It's the final new Netflix movies article update of 2025. Admittedly, there'll be one more original film set to land on the world's best streaming service after today (December 12). But, as I'll have finished work for the year by the time it's out, this is the last time I'll amend this piece before 2026.
This guide's newest addition is a doozy, though, because the third Knives Out movie has finally made its Netflix debut. However, you'll need to read on to see if one of the streamer's final new movies is worth watching – so, what are you waiting for? Go go go! Oh, and Happy Holidays, everyone!
New Netflix movies: December
Wake Up, Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Release date: December 12
Runtime: 146 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US); 12 (UK)
Cast: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church
Director: Rian Johnson
RT score: 92% (critics); 94% (audience)
Lauded as the murder mystery movie franchise's best entry so far, Wake Up, Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery reunites us with Daniel Craig's beloved detective Benoit Blanc. This time, he's tasked with solving the death of a religious firebrand in the UK – and, just like the previous films, there's a whole collection of eclectic characters who could've committed the crime. With scores over 90% from fans and critics on Rotten Tomatoes, Rian Johnson's latest Netflix exclusive sounds like it's been worth the wait. Before you check it out, read our Knives Out 3 guide to learn more about its cast and story. Our Knives Out 3 review is also worth a punt to see what we thought of it, too.
Jay Kelly
Release date: December 5
Runtime: 133 minutes
Age rating: 16+ (US); 15 (UK)
Cast: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, Greta Gerwig, and many more
Director: Noah Baumbach
RT score: 76% (critics); 87% (audience)
The latest movie from acclaimed director Noah Baumbach, Jay Kelly stars George Clooney as the titular character who, in a piece of life imitating art, is a world-famous actor. When he has a crisis of confidence, Kelly finds himself reliving memories of his past, including moments from his most beloved films that play out like real-life events. Thus begins a poignant journey of self-discovery as, alongside his manager Ron (Adam Sandler), Kelly attempts to overcome his regrets and see the good things he's done. Labeled "George Clooney's finest hour" in my colleague's Jay Kelly review, this is a flick you won't want to miss.
My Secret Santa
Release date: December 3
Runtime: 93 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US); 12 (UK)
Cast: Alexandra Breckenridge, Ryan Eggold, Madison Macisaac, Barry Levy, Adam Beauchesne, Dominic Fox, Nathan Kay, and William C. Vaughan
Director: Mike Rohl
RT score: 75% (critics); 40% (audience)
A film that plays out like a festive-themed version of Robin Williams classic Mrs Doubtfire, My Secret Santa sees Breckenridge play single mom Taylor, who disguises herself as a man so she can land a job as the seasonal Big Red at a luxury ski resort. Predictably, when Taylor falls for its handsome manager, things get further complicated. In my colleague's My Secret Santa review, they awarded it three stars out of five, adding that it "ticks all of the boxes" for a traditionally easy-to-watch Christmas film. Not my cup of tea, but to each their own!
New Netflix movies: November
Jingle Bell Heist
Release date: November 28
Runtime: 96 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US); 12 (UK)
Cast: Olivia Holt, Connor Swindells, Lucy Punch, Peter Serafinowicz, and Poppy Drayton
Director: Michael Fimognari
RT score: 75% (critics); 41% (audience)
The festive films keep on rolling off the Netflix production line – and this Christmas crime caper is, if you believe the critics and ignore the general public, the best one of 2025. Jingle Bell Heist stars Holt and Swinnells and Sophia and Nick, a quick-witted retail worker and a down-on-his-luck repairman who attempt to rob a famous London department store on Christmas Eve. It all sounds pretty predictable seasonal fare – eye-rolling jokes aplenty, slapstick humor to boot, and its protagonists slowly falling for each other at the magical time of the year. Critics liked it, but nobody else did, so you'll have to judge it for yourself.
Train Dreams
Release date: November 21
Runtime: 103 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US); 12 (UK)
Cast: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Nathaniel Arcand, Clifton Collins Jr., John Diehl, Paul Schneider, Kerry Condon, and William H. Macy
Director: Clint Bentley
RT score: 95% (critics); 90% (audience)
Hailed by fans and critics as one of the best new Netflix movies of 2025, Train Dreams has all the makings of being a major contender on next year's awards circuit. Based on Dennis Johnson's beloved novel, it primarily follows Robert Grainier (Edgerton), a logger and railroad worker who, per Netflix "leads a life of unexpected depth and beauty in the rapidly-changing America" at the turn of the 20th century. In our Train Dreams review, we said "Robert Grainer's sobering life will break your heart more than once when you watch the moody slow-burn Train Dreams adaptation, which is the near-perfect vehicle for a story about a life outside of conformity". Stick it on your watch list ASAP.
