There aren't many new Netflix movies left to arrive on the streaming titan before the end of the year. Indeed, as 2025 looms over the horizon, Netflix is starting to slow things down on the film release front.
Well, after this week anyway. Two new movies, Mary and That Christmas, have joined the world's best streaming service's back catalog this week and, even though they're both festive themed, they cater to two very different audiences. We're sure either one will appeal to you, then.
Not interested in the sound of that duo or any of the other entries in this guide? You should check out our best Netflix movies article, which is home to countless highly-rated flicks. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in!
New Netflix movies: December
Mary
Release date: December 6
Runtime: 112 minutes
Age rating: TV-MA (US) / 15 (UK)
Cast: Noa Cohen, Ido Tako, Stephanie Nur, Susan Brown, Ori Pfeffer, Eamon Farren, Hilla Vidor, Mili Avital, Gudmundur Thorvaldsson, Dudley O’Shaughnessy, Keren Tzur, Mehmet Kurtulus, Mila Harris and Anthony Hopkins
Director: DJ Caruso
RT score: TBC (critics); TBC (audience)
Yet another retelling of the birth of Jesus Christ, this biblical epic attempts to put a more realistic (if that's the right word to describe a story based on a religious miracle) spin on the legendary tale. Cohen stars as Mary, who's shunned by her community following the immaculate conception. However, when King Herod (Hopkins) initiates a murderous pursuit of Mary – with Joseph (Tako) in tow – goes on the run in a bit to keep her newborn safe.
Early reviews of Mary confirm how polarizing Netflix's take on Christ's birth is, too. Indeed, some critics have called it "epic", while others have slammed it as being "awful", a "disgusting" take on one of Christianity's most revered figures, and a "flawed" film that feels more like a survival thriller.
That Christmas
Release date: December 4
Runtime: 96 minutes
Age rating: PG (US and UK)
Cast: Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Katherine Parkinson, Billy Nighy, and Rhys Darby
Director: Simon Otto
RT score: 53% (critics); 83% (audience)
Based on the successful children's books penned by Richard Curtis, That Christmas follows a series of intertwined stories set around the so-called most wonderful time of the year. Cox voices Santa Clause, while the rest of the cast portray numerous individuals who get caught up in all kinds of misadventures in the run-up to the big day.
That Christmas' critical reception has been mixed at best, but general viewers seem to have enjoyed it more. One to stick on for the kids now or over the festive break to keep them entertained? You bet.
New Netflix movies: November
Our Little Secret
Release date: November 27
Runtime: 111 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Jon Rudnitsky, Henry Czerny, Judy Reyes, Chris Parnell and Kristin Chenoweth
Director: Stephen Herek
RT score: 37% (critics); 60% (audience)
Lindsay Lohan's career revival continues apace on Netflix, but the actor's latest rom-com movie – a festive-themed one at that – hasn't been welcomed with glad tidings by critics (NB: general audiences seem to like it, though!).
What's turned paid reviewers into a bunch of Scrooges? Well, the fact that it's another bang average romantic comedy from Netflix. In Our Little Secret, Lohan plays Avery, who plans on spending the most wonderful time of the year with her latest beau. Unfortunately, Avery's new squeeze has a sister who just happens to be dating Avery's former flame Logan (Harding). A not-so-merry Christmas this'll be, then, for these resentful exes.
Spellbound
Release date: November 22
Runtime: 110 minutes
Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK)
Cast: Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane with Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman
Director: Vicky Jenson
RT score: 45% (critics); 53% (audience)
The latest in a long line of animated fairy tale films, Spellbound stars Zegler as Ellian, the precocious princess of a city called Lumbria who embarks on a quest to save her parents. The catch? An evil spell has turned the pair into monsters and Ellian only has 24 hours (surprise, surprise) to reverse the hex or they'll be monsters forever.
That synopsis may not sound too enchanting, but there are plenty of reasons to catch this family-friendly flick. Its A-list cast notwithstanding, Spellbound has been helmed by the director of Shrek, i.e. one of the best animated movies of all-time. Boosted further by the addition of iconic composer Alan Menken, plus a story full of heart and rich familial themes, this film may leave you *ahem* spellbound by the time its end credits roll. Indeed, while critics weren't fond of it, our reviewer suggested "its touching message will hit kids and parents alike". Based on its RT scores, though, most don't agree.
