Devouring 2025's Holiday Movies: The Hits, The Misses, and The Guilty Pleasures.
‘Tis the time of year to slob out on the sofa and consume a box of mince pies in front of a good movie, a awful feature, or one that’s terrible yet terrific.
As always, a selection of latest seasonal stories aims to become part of our holiday traditions—perhaps even finding a spot alongside enduring classics like Home Alone, Elf, Love Actually, and Die Hard (no arguments).
So, in a vital public service to distinguish the gems from the coal, and to get into the Christmas spirit, I binged as many fresh holiday releases as possible in a single day.
First Up: The Jonas Brothers' Holiday Flick
Beginning, optimistically, on a positive note. This is the sole 2025 movie on a famous website's list of the greatest 100 holiday films of all time.
The Jonas Brothers end up trapped in the UK after finishing their world tour and must make it back for Christmas. Their attempts are thwarted by an villainous Saint Nick, who breaks into song to declare they won’t get home until they “rediscover their brotherly magic.”
The repartee between the arguing trio is enjoyable even for the casual viewer, while followers will certainly catch lots of references as they attempt to get back using all transportation available.
It’s a journey of epic proportions.
It’s not a timeless masterpiece, but is great for fans and a positive start to the day.
Festive score: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 for Jonas Brothers fans or 🎄🎄🎄 for their loved ones who must sit through it.
Next: A Star in Panto
Famous performer Kiefer Sutherland has been cast as a movie actor cast a pantomime.
“A what's a panto??” asks Sutherland’s “temperamental” and aging lead Brad Mack, who has fallen on hard times and whose manager has deceived him into thinking he’s appearing in prestigious English theatre.
His pantomime fellow actors let him know he’s playing Buttons. “Oh no I’m not,” he insists angrily. You can guess their response. That is, unless you’re not acquainted with traditional stage call-and-response.
There are some very funny lines, some cockle-warming storylines, and the supporting actors is cracking, too.
It’s the type of film that would be a bit cheesy at any other time of year, but is a highly enjoyable at Christmas.
Christmas tree rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄
A New Spin on Scrooge
An actor shows up at the outset of this film, too, insulting someone for the next movie straight. Might this become a fresh holiday staple?
This time, he’s a musical taxi operator who picks up Mr Sood, the newest interpretation on Mr Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Mr Sood is played by The Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar and Christmas Karma is directed by the director of Gurinder Chadha. The familiar story develops as the stingy Mr Sood is haunted by the spirits of Christmas past, present and future, played by Hugh Bonneville, Billy Porter, and Boy George.
This Indian Scrooge is at least distinct from all the others, but unfortunately he’s not very compelling and Nayyar’s performance is flat—a major flaw when he’s so central to everything.
Festive score: 🎄🎄
Lunchtime: Stuffed
There’s time for a network's Christmas comedy-drama—which stars Guz Khan as a lovably grouchy guy who “isn't big on Christmas.”
But after he gets an large festive windfall at work, his wife (starring Morgana Robinson) convinces him spending the sum on a holiday to Lapland.
There’s just one issue—he learns there was an mix-up with his bonus, which should have been £800, and he has to devise a plan for how to return the excess.
Fun while it lasts but not lasting.
Holiday verdict: 🎄🎄
1.12pm - Champagne Problems
This is one of those Christmas films where the decorations and snow are in the background—Christmas is the setting of the film rather than its core purpose—but it feels cosy and festive all the same.
Ambitious executive Sydney (played by Minka Kelly) is dispatched to a country estate to negotiate a purchase for a sparkling wine company. On the way, she encounters a guy in a literary haven who promises to show her the holidays in the City of Light.
A commentator recently stated this is the best new Christmas film of the recent era. That’s a bit of a overstatement, but it is a festive dalliance with a touch of class and gives the required heartwarming sensation.
The scene with a detailed conversation about Die Hard is very good too.
Holiday verdict: 🎄🎄🎄
3.29pm - Finding Father Christmas
Sixteen-year-old Chris, played by Lenny Rush, continues to believe in Father Christmas, regardless of the persuasion of his dad (played by James Buckley) to tell him the reality.
The truth is to be discovered, and Chris sets out to find it with the guidance of a panel of well-known scientists and personalities.
It’s low-key but endearing, and good viewing while waiting for Santa to visit.
Festive score: 🎄🎄🎄
4.39pm - Oh. What. Fun.
Michelle Pfeiffer is the mother of a bickering American family who gather for the holidays—including fellow Oscar nominee Felicity Jones, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jason Schwartzman, and dad Denis Leary.
Pfeiffer starts by mentioning holiday staples like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, It’s A Wonderful Life and Home Alone, before saying: “They need to make a movie about the unsung heroes of the holidays—moms.”
So that’s what this is, but in practice it’s really a jumble of those forerunner films, at least until Pfeiffer’s character finally finds her strength.
Christmas tree rating: 🎄🎄
Evening: A Scottish Christmas Secret
The day’s taken a dip, but happily here’s a new entry in the saturated market of formulaic, schmaltzy, badly acted—and highly entertaining—holiday fare.
It’s a narrative as familiar as can be: An American woman journeys to a distant snowy land and ends up finding romance.
In this case, Caprice Bourret plays a publisher