Champagne Problems
Release date: November 18
Runtime: 91 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US); 12 (UK)
Cast: Minka Kelly, Tom Wozniczka, Thibault de Montalemert, Sean Amsing, Flula Borg, Astrid Whettnall, Xavier Samuel, Mitchell Mullen, Maeve Courtier-Lilley
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
RT score: 73% (critics); 64% (audience)
Champagne Problems follows Sydney Price (Kelly), a determined junior executive who's handed the chance to make a major acquisition for her employers in Paris. The titular problems emerge, though, when the sultry Frenchman she spends a magical night with is revealed to be none other than the son of the champagne making business that her company is trying to buy. With fairly positive scores across the board on Rotten Tomatoes, Champagne Problems appears to have beaten the odds to be a decent Christmas movie. Pop the corks and serve up the bubbly, I say!
In Your Dreams
Release date: November 14
Runtime: 91 minutes
Age rating: PG (US and UK)
Cast: Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Elias Janssen, Craig Robinson, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, Omid Djalili, Gia Carides, SungWon Cho, and Zachary Noah Piser
Director: Alex Woo
RT score: 86% (critics); 79% (audience)
After the cultural phenomenon that was Kpop Demon Hunters, it's going to be difficult for any Netflix movie, animated or live-action, to top the incredibly popular musical comedy-drama. Nonetheless, In Your Dreams, Netflix's latest animated venture, should be as fun a watch. In it, two kids embark on a mind-bending quest to track down The Sandman with the hope that he'll be able to stop their parents getting divorced. Expect the usual laughs, heart, and emotionally resonant family themes wrapped up in a visually imaginative spectacle.
Nouvelle Vague
Release date: November 14
Runtime: 106 minutes
Age rating: R (US); 15 (UK)
Cast: Guillaume Marbeck, Aubry Dullin, Zoey Deutch, Bruno Dreyfurst, and Matthieu Penchinat
Director: Richard Linklater
RT score: 90% (critics); 83% (audience)
A love letter to the French New Wave genre, this comedy-drama from Richard Linklater reimagines the making of Breathless, Jean-Luc Goddard's timeless and revolutionary movie. With its monochromatic visuals, trip back in time to 1950s Paris, throwback to films shots using a 4:3 aspect ratio, and ode to arthouse flicks that defined a generation, Nouvelle Vague might seem preppy to some, but to others it's a trip down memory lane that'll harken back to the good ol' days of moviemaking. A dark horse for the 2026 awards season? Don't bet against it.
A Merry Little Ex-Mas
Release date: November 12
Runtime: 91 minutes
Age rating: PG (US and UK)
Cast: Alicia Silverstone, Oliver Hudson, Jameela Jamil, Pierson Fode, and Melissa Joan Hart
Director: Steve Carr
RT score: 50% (critics); 35% (audience)
By far the worst-rated Netflix festive film of 2025, A Merry Little Ex-Mas – marked the start of the Christmas period on the platform, but isn't anything to write home about. Indeed, a soppy rom-com about a recent divorcee, who simply wants to enjoy one last Christmas with her family before she sells the family home, is derailed when her ex-husband unexpectedly introduces his new squeeze to the masses. If that all sounds very cliched, it is – and we say as much in our review of A Merry Little Ex-Mas. I'll stick with my annual re-watch of classic Christmas films, Netflix...
What new Netflix movies are coming soon?
There's only one more film left to enjoy on Netflix before 2025 draws to a close. It's called Goodbye June, it's out on December 24, and our Goodbye June review explains why it's absolutely terrific but probably not the kind of tear-jerker you'll want to stream on Christmas Eve.
However you're spending the festive break, here's wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year, and I'll see you all in 2026!
For more Netflix-based coverage, find out how to sign up to Netflix or get the lowdown on whether it's worth cancelling your Netflix subscription.
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