice Hall.
Brewster’s Millions Christmas | BET+
A holiday film directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones and written by Cuffie-Jones, George Barr McCutcheon, and Joseph Nasser. The film stars China Anne McClain as Morgan Brewster, who must complete a series of unusual tasks from her late uncle’s will to prove her worthiness for his fortune before Christmas Eve. The cast also includes Romeo Miller, Richard Pryor Jr., Rain Pryor, Telma Hopkins, Tequan Richmond, and Sierra McClain.
Queens of Christmas | BET+
The films is about feuding neighbors and lifelong friends, Doris and Julia, who compete for the annual “Queen of Christmas” title. The story follows their hilariously competitive Christmas decorating rivalry as they ultimately learn about sisterhood and the true spirit of the holiday.
The film stars Terri J. Vaughn, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Essence Atkins, Tyler Kay Whitley, Carl Gilliard, Marjorie Johnson, and Curtis Wiley.
Christmas in Lagos | Prime Video
The romantic comedy film directed by Jade Osiberu that follows multiple love stories during the holidays in Lagos. The cast includes Teniola Aladese, Rayxia Ojo, Shaffy Bello, Shalom Obiago, Richard Mofe-Damijo, and Ladipoe, with musical artists Ayra Starr and Adekunle Gold making cameo appearances.
Carry On | Netflix
An action-thriller film about a TSA agent who is forced by a mysterious traveler to help him smuggle a dangerous package onto a Christmas Eve flight. The movie stars Taron Egerton, Danielle Deadwyler, Sofia Carson, Sinqua Walls, Jason Bateman and more. It was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and written by T.J. Fixman.
Christmas of Yes | Philo
The film centers on a career-focused woman, Amy, who loses her job and is challenged by her brother to say “yes” to everything for the holidays. The movie, directed by Rhonda Baraka and written by Gabrielle Meyer, stars Michele Weaver, Jeff Pierre, Karen Holness, Catherine Lough Haggquist, Tenika Davis and more.
Unexpected Christmas | Available VOD
Directed by Michael Vaughn Hernandez and written by Cassandra Mann, Unexpected Christmas follows the Scott family’s long-awaited reunion — one that quickly spirals into hilarity. Marissa (DomiNque Perry) returns home after a breakup, only to be blindsided when her ex, Richard (Lil Rel Howery), shows up with her estranged stepsister Kerry (Reagan Gomez). Trying to save face, Marissa invites a surprise guest of her own, but Kerry has a scheme brewing that could upend the entire celebration.
Tabitha Brown, Anna Maria Horsford, Terrence Terrell, Trell Woodberry, Howie Bell, Cecelia Friday, Ricco Ross, and Koryn Hawthorne also star in the film.
Kirk Franklin’s A Gospel Christmas
A holiday romance film about an assistant pastor, Olivia (Demetria McKinney), who finds a new home and romance while preparing her new church’s choir for the town’s annual Winter Jamboree. The movie was directed by Erica Sutherlin, written by Kourtney Richard, and stars Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Kirk Franklin, Regina Belle, Angela Birchett, Kendra C. Johnson, and Deetta West.
The Christmas Doctor | Hallmark+
The synopsis follows Dr. Zoey (Holly Robinson Peete), a traveling doctor who takes an assignment in a small town and finds herself developing feelings for Luke (Adrian Holmes), the owner of the house she’s staying in. A surprise revelation from a man from her past and the people she cares for in the town helps her find a sense of belonging and a reason to stay.
The Christmas Doctor also stars Fred Henderson, Nicole Anthony, Bronwen Smith and is directed by Kevin Fair, and written by Neal H. Dobrofsky and Tippi Dobrofsky.
Style Me for Christmas | Philo & BET Plus
Tiffany Ford (Raven Goodwin), a talented plus-sized fashion designer, is determined to save her late mother’s boutique from eviction during the holidays while holding tight to her dream of launching her own clothing line. Her chance finally arrives when R&B star Tedee Maxwell (Mario)—charming, smooth-voiced, and infamous for his playboy persona—selects her as his personal stylist. Under the guidance of his manager Sarah, Tiffany and Tedee agree to fake a relationship to repair his image, but as the two spend more time together, playful chemistry shifts into something far more real. Directed by LazRael Lison, the film stars also stars Pretty Vee and Sincerely Ward. The story is penned by writers Lynette J. Blackwell and Julene Fleurmond.
Finding Joy | Prime Video
Directed and written by Tyler Perry. The story follows Joy (Shannon Thornton), a fashion designer who, after a shocking revelation in Colorado, is stranded in a snowstorm and finds unexpected solace in Ridge (Tosin Morohunfola). Other cast members include Brittany S. Hall and Inayah as Joy’s friends, and Aaron O’Connell as the crush she follows to Colorado.
For the Love of Christmas | Youtube
Directed by Christopher Nolen, tt follows a married couple, Sunday and Bryson, whose relationship is rekindled when they take in a homeless family for the holidays. The cast includes Jazsmin Lewis, Trae Ireland,
Brad James, Aaron D. Spears, and Noree Victoria.
