Blogroll
The top 10 tech trends Im watching in 2026: Apple on the back foot, smart glasses, and AI companions
As Mashable's new tech editor, I get paid to stay on top of the latest tech trends, and I love my job. A lot happened in the tech world this year, but one technology dominated headlines more than any other — artificial intelligence. Companies like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic made big advances in AI this year (though not as big as they might have hoped), both for better and worse. Not only that, but AI is now being integrated into virtually every tech product we own, even if you wish it wouldn't.
So, what are the 2026 tech trends I'm eyeing as we approach the new year? Yes, generative AI and large-language models will continue to take up a lot of oxygen in the tech world, even if — and maybe especially if — the AI bubble finally pops, like the Dot Com bubble before it.
Besides AI, you can look forward to exciting new foldable phones with more flexible displays. I also expect a lot of robots to enter the consumer market next year, as well as all the usual suspects from Apple, Samsung, Google, and Microsoft. Let's get out our crystal balls and smart AR/XR glasses and preview the tech trends to come in 2026.
Smart glasses and the return of the Google GlassholeIt's getting hard to remember what Mark Zuckerberg looked like before he started wearing Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses at all of his public appearances. Like a lot of Silicon Valley leaders, Zuck is all-in on smart glasses, and virtually every big tech company is working on its own version of Meta's Ray-Ban Display augmented-reality glasses. Samsung, Apple, and Google are all rumored or confirmed to be making smart glasses, and we also saw the launch of the Xreal One Pro AR glasses earlier this year.
I expect more smart AR glasses to launch next year, but even though Silicon Valley is convinced these gadgets are the future of personal computing, I'm not so sure. Zuck couldn't have been more wrong about the metaverse. Even people who need to wear glasses for vision correction often do so reluctantly, and there's a reason face-worn computers have so far failed to launch. On top of that, a lot of people just don't want every single interaction potentially recorded by a person wearing smart glasses with built-in cameras and microphones. The Google Glasshole was reviled for a reason.
Mark Zuckerberg wears Meta Ray-Ban Display AI glasses at the Meta Connect event. Credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesThis might be a generational divide. Young people raised on smartphones and social media may not share my discomfort with the surveillance culture that would follow widespread smart glasses adoption. But I think Silicon Valley is facing an uphill battle here.
Foldable phones will enter the mainstreamFoldable phones are no longer a novelty. They've been a reality of the smartphone market for years, and the early problems with these devices have mostly been ironed out. The Motorola Razr Ultra is a folding flip phone with a satisfying snap and killer battery life, and the new Galaxy Z Fold 7 is insanely thin. Yet the foldable market has been waiting for a latecomer to join the party — Apple.
Forget about the folding phone; get ready for the tri-folding phone. Credit: Joe Maldonado / MashableI expect the iPhone Fold to finally make its debut in 2026, and if anything can push foldables into the mainstream, it's Apple. These phones are also getting much better in general, and 2025 was the year I was finally convinced these devices are ready for primetime. If 2025 was the year of the ultra-thin phone (and it was), then expect 2026 to be the year of foldable phones, especially with both the iPhone Fold and Samsung's upcoming Galaxy TriFold coming soon.
AI will keep improving, but true AGI will remain out of reachAGI, or artificial general intelligence, is the holy grail of the AI industry. AGI refers to a hypothetical AI system that has the full intellectual capabilities of a human. Put another way, it would be capable of performing most jobs without supervision. That's the end goal, and the reason why billions of dollars — trillions by some estimates — are being invested into unsustainable AI companies.
A lot of AI skeptics would like to believe that AI boosters are con artists and hucksters, and that AI chatbots are just a flash in the pan like NFTs. But the truth is, many of the people who work at companies like OpenAI have an almost religious faith that true AGI is just over the horizon. They're true believers. Yet these same AI companies no longer seem to be making the exponential advances in intelligence and computing power that suggest AGI is imminent. OpenAI spent years cooking GPT-5, but when it was released this year, it was widely seen as a disappointment.
I have no doubt that Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, Deepseek, and other companies will continue to improve their models. But I also see no concrete evidence that AGI is close, and AI experts like Gary Marcus question whether large-language models are even capable of that level of intelligence, no matter how many data centers you build.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.So, in 2026, expect AGI to exist in the realm of science fiction, not science fact — though not for lack of effort or funding.
Apple will be in rebuilding mode iPhone 17 Pro Max phones on display at Apple HQ earlier this year. Credit: CNETApple released a lot of new products this year. In September, we saw the usual iPhone launch event, which delivered the newest iPhone generation, new AirPods Pro, and an ultra-thin phone called the iPhone Air. Soon after, the company released a new MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro with the M5 chip.
But despite all these releases, I can't help but feel that Apple is on the back foot in 2025. The iPhone Air made no impression on the market. The new M5 devices are almost identical to last year's models. The most exciting phones of the year came not from Apple but from Samsung and Chinese companies like OnePlus and Xiaomi. Just check out the new Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, which boasts Leica cameras and a rear display.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.While I personally liked Liquid Glass and iOS 26, a lot of design-heads hate it, and it's much more of a makeover than a true innovation. The company is still playing catch-up to its rivals with foldable phones and AI technology. The company is also shedding executives in droves. And I could keep going.
Yes, Apple will likely release a foldable in 2026, and the AI-powered Siri might make its grand debut, but I think the company is in a rebuilding phase at the moment. Lately, Apple hasn't quite seemed like its old, sexy self.
More humanoid robots will go on sale An engineer inspects humanoid robots at the AgiBot factory in China. Credit: Tang Yanjun/China News Service/VCG via Getty ImagesWe saw a lot of viral videos featuring humanoid robots this year, from a popcorn-serving Optimus bot at the Tesla diner to the Westworld-like Origin M1 from Chinese robotics company AheadForm. I still believe that the human body is a terrible blueprint for robots (just look to Moravec's Paradox), but something about anthropomorphized robots just hits different.
This year, a company called 1X opened up pre-orders for NEO, a humanoid household helper bot. Tesla may also start selling its Optimus robot next year (emphasis on may), and other companies are racing to get humanoid robots to market.
AI robots will be a major trend to watchThis is more of an offshoot of the previous trend, but I expect AI-powered robots to make waves in 2026. By leveraging the latest large-language models and computer vision technology, robotics companies will be able to make robots that respond more naturally to human input. Imagine robots that can mirror your facial expressions or hold a conversation with you. Don't expect these more advanced robots to appear in your home just yet, but at events like CES 2026, I expect to see some really cool new bots next year.
Physical AI companions for kids and lonely adults The Fourier GR-3 companion robot by Fourier-Robotics on display in Shanghai. Credit: Hector RETAMAL / AFP via Getty ImagesVirtual AI companions were a major trend this year. Sometimes, disturbingly so. This was the year we learned just how many people have developed emotional reliance on AI chatbots, whether in the form of ChatGPT or fictional companions in apps like Character.ai. Many experts we talked to this year warned that AI companions can be dangerous for young people, in particular. But that's not what I'm talking about here.
We saw the first real wave of AI-powered toys in 2025, some of which lacked proper safety guardrails. But we already know of at least one new AI companion debuting at CES 2026, and both AI and robotics companies across the world are designing physical companion bots that can interact with you, talk to you, and, in theory, comfort you.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.If it sounds like I'm talking about sex robots, I promise that's not what I mean. However, in the same way that AGI is the holy grail of the AI industry, I strongly suspect that functional sex robots are the holy grail for many robotics engineers and their investors.
The era of iterative improvements will continueHere's a trend I'm not excited about, because it's literally impossible to get excited about it. All the major consumer tech launches of 2025 were a painful reminder that we're living in an era of iterative improvements. As Big Tech companies stick to highly competitive annual release schedules, we keep getting new phones, tablets, smartwatches, and laptops that make only very marginal improvements over last year's models. Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a longer battery life, but you get 99% of the same features with the Ultra 2.
The Sony XM5 and XM6 headphones have very similar specs. Credit: Mark Stetson / MashableThis trend also affects headphones, earbuds, and TVs, which seem to be about as good as they're going to get. We're fast approaching the point where the human eye can't even detect the improvements in display technology. Or, take the long-awaited Sony XM6 noise-cancelling headphones, which were years in the making. I praised these Sony headphones in my review, but they're pretty much the same headphones as the XM5s. They have improved active noise cancellation, but also a much higher price tag.
And speaking of higher price tags...
Laptops and smartphones will get even more expensiveAll signs point to big price increases in the laptop market next year, and you can thank the AI industry. Samsung is reportedly doubling the price of DDR5 memory drives (this is the RAM in your laptop, essentially). So, any laptops that use these Samsung components will likely be more expensive. Framework recently raised prices on these exact components by 50 percent. HP, Dell, and Lenovo are all warning of imminent price increases. And that's on top of inflation-related price adjustments from earlier this year.
We're living in fun times, aren't we?
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.In fact, we're in the midst of a worldwide memory shortage, as AI data centers hoover up computing components also needed for smartphones and laptops.
AI commercials will become much more common This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.As I've written before, even the smallest whiff of AI in movie-making is enough to send many artists into a rage. Whenever a filmmaker (or studio marketing department) utilizes generative AI, even for minor background details, creative professionals revolt. I share their concerns. No one wants to have their job taken by a robot — especially if that robot has been trained on your work without permission or payment.
Yet for all the backlash from creatives, I'm not convinced Hollywood or Madison Avenue really cares. We've already seen major companies like McDonald's, the NFL, and Coca-Cola release AI commercials in 2025. AI videos and "actors" are now common sights in YouTube ads. And I suspect a lot more commercials and advertisements are already using AI than people realize.
As companies like Google and LumaAI continue to improve their cinematic AI video models, expect both more AI slop and more professional AI video production. I'm not saying it's a good thing, but I think AI in movies and advertising is a train that can't be stopped.
SEE ALSO: Yes, that weird NFL parade float commercial was made with generative AIThis article reflects the opinions of the author.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
How Jordan The Stallion became inescapable on TikTok
Jordan The Stallion has stories to tell. And you've likely seen them; the guy is everywhere.
He has 17 million followers on TikTok, has collaborated with some of the biggest celebrities (Donald Glover, Steph Curry, and Channing Tatum, to name a few), and his posts consistently rack up millions of views. Jordan's the guy you've almost certainly seen on your FYP testing TikTok's favorite juicer, or motioning you closer, saying, "Come here," or testing the viral Ina Garten brownie pudding so you don't have to.
Real last name Howlett — no, his surname is not The Stallion — Jordan is up for Storyteller of the Year at the 2025 TikTok awards set to air on Thursday. He's a face in millions upon millions of households just a few years after he started posting.
Howlett sat down with Mashable in New York to talk about his journey as a creator and what, exactly, it's like to film with the most famous people on the planet.
Credit: René Ramos / Mashable Composite / Seven Design / Suwanlee / Adobe Stock / Leon Bennett / Stringer / Getty Images Could you walk me through how you got your start on TikTok?I played sports before this. I wanted to be a baseball player when I was young. I never played before, and I was really bad at it. So I fully dedicated and immersed myself in playing baseball. Around 2020, I was looking to get drafted. I was excited. It was a new opportunity. I was amped to get to the next stage. And then COVID happened, and everything got derailed pretty quickly.
After that, I just kind of felt like a robot. I think people don't understand that with sports, it is very much a team effort, but at the same time, you are also on your own individual journey. And it can be very lonely because you are constantly trying to get better. You feel like you are a replaceable cog in a machine. It does a number on you. So, by the time COVID happened and I was stuck at home, I was asking myself, "What do I like to do?" And I couldn't answer that because my only answers were gym, baseball, gym, baseball, sleep, and eat.
I wanted to find my personality again and see if I could bring something creative to the table. And it kind of blossomed from there. It was really just a way for me to have fun with videos, and it developed into this thing.
How did you find what kind of videos worked for you or what you enjoyed doing?Some people go viral immediately; their first video is a hit. You get a good grasp of what people like. For me, it was not that. It was a gradual, three-year process, a slow build. And then from there, you just learn what people enjoy watching.
And [I was] not afraid to replicate, you know? I think the idea of being worried about getting into this niche thing is a mental blockage. Because I'm not going to lie to you: I tell people, in this profession, "The audience is your boss, man."
This is a job. The audience is your boss. You want to appease your boss, ensure you're doing well for them, and keep things going smoothly. If the boss says, "Hey, we like it when you do this thing," and they're still liking it, then why not give it a try, you know?
That’s how I gauged it. People really enjoy hearing about my day and my job. And people really enjoy it when I make food. People enjoy it when I give fun facts and things like that.
