With the Christmas movies they’re churning out, Netflix might be the new Hallmark!
The holiday season just isn’t complete without a healthy dose of Hallmark Christmas movies. They may be cheesy, they may all have a fairytale ending, but that’s why we love them, right? In the past few years, one of the biggest streaming services has gotten in on the action. Netflix has released their own original holiday romances, giving us even more Christmas love stories to sob over this season. Now I’ve watched my fair share of these Netflix original Christmas movies, and I’m here to tell you which ones are worth your time.
Operation Christmas Drop
New in 2020, I was slightly skeptical about this one at first. The title didn’t seem to promise all the campy romance I’ve come to expect from these kinds of movies. However, the synopsis delivered:
“A by-the-book political aide falls for a big-hearted Air Force pilot while looking to shut down his tropical base and its airborne Christmas tradition.”
The summary says it all. You have a leading lady who is missing the spirit of Christmas, the all-around-good-guy love interest who helps her see the magic of the season, and a change of heart that leads to a happy ending for all parties. Plus, there’s nothing like the tropics at Christmas!
A cool thing about this movie is that “Operation Christmas Drop” is an actual humanitarian tradition upheld by the Department of Defense. The credits go into detail about its history and shows some pictures of our actual Air Force in action.
The Princess Switch
Vanessa Hudgens seems to be a favorite for Netflix Original Christmas movies. You’ll see why later on. By the poster image for this flick, I knew I was in for a treat.
“When a down-to-earth Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess discover they look like twins, they hatch a Christmastime plan to trade places.”
It’s the “Parent Trap,” but Christmas! This movie has everything a holiday love story should have and then some. Instead of one, you get two budding romances! There’s Christmas magic, sabotage, heartbreak (but not for long, obviously), public declarations of love, and a mysterious old man that seemingly knows everything.
The Princess Switch: Switched Again
If you liked the first, you’ll love the second! Also new this year, this sequel throws another look-alike into the mix! I wasn’t sold on the idea at first, but I have to say it turned out all right.
“When Margaret’s Christmas coronation complicates her love life, her double Stacy steps in to save the day. But will a third look-alike ruin their plan?”
I will say, out of these two Christmas movies, I think I enjoyed the sequel more than the original. Is that scandalous? It has some heist-type movie vibes that felt weirdly refreshing when thrown into a romance heavy genre. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of love to go around. Plus, an excellent montage scene. I live for great montage scenes.
Holiday in the Wild
Rob Lowe is the love interest in this exotic flick. Need I say more? I mean, I will…but first a summary:
“When her husband abruptly ends their marriage, empty nester Kate embarks on a solo second honeymoon in Africa, finding purpose — and a potential romance.”
The beginning of this movie is honestly heartbreaking. Our leading lady’s son leaves for college, and within minutes, her husband leaves her. Luckily, she meets Rob Lowe in Africa. She saves elephants, she returns to her passion of caring for animals, and she saves the elephant reserve from closure in a Christmas miracle.
The Knight Before Christmas
Vanessa Hudgens returns! I honestly loved this one. I love a good fish-out-of-water flick, and this movie sure does deliver.
“Medieval magic sends a 14th-century knight to modern-day Ohio, where he falls for a high school science teacher who’s disillusioned by love.”
A little bit of fantasy is just what this genre needs. A witch in the forest? Check. Time travel? Check. A Christmas romance? Obviously check. The comedy of a medieval knight navigating the modern world is gold. And his British accent makes it that much better. The humanitarian spin this movie has is a heartwarming touch as well.
So that’s it! Five sappy Netflix Original Christmas movies to get you through the holidays. Be sure you don’t watch them in one sitting or you might run out of tears.
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