The 12 Must-Watch New Christmas Movies Of 2024: A Definitive Guide To Holiday Blockbusters And Rom-Coms
The 2024 holiday season is set to deliver one of the most exciting and diverse slates of Christmas movies in recent memory, moving far beyond the traditional cable offerings to include major theatrical action-adventures and high-concept streaming originals. As of the current date, December 23, 2025, major studios like Netflix, Amazon MGM, Hallmark, and Lifetime have already finalized and announced their lineups, promising a blend of star-studded action, magical fantasy, and the cozy, familiar romantic comedies we all crave.
This year’s cinematic stocking is stuffed with everything from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Chris Evans saving Santa to Lindsay Lohan’s latest holiday rom-com, guaranteeing that your viewing schedule will be packed from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Forget re-watching the same old classics; the best new Christmas movies 2024 are ready to become your new annual favorites, offering fresh takes on holiday cheer and even a few dark comedy surprises.
The Biggest New Christmas Movies of 2024: Action, Fantasy, and Blockbuster Stars
The biggest shift in the 2024 holiday movie landscape is the introduction of massive, theatrical-level productions that elevate the Christmas film genre from simple made-for-TV fare to genuine blockbuster events. These are the titles generating the most buzz and featuring A-list talent.
1. Red One (Amazon MGM / Theatrical)
This is arguably the most anticipated holiday movie of the year. Red One is an action-adventure Christmas comedy that promises a high-octane twist on the classic Santa Claus mythos. The film stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Callum Drift, the Commander of the E.L.F. (Extraction, Logistics, and Field) unit, and Chris Evans as a world-class tracker who teams up with Drift to save a kidnapped Santa Claus (played by J.K. Simmons).
- Genre: Action-Comedy, Fantasy
- Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, J.K. Simmons, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka.
- Release Date: November 15, 2024 (Theatrical Release)
- Intention: To deliver a massive, franchise-starting holiday spectacle that appeals to a broad, global audience.
2. Dear Santa (Paramount Pictures)
Moving away from traditional cheer, Dear Santa is a dark fantasy comedy that is already generating buzz for its wild premise. The story follows a dyslexic sixth-grade boy who attempts to write a Christmas list to Santa but accidentally addresses his letter to Satan instead. The film is directed by Bobby Farrelly and features a surprising cast.
- Genre: Dark Comedy, Fantasy
- Starring: Jack Black (as Asmodeus/Santa Claus), Keegan-Michael Key, Brianne Howey.
- Plot Twist: Satan, upon receiving the letter, decides to take on the role of Santa, leading to chaotic and hilarious holiday mayhem.
3. That Christmas (Netflix)
For animation lovers and fans of classic British rom-coms, That Christmas is a must-see. The animated film is based on the children's books by Richard Curtis, the writer behind beloved films like *Love Actually* and *Four Weddings and a Funeral*. It promises a charming, heartwarming story focused on a series of interlinked tales of love and loneliness in the lead-up to Christmas.
- Genre: Animated, Family, Anthology
- Writer: Richard Curtis
- Intention: To capture the emotional depth and ensemble charm of Curtis's live-action work in an animated, family-friendly format.
The Best New Netflix Christmas Rom-Coms for 2024
Netflix continues its reign as the undisputed king of holiday romantic comedies, and its 2024 lineup is headlined by two major star vehicles, ensuring that the platform remains the go-to destination for cozy, binge-worthy content.
4. Our Little Secret (Netflix)
Lindsay Lohan returns to the holiday genre with a high-concept, awkward family comedy. Lohan plays Avery, who, along with her ex-boyfriend Logan (Ian Harding), discovers a shocking truth: they are now dating each other's siblings. The two must keep their complicated romantic history a secret while navigating a family Christmas vacation.
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Family Secret
- Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Kristin Chenoweth, Tim Meadows.