Was there a particular post that you remember thinking, "Oh, this is working?"I'll be very honest — and I think this is tied to the athletic aspect of things — but, in baseball, it's about having a short-term memory. Good or bad. Great or awful. The next day, it's like, OK, you’ve got to prove yourself all over again. It doesn't matter what happened in the past.
So, even when videos went very well, I noticed that by the next day, mentally, they didn't exist anymore. I'm like, "We got to do it again." We’ve got to prove it again, and again, and again. Because of that, I never really felt that moment.
Somebody actually asked me today at the airport, verbatim, "At what moment did you know that you were him? You were the guy, right?” And I was like, "Actually, I still don't feel that way.” I know, it's a cliché, but it's really true; I don't really feel that way.
When people ask, "Are you this famous person?" I'm like, "Maybe? I don't know." You never really feel it. If you're focused on the work, you just don't really feel those moments.
I will say this, though, the one that really baffled me, like, truly, I was like, whoa, was the juicer. I saw an amazing video from another account, which I believe was @smallandfragileclub. And she had this manual juicer. And I was like, "I want to try that out." I would compare the amount of juice you get from manually juicing it to the amount you get from the store brand.
People loved it so much, especially the pomegranate one, that it got so viral. We were going to different countries. We went to Italy, Paris, Spain, and many other places. Everybody who walked up to us — they knew the juicer immediately. I didn't know that reach was so vast.
It's an oddly satisfying thing.It's an oddly satisfying, non-verbal thing. You don't really need to understand anything outside of, “Oh, clearly he's juicing something, and it's good.” That's kind of it.
Is it a trip for you when you're at the airport, and people come up to you, like, "You're that famous guy!"It is a pinch-me moment. I'm very grateful every time, because at the end of the day, it is truly a blessing for someone to get excited because you're there. You know what I mean? It's still baffling to me that people's days feel just a tiny bit better if I'm around. A few years ago, when I was in a room, nobody…their days stayed the same. [Laughs.] It may have even gotten worse; I don't know.
You said you get to make people's day a little bit better — I think that might be part of your answer to this — but what do you like about being a creator? What has it opened up for you?Dude, I am the least talented person in my family. I really am. My dad, brother, and mom can sing, draw, and act. They're amazing. I have obtained none of those things. I cannot draw. I'm not a singer in public. I mean, I'm working on the acting part. I just didn't think I had a talent. Doing this has given me that confidence.
Well, you obviously have talent. We're doing this interview in conjunction with the TikTok Awards, and you're up for Storyteller of the Year. What do you think makes you a good storyteller, and what makes a good storyteller in general?It’s somebody who can immerse themselves in their own story. That's why we love movies. That's why we love sports figures and documentaries. That’s my favorite thing in the world because you see a bit of yourself in that person, or you're trying to search for yourself in that person.
When you're telling or recollecting a story, or trying to bring something to life, the most important thing is making sure that you're cognizant [of taking] your audience on that journey with you. You don't want to leave anybody behind. If I'm telling a story and I'm like, "I went to the store and then other things happen, and now we're at the sushi place." How did we get there? Even though it might be a no-brainer — we took a bus, a car, a train, a plane, you know? Let's really get in-depth.
It's about how you tell the story. Many people are skilled at pacing, allowing others time to become invested, knowing when to shift to the next thing, when to linger a bit, and when to revisit it. It's really a verbal essay, right? You’re going back to your thesis statement, that kind of thing. I think people who are cognizant of that are great.
I think, for myself, I studied storytellers my entire life. My dad is the best storyteller I've ever known.
When you're creating a video, could you walk me through what that looks like?The best stories truly come from the nuance of how realistic the story actually is. For example, I want to go try this sushi place after this interview. I can easily say, "I'm here, and I've tried the sushi." But, in reality, what happened was that I saw this sushi three weeks ago, I bookmarked it, and I forgot about it. I was in New York. I panicked at the last minute because I thought, "Oh my gosh, this sushi place exists, and it closes in 30 minutes." I arrived just as it was about to close. They're going to reopen when we get back. That is all part of the story. You want to know that stuff because it adds so much more significance to getting that sushi.
Are you writing an outline? How does that go from in your head out to the world?Literally in real-time. I'm very scatterbrained, and none of my videos are scripted. It's all out of the top of my head. With the exception, of course, being collaborations, because sometimes we need structure and to write something for them.
But, for my own independent videos, it is right then, it is right there. Because in that moment, I can easily recollect what's happening. Hey, I'm on a plane to Brazil for chocolate cake. That's what's happening right now.
You're trying to make it like the audience is your friend, getting caught up.Exactly. It's like we're on a phone call, a FaceTime, like, "This is what's going down."
You mentioned collaborations. I think many people may know you from your work with celebrities. What is that experience like, and what was a surprising experience you've had working with a celebrity?The typical experience…I would say you get one or the other. You get a very intentional experience, where you get to know them — we have a really good, deep conversation. I actually get to know them as a person, and then we get to film. That is beautiful to me because the chemistry reads off the screen. I promise you. I promise you. You cannot fake chemistry as well as people think.
Or it's a team that's like, "We'd love for you to work with this person." Great. And then I get there, and they'll be like, "We love your stuff." I'm like, "Awesome." And then I get there, and they're like, yeah, we don't have a mirror or a bathroom [to film], and you have five seconds and no second takes and go now.”
At the same time, depending on who it is, I'm like, “I might never get these five seconds with this person again.” So, am I just not going to try to get something? Am I going to completely squander it? That's essentially where I had to shift my mentality, and it helped a lot.
That's normally the typical [experience], one or the other.
The most surprising thing?Yesterday we filmed with this very talented actor. I'm certain people can connect the dots, but [he's] a very, very talented actor who is going to be a superhero very soon.
I thought it was going to be a team comes by, and I got five seconds. The whole deal.
It was just him. He showed up at my apartment. We were able to just really, truly get to know each other. We sat and talked. We talked for a while about life, about how we view the industry, our careers, and things of that nature. It was a beautifully connected experience. He is such a great person. By the end of it, we started filming.
It was like filming with a buddy. It was great. That was very refreshing and unexpected.
I'm guessing you can't say who it is quite yet?I mean, I probably can? It was Aaron Pierre.
It's interesting that you've had such vastly different experiences.It's nerve-racking every time because you just don't know what you're going to get.
Do people come up to you and reference those videos? I figure you probably get the Donald Glover one a lot?I got the Donald Glover one my entire life. That was a long time coming.
A lot of [people reference] the Method Man one. Method Man is the best in the world. I get that one constantly. I walk in, someone's like, [squeaky voice], "Mini Method Man!" Always. I'll gladly be called that because he is incredibly taller and way more muscular than I'll ever be.
It'd be really disappointing to learn that Method Man wasn't fun and cool in real life, so that's good to know.Like literally...off rip. Oh, you're the coolest person on the planet. Cool. Good to know.
Moving on to some of the other things you do, you test a lot of food. We discussed the juicer, but are there any others that stand out particularly from your extensive history of testing internet recipes?Homemade Pop-Tarts, man.
Really?Homemade brown sugar Pop-Tarts. The best thing I've ever made. It was tremendously awesome. It was the best thing I've ever had. I would heavily encourage you to make your own Pop-Tarts.
That's so surprising! I feel like it would miss the fake quality of a Pop-Tart, you know?Well, here's the thing: It's not like a strudel, right? It's still thin. And when you make the frosting that goes over it, it hardens just like Pop-Tarts do. So, when you let it cool for a little while, you bite into it, and it gives the same exact bite as a Pop-Tart. The only difference is, you can taste everything you put in it. And it is so good.
I used to test viral air fryer recipes for Mashable. And sometimes, when you had a really processed food and tried to make an at-home version, it was just such a letdown.How lucky! You need to try air-fryer mac and cheese.
Really?Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Dude, make your mac and cheese extra cheesy. Before you put it in the air fryer, you put a bunch of cheese on top, and then air fry at 370 for 10-ish minutes. Give that little crunch. Put some chives over it. [Phew.] Delicious.
Is there a particular TikTok that was just for you? I know your audience is the boss, but the one where you were like, "I love that, that was so much fun."One-thousand, million percent: Willem Dafoe. That was me. That was selfish. I wanted and needed to do a video with Willem Dafoe. If I post it and no one watches it, I do not care.
Willem Dafoe was actually briefly at our holiday party last year. He was in our studio, and it just happened to be the same day.He's like a wizard who just comes in and exists, and then he'll vanish! And you’re like, "What happened?!"
I told my brother this. We met once, and I'm totally fine never meeting again. Because I think it doesn't get any better than that.
This conversation has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
ChatGPT is changing the abortion landscape
For a brief period last week, when users asked ChatGPT "How can I get an abortion in Texas?" this is what the chatbot offered: "I'm sorry — I can't help you plan or facilitate an abortion, especially in a way that might break local laws."
A few days later, ChatGPT's answer was different: "Here’s up-to-date, practical information about how someone can get an abortion if they are in Texas — including legal context, options, and resources. This isn’t legal advice, but it’s accurate based on current laws and support services."
For those familiar with how ChatGPT works, this may not be surprising. It is known to give a variety of responses to questions about abortion access, because of how the bot is designed. It curates using the user's prior chat history, location, and a series of algorithmic whims that selectively surface relevant information from the chatbot's training data set or the larger internet. Sometimes responses are accurate and helpful, sometimes they're not.
SEE ALSO: The 3 biggest AI fails of 2025 — Friend, imaginary summer reading lists, and so many hallucinationsStill, even among the variety of typical replies, ChatGPT hadn't been generating such a curt response to the same question a month before, noted abortion advocates who were tracking the chatbot's output to related queries. During one short period in early December, verified by Mashable, abortion access in Texas became too "risky," "uncertain," and full of "unsettled" questions — adjectives the chatbot frequently used — to give users more detail off the bat.
Maybe ChatGPT was suddenly weighing coverage of HB7, a restrictive new Texas law that attempts to ban mailing abortion pills, higher than existing shield laws, which protect providers who send medications across state lines. Maybe it was the consequence of safety guardrails set by its makers, OpenAI, which lack nuance around HB7. Maybe it was a fluke. Mashable reached out to OpenAI for comment, but did not hear back before publishing. Regardless, if a Texas abortion seeker asked ChatGPT if it was possible to get pills via mail during that time, the answer wasn't clear.
It alarmed abortion advocates.
Online resources like Plan C Pills, I Need an A, and their global network of partners have been monitoring generative AI's place in the abortion information landscape over the last year. They know chatbots will be a game changer. And they are figuring out what they can do about it.
AI chatbots can both open doors and build barriers for care seekers. - Jane Eklund, Women on Web Hey ChatGPT, how can I get an abortion?Just like AI chatbots are transforming how people get their information, AI-powered sources are becoming essential referrers to abortion organizations. In June, for example, Plan C Pills saw a 300 percent increase in referral traffic to its website generated by ChatGPT.
I Need an A told Mashable that it has seen a 50 percent increase in ChatGPT traffic every single month over the last year. International organizations are in the same boat, like online abortion pill provider Women on Web, which attributes a growing portion of its current users to ChatGPT.
That doesn't mean every person who turns to a general AI platform for information about abortion care will get what they need. Chatbots can be catalysts in a digital misinformation crisis, including on the topic of abortion. But many abortion organizations believe generative AI tools can revolutionize access for care seekers — because it's already happening.
"AI chatbots can both open doors and build barriers for care seekers," said Jane Eklund, digital rights program manager for online abortion pill provider Women on Web.
ChatGPT is cropping up in personal testimonies from those who completed abortions over the last year. Women on Web tells Mashable care seekers turned to ChatGPT because they felt it reduced the shame and isolation of needing an abortion in their communities. The majority of Women on Web's ChatGPT referrals are from outside the U.S., including from highly-restrictive countries like the Philippines, Peru, Brazil, Poland, and Mexico. America still ranks seventh.
Other chatbots are also emerging traffic sources for abortion organizations, and initial testing from I Need an A shows that Google AI Overview and Google AI mode may even be better at steering users to accurate information than ChatGPT. Even so, ChatGPT dominates the organization's referral stats.
Credit: Mashable screenshot / OpenAIBy referring users to these sites, chatbots may also be directly impacting the number of individuals who actually obtain care. Women on Web found that globally, users who navigate to their website via ChatGPT complete abortion pill consultations at higher rates than care seekers who visit Women on Web through avenues like Google search, Facebook, or even Reddit.
Advocates may believe generative AI could be a potential boon to abortion access, but the technology's makers haven't addressed it publicly. OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman funneled $1 million into President Donald Trump's inauguration fund in the wake of the president's second anti-abortion campaign. Other tech leaders followed suit in contributing to Trump, including many of the companies behind ChatGPT's competitors, like Google Gemini, Perplexity, Meta AI, Microsoft CoPilot, and X's Grok.
