‘Tis the time of year to slob out on the couch and consume a packet of festive treats in front of a terrific flick, a poor film, or one that’s terrible yet terrific.
As always, a selection of latest holiday movies aims to become part of our festive viewing—perhaps even finding a spot alongside timeless staples like Home Alone, Elf, Love Actually, and Die Hard (we won’t debate it).
So, in a vital public service to distinguish the gems from the coal, and to find the festive feeling, I watched as many recent holiday releases as possible in a single day.
7.17am - A Very Jonas Christmas Movie
Beginning, hopefully, on a positive note. This is the exclusive 2025 entry on a famous website's list of the greatest 100 holiday films of all time.
The popular band are stranded in the UK after wrapping up their world tour and must return for Christmas. Their efforts are thwarted by an evil Santa, who breaks into song to declare they won’t get home until they “find their familial spark.”
The repartee between the arguing trio is amusing even for the casual viewer, while fans will undoubtedly pick up on lots of in-jokes as they attempt to get back using all transportation available.
It’s a journey of epic proportions.
It’s not legendary, but is great for fans and a good start to the day.
Christmas tree rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 for Jonas Brothers fans or 🎄🎄🎄 for their family members who will have to sit through it.
8.45am - Tinsel Town
A-list actor Kiefer Sutherland appears as a Hollywood star tricked into a pantomime.
“A panto-what?” asks Sutherland’s “hard-to-work-with” and aging lead Brad Mack, who has hit a rough patch and whose representative has misled him into thinking he’s performing in high-class London stage.
His pantomime cast-mates tell him he’s playing Buttons. “Oh no I’m not,” he protests. You can guess their reply. Except if you’re unfamiliar with traditional panto catchphrases.
There are some very funny lines, some heartwarming side stories, and the supporting actors is cracking, too.
It’s the type of film that would be a bit naff at any other time of year, but is a great entertainment at Christmas.
Christmas tree rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄
Mid-Morning: Christmas Karma
Danny Dyer shows up at the outset of this film, too, insulting someone for the second consecutive movie. Might this become a budding festive ritual?
This time, he’s a singing black cab driver who encounters Mr Sood, the newest interpretation on Mr Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Mr Sood is played by a star of Kunal Nayyar and Christmas Karma is directed by the director of Gurinder Chadha. The well-known tale progresses as the stingy Mr Sood is visited by the spirits of Christmas past, present and future, played by Hugh Bonneville, Billy Porter, and Boy George.
This Indian Scrooge is at least different from all the others, but regrettably he’s not very charismatic and Nayyar’s acting is wooden—a significant issue when he’s so the main character.
Christmas tree rating: 🎄🎄
Noon: A BBC Special
There's just enough time for a network's Christmas comedy-drama—which stars Guz Khan as a endearingly grumpy man who “isn't big on Christmas.”
But after he receives an £8,000 Christmas bonus at work, his wife (starring Morgana Robinson) persuades him blowing the money on a vacation to Lapland.
There’s just one snag—he learns there was an mix-up with his bonus, which should have been £800, and he has to determine how to pay back the remainder.
Pleasant yet unmemorable.
Holiday verdict: 🎄🎄
Early Afternoon: Champagne Problems
This is one of those Christmas films where the tree, fairy lights and snow are in the setting—Christmas is the scene of the film rather than its raison d’etre—but it feels comfortable and seasonal all the same.
Ambitious executive Sydney (played by Minka Kelly) is assigned to a French chateau to negotiate a purchase for a champagne business. On the way, she meets a guy in a book store who vows to show her Christmas in Paris.
An expert recently declared this is the top new Christmas film of the recent era. That’s a bit of a stretch, but it is a holiday love story with a hint of sophistication and gives the necessary warm and fuzzy feels.
The scene with a lengthy discussion about Die Hard is notable too.
Festive score: 🎄🎄🎄
Mid-Afternoon: Finding Father Christmas
Sixteen-year-old Chris, played by Lenny Rush, continues to believe in Father Christmas, regardless of the attempts of his dad (starring James Buckley) to tell him the truth.
The truth is out there, and Chris ventures forth to find it with the assistance of a group of well-known figures.
It’s gentle but sweet, and perfect viewing while expecting Santa to visit.
Holiday verdict: 🎄🎄🎄
4.39pm - Oh. What. Fun.
Michelle Pfeiffer is the matriarch of a quarrelling American family who gather for the holidays—including other acclaimed actress Felicity Jones, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jason Schwartzman, and dad Denis Leary.
Pfeiffer begins by referencing holiday staples like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, It’s A Wonderful Life and Home Alone, before declaring: “They need to make a movie about the real champions of the holidays—moms.”
So that’s the concept, but in practice it’s really a mash-up of those aforementioned movies, at least until Pfeiffer’s character finally takes center stage.
Holiday verdict: 🎄🎄
6.43pm - A Scottish Christmas Secret
The day’s waned in quality, but fortunately here’s a new entry in the saturated market of predictable, sentimental, cheesy—and strangely compelling—seasonal comfort food.
It’s a tale as well-worn: An American woman travels to a picturesque cold country and ends up finding romance.
In this case, Caprice Bourret plays a publisher
