As we head rapidly toward winter, it’s time to look ahead to some of the best new Christmas movies coming our way in 2026.

It might still feel like summer outside, but Christmas has a habit of sneaking up on us. Before we know it, the nights will be drawing in, the Christmas lights will be going up and we’ll all be looking for something suitably festive to watch from the comfort of the sofa.

And thankfully, there’s plenty to look forward to.

From Netflix Christmas rom-coms and heart-warming family films to a surprisingly dark new take on A Christmas Caroland the return of everyone’s favourite violent Santa, 2026 looks set to give us plenty of new festive films to add to our watchlists.

As ever, we’ve taken a look at what’s coming so you don’t have to.

Here are some of the new Christmas movies we’re most looking forward to in 2026.

New Christmas Movies Coming To The UK In 2026

A Dog’s Perfect Christmas

Let’s start with one that sounds like it could be perfect for a family Christmas movie night.

A Dog’s Perfect Christmas is a new Netflix film based on the work of W. Bruce Cameron, the author behind A Dog’s Purpose.

The story follows a family going through a difficult time at Christmas, with a teenager, her grandfather and their trusty basset hound at the centre of the story.

And, well, it’s a Christmas movie involving a dog.

We don’t really need much more convincing than that.

The cast is rather impressive too, with Dennis Quaid, Milo Ventimiglia, Mary Steenburgen and Jennifer Tilly among the names attached to the film.

Netflix has confirmed that A Dog’s Perfect Christmas will arrive in 2026, although an exact release date hasn’t yet been announced. We’re expecting it to land towards the end of the year, making this one to keep an eye out for as the festive season approaches.

Release date: TBC, late 2026
Where to watch in the UK: Netflix
Genre: Family / Christmas
Why we’re excited: Because Christmas + dogs + Dennis Quaid sounds like a pretty safe bet.

The Man With The Bag

Now this one has definitely got our attention.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is playing Santa Claus.

Yes, really.

The Man With The Bag is a brand-new Amazon MGM Studios Christmas comedy coming exclusively to Prime Video in time for Christmas 2026.

The story centres around Santa’s magical bag, which is stolen just before Christmas. With the clock ticking, Santa has to enlist the help of a former thief to get it back and save Christmas.

It’s essentially a festive heist movie, which is already a pretty good reason to add it to the watchlist.

And then there’s the cast.

Alongside Schwarzenegger, the film stars Alan Ritchson, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Jane Krakowski and Liza Koshy.

We’re not entirely sure what to expect from Arnold Schwarzenegger as Father Christmas, but that’s probably half the fun.

Amazon has confirmed that The Man With The Bag will be released exclusively on Prime Video on 2 December 2026, making it one of the major new Christmas films to look out for this year.

Release date: 2 December 2026
Where to watch in the UK: Prime Video
Genre: Christmas / Family / Comedy / Adventure
Why we’re excited: Arnold Schwarzenegger as Santa. Need we say more?

Guarding Stars

If Christmas rom-coms are more your thing, Guarding Stars could be one to add to your list.

The Netflix film stars Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki and is based on Katherine Center’s bestselling novel The Bodyguard.

The story has a suitably festive twist.

Meester plays a no-nonsense bodyguard who is assigned to protect a charming action movie star over the holidays. Naturally, sparks begin to fly, secrets start to emerge and the Christmas celebrations become considerably more complicated.

Yes, it’s another Christmas romance.

But there’s a bodyguard, a movie star and a Christmas setting involved, so we’re willing to give it a chance.

The film is directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, who previously directed Purple Hearts for Netflix, and the cast also includes Andie MacDowell.

Netflix has confirmed the movie for 2026, with an exact release date still to be announced. Production wrapped earlier this year, so we’re expecting this one to arrive in time for the festive season.

Release date: TBC, late 2026
Where to watch in the UK: Netflix
Genre: Christmas / Romance / Comedy
Why we’re excited: Leighton Meester, Andie MacDowell and a Christmas rom-com? We’re intrigued.

In A Holidaze

Now this one sounds particularly interesting.

In A Holidaze is another upcoming Netflix Christmas film, but it has a rather unusual premise.

The movie follows Maelyn Jones, a woman whose Christmas isn’t exactly going according to plan. She’s unhappy with her life, has made a rather unfortunate romantic mistake and is facing the prospect of spending her final Christmas at her family’s beloved snowy cabin.

After making a desperate wish for some help from the universe, something rather strange happens.

She wakes up and finds herself back at the beginning of the Christmas holiday.

And then she has to live it all over again.

It’s essentially a Christmas rom-com crossed with a time-loop movie, with Maelyn given the opportunity to figure out what – and who – might actually make her happy.

The film is based on the popular novel of the same name by Christina Lauren, and Netflix has confirmed it as part of its 2026 movie slate.

There’s no exact Netflix release date yet, but it’s expected to arrive during the 2026 festive season.

Release date: TBC, late 2026
Where to watch in the UK: Netflix
Genre: Christmas / Romantic comedy / Fantasy
Why we’re excited: A snowy Christmas cabin and a Christmas time loop? Yes please.

Guarding Stars, A Dog’s Perfect Christmas and In A Holidaze aren’t the only new Netflix Christmas films…

Netflix has actually got quite a few festive treats in development for 2026.