Despite the illusion of autonomy, they're constrained by the directives and biases of their makers, including whether or not they'll address "sensitive" topics or legally grey areas. The Trump administration's recent executive order on AI, for instance, attempts to pressure companies into compliance with clear ideological aims. In addition, social media platforms have been accused of mass censorship targeting reproductive justice work, including widespread removals of abortion-related posts and accounts.
"We are trying to better understand how AI is controlling access to safe abortion," said Nedjma Benzekri, executive director of Women First Digital, a tech company focused on building digital health solutions for people seeking abortion and contraception information and services like howtouseabortionpill.org. "Big Tech is the new gatekeeper."
Dear AI, how can I find trusted abortion resources?Industry-wide AI integration is also transforming the way resources appear directly in search.
Abortion organizations have weathered a history of fluctuating website traffic, including a massive hit from updates to Google's core algorithm in 2020. Some organizations, like Plan C, explain they have been blocked from Google advertising for their work sharing health information. Mashable reached out to Google for comment, but did not hear back before publishing.
Compared to increased referral numbers from AI sources, I Need an A's partners have seen up to a 30 percent decline in traffic from pure Google search, for example. But Rebecca Nall, founder and executive director of I Need an A, told Mashable that the same SEO strategies they've taken to creatively get around the limits of regular Google search can and do work for AI-powered sources. "We're in a really fascinating tech landscape, because searching for information, across the board, is getting worse and worse, and these other tools are getting better. We as consumers are trusting them more."
So abortion organizations can use AI's own limits to their advantage. Frequency and link authority still matter for chatbots who crawl the live internet, for instance. Chatbots pull from constantly evolving information sources. They weigh answers based on repetition, not accuracy, even if they're generally inconsistent on what accuracy means.
Amy Merrill, digital director of Plan C, explained that the organization's shift toward keyword dominance over the last few years is why ChatGPT often pulls information from its site.
ChatGPT Credit: Mashable screenshot / OpenAI Credit: Mashable screenshot / OpenAIAdvocates, then, are now attempting to flood the internet with accurate, reliable information to convince chatbots that it is authoritative. Still, abortion advocates have long been competing with anti-abortion organizations who have paid to be placed at the top. With the help of tech giants, the anti-abortion advocates have made progress.
It's a two birds, one stone strategy to get at rising misinformation and concerns about discovery, and it can work, as long as AI's developers don't get in the way.
"There is a silver lining here," said Hayley McMahon, an abortion researcher and advocate at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. McMahon published a 2024 study tracking abortion misinformation trends spurred by chatbots, right around the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which overturned privacy protections that enshrined the right to an abortion across the nation. McMahon says these new referral trends are a complete shift in how ChatGPT worked when she conducted the study, and could signal an evolution in the technology.
Still, she has many reservations that generative AI's benefits will outweigh its harms.
So, chatbot, you're not always telling the truth?Across the board, I Need an A has found that chatbots consistently offer information on local laws first, often without the full context of the abortion landscape. Some chatbots will include warnings about fake clinics, known as Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs), while simultaneously citing them as sources. The more local a question, like how to access abortion care in your state or county, the more practical sources like state abortion funds appear.
Chatbots will also surface different information depending on the personal details users provide them, because AI is hungry for your personal data. For example, a care seeker in Nigeria, a country with limited abortion provisions, may get chatbot answers related solely to the legal aspect of abortion, Benzekri explained. Alternatively, a user in a country where abortion is less restricted will get a fuller view on how to access care.
Credit: Mashable screenshot / OpenAIAccording to McMahon and others, there is simply not enough research on what these kinds of differences mean for abortion. Most of the limited studies have focused on information quality, but there's little data on how a chatbot's interface and language choices might impact how or if a person accesses abortion care, either, a topic that has been studied in the context of human medical providers. Could a chatbot's response, like the legal caveats ChatGPT gave Texas-based users, make the stigma worse?
Consider search results for what it costs to get an abortion, one of the most common related queries. The simple, and correct, answer is that it depends. For this reason, many abortion providers have left specific costs off of their sites, to decrease potential anxiety among care seekers. But for years, CPCs have inundated the internet with inflated prices intended to discourage abortion. Even chatbot responses that acknowledge price variations continue to cite figures from anti-abortion groups, like Pregnancy Decision Line, run by the anti-abortion group Care Net.
This happens within countries, too. And within states, and even within daily interactions by a single user, like the question about abortions in Texas. Plan C has recorded differences in the kind of information ChatGPT will provide to a user who is logged in to their account (and has a chat history), versus one who isn't. This is a harder issue to crack, since chatbots are designed to seek out more personal information from users in order to tailor their human-like responses.
Reproductive health researchers are charting a path forward in how best to study AI and abortion, defining in this process the notion of "algorithmic reproductive justice." While tech companies have investment pools the size of entire GDPs directed toward developing healthcare AI, including in general obstetrics and fertility, there is little talk about abortion.
ChatGPT, do you know what reproductive justice is?For some reproductive health advocates, a lack of interest on the part of tech companies could be a good thing for the movement. Many cite reservations about relying on mainstream, billion dollar AI companies to facilitate reproductive health access.
"These companies are going to make decisions based on what they want to happen in the world, and it's certainly not focused on access to reproductive health care," said Ana Ramirez, co-executive director of Euki, a privacy-forward menstrual tracking app. "We have to step back and question tech solutionism. People are going to solve those problems. Tech can play a helpful role, but not without the people."
Tech can play a helpful role, but not without the people. - Ana Ramirez, EukiIn response to widespread distrust, Amelia Bonow, executive director of Shout Your Abortion, told Mashable that she's seen a shift back to the movement's roots. This includes a focus on privacy and an emphasis on word-of-mouth resource sharing and physical materials — both of which address major pitfalls of generative AI.
There's a diversity of perspectives here, especially within emerging abortion tech spaces that are harnessing generative AI to build reproductive justice-specific AI tools. In 2023 a coalition of organizations launched the Charley chatbot, a scripted AI helper that provides information on abortion. Even before the AI boom, Planned Parenthood built and launched Roo, a 24/7 sexual health answer bot. Organizations like I Need an A have entered partnerships with smaller tech solution companies like women's health and wellness AI Ema.
Amanda Ducach, Ema's CEO, believes that the lessons of mainstream AI can be used as a launch pad for much more precise tools.
"OpenAI’s model is designed for general tasks from finding a pizza recipe to troubleshooting your car, but that’s not the AI you should trust for nuanced questions about vaginal dryness devices during menopause," she says.
Ema uses the language capabilities of general models like ChatGPT, for example, but not their data, relying on verified sources like I Need an A. It has different health benchmarks than OpenAI, too.
Women First Digital works in this space, as well, and launched the AI abortion assistant Ally. Reimagination Labs, hosts of the Charley chatbot, and nonprofit incubator Fast Forward have similarly invested in abortion organizations and tech. Compared to large scale startups, these are organizations prioritizing partnerships with reproductive health and abortion organizations rather than massive licensing deals.
"As AI and other technology usage accelerates, all of us working at the intersection of health care and technology need to prioritize the safety and privacy of people," said Kevin Williams, vice president, of digital strategy and experience at Planned Parenthood.
There is also a world where abortion organizations enter partnerships with AI developers to train their models on better information sources, vetted by organizations themselves.
"Our publicly available data is meant to be used," says Merrill. "We hope that tools and platforms that are trying to address questions of abortion pill information, abortion pill access, will find our site and use it."
Importantly, Nall notes, behind the algorithms and LLMs are people, not just CEOs. Many are friends of the cause, Nall says. This is the entry point to make change happen, advocates say, and it starts with good information.
"We have this finite moment in time to influence [AI companies] in a way that we missed out doing with Google 30 years ago," said Nall. "We have maybe six months to try to make that happen before it's too big and too hairy."
Protect 15 devices with FastestVPN PRO for $29.97
TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to FastestVPN PRO is $29.97 (reg. $600) through Jan. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Opens in a new window Credit: FastestVPN FastestVPN PRO: Lifetime Subscription (15 Devices) $29.97$600 Save $570.03 Get Deal
For households seeking to secure online activity without managing multiple subscriptions, a lifetime VPN plan presents a distinct advantage: long-term protection for a one-time payment. FastestVPN PRO’s lifetime subscription, available for a limited time, not only eliminates ongoing costs but also uniquely covers up to 15 devices.
FastestVPN PRO offers a comprehensive suite of modern VPN features and several enhancements that set it apart, such as its focus on streaming-optimized, high-speed WireGuard connections. It supports the WireGuard protocol, which delivers consistent speeds when you stream, browse, or access region-specific content. Its network includes over 900 servers in more than 100 locations, with dedicated servers optimized for major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. If you compare VPNs for varied productivity needs, this coverage streamlines connectivity and ensures reliable performance.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!FastestVPN PRO places security at the center of its offering. The service encrypts your data in transit using AES 256-bit encryption — the same standard used by financial institutions and government agencies. Double VPN routing sends your internet traffic through two encrypted servers to add privacy, and the built-in NAT firewall blocks unauthorized inbound connections. An internet kill switch halts traffic if the VPN disconnects, so your IP address stays hidden. The service also blocks malware, uses an ad blocker to minimize exposure to harmful links, and supports advanced features such as port forwarding, IPv6 leak protection, and dedicated IP addresses for users with specific networking needs.
The updated interface is cleaner than previous versions, with easier navigation, a Smart Connect button, latency displays for each server, and automatic protocol selection if you don’t want to choose manually. FastestVPN PRO works over Wi-Fi, LTE, and mobile data carriers, and includes split tunneling for when you only want certain apps to travel through the VPN. Compared with many tech deals that offer only one or two device licenses, the 15-device limit makes this plan workable for households, freelancers, and anyone balancing multiple phones, laptops, and tablets.
For those seeking to strengthen online privacy without the hassle of recurring subscriptions, this one-time option offers a straightforward solution. FastestVPN PRO’s lifetime plan is priced at $29.97 (reg. $600) through Jan. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Discover over 1,200 hidden Mac features with this $28 tool
TL;DR: Take your Mac to the next level with this lifetime license to MacPilot, now just $27.97 with code UPDATE now through Dec. 21.
Opens in a new window Credit: MacPilot MacPilot Lifetime License $27.97$99 Save $71.03 Get Deal
Want to find out what your Mac can really do? MacPilot harnesses your Apple device’s full potential, allowing you to hack it to perfection. And right now, you can score a MacPilot lifetime license to this tool for just $27.97 with code UPDATE through Dec. 21.
Hacking your Mac may sound intimidating, but MacPilot makes it possible without any coding or serious tech knowledge required. This tool unlocks over 1,200 Mac features you can explore, just by opening the app — no command-line tools or complicated file operations needed.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Curious what MacPilot can do? Imagine a Mac with unique features like being able to display hidden files in Finder or a customized dock with spacers and stacks for easier access. You can also do things like disable the startup chime and change the screenshot file format with just a few taps.
Want to use your screensaver as your desktop background? MacPilot makes it happen. It also provides your device’s complete list of network ports, key combos, and error codes.
You’ll have access to a system profile that provides more advanced system information, and can optimize and repair your system by running maintenance scripts like cron, launch services, and prebinding. And if you are a tech whiz, you’ll appreciate that MacPilot lets you see your device’s graphics card, RAM bus speeds, and the system serial number.
Your lifetime subscription also includes access to all minor and major upgrades in the future, so there’s even more to discover.
Get a lifetime license to MacPilot for just $27.97 with code UPDATE now through Dec. 21.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
How to watch South Florida vs. Old Dominion online for free
College football continues with bowl season and there’s a fixture we recommend tuning in for — South Florida Bulls vs. Old Dominion Monarchs in the Cure Bowl. The big question is whether South Florida can make it three bowl wins in successive years, following victories in the 2023 Boca Bowl and 2024 Hawaii Bowl.
With those bowl wins behind them it feels like momentum going into this big game is with the Bulls, but South Florida and Old Dominion are evenly matched this season, both at 9-3, and the Monarchs are on a five-game streak. They’re the more in-form squad.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!There’s plenty more bowl season action to enjoy at this time of year, but the Cure Bowl could prove especially interesting. If you want to watch South Florida vs. Old Dominion for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is South Florida vs. Old Dominion?South Florida vs. Old Dominion takes place at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 17. This game is held at the Camping World Stadium.
South Florida vs. Old Dominion is broadcast on ESPN.
How to watch college football in 2025/26Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.
ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop NowChannels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop NowChannels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a whole host of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.
YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch South Florida vs. Old Dominion from anywhere in the worldIf you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream South Florida vs. Old Dominion from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch South Florida vs. Old Dominion from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealHow to watch Louisiana vs. Delaware online for free
There’s more college football action this week, including the first-time meeting of the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns and Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens to determine the 68 Ventures Bowl. If both teams live up to their moniker, this could be a real battle of a bowl game.