A Christmas Dance Reunion | Youtube, Philo
A Christmas Dance Reunion is a 2021 holiday romance movie directed by Brian Herzlinger. It stars Monique Coleman as a lawyer named Lucy Mortimer, who returns to the Winterleigh Resort, her childhood holiday destination, to help with its final Christmas season. While there, she reconnects with her childhood dance partner, Barrett Brewster (Corbin Bleu), and together they work to save the resort while their passion reignites.
Christmas Belles | BET Plus
A romantic comedy about two career-driven best friends who fall for the same handsome pastor at the start of the Christmas season. The movie stars Raven Goodwin, Dominique Perry, Mark Taylor, and Omar Gooding, was directed by Terri J. Vaughn, and written by Chad Quinn.
A Picture Perfect Holiday | Lifetime Movie Club
Directed by J.E. Logan it follows Gaby Jones (Tatyana Ali), a high-fashion photographer, is encouraged by her editor to attend an annual Christmas Photography Retreat in Pine Falls to improve her skills. Gaby, who is not a fan of the holidays, reluctantly signs up. Upon arrival, she discovers her rental has been double-booked with a wildlife photographer named Sean (Henderson Wade). As the two spend time together, they discover there is more to a picture than what one sees through the lens, and they begin to fall for each other. They must then decide if they are willing to take a risk to share a “picture perfect holiday” together
The Holiday Calendar
The plot centers around Abby Sutton (Kat Graham), an aspiring but unfulfilled photographer working in a dreary department store portrait studio in New Jersey. Her life changes when her grandfather, Gramps (Ron Cephas Jones), gives her an antique wooden advent calendar that once belonged to her grandmother. Abby soon discovers that the small daily trinkets and figurines dispensed by the calendar seem to eerily predict events in her future. She initially interprets these magical clues as guiding her toward a handsome new doctor in town, Ty Walker (Ethan Peck), while simultaneously navigating new career opportunities that arise. Ultimately, the film, written by Amyn Kaderali and directed by Bradley Walsh, reveals that the calendar’s true purpose is to lead Abby back to her long-time best friend, Josh Barton (Quincy Brown), who recently returned from traveling the world.
Inventing the Christmas Prince | Lifetime
Directed by Paul Ziller and written by Kim Beyer-Johnson. It stars Tamera Mowry-Housley as Shelby, an unfulfilled rocket engineer, and Ronnie Rowe as Evan, her strict and Scrooge-like boss. The plot revolves around Shelby’s young daughter becoming convinced that Evan is the fabled “Christmas Prince” from a fictional story Shelby once told her. As mother and daughter orchestrate various attempts to prove his magical identity, Evan’s icy demeanor softens, Shelby rediscovers the holiday spirit, and a festive romance blossoms between the two adults.
One Fine Christmas | Philo
The movie explores the lives of several neighbors on “Christmas Street” who have become so consumed by their daily responsibilities and work that they lose sight of the true importance of family during the holiday season. The ensemble story focuses on different challenges, such as a workaholic mother named Susan struggling to connect with her daughter Haley who is home from college, a couple whose marriage is strained by work, and another family dealing with the sudden return of their military son with a new wife. Ultimately, the various families’ paths cross and they unexpectedly unite, helping each other to rediscover their holiday spirit and strengthen their relationships.
The film was both directed and written by Fred Olen Ray. The cast features an ensemble including Vanessa Williams (Susan), Rick Fox (Roger), Sasha Fox (Haley, Rick Fox’s real-life daughter), Marla Gibbs (Alice), and Reginald VelJohnson (Miller).
A Naija Christmas | Netflix
Directed by Kunle Afolayan, the synopsis revolves around three brothers who, to fulfill their mother’s Christmas wish, embark on a fierce competition to bring home a bride and become a father. The main cast includes Kunle Remi, Abayomi Alvin, Efa Iwara, and Rachel Oniga.
A Rich Christmas | BET+
A spoiled and ungrateful socialite’s Christmas plans are turned upside down when her mega-rich father, played by Bill Bellamy, forces her to work at a family homeless center. She is meant to learn the value of putting others before herself and gain a new perspective on life. Directed by Vanessa Estelle Williams, Brandee Evans, Denise Boutte, and RaVal Davis
A Christmas Stray | Daily Motion
A man, Ethan (Andra Fuller), finds himself stranded in a small town on Christmas Eve after a dog runs him off the road, and now he can’t get rid of the stray dog. While trying to figure out his next steps Ethan finds himself falling for the towns veterinarian Foster (Rhyon Nicole Brown).
Meet Me Next Christmas | Netflix
Directed by Rusty Cundieff, starring Christina Milian as Layla, who races through NYC to get a ticket to a sold-out Pentatonix concert to meet a man she made a pact with the previous year. The film also stars Devale Ellis and Kofi Siriboe.
Miracle in Motor City | Lifetime
A social worker named Amber (Tia Mowry-Hardrict) who takes charge of her church’s Christmas pageant and promises a performance by Smokey Robinson. She must reunite with her former flame Eddie (Mark Taylor) to find the Motown legend and make the pageant a success. The film is directed by Alfons Adetuyi and written by Rhonda Baraka.