Joy
Release date: November 22
Runtime: 115 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton, and Bill Nighy
Director: Ben Taylor
RT score: 89% (critics); 87% (audience)
Based on the remarkably true story, Joy tells the tale of the first human to be born using in vitro fertilization (IVF) – a ground-breaking 1970s scientific breakthrough in the UK that made it possible for anyone with fertility problems to have children. McKenzie plays Jean Purdy, a young nurse and embryologist who joins forces with geneticist Robert Edwards (Norton) and surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Nighy) to create the first 'test tube baby', despite the clear scepticism and obstacles that stood in their way.
A true-to-life medical drama that showcases the wonders of science and human perseverance in the face of adversity, Joy is, well, a joy of a movie.
The Piano Lesson
Release date: November 22
Runtime: 127 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Jerrika Hinton, Gail Bean, with Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins
Director: Malcolm Washington
RT score: 88% (critics); 66% (audience)
Set during the Great Depression, The Piano Lesson – a movie adaptation of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel – is a moving drama that should be in the running for prizes (or, at the very least, nominations) on the 2025 awards circuit.
Legendary actor Jackson plays Doaker, the uncle of warring siblings Boy (Washington) and Berniece (Deadwyler) who are locked in a stand-off over what to do with their family heirloom: a prize piano. Boy wants to sell it to raise funds for the family, Berniece is desperate to keep hold of it, and Doaker is forced to play mediator-in-chief.
One of November's new Netflix movies that, per critics, occasionally hits a few bum notes, The Piano Lesson is nevertheless a harrowing and tear-jerking story of sacrifice, racial discrimination, and familial inheritance.
The Merry Gentlemen
Release date: November 20
Runtime: 87 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Britt Robertson, Chad Michael Murray, Marla Sokoloff, Beth Broderick, Michael Gross, Maxwell Caulfield, Hector David Jr., Colt Prattes, and Marc Anthony Samuel
Director: Peter Sullivan
RT score: 44% (critics); 24% (audience)
The third festive film released by Netflix in 2024, The Merry Gentlemen sees Robertson portray Ashley, a former big-city dancer who stages an all-male, Christmas-themed show to raise funds for her parents' small town performance venue. Murray's Luke is among those who signs up to take the stage in this festive Magic Mike-esque romantic drama.
Based on its RT ratings, this is just another haphazardly assembled Netflix Original whose lights should've been turned off before it was commissioned. Steer clear.
Emilia Perez
Release date: November 13
Runtime: 132 minutes
Age rating: R (US) / 15 (UK)
Cast: Karla Sofia Gascon, Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Edgar Ramirez among others
Director: Jacques Audiard
RT score: 76% (critics); 77% (audience)
Billed as a musical thriller, this audacious and ambitious Netflix film claims it redefines genres and audience expectations for what similar movies can be. Based on its positive RT ratings, Emilia Perez appears to have largely succeeded in that endeavor and, honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if it makes a late run on the 2025 awards circuit, especially after it won two gongs at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
So, what's it about? The story follows four Mexican women as they pursue their own idea of what happiness is, but this isn't an anthology flick along the lines of 20th Century Fox's Kinds of Kindness. Instead, Gascon plays the titular fearsome cartel leader who enlists Rita (Saldana), an underappreciated lawyer, to help her fake her own death so she can live the life she always dreamed of. A bold and swaggering flick that unashamedly shines a spotlight on femininity and trans rights.
Hot Frosty
Release date: November 13
Runtime: 92 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / PG (UK)
Cast: Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Katy Mixon Greer, Lauren Holly, Chrishell Stause, Joe Lo Truglio, and Craig Robinson
Director: Jerry Ciccoritti
RT score: 80% (critics); 55% (audience)
A romantic drama no doubt inspired, albeit loosely by Raymond Briggs' The Snowman, the festive Netflix flick looks more saccharine than most others (but likely just as forgettable as many of its peers) that the streaming titan has released in recent years. Surprisingly, though, it was a bigger hit among critics and than casual viewers.
Chabert plays Kathy, a widow whose life has never been the same since her husband passed away two years earlier. But, after building a human-sized snowman (Milligan) who magically comes to life, Kathy finds her icy cold heart being *ahem* melted by said creation. The only problem? At some point he'll melt. Cue the pair enjoying each other's company – not to mention falling for each other – before the festive season's cold snap ends.
New Netflix movies: what's coming in 2024?
Here's a brief list of the final three new Netflix movies that'll be released before the end of 2024:
- Maria (December 11)
- Carry-On (December 13)
- The Six Triple Eight (December 20)
For more Netflix-based coverage, read our best Netflix shows and best Netflix documentaries guides. Alternatively, find out how to sign up to Netflix or get the lowdown on whether it's worth cancelling your Netflix subscription.