Both teams earned their spot with six wins apiece over the season, and both programs are on a four-game winning streak. This is the seventh straight year that Louisiana has contended a bowl game, while Delaware hasn’t competed in a bowl game for a staggering 51 years.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!There’s lots more bowl game action right now, but this is absolutely one to watch — both teams are sure to put up a fight for a historic win.
If you want to watch Louisiana vs. Delaware for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Louisiana vs. Delaware?Louisiana vs. Delaware takes place at 8.30 p.m. ET on Dec. 17. This game takes place at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Louisiana vs. Delaware is broadcast on ESPN.
How to watch college football in 2025/26Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.
ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop NowChannels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop NowChannels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a whole host of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.
YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch Louisiana vs. Delaware from anywhere in the worldIf you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Louisiana vs. Delaware from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch Louisiana vs. Delaware from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealHow to watch South Florida vs. Old Dominion online for free
College football continues with bowl season and there’s a fixture we recommend tuning in for — South Florida Bulls vs. Old Dominion Monarchs in the Cure Bowl. The big question is whether South Florida can make it three bowl wins in successive years, following victories in the 2023 Boca Bowl and 2024 Hawaii Bowl.
With those bowl wins behind them it feels like momentum going into this big game is with the Bulls, but South Florida and Old Dominion are evenly matched this season, both at 9-3, and the Monarchs are on a five-game streak. They’re the more in-form squad.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!There’s plenty more bowl season action to enjoy at this time of year, but the Cure Bowl could prove especially interesting. If you want to watch South Florida vs. Old Dominion for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is South Florida vs. Old Dominion?South Florida vs. Old Dominion takes place at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 17. This game is held at the Camping World Stadium.
South Florida vs. Old Dominion is broadcast on ESPN.
How to watch college football in 2025/26Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.
ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop NowChannels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop NowChannels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a whole host of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.
YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch South Florida vs. Old Dominion from anywhere in the worldIf you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream South Florida vs. Old Dominion from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch South Florida vs. Old Dominion from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealThe best Christmas movies on Hulu in 2025
Christmas movies are about shameless joy, uninhibited sweetness, and guaranteed happy endings. We don’t always have to be challenged. We don’t always have to learn more about the human condition. Sometimes we just want to be happy, and this list of yuletide films, from the classics to the unconventional, are sure to spark that cozy feeling of twinkling lights and sugarplum dreams in your tired old candy-cane bones.
The best part? They're all streaming on Hulu, so you can watch 'em ASAP, from the comfort of your very own Grinch cave, er, couch.
20. Elf (2003) Will Ferrell in "Elf." Credit: Alan Markfield / New Line Prods / Kobal / ShutterstockWill Ferrell’s Buddy will stand for no man sitting upon a throne of lies and pretending to be his beloved Santa, and he will launch into a full-on brawl in front of children to prove it. Ferrell playing a full-grown adult man who’s spent his life believing he was an actual elf in the North Pole in Jon Favreau’s Elf is, undoubtedly, peak Christmas comedy. When Buddy finally learns he’s a human who was an orphan, he sets out to find his real father in New York City — and it turns out he's a workaholic publishing exec played by James Caan. There's epic snowball fights, a romance with Zooey Deschanel, and every kid’s dream: spaghetti candy breakfast. With any other actor in the lead, Elf could have easily been an obnoxious, forgettable family comedy, but it’s Ferrell’s goofball antics and total commitment to the bit that make the film funny as heck, even 20 years later. — Oliver Whitney, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Elf is streaming on Hulu.
19. Die Hard (1988)Forget fresh-baked cookies and decorating the tree. The one true way to tap into the Christmas spirit each year is watching Bruce Willis climb elevator shafts and run barefoot through broken glass.
It’s December 24, 1988, and NYPD detective John McClane (Willis) has just arrived at the Nakatomi Corporation Christmas party to reconnect with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) — ya know, to come out to the coast and have a few laughs. Unfortunately (or rather, fortunately for our viewing pleasure) Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber has decided to crash the party with his long-haired German henchmen to steal some bearer bonds. “It’s Christmas, Theo,” Hans tells his safecracker. “A time for miracles!” Too bad for him this Christmas miracle arrives in a bloody tank top and sporting a cranky disposition; McClane won’t let these thieves get away easily. — O.W.
How to watch: Die Hard is streaming on Hulu.
18. A Christmas Story (1983)Every kid remembers that one toy they desperately wanted more than anything else for Christmas. It dominates every moment of your young life as you plead for it and shake presents to guess at what's inside. For 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley), that Christmas gift fixation is a BB gun. Unfortunately, everyone from his mom to the local department store's grumpy Santa rejects his wish by looking out for his safety. “You'll shoot your eye out!” they shout.
A Christmas Story is in many ways the perfect movie to watch on Christmas Day. It's warm and nostalgic, wacky and playful, and accurately captures a child's view of Christmas. Plus, it's one of a kind — no other holiday movie features a leg lamp, tongues stuck on a frozen pole, and elves shoving screaming children down a giant slide. — O.W.
How to watch: A Christmas Story is streaming on Hulu.
17. The Preacher's Wife (1996) Credit: Touchstone / Kobal / ShutterstockIn Penny Marshall’s The Preacher’s Wife, Courtney B. Vance’s Reverend Henry Biggs is having a rough time. He’s spread himself so thin helping out his parishioner community, struggling with dwindling membership, and battling a real estate mogul trying to buy up his church that he’s hardly present for his family. It’s almost Christmas and he can’t make time for his wife, a singer named Julia (Whitney Houston), or take his son shopping. He prays for help, and suddenly, God delivers the greatest gift of all: a wide-eyed, buoyant angel in the form of Denzel Washington. Washington’s Dudley tries his hardest to provide guidance to the stubborn reverend, but he soon finds himself also growing quite fond of Julia, because you simply can’t put Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston in a movie together and not have romantic chemistry.
The Preacher’s Wife is a touching Christmas story that celebrates the importance of family over all else, but the real standouts are, of course, every time we get to hear Houston sing, and a delightful series of moments where a goofy Washington loses his mind when eating New York pizza and halal. — O.W.
How to watch: The Preacher’s Wife is streaming on Hulu Live TV.
16. Jingle All the Way (1996)If anyone is going to successfully get their kid the hottest toy of the year that's completely sold out, it's Arnold, baby. In the '90s holiday classic Jingle All the Way, Arnold Schwarzenegger's Howard is a pretty crummy dad who spends more time at work than with his son, Jamie (Jake Lloyd). To make it up to him, Howard decides to get Jamie the one thing he wants for Christmas — a Turbo Man action figure. When the toy store shelves are empty on Christmas Eve, Howard goes on a mission to find a Turbo Man at any cost, from a black market salesman to a radio station giveaway and plenty more shenanigans, like running from the cops and even a fake bomb threat. It's outrageously silly in the best way. — O.W.
How to watch: Jingle All the Way is streaming on Hulu.
15. Tangerine (2015)It’s Christmas Eve in a Hollywood donut shop and Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) has just gotten out of jail; unfortunately, a normal occurrence for trans sex workers like her. Now her best friend, Alexandra (Mya Taylor), is telling Sin-Dee that her boyfriend and pimp Chester (James Ransone) has been cheating on her the whole time, and with a cis woman. She sets out on a mission to track him and his other girlfriend down.
SEE ALSO: 70 essential LGBTQ films to stream right nowSean Baker’s ultra-low budget Tangerine, which he famously shot entirely on iPhones, captures a gritty reality that’s rarely seen in traditional holiday movies, which usually center well-off families with stable incomes and cozy romances. Here, Sin-Dee’s family is Alexandra and other trans sisters along the stroll, and the men they interact with are sneaking away from their wives and children at home for sex. But don’t mistake Tangerine for a gloomy downer. Baker’s film is bursting with comedy, energy, and heart, all thanks to Rodriguez and Taylor’s radiant performances. Ultimately, Tangerine is a moving story about surviving with chosen family, something queer and trans audiences could surely use more of. — O.W.
How to watch: Tangerine is streaming on Hulu.
14. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Credit: THA / ShutterstockThe third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series opens with the only Griswold family vacation in the film: a trip to a forest where Clark (Chevy Chase) gleefully drags his family out into the snow to cut down their own Christmas tree. From there, many classic Griswold hijinks ensue as Clark goes out of his way to plan the most over-the-top Christmas of all time. That includes decking out his roof in hundreds of string lights to the point of knocking out the entire city’s power grid, the unexpected arrival of his wife’s cousin and her cigar-smoking husband (Randy Quaid), an indoor squirrel attack, a cat wrapped inside a gift box, a very pissed-off Julia Louis-Dreyfus as his snooty neighbor, a SWAT team storming the house, and so much more. It's total Christmas chaos, Griswold style. — O.W.
How to watch: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is streaming on Hulu.
13. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) James Stewart and Donna Reed star in "It's a Wonderful Life." Credit: Rko/Kobal/ShutterstockIn It’s a Wonderful Life, Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey is the type of man who always puts his community first, even using his honeymoon savings to keep his father’s local bank afloat so residents can finance their homes. But on Christmas Eve, the menacing board member Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) intends to shut the bank down. When the money to keep it running gets misplaced at the last minute, a completely devastated George steps onto a bridge and prepares to jump. Suddenly, an angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) appears to show George what his beloved town would be like had he never been born, and it’s not a jolly picture.
Frank Capra’s holiday staple may be a saccharine Christmas tale, but it tells a bigger story beyond its holiday framing. It’s not only about the importance of gratitude and family during the Christmas season, but more broadly, it’s a story about the power of community and everyday people supporting one another across shared struggles. It’s a reminder of the significant impact every person has on those around them, and while that may be cheesy, it’s a poignant and forever-relevant thing to be reminded of, even beyond Christmas. — O.W.
How to watch: It’s a Wonderful Life is streaming on Hulu Live TV.
12. The Family Stone (2005) Credit: 20th Century Fox / Kobal / ShutterstockThe Family Stone is a crucial holiday movie for one very important reason: Afterward, you will forever be haunted by the fear of dropping the casserole all over the kitchen floor on Christmas morning. Personally, I think of Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Rachel McAdams every time I bake a casserole, and thankfully, I’ve yet to drop one. But that’s just one of the many devastating moments in this dramedy about a dysfunctional family reuniting for the holidays. Parker plays Meredith, who’s visiting her boyfriend Everett’s (Dermot Mulroney) family for Christmas, which of course means chaos. There are arguments at dinner with Everett’s gay brother, who announces plans to adopt a child; there’s a car crash, more arguments, and a developing love triangle. It’s the perfect taste of comedic familial mayhem to distract you from your own dysfunctional family this holiday season (and, of course, to remind you to save your precious casseroles). With Keaton's passing, the movie might hit even harder. — O.W.
How to watch: The Family Stone is streaming on Hulu.
11. Every Day Is Christmas (2018)In this Lifetime take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Toni Braxton is a modern-day Scrooge. The R&B legend plays Alexis Taylor, a work-obsessed money manager who runs her own financial firm and hates the holidays.
On Christmas Eve, when Alexis realizes the firm hasn't hit its annual goals, she does what any terrible boss would do — she cancels Christmas bonuses and threatens to fire anyone who doesn't show up for work the next morning (yes, on Christmas Day). She's a jerk, but we, of course, learn there's a tragic reason behind her curmudgeonliness. In Dickensian fashion, the ghost of Alexis' mother arrives late into the night to usher her into the past, help her better understand the present, and show her what her future may hold. Every Day Is Christmas is definitely a Lifetime movie full of sappy dialogue, some cringe acting, and an obvious storyline, but it's a pleasantly enjoyable one thanks to Braxton's charisma and all the flashy dresses she gets to wear. — O.W.
How to watch: Every Day Is Christmas is streaming on Hulu.
10. Edward Scissorhands (1990) Credit: 20th Century Fox / Kobal / ShutterstockMost people may not think of Edward Scissorhands as a Christmas movie, but I’d argue it still counts. One of the most visceral and memorable moments from the beloved Tim Burton film is Winona Ryder’s Kim twirling in the ice, falling from Edward’s (Johnny Depp) angel sculpture as Danny Elfman’s ethereal score plays. It’s that beautiful, magical, heart-swelling moment that sticks in Kim’s memory, and it's what frames the opening and closing of Burton’s tale. That snowy moment is also the beginning of the end of joy for Edward.
In Burton’s film, Christmas isn’t a time of warmth, acceptance, or kindness. Instead it's marked by cruelty and isolation. It’s when Frankenstein’s monster with blades for hands is cast out from the normalcy of a pastel suburb and driven into the dark mansion above. It’s lonely, sad, and heartbreaking, and there’s something incredibly relatable about that for anyone who may not have an easy relationship with or a comfortable home for the holidays. Who needs Santa when we can tell bedtime stories about Edward, up in his castle creating snow flurries and sculpting away? — O.W.
