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New holiday releases put to the test
A critic binge-watched this year's crop of Christmas movies in a single day to separate the gems from the duds. While none may rival Home Alone or Elf, a few delivered unexpected charm-and one earned a rare spot on Rotten Tomatoes' all-time top 100 list.
The standout: Jonas Brothers vs. Evil Santa
The sole 2025 release to crack Rotten Tomatoes' greatest Christmas movies list, A Brothers Christmas follows the pop trio as they race home from their world tour, thwarted by a villainous Santa who demands they "rediscover their brotherly magic." The banter between the siblings shines, even for non-fans, with a chaotic road-trip plot spanning private jets, trains, and automobiles.
Verdict: A crowd-pleaser for Jonas Brothers devotees (🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄), though relatives dragged along may rate it lower (🎄🎄🎄).
Streaming on Disney+.
Kiefer Sutherland's panto panic
Action star Kiefer Sutherland stars as Brad Mack, a washed-up Hollywood hero duped into starring in a British pantomime. Convinced he's landed a prestigious theatre role, Mack is horrified to learn he's playing Buttons in Aladdin-cue the obligatory "Oh no I'm not!" catchphrase. The film thrives on Sutherland's fish-out-of-water antics, bolstered by a stellar supporting cast: Rebel Wilson (as a Yorkshire-accented choreographer), Derek Jacobi, Meera Syal, and Danny Dyer in a meta cameo.
Verdict: Corny but delightful (🎄🎄🎄🎄), perfect for fans of festive camp.
Available on Sky Cinema and Now.
Dickens reimagined: Christmas Karma
Gurinder Chadha's Christmas Karma reworks A Christmas Carol with Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) as Mr. Sood, a miserly Scrooge visited by ghosts played by Hugh Bonneville, Billy Porter, and Boy George. While the Indian-British twist on the classic tale is fresh, Nayyar's flat performance struggles to carry the weight of the story.
Verdict: Visually inventive but uneven (🎄🎄).
In cinemas now; digital release on 15 December.
BBC's bonus blunder
The BBC's 60-minute comedy-drama Lapland or Bust stars Guz Khan as a Grinch-like dad who splurges on a family trip to Lapland-only to discover his £8,000 Christmas bonus was a clerical error. The premise promises laughs, but the execution feels slight and forgettable.
Verdict: Mildly amusing (🎄🎄).
Premieres on BBC One and iPlayer on 23 December.
Parisian romance with a Die Hard debate
Christmas in Paris follows Minka Kelly as a high-powered executive sent to acquire a French champagne business, only to fall for a stranger who shows her the city's festive magic. While not a groundbreaking romance, the film earns points for its cozy atmosphere and a standout scene dissecting whether Die Hard qualifies as a Christmas movie.
Verdict: A classy, if predictable, holiday romance (🎄🎄🎄).
Streaming on Netflix.
Santa sleuths and family feuds
The Truth About Christmas stars Lenny Rush as a 16-year-old determined to prove Santa's existence, aided by celebrity experts like Stephen Fry and Maggie Aderin-Pocock. The low-key charm makes it ideal pre-Santa viewing (🎄🎄🎄).
Meanwhile, Holiday Harmony gathers Michelle Pfeiffer's dysfunctional clan for a National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation-style reunion. Pfeiffer's meta-commentary ("They need to make a movie about the true heroes of the holidays-moms") sets up a messy but heartfelt ensemble piece (🎄🎄).
The Truth About Christmas airs on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve; Holiday Harmony is on Amazon Prime Video.
Schmaltz and sentiment
A Scottish Christmas leans into Hallmark-style tropes: Caprice Bourret plays a publisher who finds love (and a castle to save) in the Highlands. The film's unabashed cheesiness is its greatest asset (🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 for fans of the genre).
Kate Winslet's directorial debut, The Last Christmas, defies expectations with a somber yet moving family drama. Helen Mirren and Toni Collette deliver powerhouse performances in a story about mortality and holiday resilience. Written by Winslet's 19-year-old son, the script balances levity and raw emotion (🎄🎄🎄🎄).
A Scottish Christmas is on Channel 5 and Paramount+; The Last Christmas hits Netflix on Christmas Eve.
The verdict: No new classics-but festive spirit intact
Despite their formulaic plots and recurring themes of self-discovery, this year's Christmas films collectively achieved their goal: inducing holiday cheer. While none are likely to join the pantheon of classics, the critic emerged from the marathon ready to decorate the tree-with Die Hard playing in the background.
