Dennis Quaid, Leighton Meester, Maddie Ziegler, Fantasia Barrino Taylor – Picture Credits: Imago
Netflix has just pulled the curtain back on its massive Fall 2026 movie slate, and hidden among the buzzy awards fare and biggest movies of the year is Netflix’s Christmas movie lineup for the year. It may be August, but here are the dates, with full reveals expected throughout September and into October.
Based on Netflix’s latest Fall 2026 preview, here is a breakdown of the major Christmas features coming to Netflix to round out the year. As always, keep this page bookmarked, as we expect more holiday announcements (and maybe even acquisitions) to trickle in over the coming months! This also doesn’t include other things like animated specials or any Christmas-themed series. Just the movies for now.
A Dog’s Perfect Christmas
Coming to Netflix: November 4th, 2026
Director: Cathryn Michon
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Milo Ventimiglia, Brooke Lena Johnson, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Jennifer Tilly, Mary Steenburgen, and Thomas Haden Church
Netflix is kicking off the holiday season early this year with a title guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings of animal lovers. Based on the work of W. Bruce Cameron (the bestselling author behind A Dog’s Purpose), this holiday drama is directed by Cathryn Michon.
The story follows a family in the midst of a crisis. It centers on a teenager, her grandfather, and a trusty basset hound named Winstead who all struggle to hold the household together during the holidays. The cast here is incredibly solid. Dennis Quaid continues his stellar run on Netflix (you recently saw him in Blue Miracle and The Long Game), starring alongside Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us) and Mary Steenburgen (Happiest Season). Plus, Thomas Haden Church steps into the voice recording booth to bring the lovable basset hound, Winstead, to life.
While you’re waiting, Netflix is currently streaming A Dog’s Journey and A Dog’s Purpose (in the United States at least; other regions’ availability may vary).
Guarding Stars
Coming to Netflix: November 18th, 2026
Director: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
Cast: Leighton Meester, Jared Padalecki, Andie MacDowell, Walker Hayes, Noah LaLonde, CM Punk, and Toby Sandeman
This new movie will be bringing to life Katherine Center’s massive 2022 bestselling novel, The Bodyguard, albeit Netflix opted to rename the film adaptation to Guarding Stars after consulting with fans of the book, dodging any potential confusion with the 1992 Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston classic. Whether it’s a better title, we’ll leave that to you… I’m not convinced.
Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum (who previously helmed the monster Netflix hit Purple Hearts), this holiday rom-com follows Hannah (Leighton Meester), a strict, no-nonsense executive protection agent. She gets the ultimate assignment: guarding Jack (Jared Padalecki), a charming blockbuster action star dealing with a dangerous stalker. When they retreat to his family’s ranch for the holidays, Jack convinces Hannah to go undercover and pose as his girlfriend to keep his terminally ill mother from finding out the truth and worrying. Naturally, as they fake a romance over Christmas, real sparks begin to fly and secrets unravel.
The supporting cast is an incredibly fun mix of talent, bringing together Hollywood staples like Andie MacDowell with country music star Walker Hayes, My Life With the Walter Boys star Noah LaLonde, and even WWE star CM Punk. This one has all the makings of a massive seasonal hit when it drops just before Thanksgiving.
In a Holidaze
Coming to Netflix: December 2nd, 2026
Director: Tiffany Paulsen
Cast: Maddie Ziegler, Graham Phillips, Elias Kacavas, Patton Oswalt, Jackie Sandler, Andrea Anders, Gil Bellows, and Rob Lowe
What is a Netflix Christmas lineup without a good old-fashioned holiday rom-com? In a Holidaze looks to fill that void in early December, utilizing a classic genre trope: the holiday time loop.
The film stars Maddie Ziegler as a directionless twentysomething who, after making a massive romantic mistake, finds herself magically trapped reliving the same Christmas at her family’s cabin over and over again until she figures out what truly makes her happy.
Behind the camera is Tiffany Paulsen, who is certainly no stranger to the Netflix holiday universe—she previously wrote the massive 2020 Emma Roberts hit Holidate. The supporting cast is packed with recognizable faces, including comedy legend Patton Oswalt, Happy Madison regular Jackie Sandler, and Rob Lowe, who is officially returning to the Netflix Christmas universe after previously leading 2019’s Holiday in the Wild.
Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas
Coming to Netflix: TBA Fall/Winter 2026
Director/Writer: Tyler Perry
Cast: Fantasia Barrino Taylor, Durrell “Tank” Babbs, Ricco Ross, Chanté Moore, John Gray, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful, Jekalyn Carr, Carl Lentz, Mason Douglas, Lauren Chanel, Eric Wiltz, The Legendary Clark Sisters, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Ann Nesby, Le’Andria Johnson, and Hezekiah Walker
Tyler Perry’s incredibly prolific output at Netflix continues! Following a multi-year deal that has already brought us titles like Mea Culpa, A Fall from Grace, A Madea Homecoming, and the upcoming Doing Life, Perry is bringing his signature touch to the holiday season with The Gospel of Christmas.
This holiday drama follows a struggling pastor who inherits his family’s church in a broken New York neighborhood. As he battles doubt, temptation, and a sinister adversary, he must rediscover his faith—and the power of prayer—to save his church, family, and community.
Perry has assembled an Avengers-level ensemble of R&B and Gospel legends, including Fantasia, Tank, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, and The Legendary Clark Sisters. While Netflix hasn’t locked in an exact release date yet, expect plenty of musical performances when it drops later this year.
Which of these new Christmas movies are you most looking forward to watching on Netflix in 2026? Let us know in the comments down below!