Another one we’re keeping an eye on is Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas.

This one looks rather different from the usual Christmas rom-com fare.

It follows a struggling pastor who inherits his family’s church in a troubled New York neighbourhood. As Christmas approaches, he has to deal with temptation, doubt and a sinister adversary while trying to save his church, his family and rediscover his faith.

The film stars Fantasia Barrino, Tank, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams and a host of other gospel music stars.

It’s being written and directed by Tyler Perry and is officially listed by Netflix as a 2026 holiday film.

There’s no exact release date yet, but it’s expected to arrive on Netflix later in the year.

Release date: TBC, 2026
Where to watch in the UK: Netflix
Genre: Christmas / Drama / Faith
Why we’re excited: It looks like something a little different from the usual festive fare.

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol

Right, let’s move away from the cosy Netflix rom-coms for a moment.

This one could be very, very different.

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is a brand-new big-screen adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story – but it has been directed by Ti West, the filmmaker behind the modern horror films X, Pearl and MaXXXine.

And then there’s the cast.

Johnny Depp plays Ebenezer Scrooge, while Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin and Andrea Riseborough are also among the cast.

The story is familiar. Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come and is forced to confront the choices that have shaped his miserable existence.

But with Ti West behind the camera, we suspect this version could be rather darker and more atmospheric than your average Christmas Carol.

In fact, the filmmakers have described it as a ghost story, which feels particularly appropriate given the director’s background.

Best of all for us in the UK, this one is coming to cinemas.

The UK release date is currently set for 13 November 2026.

Release date: 13 November 2026
Where to watch in the UK: Cinemas
Genre: Christmas / Fantasy / Horror
Why we’re excited: Johnny Depp as Scrooge with Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint and Ti West directing. What’s not to be intrigued by?

Violent Night 2

If you thought Christmas movies were all about romance, family and people falling in love in snowy small towns, then we’ve got something rather different for you.

Santa Claus is back.

And he’s still very angry.

Violent Night 2 is the sequel to the surprisingly entertaining 2022 action comedy Violent Night, which starred David Harbour as a very different version of Santa Claus.

Harbour returns as Santa, alongside Kristen Bell, Daniela Melchior, Jared Harris and Joe Pantoliano.

As you’d expect from the title, this isn’t one for the kids.

The original film mixed Christmas with extremely violent action, as Santa found himself taking on a group of criminals who had taken a wealthy family hostage.

We’re not entirely sure how the sequel is going to top that, but we’re certainly interested in finding out.

And if you like your Christmas movies with considerably more blood than The Holiday, this could be the one for you.

Violent Night 2 is currently scheduled to arrive in UK cinemas on 4 December 2026.

Release date: 4 December 2026
Where to watch in the UK: Cinemas
Genre: Christmas / Action / Comedy
Why we’re excited: Because sometimes you just need to watch Santa beat somebody up.

Hallmark’s new Christmas movies

If you’re a fan of the traditional Christmas rom-com, then Hallmark has you covered.

The Hallmark Channel has already teased several brand-new movies for its 2026 Countdown to Christmas season, including:

The Nights Before Christmas

Starring Laci J. Mailey and Tyler Hynes.

Christmas in Blue Dog Valley

Starring Erin Cahill and Andrew Walker.

A Grand Biltmore Christmas

Starring Holland Roden, Niall Matter, Andie MacDowell and Jonathan Frakes.

Christmas Delivered

Starring Autumn Reeser and Wes Brown.

My Christmas Cowboy

Starring Amy Acker and Luke Macfarlane.

Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True

Starring Lacey Chabert and Travis Van Winkle.

And that’s just the first look at what’s coming.

Hallmark has already released its first look at these titles, but exact UK broadcast or streaming dates haven’t yet been confirmed for all of them.

Hallmark’s Christmas movies are particularly popular with fans who enjoy those warm, predictable, feel-good festive stories – and, let’s be honest, sometimes predictable is exactly what you want at Christmas.

Hallmark programming is available in the UK through its international distribution partners and Hallmark’s UK streaming offering, although availability and release dates for individual 2026 films should be checked closer to Christmas.

Release dates: TBC
Where to watch in the UK: Hallmark TV / streaming – individual UK availability TBC
Genre: Christmas / Romance / Family

So, which new Christmas movie are we most excited about?

There are already some seriously interesting films on the 2026 Christmas watchlist.

If you want something traditional and heart-warming, A Dog’s Perfect Christmas looks like a good bet.

For romance, Guarding Stars and In A Holidaze both sound promising.

If you want something a little different, The Gospel of Christmas could be worth a look.

For a trip to the cinema, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is probably the one we’re most intrigued by.

And if Christmas cheer isn’t quite enough for you and you need a little festive violence thrown into the mix, there’s always Violent Night 2.

The great thing is that we’re still several months away from Christmas, which means there are likely to be plenty more announcements between now and December.

We’ll be keeping this article updated as new Christmas movies are announced and release dates are confirmed.

So bookmark this page, come back later in the year and we’ll keep adding to the list.

And, of course, let us know which one you’re most looking forward to!

What new Christmas movie are you most excited about in 2026?

Tell us in the comments, or find us on Facebook, Instagram and X.