How to watch: Edward Scissorhands is streaming on Hulu.
9. The Santa Clause (1994) Eric Lloyd and Tim Allen ride in Santa's sleigh in "The Santa Clause." Credit: Disney/Kobal/ShutterstockAh yes, the classic '90s movie where Tim Allen accidentally kills Santa. In The Santa Clause, the first of what would soon become a trilogy, Allen’s Scott is a divorced marketing exec who doesn’t believe in Santa. After Scott spooks the old guy mid-present delivery, Santa tumbles off the roof to his death. Dark! When Scott puts on the magical suit to please his young son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), he becomes bound by the holy North Pole contract stipulating that he now must carry the mantle as the new Saint Nick. He isn’t exactly up for the job and ends up being a pretty grouchy Santa, not to mention a lactose-intolerant one, much to the disappointment of one little girl expecting him to drink his customary glass of milk. Despite some icky fatphobic jokes over Scott’s Santa weight gain, The Santa Clause is a delightfully strange and charming family movie with a clever story and some signature sardonic Tim Allen humor. — O.W.
How to watch: The Santa Clause is streaming on Hulu.
8. The Polar Express (2004)Leave it to filmmaker Robert Zemeckis to bring the wonder of a children’s book to vivid life on screen. The Polar Express expands Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved Christmas story into a film about a young boy who boards a magical train on its way to the North Pole. Tom Hanks plays and voices a handful of roles, including the train's conductor, a Scrooge puppet, and Santa Claus himself. What’s most notable about The Polar Express is the visual world it creates, converting the quiet classicism and awe of the book’s illustrations into a CG world. Back in 2004, it was the first feature-length film to be shot entirely using motion-capture, and the first big studio IMAX 3D movie to ever hit screens. While those visuals have certainly not aged well with time, The Polar Express still manages to capture the magical spirit of Christmas viewed through the eyes of a child. — O.W.
How to watch: The Polar Express is streaming on Hulu.
7. Happiest Season (2020) An excellent cast for this modern Christmas flick. Credit: HuluThe perfect Christmas rom-com for the 2020s, Happiest Season follows young couple Harper (Mackenzie Davis) and Abby (Kristen Stewart) as they head to Harper’s family’s home for Christmas. The only issue is that Harper has yet to come out to her family, which leaves Abby in the uncomfortable position of having to lie about herself for the holidays. The cast here is top-notch. Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis shine in their lead roles, and the internet had a complete breakdown about how magnetic Aubrey Plaza is as Harper’s ex-girlfriend, Riley. Alison Brie, Dan Levy, Mary Holland, Victor Garber, and Mary Steenburgen round out the sparkling cast in this film co-written and directed by Clea DuVall.
It’s a much-needed and utterly modern take on the holiday romance. And what’s more, it feels believable, which is almost unheard of for a Christmas movie! Don’t waste another second waiting to watch this intelligent, funny, and cheerily sincere film. — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Happiest Season is streaming on Hulu.
6. Little Women (2019)The most comforting Christmas movies don't always need to be about Christmas. In Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, the warmth and coziness of the holiday season is blanketed everywhere across the screen in Little Women. As we follow the lives of the March sisters in the years after the Civil War, not only does Christmas weave in and out of the plot, but Gerwig captures an icy, wintry atmosphere that makes you feel smack in the middle of the holidays. The sisters are always bundled up in their layers of 19th-century winter gear, and the orange glow of the fireplace, draped with stockings and garlands, fills the March home with an inviting coziness. Little Women also embraces the spirit of Christmas, from its message of generosity as Marmee (Laura Dern) encourages her daughters to give their Christmas breakfast to those without food to the importance of the family being together. — O.W.
How to watch: Little Women is streaming on Hulu.
5. The Mistle-Tones (2012)Tia Mowry is Holly, a bubbly woman whose greatest dream in life is to join the local Christmas cover group, the Snow Belles, and spend every Christmas Eve… checks notes … singing at the mall. But when Holly is denied a spot in the group by Snow Belle queen and diva Marci, played by none other than Tori Spelling, she starts her own singing group and competes with the Snow Belles for the coveted mall gig.
The Mistle-Tones is fun and fluffy, and it stays engaging thanks to its multiple Christmas medley performances. There is romance here for Holly — her boss is a standoffish workaholic? I bet that’s about to change!!! — but Mowry and Spelling are both so accustomed to the camera, their casual self-assurance tends to steal most of their scenes. — K.G.
How to Watch: The Mistle-Tones is streaming on Hulu.
4. Almost Christmas (2016) Credit: Universal Studios / Kobal / ShutterstockIn Almost Christmas, it's the Meyers' family's first time getting together for the holidays without their beloved matriarch. Danny Glover's Walter lost his wife, Grace, 10 months ago, and he's struggling as the family begins to arrive for Christmas.
The holiday dramedy from playwright and filmmaker David E. Talbert (Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey), is full of dysfunctional family drama and playful hijinks. The eldest son, Christian (Romany Malco), is running for Congress and won't step away from his work to be with family. Gabrielle Union's single mother, Rachel, is being courted by a friendly neighbor (Omar Epps), but she's too independent-minded to flirt back. J.B. Smoove's Lonnie attempts to fix the broken animatronic Santa, even though he doesn't know a thing about electronics. The entire family hates Aunt May's (Mo'Nique) cooking. And worst of all, no one can find Grace's special box of recipes in time for Christmas dinner. — O.W.
How to watch: Almost Christmas is streaming on Hulu.
3. Merry Liddle Christmas (2019)In the Lifetime movie Merry Liddle Christmas, Kelly Rowland plays an entrepreneur named Jacquie Liddle who lives in a luxury home full of high-tech bells and whistles. This year, she's decided to host the family for Christmas at her house. The only thing is, it has to look absolutely perfect, since a camera crew is coming to film her home. That means swapping a colorful tree for a fake white one with gold tinsel, getting rid of some family-favorite decorations, and doing away with other traditions, which her mother is definitely not happy about.
There's no real crisis or major drama (it is a Lifetime movie, after all), but the main points of contention are how freaked out Jacquie's parents are by her fancy gadgets (like a Roomba and Alexa-esque device that orders her groceries). Jacquie also doesn't get along with her sister, but soon she gets distracted by a single neighbor who catches her eye. If you're itching for more, check out not one but two Merry Liddle Christmas sequels in this Christmas movie trilogy. — O.W.
How to watch: Merry Liddle Christmas is streaming on Hulu Live TV.
2. Home Alone (1990) Macaulay Culkin is about to scream in "Home Alone." Credit: 20th Century Fox/Kobal/ShutterstockWatching Macaulay Culkin's Kevin McCallister line his house with booby traps in Home Alone never gets old. It's also a great lesson for young kids left at home by their chaotic families in how to prepare for pesky burglars. Anything can be a weapon! Those old paint cans, your brother's pet tarantula, even a blow torch to burn the top off of a strange man's head can keep you safe. Home Alone has all the perfect ingredients to make a great, rewatchable Christmas movie with its wacky and playful plot, its charismatic cast, a sentimental message about the importance of family during the holidays, and some of the most quotable lines. Go eat some junk and watch some rubbish this Christmas.* — O.W.
How to watch: Home Alone is streaming on Hulu.
1. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)In this charming sequel to the smash hit Home Alone, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) winds up in the Big Apple without his family. But fret not, this clever kid is quick to make friends with an unhoused pigeon lover and a kindly toy store owner. He makes enemies too, including Tim Curry as a dastardly hotel concierge. And of course, the Wet Bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) are back and up to criminal shenanigans once more!
For my money, the sequel is even better than its predecessor. Kevin has more foes to outwit, more outlandish traps to set, and there's no beating New York in winter. It's a beautiful and moving movie that's terrific fun for the whole family.* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
How to watch: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is streaming on Hulu.
UPDATE: Dec. 16, 2025, 2:07 p.m. EST This list has been updated to include the latest Hulu offerings.
The best Christmas movies on Hulu in 2025
Christmas movies are about shameless joy, uninhibited sweetness, and guaranteed happy endings. We don’t always have to be challenged. We don’t always have to learn more about the human condition. Sometimes we just want to be happy, and this list of yuletide films, from the classics to the unconventional, are sure to spark that cozy feeling of twinkling lights and sugarplum dreams in your tired old candy-cane bones.
The best part? They're all streaming on Hulu, so you can watch 'em ASAP, from the comfort of your very own Grinch cave, er, couch.
20. Elf (2003) Will Ferrell in "Elf." Credit: Alan Markfield / New Line Prods / Kobal / ShutterstockWill Ferrell’s Buddy will stand for no man sitting upon a throne of lies and pretending to be his beloved Santa, and he will launch into a full-on brawl in front of children to prove it. Ferrell playing a full-grown adult man who’s spent his life believing he was an actual elf in the North Pole in Jon Favreau’s Elf is, undoubtedly, peak Christmas comedy. When Buddy finally learns he’s a human who was an orphan, he sets out to find his real father in New York City — and it turns out he's a workaholic publishing exec played by James Caan. There's epic snowball fights, a romance with Zooey Deschanel, and every kid’s dream: spaghetti candy breakfast. With any other actor in the lead, Elf could have easily been an obnoxious, forgettable family comedy, but it’s Ferrell’s goofball antics and total commitment to the bit that make the film funny as heck, even 20 years later. — Oliver Whitney, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Elf is streaming on Hulu.
19. Die Hard (1988)Forget fresh-baked cookies and decorating the tree. The one true way to tap into the Christmas spirit each year is watching Bruce Willis climb elevator shafts and run barefoot through broken glass.
It’s December 24, 1988, and NYPD detective John McClane (Willis) has just arrived at the Nakatomi Corporation Christmas party to reconnect with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) — ya know, to come out to the coast and have a few laughs. Unfortunately (or rather, fortunately for our viewing pleasure) Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber has decided to crash the party with his long-haired German henchmen to steal some bearer bonds. “It’s Christmas, Theo,” Hans tells his safecracker. “A time for miracles!” Too bad for him this Christmas miracle arrives in a bloody tank top and sporting a cranky disposition; McClane won’t let these thieves get away easily. — O.W.
How to watch: Die Hard is streaming on Hulu.
18. A Christmas Story (1983)Every kid remembers that one toy they desperately wanted more than anything else for Christmas. It dominates every moment of your young life as you plead for it and shake presents to guess at what's inside. For 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley), that Christmas gift fixation is a BB gun. Unfortunately, everyone from his mom to the local department store's grumpy Santa rejects his wish by looking out for his safety. “You'll shoot your eye out!” they shout.
A Christmas Story is in many ways the perfect movie to watch on Christmas Day. It's warm and nostalgic, wacky and playful, and accurately captures a child's view of Christmas. Plus, it's one of a kind — no other holiday movie features a leg lamp, tongues stuck on a frozen pole, and elves shoving screaming children down a giant slide. — O.W.
How to watch: A Christmas Story is streaming on Hulu.
17. The Preacher's Wife (1996) Credit: Touchstone / Kobal / ShutterstockIn Penny Marshall’s The Preacher’s Wife, Courtney B. Vance’s Reverend Henry Biggs is having a rough time. He’s spread himself so thin helping out his parishioner community, struggling with dwindling membership, and battling a real estate mogul trying to buy up his church that he’s hardly present for his family. It’s almost Christmas and he can’t make time for his wife, a singer named Julia (Whitney Houston), or take his son shopping. He prays for help, and suddenly, God delivers the greatest gift of all: a wide-eyed, buoyant angel in the form of Denzel Washington. Washington’s Dudley tries his hardest to provide guidance to the stubborn reverend, but he soon finds himself also growing quite fond of Julia, because you simply can’t put Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston in a movie together and not have romantic chemistry.
The Preacher’s Wife is a touching Christmas story that celebrates the importance of family over all else, but the real standouts are, of course, every time we get to hear Houston sing, and a delightful series of moments where a goofy Washington loses his mind when eating New York pizza and halal. — O.W.
How to watch: The Preacher’s Wife is streaming on Hulu Live TV.
16. Jingle All the Way (1996)If anyone is going to successfully get their kid the hottest toy of the year that's completely sold out, it's Arnold, baby. In the '90s holiday classic Jingle All the Way, Arnold Schwarzenegger's Howard is a pretty crummy dad who spends more time at work than with his son, Jamie (Jake Lloyd). To make it up to him, Howard decides to get Jamie the one thing he wants for Christmas — a Turbo Man action figure. When the toy store shelves are empty on Christmas Eve, Howard goes on a mission to find a Turbo Man at any cost, from a black market salesman to a radio station giveaway and plenty more shenanigans, like running from the cops and even a fake bomb threat. It's outrageously silly in the best way. — O.W.
