Netflix has plenty of misses, but it’s got a solid group of original films, too. These offerings will never leave Netflix, so there’s no rush to watch them, but they’re all too good to put off watching until next year.
‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey’
An original story that maintains classic elements of Christmas, stunning set design, and fantastic musical numbers come together to make Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey one of the best modern Christmas movies and potentially the best original Netflix Christmas movie.
The David E. Talbert-written and -directed flick boasts an unbelievable cast with Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Ricky Martin, and a group of impressive children. If your holiday viewing hasn’t led you here yet, watch it now.
‘Klaus’
If there’s a Netflix original Christmas film that’s better than Jingle Jangle, it’s Klaus. The most beautiful Santa Claus origin story, Klaus also has a laudable cast including Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Joan Cusack, and the late Norm MacDonald.
The animation is pleasing. It’s Christmas-y without being chintzy or cliché. And we’re very serious when we warn you there’s a high chance you’ll be emotional at the end. Finally, Klaus was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2020 Oscars – a remarkable feat for a holiday film.
‘May December’
For anyone looking to avoid holiday viewing at all costs, check out May December. Loosely based on the story of Mary Kay Letourneau, this Julianne Moore-Natalie Portman film follows an actress (Portman) who spends time studying a woman (Moore) who went to prison for having sex with a 13-year-old boy, whom she later married, as the actress prepares to play the woman in an upcoming film.
May December is already critically acclaimed and is one to watch for next season’s Oscars. It’s the fifth time Moore has worked with director Todd Haynes, but let’s be honest, it’s never a bad idea to watch one of Moore’s films no matter who’s directing her.
‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar’
If you need a quick, aesthetically pleasing film that was adapted from a classic short story by a respected director featuring a seasoned cast, look no further than The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Though not as star-studded as most of Wes Anderson’s films, it’s just as good, and it’s the perfect way to introduce the auteur to the skeptics in your life.
Each of these films is streaming now on Netflix.