Christmas Streaming Wrap-up - Part 1
Christmas Streaming Wrap-up - Part 1
10 December 2022
With streaming services dominating movies and television, we have an excess of new holiday flicks to choose from every year. Ranging from A-list musicals to low-budget TV movies, there’s a little something for everyone. And while none quite reach the heights of Home Alone, they do bring some extra merriment and love this time of year. So grab a mug of hot cocoa, switch on the Christmas lights, and press play. Here is a wrap-up of the new holiday films streaming for you in 2022.
Spirited
This modern-day version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a delight. And if singing and dancing Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer aren’t enough, then the meta and poignant take on humanity’s use of social media and advertising should. Rated PG, this film is definitely suited for an older audience, as The Ghost of Christmas Present (Ferrell) strives to save the ‘irredeemable’ publicist Briggs (Reynolds). Witty and meaningful, but with innuendo, this will be a great conversation starter in your household.
Rated PG. Streaming on Apple TV.
Falling for Christmas
It’s not every day that a multi-million-dollar heiress falls off a mountain and loses her memory, but when Lindsay Lohan appears in a made-for-Netflix movie, she comes with sparkles and flair. Aptly titled Falling for Christmas, Lohan stars as the rather forgetful Sierra Belmont who must learn to take care of herself, let love in, and throw an excellent fundraiser ball. Who knows – she might even find true love with cabin owner Chord Overstreet along the way. This is corny and sentimental and has everything you could want in a 90-minute flick.
Rated PG. Streaming on Netflix.
The Santa Clauses
What is Christmas without nostalgia? Disney Plus have brought back Tim Allen as Santa Claus, 28 years since the original blockbuster film. This time around, Santa is looking towards retirement and needs to find a replacement. But when none of his kids steps up, he must grapple with the changing nature of society and his failures as a father. As whimsical as the original films, but with some modern references thrown in, this series is a worthy cap to Allen’s reign as Saint Nick.
Rated PG. Streaming on Disney Plus.
Christmas With You
Get excited ’90s kids, Aimee Garcia is back as an iconic popstar named Angelina, who seeks to fulfil a fan’s wish. As she tries to reclaim her identity and career, she meets widowed dad Miguel (Freddie Prinze Jr). A celebration of Latino culture, this film carries enough heart to make up for the sheer unbelievability of its entire plot.
Rated PG. Streaming on Netflix.
The Claus Family 2
In the first Claus Family film, Santa was on a mission to ensure his grandson Jules believed in Christmas following his father’s death. Now in the sequel, Jules must prove to his magical grandpa that no present a child requests is impossible to fulfil – even if it involves reconciling a family. Filled with whimsy, but endearingly honest about the things we can’t control, this is a good choice for the kids.
Rated G. Streaming on Netflix.
Christmas Ever After
This sweet romance is a few years old, but well worth digging through Nine Now’s archive to watch. Starring Ali Stroker as headstrong romance author Izzi, her writer’s block begins to disappear when she meets a stranger who looks bizarrely like the painting of her fictional leading man. But what secret is he hiding that could keep them apart? This is wonderfully predictable but shows realistic nuance as the characters navigate grief, conversations about disability and fear of rejection.
Rated G. Streaming on Nine Now.
Hometown Christmas
This stars 7th Heaven’s Beverley Mitchell, who returns to her hometown on a mission to direct her church’s live nativity play in memory of her mother. Naturally, things go haywire when her athlete ex-boyfriend also volunteers to run the event. There is a Christmas tree to decorate, snowball fights to be had, and a second chance at love in the air. However, changing dynamics between their families and new career prospects mean the childhood sweethearts must decide if they will pursue success on the field or as a family.
Rated PG. Streaming on Nine Now.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
The beloved story of Princess Clara falling for the Nutcracker is given new life in this spin on the traditional ballet. And we see the talented cast and crew morph it into a hip-hop musical set in modern-day New York City. Fitting into a tight 44 minutes, lovers of the creative arts and any budding dancers will be enraptured by the variety of dance styles and the performers’ ability to communicate without words. The music is fun and vibrant while still paying homage to the original, and the sets are immaculate.
Rated G. Streaming on Disney Plus.
A Wedding for Christmas
When wedding planner extraordinaire Haley has to plan her sister’s dream wedding in just three weeks, she is forced to return to her small hometown. But with her boss breathing down her neck, she is torn between a successful career in Los Angeles and returning to her roots. Naturally, the fact that she has to work with a handsome hotel owner (and childhood friend) makes the decision even more difficult. This film is full of quintessential Christmas fluff, magic and feel-good moments, and is best paired with slippers and Christmas lights.
Rated PG. Streaming on Netflix.
The Christmas Ball
If you are after a holiday-based romance with a touch of class, then look no further. Because in this love story, our leading lady Claire (Deirdre Mullin ) is a professional ballerina. On the verge of retirement, she travels to her see her aunt in England, and while staying at her manor meets an awkward yet charming historian bent on making the location a historical landmark. As it goes, the only way to save the manor is to hold a ball – hence where Claire’s dancing skills come in. And she and historian Liam (Nick Hendrix) form an unlikely team which may lead to something more – if she is willing to change her path in life. The Christmas Ball gets bonus points for the sheer loveliness of a man who doesn’t look like a lumberjack falling for the lead and vice versa.
Rated G. Streaming on 9Now.
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