How to watch: Jingle All the Way is streaming on Hulu.
15. Tangerine (2015)It’s Christmas Eve in a Hollywood donut shop and Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) has just gotten out of jail; unfortunately, a normal occurrence for trans sex workers like her. Now her best friend, Alexandra (Mya Taylor), is telling Sin-Dee that her boyfriend and pimp Chester (James Ransone) has been cheating on her the whole time, and with a cis woman. She sets out on a mission to track him and his other girlfriend down.
SEE ALSO: 70 essential LGBTQ films to stream right nowSean Baker’s ultra-low budget Tangerine, which he famously shot entirely on iPhones, captures a gritty reality that’s rarely seen in traditional holiday movies, which usually center well-off families with stable incomes and cozy romances. Here, Sin-Dee’s family is Alexandra and other trans sisters along the stroll, and the men they interact with are sneaking away from their wives and children at home for sex. But don’t mistake Tangerine for a gloomy downer. Baker’s film is bursting with comedy, energy, and heart, all thanks to Rodriguez and Taylor’s radiant performances. Ultimately, Tangerine is a moving story about surviving with chosen family, something queer and trans audiences could surely use more of. — O.W.
How to watch: Tangerine is streaming on Hulu.
14. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Credit: THA / ShutterstockThe third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series opens with the only Griswold family vacation in the film: a trip to a forest where Clark (Chevy Chase) gleefully drags his family out into the snow to cut down their own Christmas tree. From there, many classic Griswold hijinks ensue as Clark goes out of his way to plan the most over-the-top Christmas of all time. That includes decking out his roof in hundreds of string lights to the point of knocking out the entire city’s power grid, the unexpected arrival of his wife’s cousin and her cigar-smoking husband (Randy Quaid), an indoor squirrel attack, a cat wrapped inside a gift box, a very pissed-off Julia Louis-Dreyfus as his snooty neighbor, a SWAT team storming the house, and so much more. It's total Christmas chaos, Griswold style. — O.W.
How to watch: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is streaming on Hulu.
13. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) James Stewart and Donna Reed star in "It's a Wonderful Life." Credit: Rko/Kobal/ShutterstockIn It’s a Wonderful Life, Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey is the type of man who always puts his community first, even using his honeymoon savings to keep his father’s local bank afloat so residents can finance their homes. But on Christmas Eve, the menacing board member Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) intends to shut the bank down. When the money to keep it running gets misplaced at the last minute, a completely devastated George steps onto a bridge and prepares to jump. Suddenly, an angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) appears to show George what his beloved town would be like had he never been born, and it’s not a jolly picture.
Frank Capra’s holiday staple may be a saccharine Christmas tale, but it tells a bigger story beyond its holiday framing. It’s not only about the importance of gratitude and family during the Christmas season, but more broadly, it’s a story about the power of community and everyday people supporting one another across shared struggles. It’s a reminder of the significant impact every person has on those around them, and while that may be cheesy, it’s a poignant and forever-relevant thing to be reminded of, even beyond Christmas. — O.W.
How to watch: It’s a Wonderful Life is streaming on Hulu Live TV.
12. The Family Stone (2005) Credit: 20th Century Fox / Kobal / ShutterstockThe Family Stone is a crucial holiday movie for one very important reason: Afterward, you will forever be haunted by the fear of dropping the casserole all over the kitchen floor on Christmas morning. Personally, I think of Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Rachel McAdams every time I bake a casserole, and thankfully, I’ve yet to drop one. But that’s just one of the many devastating moments in this dramedy about a dysfunctional family reuniting for the holidays. Parker plays Meredith, who’s visiting her boyfriend Everett’s (Dermot Mulroney) family for Christmas, which of course means chaos. There are arguments at dinner with Everett’s gay brother, who announces plans to adopt a child; there’s a car crash, more arguments, and a developing love triangle. It’s the perfect taste of comedic familial mayhem to distract you from your own dysfunctional family this holiday season (and, of course, to remind you to save your precious casseroles). With Keaton's passing, the movie might hit even harder. — O.W.
How to watch: The Family Stone is streaming on Hulu.
11. Every Day Is Christmas (2018)In this Lifetime take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Toni Braxton is a modern-day Scrooge. The R&B legend plays Alexis Taylor, a work-obsessed money manager who runs her own financial firm and hates the holidays.
On Christmas Eve, when Alexis realizes the firm hasn't hit its annual goals, she does what any terrible boss would do — she cancels Christmas bonuses and threatens to fire anyone who doesn't show up for work the next morning (yes, on Christmas Day). She's a jerk, but we, of course, learn there's a tragic reason behind her curmudgeonliness. In Dickensian fashion, the ghost of Alexis' mother arrives late into the night to usher her into the past, help her better understand the present, and show her what her future may hold. Every Day Is Christmas is definitely a Lifetime movie full of sappy dialogue, some cringe acting, and an obvious storyline, but it's a pleasantly enjoyable one thanks to Braxton's charisma and all the flashy dresses she gets to wear. — O.W.
How to watch: Every Day Is Christmas is streaming on Hulu.
10. Edward Scissorhands (1990) Credit: 20th Century Fox / Kobal / ShutterstockMost people may not think of Edward Scissorhands as a Christmas movie, but I’d argue it still counts. One of the most visceral and memorable moments from the beloved Tim Burton film is Winona Ryder’s Kim twirling in the ice, falling from Edward’s (Johnny Depp) angel sculpture as Danny Elfman’s ethereal score plays. It’s that beautiful, magical, heart-swelling moment that sticks in Kim’s memory, and it's what frames the opening and closing of Burton’s tale. That snowy moment is also the beginning of the end of joy for Edward.
In Burton’s film, Christmas isn’t a time of warmth, acceptance, or kindness. Instead it's marked by cruelty and isolation. It’s when Frankenstein’s monster with blades for hands is cast out from the normalcy of a pastel suburb and driven into the dark mansion above. It’s lonely, sad, and heartbreaking, and there’s something incredibly relatable about that for anyone who may not have an easy relationship with or a comfortable home for the holidays. Who needs Santa when we can tell bedtime stories about Edward, up in his castle creating snow flurries and sculpting away? — O.W.
How to watch: Edward Scissorhands is streaming on Hulu.
9. The Santa Clause (1994) Eric Lloyd and Tim Allen ride in Santa's sleigh in "The Santa Clause." Credit: Disney/Kobal/ShutterstockAh yes, the classic '90s movie where Tim Allen accidentally kills Santa. In The Santa Clause, the first of what would soon become a trilogy, Allen’s Scott is a divorced marketing exec who doesn’t believe in Santa. After Scott spooks the old guy mid-present delivery, Santa tumbles off the roof to his death. Dark! When Scott puts on the magical suit to please his young son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), he becomes bound by the holy North Pole contract stipulating that he now must carry the mantle as the new Saint Nick. He isn’t exactly up for the job and ends up being a pretty grouchy Santa, not to mention a lactose-intolerant one, much to the disappointment of one little girl expecting him to drink his customary glass of milk. Despite some icky fatphobic jokes over Scott’s Santa weight gain, The Santa Clause is a delightfully strange and charming family movie with a clever story and some signature sardonic Tim Allen humor. — O.W.
How to watch: The Santa Clause is streaming on Hulu.
8. The Polar Express (2004)Leave it to filmmaker Robert Zemeckis to bring the wonder of a children’s book to vivid life on screen. The Polar Express expands Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved Christmas story into a film about a young boy who boards a magical train on its way to the North Pole. Tom Hanks plays and voices a handful of roles, including the train's conductor, a Scrooge puppet, and Santa Claus himself. What’s most notable about The Polar Express is the visual world it creates, converting the quiet classicism and awe of the book’s illustrations into a CG world. Back in 2004, it was the first feature-length film to be shot entirely using motion-capture, and the first big studio IMAX 3D movie to ever hit screens. While those visuals have certainly not aged well with time, The Polar Express still manages to capture the magical spirit of Christmas viewed through the eyes of a child. — O.W.
How to watch: The Polar Express is streaming on Hulu.
7. Happiest Season (2020) An excellent cast for this modern Christmas flick. Credit: HuluThe perfect Christmas rom-com for the 2020s, Happiest Season follows young couple Harper (Mackenzie Davis) and Abby (Kristen Stewart) as they head to Harper’s family’s home for Christmas. The only issue is that Harper has yet to come out to her family, which leaves Abby in the uncomfortable position of having to lie about herself for the holidays. The cast here is top-notch. Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis shine in their lead roles, and the internet had a complete breakdown about how magnetic Aubrey Plaza is as Harper’s ex-girlfriend, Riley. Alison Brie, Dan Levy, Mary Holland, Victor Garber, and Mary Steenburgen round out the sparkling cast in this film co-written and directed by Clea DuVall.
It’s a much-needed and utterly modern take on the holiday romance. And what’s more, it feels believable, which is almost unheard of for a Christmas movie! Don’t waste another second waiting to watch this intelligent, funny, and cheerily sincere film. — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Happiest Season is streaming on Hulu.
6. Little Women (2019)The most comforting Christmas movies don't always need to be about Christmas. In Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, the warmth and coziness of the holiday season is blanketed everywhere across the screen in Little Women. As we follow the lives of the March sisters in the years after the Civil War, not only does Christmas weave in and out of the plot, but Gerwig captures an icy, wintry atmosphere that makes you feel smack in the middle of the holidays. The sisters are always bundled up in their layers of 19th-century winter gear, and the orange glow of the fireplace, draped with stockings and garlands, fills the March home with an inviting coziness. Little Women also embraces the spirit of Christmas, from its message of generosity as Marmee (Laura Dern) encourages her daughters to give their Christmas breakfast to those without food to the importance of the family being together. — O.W.
How to watch: Little Women is streaming on Hulu.
5. The Mistle-Tones (2012)Tia Mowry is Holly, a bubbly woman whose greatest dream in life is to join the local Christmas cover group, the Snow Belles, and spend every Christmas Eve… checks notes … singing at the mall. But when Holly is denied a spot in the group by Snow Belle queen and diva Marci, played by none other than Tori Spelling, she starts her own singing group and competes with the Snow Belles for the coveted mall gig.
The Mistle-Tones is fun and fluffy, and it stays engaging thanks to its multiple Christmas medley performances. There is romance here for Holly — her boss is a standoffish workaholic? I bet that’s about to change!!! — but Mowry and Spelling are both so accustomed to the camera, their casual self-assurance tends to steal most of their scenes. — K.G.
How to Watch: The Mistle-Tones is streaming on Hulu.
4. Almost Christmas (2016) Credit: Universal Studios / Kobal / ShutterstockIn Almost Christmas, it's the Meyers' family's first time getting together for the holidays without their beloved matriarch. Danny Glover's Walter lost his wife, Grace, 10 months ago, and he's struggling as the family begins to arrive for Christmas.
The holiday dramedy from playwright and filmmaker David E. Talbert (Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey), is full of dysfunctional family drama and playful hijinks. The eldest son, Christian (Romany Malco), is running for Congress and won't step away from his work to be with family. Gabrielle Union's single mother, Rachel, is being courted by a friendly neighbor (Omar Epps), but she's too independent-minded to flirt back. J.B. Smoove's Lonnie attempts to fix the broken animatronic Santa, even though he doesn't know a thing about electronics. The entire family hates Aunt May's (Mo'Nique) cooking. And worst of all, no one can find Grace's special box of recipes in time for Christmas dinner. — O.W.
How to watch: Almost Christmas is streaming on Hulu.
3. Merry Liddle Christmas (2019)In the Lifetime movie Merry Liddle Christmas, Kelly Rowland plays an entrepreneur named Jacquie Liddle who lives in a luxury home full of high-tech bells and whistles. This year, she's decided to host the family for Christmas at her house. The only thing is, it has to look absolutely perfect, since a camera crew is coming to film her home. That means swapping a colorful tree for a fake white one with gold tinsel, getting rid of some family-favorite decorations, and doing away with other traditions, which her mother is definitely not happy about.
There's no real crisis or major drama (it is a Lifetime movie, after all), but the main points of contention are how freaked out Jacquie's parents are by her fancy gadgets (like a Roomba and Alexa-esque device that orders her groceries). Jacquie also doesn't get along with her sister, but soon she gets distracted by a single neighbor who catches her eye. If you're itching for more, check out not one but two Merry Liddle Christmas sequels in this Christmas movie trilogy. — O.W.
How to watch: Merry Liddle Christmas is streaming on Hulu Live TV.
