By my count, Netflix offers thousands of Christmas movies.
Many of them are of the rom-com variety, telling cute stories about newly-single women moving back to (or away from) a small town (or the big city) and finding that elusive someone new (or being forced to spend the holidays with their ex) and (totally unexpectedly!) falling in love.
I have found five Netflix Christmas-themed movies or specials offering something a little different. Here’s our watchlist for you and the family to pair with your jammies and cocoa.
The Star (2017)
Narrated by the awkward young donkey who carries Mary to Bethlehem, everyone has a personality in this retelling, while maintaining their Biblical character.
Mary and Joseph’s relationship is fleshed out into a sweet, humorous dynamic; King Herod is as annoying as he should be; the Three Wise Men are a crackup, and their camels are too.
I really enjoy religious media that reminds you that every Biblical character was also an everyday person, which The Star does very well.
As a bonus, director Timothy Reckart is an L.A.-based faithful Catholic.
Klaus (2019)
Everyone on the internet has raved about Klaus’ animation. And everyone on the internet is right! (Don’t take that out of context.)
This movie is a stunningly beautiful, quaint take on Santa’s origin story, following a bratty young postman, giving strong Emperor’s New Groove vibes.
When he’s practically exiled to the world’s least communicative town with a quota of letters to send, he desperately turns to a formidable but sweet toymaker, Klaus, for assistance. Over time, they bring the townspeople some Christmas peace.
Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All (2022)
For the musical among us, Mariah Carey’s Christmas special stars the "queen of Christmas pop" and includes appearances from special guests, joining her for traditional and modern Christmas songs.
Jazzy versions of Christmas classics are performed in Madison Square Garden, with all the expected trills and vocal feats. Put it on in the background of your Christmas party, or curl up on the couch to enjoy the dancing and decor.
And BTW, though many have dubbed Carey the "Queen of Christmas," the singer disagrees. As reported in the U.K Daily Mail:
That was other people, and I just want to humbly say that I don't consider myself that.
I'm someone that loves Christmas, that happened to be blessed to write "All I Want For Christmas Is You." And a lot of other Christmas songs. And let's face it, you know, everybody's faith is what it is. But to me, Mary is the Queen of Christmas.
Call the Midwife: Season 2 Episode 1 “Christmas Special”
This show follows Anglican and secular midwives in postwar London. Season 2 opens with a baby abandoned at the sisters' and midwives’ convent, Nonnatus House, and a search for the mother ensues.
It also delightfully chronicles the midwives’ charitable holiday endeavors. I love the secular midwife’s perspective, whose holiday is half filled by the English town’s excitement, and half by the nuns’ Advent atmosphere of “expectant, joyous calm.”
Refreshingly, both midwives and nuns are portrayed with Christian cheer and humor as they guide new life into the world.
Great British Baking Show: Holidays
The Great British Baking Show is out with its 7th season of holiday delights. Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith coach bakers from previous seasons on adorably decorated mince pies, snowflake breads, and “redemption bakes” of cake-fails of Christmas past.
As usual, this show is bound to make you hungry, with gorgeous, incredible confections. Come in for seconds with episode 2, The Great New Year Baking Show.
Also, these aren't filmed at Christmastime, if you wonder why everything outside looks so green and summery.
I couldn't find a trailer for the new season (there isn't even one on Netflix), so here's a trailer from season 5, just to give you a taste:
Image: The Star/Sony Pictures
Sophia Sariego is a Los Angeles native working in the pro-life movement. She loves Eucharistic Adoration, making music, and hitting the beaches in her spare time.
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