- The Drama: Avery and Logan must pretend to be strangers to protect the holiday peace, leading to inevitable comedic confrontations.
5. Hot Frosty (Netflix)
Lacey Chabert, a veteran of the Christmas movie world, stars in this magical fantasy rom-com. The film follows a recently widowed woman named Kathy (Chabert), who, on a whim, wishes for her beloved snowman, Jack, to come to life. Her wish is granted, and Jack (Dustin Milligan) transforms into a handsome, innocent man, helping her heal and find love again, though his existence is tied to the winter weather.
- Genre: Fantasy Romantic Comedy
- Starring: Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan.
- Key Conflict: The classic "will he melt?" dilemma provides the central tension and emotional stakes for the holiday romance.
6. Meet Me Next Christmas (Netflix)
Christina Milian stars in this time-hopping Christmas film. The plot centers on a woman who, after a year of missed connections and bad timing with her dream man, wishes to go back in time to the previous Christmas to fix her mistakes and finally get her happily-ever-after.
- Genre: Time-Travel Rom-Com
- Starring: Christina Milian
Hallmark and Lifetime’s 2024 Christmas Lineups: Cozy Classics and New Stars
Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas 2024 and Lifetime’s It's a Wonderful Lifetime 2024 programming events remain essential parts of the holiday season, offering dozens of new original movies focused on small-town charm, second chances, and festive miracles. Both networks have announced extensive slates, solidifying their topical authority in the genre.
Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas 2024
Hallmark is premiering a staggering 32 all-new Christmas movies this year, split between the main Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Mystery (Miracles of Christmas). The lineup features many fan-favorite actors returning for new roles, ensuring the familiar, comforting tone the network is known for.
- 'Twas the Date Before Christmas: One of the marquee titles announced for the main channel lineup.
- Holiday Crashers: A new movie focusing on unexpected guests disrupting a carefully planned holiday.
- Scouting for Christmas: A heartwarming story likely involving a small-town scouting troop or a search for a perfect Christmas tree.
- Miracles of Christmas: The programming block on Hallmark Mystery will feature its own set of films, promising a blend of holiday cheer with a touch of intrigue or faith-based themes.
Lifetime’s It's a Wonderful Lifetime 2024
Lifetime’s 2024 slate includes 12 new original movies, kicking off in mid-November. The network is focusing on diverse storytelling and notable celebrity executive producers and stars, including Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tia Mowry.
- BeBe Winans' We Three Kings: A major banner film for the network, starring and executive produced by six-time Grammy Award-winning singer BeBe Winans.
- Christmas at Plumhill Manor: Starring Maria Menounos and Kyle Pryor, this film is scheduled to premiere on November 16.
- Holiday in Happy Hollow: Another announced title for the opening weekend of the holiday programming.
- Christmas in the Spotlight: A new movie premiering on November 23, likely focusing on a celebrity or performer finding love in a small town.
Anticipated Streaming & Indie Christmas Movies
Beyond the big three (Netflix, Hallmark, Lifetime), other platforms and independent studios are adding unique titles to the 2024 holiday film roster, including family-friendly and high-concept animated features.
An Almost Christmas Story (Disney+)
Disney+ is set to release this new film, which is rumored to be a heartwarming story inspired by a real-life event: the small, unexpected owl found inside the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in a previous year. It promises a charming, quirky tale of holiday wonder.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Lionsgate)
Based on the beloved children's book, this film is a major adaptation that follows the six notoriously ill-behaved Herdman children, who end up taking over the annual church Christmas pageant. It’s a classic story of finding the Christmas spirit in the most unlikely of places.
The best new Christmas movies 2024 offer something for every viewer: the epic action of Red One, the magical romance of Hot Frosty, the awkward comedy of Our Little Secret, and the reliable coziness of the 32 new Hallmark films. Prepare your hot cocoa, because the holiday movie season is set to be the most exciting one yet, with a perfect mix of fresh, star-driven content and comforting festive favorites.
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