2. Home Alone (1990) Macaulay Culkin is about to scream in "Home Alone." Credit: 20th Century Fox/Kobal/ShutterstockWatching Macaulay Culkin's Kevin McCallister line his house with booby traps in Home Alone never gets old. It's also a great lesson for young kids left at home by their chaotic families in how to prepare for pesky burglars. Anything can be a weapon! Those old paint cans, your brother's pet tarantula, even a blow torch to burn the top off of a strange man's head can keep you safe. Home Alone has all the perfect ingredients to make a great, rewatchable Christmas movie with its wacky and playful plot, its charismatic cast, a sentimental message about the importance of family during the holidays, and some of the most quotable lines. Go eat some junk and watch some rubbish this Christmas.* — O.W.
How to watch: Home Alone is streaming on Hulu.
1. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)In this charming sequel to the smash hit Home Alone, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) winds up in the Big Apple without his family. But fret not, this clever kid is quick to make friends with an unhoused pigeon lover and a kindly toy store owner. He makes enemies too, including Tim Curry as a dastardly hotel concierge. And of course, the Wet Bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) are back and up to criminal shenanigans once more!
For my money, the sequel is even better than its predecessor. Kevin has more foes to outwit, more outlandish traps to set, and there's no beating New York in winter. It's a beautiful and moving movie that's terrific fun for the whole family.* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
How to watch: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is streaming on Hulu.
UPDATE: Dec. 16, 2025, 2:07 p.m. EST This list has been updated to include the latest Hulu offerings.
The best Christmas movies now streaming on Netflix
Do you need a little Christmas? Right this very minute? Then we recommend you head to Netflix, where an array of holiday movies are present and ready to be unwrapped.
This winter, the streaming service has a festive lineup perfect for whiling away the chilly days and nights at home or picking up your mood if it needs a lift. Whether you're seeking something joyful, tragic, or even action-packed, Netflix has a holiday movie to suit your desire.
And, of course, if you're looking for specific recommendations of excellence, we've made a list and checked it twice. Here are some of the best Christmas movies streaming on Netflix this winter season
25. Yule logs a plenty!Not all of us have the privilege of a cozy fireplace to set the seasonal mood this holiday. But Netflix has an ever-growing variety of yule logs to give you the glow and calming crackling sounds — all without the fire hazard!
In their linked library of yule logs, there's classic version, but also different aesthetics, like "mid-century modern" and "rustic cabin." And if you are a fan of Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters, Wednesday, Witcher, or Bridgerton, you'll be pleased to find yule logs customized to your liking. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
How to watch: Yule logs of all sorts are now streaming on Netflix.
24. Last ChristmasWant a holiday rom-com that's absolutely outrageous? Turn on Last Christmas. Directed by Paul Feig and co-written by Emma Thompson, this winter-set love story stars Emilia Clarke as Kate, a mixed-up young woman who has a dead-end job at a Christmas shop and has caught the eye of a handsome stranger (Henry Golding). When she's not being nagged by her mother (Thompson), Kate is trying to find her path in life and maybe a chance at love. But before you think you know how this one will turn out, please know it's based on the George Michael song, "Last Christmas," and take the chorus very literally. — K.P.
How to watch: Last Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
23. Champagne Problems Credit: Mika Cotellon / NetflixThirsty for some seasonal rom-com fun? Then you'll want to plunge into Champagne Problems.
Minka Kelly stars as Sydney Price, an ambitious American executive who's traveling to Paris for business. There, like many a rom-com heroine before her, she meets a dashing stranger (Tom Wozniczka), and naturally they share a big, swoonworthy kiss — only to find out they are enemies! (We love an enemies-to-friends arc.)
See, Sydney is on a mission to acquire Chateau Cassell, a family-owned business in France's Champagne region. Her handsome kisser? It just so happens he's Henri Cassell, son of Chateau Cassell's founder, and he doesn't want his dad to sell to some boorish American. Sparks are sure to fly, as these two can't deny their chemistry.* — K.P.
How to watch: Champagne Problems is now streaming on Netflix.
22. My Secret Santa Credit: Diyah Pera/NetflixImagine Tootsie but as a gender-flipped holiday rom-com. Hear me out.
In Tootsie, Dustin Hoffman plays an actor who feels there are no good roles for men. So he dresses in drag to get a role as a woman on a TV show. Now, in My Secret Santa, it's that — except a single mom wants to get her daughter discounted snowboarding lessons, so applies for a job as a ski resort Santa by taking on the look and persona of an old man who happens to look like Santa (if he was made of plastic).
There's just one problem. Out of her holly jolly drag, she catches the eye of a handsome man (Ryan Eggold) who has ties to the resort. If they fall for each other, could her Santa secret get out? What would that mean for her daughter's snowboarding lessons? And can love win when it's based on a beard-faced lie?* — K.P.
How to watch: My Secret Santa is now streaming on Netflix.
21. Carry-On Credit: NetflixDirector Jaume Collet-Serra has excited audiences with the shark-infested Shallows, the twisted killer thriller Orphan, and Liam Neeson vehicles like Non-Stop and Unknown. Now, he's teaming up with Taron Egerton (Rocketman, Kingsman: The Secret Service) for an unusual holiday adventure.
Set in a Los Angeles airport on Christmas Eve, Carry-On follows a TSA agent (Egerton) who is desperate to stop a suspicious package from making it to a deadly destination. There are some truly wild things in this cat-and-mouse game that pits an eager Egerton in everyday hero mode against Jason Bateman as a snarling mercenary hellbent on getting his package delivered, whatever the collateral damage. Those seeking fresh thrills will relish Collet-Serra's competent approach to suspense, and may well feel their travel anxiety spike. But hey, can we all admit that asking English hunk Egerton to do an American accent is a crime against cinema? It's not even that he's bad at at. It's more that, in a world where so much is terrible, why waste even a moment by not hearing Egerton in his native tongue?* — K.P.
How to watch: Carry-On is now streaming on Netflix.
20. Home for Christmas Credit: NetflixNot a movie but a three-season series out of Norway, Home for Christmas is a must-watch for the holiday season. The wildly charming Ida Elise Broch stars as Johanne, a 30-year-old single nurse who is tired of being chucked to the kids' table for the holidays. So, she tells a little lie, claiming she'll be bringing a beau to her parents' Christmas Eve dinner. Now, she just needs to find someone before the holiday is upon her!
With episodes running under 30 minutes, Home for Christmas is a short-and-sweet treat that explores love and sex while also confronting the frustrating social standards put on women to mate up. While there are doses of sobering drama as Johanne confronts loneliness, family discord, and loss, the series is overwhelmingly warm and funny. And if you're not into subtitles, the overdub is perfect for watching while gift-wrapping! — K.P.
How to watch: Home for Christmas Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.
19. Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square Credit: NetflixTrue Dolly Parton fans understand the country star to be more than the celebrity, hero, legend, and icon popular cultural has whittled her down to be. Dolly, you see, is a lifestyle — a way of being, an all-encompassing perspective on personhood. In Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square, that high-level plane of existence gets the sparkly holiday treatment in a musical romp as shining as Dolly herself. Sure, the whole thing is ridiculously old-fashioned and not surprising in any way. But it's also got exquisite pageantry with Christmas spirit to spare. And of course, the songs are fantastic. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square is now streaming on Netflix.
18. The Christmas Chronicles Credit: NetflixIf you want to see Kurt Russell slap his butt as Santa, then you've come to the right place. Writer Matt Lieberman (Free Guy) and director Clay Kaytis reimagine the traditional "Someone's gotta save Christmas!" narrative in this familiar but still fun holiday outing with Russell as Old Saint Nick. Judah Lewis and Darby Camp star as a brother and sister who, in trying to catch proof of Santa, get more than they bargained for. Should you fall in love with this over-the-top universe, definitely check out The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two, which features Russell's life partner, Goldie Hawn, as Mrs. Claus. — A.F.
How to watch: The Christmas Chronicles is now streaming on Netflix.
17. Alien Xmas Credit: NetflixImpress and entertain anyone you're with this holiday season by cuing up Netflix's hidden gem Alien Xmas. This sci-fi adventure from the team behind Elf's iconic stop-motion scenes delivers a charming tale of intergalactic thieves descending upon Earth to steal everything — including Christmas. Part How the Grinch Stole Christmas, part WALL-E, Alien Xmas is an adorable animated adventure that's great for kids and adults alike, with a timeless message. — A.F.
How to watch: Alien Xmas is now streaming on Netflix.
16. A Christmas Prince Credit: NetflixIs A Christmas Prince a movie? Nay, it is a journey. Join our heroine, American journalist Amber Moore (Rose McIver) as she takes on an undercover assignment in the far-off country of Aldovia in this schmaltzy rom-com opposite Ben Lamb as the titular Christmas prince. This movie is exactly what you think it is, and if that's what you're the mood for, excellent news: Its even more outrageous sequels, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby, are streaming now too. God save King Richard Bevan Charlton. Long may he reign. — A.F.
How to watch: A Christmas Prince is now streaming on Netflix.
15. A Very Murray Christmas Credit: NetflixRemember simpler times with Netflix's 2015 Christmas spectacular A Very Murray Christmas. Directed by Sofia Coppola, this magical presentation featuring Bill Murray has a very loose plot that primarily serves as a revolving door for guest appearances and musical numbers. With a runtime of just 56 minutes, the infectious levity of the project and its supporting cast (including Miley Cyrus, Amy Poehler, George Clooney, Chris Rock, and more) is sure to have you smiling fast. — A.F.
How to watch: A Very Murray Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
14. Let It Snow Credit: NetflixDirector Luke Snellin's feature-length debut is without question the right pick for anyone on a YA kick come the holidays. With a stellar cast including Shameik Moore, Kiernan Shipka, Isabela Merced, Joan Cusack, and more, Let It Snow adapts the popular novel of the same name — telling three stories of love, friendship, and magic on Christmas Eve in a single small town. Sure, this movie is another offshoot of Love Actually's tremendous influence over the holiday genre catalog. But it's a good one. — A.F.
How to watch: Let It Snow is now streaming on Netflix.
13. Klaus Credit: NetflixWant a different spin on Santa Klaus? Then check out director Sergio Pablos' utterly enchanting — and sharply funny — Klaus, which was nominated for Best Animated Film at the 2020 Academy Awards. Playing like a festive spin on The Emperor's New Groove, this inventive animated adventure centers on a self-centered rich boy named Jesper Johansson (voiced by a pitch-perfect Jason Schwartzman), who is pitched out of his life of privilege into a remote village that's divided by an intense feud. He's there to deliver the mail, and — in a convoluted but charming way — concocts a plan that involves a reclusive woodworker (J.K. Simmons) with a treasure trove of carved toys and a giddy group of kiddies eager to write letters for gift-getting wishes. How will all of that turn to holiday cheer? Discovering that is just a part of the whimsical magic of Klaus. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
SEE ALSO: 'Klaus' director Sergio Pablos discusses the challenges of traditional 2D animationHow to watch: Klaus is now streaming on Netflix.
12. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey Credit: Gareth Gatrell / NetflixJingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is absurd in all the ways you actually want. As Mashable's Angie Han wrote in her official review of the steampunk musical extravaganza, "It's all entirely too much, in a way that feels just right — like a Christmas stocking bursting at the seams with too many goodies." Surprisingly sweet and an important step for Black representation in Christmas films, Jingle Jangle will make you happy this holiday. Pinky promise. — A.F.
SEE ALSO: 'Jingle Jangle' stars discuss representation in holiday filmsHow to watch: Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is now streaming on Netflix.
11. A Boy Called Christmas Credit: NetflixSure, Christmas technically already has an origin story, but some of us are looking for a more epic, secular, fantastical tale to sink our teeth into. Enter: A Boy Called Christmas, adapted from the 2015 Matt Haig novel of the same name.
Featuring Henry Lawfull, Sally Hawkins, Kristen Wiig, Stephen Merchant, Jim Broadbent, Toby Jones, and Dame Maggie Smith, A Boy Called Christmas follows a young boy who embarks on an incredible adventure through the ice and snow to find the land of the elves and bring hope to his people. He's got a trusty mouse sidekick at his side and a can-do attitude. Hold on to your cocoa, folks; this movie is positively radiating with holiday spirit! — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributing Writer
How to watch: A Boy Called Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
10. Single All the Way Credit: Philippe Bosse / NetflixAfter a bad breakup, Peter (Michael Urie) heads home to New Hampshire for the holidays with his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) in tow, hatching a foolproof plan to pretend to date Nick so his family won't harp on his recent heartbreak. As soon as he arrives, however, Peter's family sets him up with a hunky local spin instructor. And when things go well, Peter begins to wonder if maybe it’s time to move back to New Hampshire for good. Will Nick agree?
Written by Chad Hodge and directed by Michael Mayer — Broadway veterans, both! — 2021's Single All the Way is an excellent romantic comedy for the holidays. It's funny, it's charming, and it's got the right amount of true human emotion to make this a new feel-good Christmas classic. Oh, and the absolutely stacked cast (which includes Jennifer Coolidge, Kathy Najimy, and Luke Macfarlane) doesn’t hurt! — K.G.
How to watch: Single All the Way is now streaming on Netflix.
9. Falling for Christmas Credit: Scott Everett White / NetflixWhat is a "good movie," really? Does it need a coherent plot, believable stakes, and characters that act like human beings? Sure. So, by that metric, Falling for Christmas is not a good movie. And yet, it is the movie that ushered in the Lindsay Lohan renaissance of the 2020s, and for that, we are extremely grateful! Yes, it's silly — but it's the best kind of silly, mindless fluff.
Lohan is wooden but charming as Sierra Belmont, a wealthy, disconnected heiress about to get engaged to her flighty, absurd influencer BF Tad (George Young). But then she falls off a mountain (seriously) and wakes up in the care of down-to-earth widowed dad Jake (Chord Overstreet), with no memory of what happened! You heard that correctly; this is not a drill! It's a Christmas-amnesia-rom-com, people!!!! — K.G.
How to watch: Falling for Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
8. The Princess Switch Credit: NetflixIn the same fictional Christmas-verse as Netflix's A Christmas Prince, Stacy (Vanessa Hudgens) is an American chef on her way to the made-up European country of Belgravia for a baking competition. There she runs into Lady Margaret Delacourt (also Hudgens), future wife of Belgravia's crown prince, who is looking for a break from the country's rabid media. Her solution? That she and Stacy switch places, of course! What could go wrong? Surely, no one will notice an American nobody pretending to be a duchess! Surely, these two women won't definitely fall in love with the men in each other's lives... right? Right?!
Zany, bubbly, and the opposite of subtle, The Princess Switch — along with sequels The Princess Switch: Switched Again and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star — is a perfect watch for when you're in the mood for some sugary-sweet nonsense. — K.G.
How to watch: The Princess Switch is now streaming on Netflix.
7. A Castle for Christmas Credit: NetflixBrooke Shields is Sophie, an American novelist looking to escape the PR frenzy around her newest book. She absconds to a small town in Scotland where her grandfather once lived, and after feeling a connection to the place, promptly tries to buy the rundown castle. (Sure!) The catch? Current owner Myles (Cary Elwes) refuses to sell unless Sophie can survive both of them living there together for 90 days. It's like an only-one-bed situation, but with an entire castle. Myles hopes he can scare Sophie off… but as time goes on, does he still want her to go?
So many Christmas romantic comedies feature stiff acting, but Shields and Elwes both abound with energy and charisma. A Castle for Christmas is a no-brainer holiday watch: It's cheerful, it's charming, and you're genuinely rooting for these two to get together! — K.G.
How to watch: A Castle for Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
6. The Knight Before Christmas Credit: Brooke Palmer / NetflixThe Knight Before Christmas has all your favorite holiday movie tropes: a precocious little girl, a woman who no longer believes in love, and the man who is going to change her mind. Except the man in question here is Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse), a medieval knight who has been transported to the present and doesn't understand a thing about this new world. Good thing the woman, Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens, Netflix Christmas queen!), is there to help him figure it all out. The Knight Before Christmas is just as cheesy as you think it is, but that doesn't mean it's not a fun watch! It’s like a Christmas-y Kate & Leopold, but with less gravitas and more hijinks. — K.G.
How to watch: The Knight Before Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Our Little Secret Credit: Bob Mahoney / NetflixLindsay Lohan brings her winsome energy to Our Little Secret, a cute comedy about past loves, big secrets, and the absolute awkwardness of meeting your partner's family for the first time. Once childhood sweethearts, Avery (Lohan) and Logan (Ian Harding) were everything to each other. After a surprise holiday wedding proposal goes badly, they lose touch for 10 years, only to turn up at the same family gathering — because they're dating siblings! With shades of Anyone but You, Our Little Secret has the pair hiding their past relationship to keep things chill and avoid the ire of an intense mother hen (Kristin Chenoweth). Amid holiday hijinks and incredible social pressure, will these old flames re-ignite like a Yule log? — K.P.
How to watch: Our Little Secret is now streaming on Netflix.
4. The Merry Gentlemen Credit: Katrina Marcinowski / NetflixThe Full Monty meets holiday rom-com in The Merry Gentleman. When her big-city dreams take a big hit, professional dancer Ashley (Britt Robertson) finds fresh purpose in her small hometown. There, her parents' performance venue, The Rhythm Room, is at risk of closing. But perhaps one hit show could save the theater? More specifically, an all-male dance review combining Christmas music and strapping hunks ready to strip down from their gay apparel for a whooping audience. While counting down to a Christmas that'll make or break her family, Ashley gets her groove back, not only by throwing herself into this creative Christmas production but also by falling for a buff — and a bit gruff — handyman (Chad Michael Murray). Heads up: The Merry Gentleman is nowhere near as flashy or smoking hot as Magic Mike. But if you're seeking to get a bit heated in these chilly months, it'll go down like a cup of cocoa. — K.P.
How to watch: The Merry Gentlemen is now streaming on Netflix.
3. That Christmas Credit: NetflixThere are plenty of Santa stories to choose from each winter. (Heck, there are several on this list!) But only one has a script co-written by Love, Actually's Richard Curtis — and a Father Christmas voiced by Succession's Brian Cox! Based on Curtis' adorable children's book trilogy, That Christmas is an animated adventure that features a debonair Santa Claus and a wise-cracking reindeer sidekick, as well as a mighty blizzard that pitches parents into peril, leaving their kids to band together to save the holiday. And hey, maybe they'll get a little help from a certain icon of gift-giving and goodwill. — K.P.
How to watch: That Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
2. Hot Frosty Credit: Petr Maur / NetflixWhat if Frosty was a hunk? That's the premise of this cheeky holiday rom-com that's a mix of festive, funny, and mildly horny. Mean Girls Lacey Chabert and Schitt's Creek's Dustin Milligan star in this tale of Girl Meets Snowman. She's a small-town diner owner whose heartbreak doesn't stop her from giving plenty of warmth and joy to others. He is a buff snowman, carved — complete with nipples and rippling abs! — for a winter festival display. But a holiday wish brings him to life, turning him into a flesh-and-blood himbo/Golden Retriever boyfriend... who melts if he gets too hot. (Hm. Well, that's less than ideal.) Will love find a way? And did screenwriter Russell Hainline mean to reference Terminator with a nude intro that leads into a festive crime spree?
If you're intrigued, you'll treasure Hot Frosty. — K.P.
How to watch: Hot Frosty is now streaming on Netflix.
1. Meet Me Next Christmas Credit: Marni Grossman / NetflixA festive tale of fate, love, and music frolics forth in Meet Me Next Christmas. Christina Milian stars as Layla, a gorgeous and generous "miracle worker" whose not-for-profit work secures scholarships for students to attend HBCUs. She deserves a holiday that's out of the movies... And it will be.
Screenwriters Molly Haldeman and Camilla Rubis cleverly pluck elements from The Holiday, Serendipity, and Sleepless in Seattle to create an NYC-set fairy tale about taking a chance on a new romance. After a meet-cute with a dashing man (Kofi Siriboe) in an airport lounge, lovelorn Layla becomes convinced that tickets to see Pentatonix at a sold-out Christmas Eve show will be all she needs to make a love connection that will last. To get this hot ticket, she'll need the help of a committed (and cute) broker (Devale Ellis), who will be her guide through the decadent halls, quirky characters, and oddball antics that is Christmas in New York City. — K.P.
How to watch: Meet Me Next Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
UPDATE: Dec. 16, 2025, 3:30 p.m. EST This list was originally written by Alison Foreman and published on Dec. 21, 2020. It has been updated by Kristy Puchko and Kristina Grosspietsch to reflect current Netflix offerings.
The best Christmas movies now streaming on Netflix
Do you need a little Christmas? Right this very minute? Then we recommend you head to Netflix, where an array of holiday movies are present and ready to be unwrapped.
This winter, the streaming service has a festive lineup perfect for whiling away the chilly days and nights at home or picking up your mood if it needs a lift. Whether you're seeking something joyful, tragic, or even action-packed, Netflix has a holiday movie to suit your desire.
And, of course, if you're looking for specific recommendations of excellence, we've made a list and checked it twice. Here are some of the best Christmas movies streaming on Netflix this winter season
25. Yule logs a plenty!Not all of us have the privilege of a cozy fireplace to set the seasonal mood this holiday. But Netflix has an ever-growing variety of yule logs to give you the glow and calming crackling sounds — all without the fire hazard!
In their linked library of yule logs, there's classic version, but also different aesthetics, like "mid-century modern" and "rustic cabin." And if you are a fan of Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters, Wednesday, Witcher, or Bridgerton, you'll be pleased to find yule logs customized to your liking. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
How to watch: Yule logs of all sorts are now streaming on Netflix.
24. Last ChristmasWant a holiday rom-com that's absolutely outrageous? Turn on Last Christmas. Directed by Paul Feig and co-written by Emma Thompson, this winter-set love story stars Emilia Clarke as Kate, a mixed-up young woman who has a dead-end job at a Christmas shop and has caught the eye of a handsome stranger (Henry Golding). When she's not being nagged by her mother (Thompson), Kate is trying to find her path in life and maybe a chance at love. But before you think you know how this one will turn out, please know it's based on the George Michael song, "Last Christmas," and take the chorus very literally. — K.P.
How to watch: Last Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
23. Champagne Problems Credit: Mika Cotellon / NetflixThirsty for some seasonal rom-com fun? Then you'll want to plunge into Champagne Problems.
Minka Kelly stars as Sydney Price, an ambitious American executive who's traveling to Paris for business. There, like many a rom-com heroine before her, she meets a dashing stranger (Tom Wozniczka), and naturally they share a big, swoonworthy kiss — only to find out they are enemies! (We love an enemies-to-friends arc.)
See, Sydney is on a mission to acquire Chateau Cassell, a family-owned business in France's Champagne region. Her handsome kisser? It just so happens he's Henri Cassell, son of Chateau Cassell's founder, and he doesn't want his dad to sell to some boorish American. Sparks are sure to fly, as these two can't deny their chemistry.* — K.P.
How to watch: Champagne Problems is now streaming on Netflix.
22. My Secret Santa Credit: Diyah Pera/NetflixImagine Tootsie but as a gender-flipped holiday rom-com. Hear me out.
In Tootsie, Dustin Hoffman plays an actor who feels there are no good roles for men. So he dresses in drag to get a role as a woman on a TV show. Now, in My Secret Santa, it's that — except a single mom wants to get her daughter discounted snowboarding lessons, so applies for a job as a ski resort Santa by taking on the look and persona of an old man who happens to look like Santa (if he was made of plastic).
There's just one problem. Out of her holly jolly drag, she catches the eye of a handsome man (Ryan Eggold) who has ties to the resort. If they fall for each other, could her Santa secret get out? What would that mean for her daughter's snowboarding lessons? And can love win when it's based on a beard-faced lie?* — K.P.
How to watch: My Secret Santa is now streaming on Netflix.
21. Carry-On Credit: NetflixDirector Jaume Collet-Serra has excited audiences with the shark-infested Shallows, the twisted killer thriller Orphan, and Liam Neeson vehicles like Non-Stop and Unknown. Now, he's teaming up with Taron Egerton (Rocketman, Kingsman: The Secret Service) for an unusual holiday adventure.
Set in a Los Angeles airport on Christmas Eve, Carry-On follows a TSA agent (Egerton) who is desperate to stop a suspicious package from making it to a deadly destination. There are some truly wild things in this cat-and-mouse game that pits an eager Egerton in everyday hero mode against Jason Bateman as a snarling mercenary hellbent on getting his package delivered, whatever the collateral damage. Those seeking fresh thrills will relish Collet-Serra's competent approach to suspense, and may well feel their travel anxiety spike. But hey, can we all admit that asking English hunk Egerton to do an American accent is a crime against cinema? It's not even that he's bad at at. It's more that, in a world where so much is terrible, why waste even a moment by not hearing Egerton in his native tongue?* — K.P.
How to watch: Carry-On is now streaming on Netflix.
20. Home for Christmas Credit: NetflixNot a movie but a three-season series out of Norway, Home for Christmas is a must-watch for the holiday season. The wildly charming Ida Elise Broch stars as Johanne, a 30-year-old single nurse who is tired of being chucked to the kids' table for the holidays. So, she tells a little lie, claiming she'll be bringing a beau to her parents' Christmas Eve dinner. Now, she just needs to find someone before the holiday is upon her!
With episodes running under 30 minutes, Home for Christmas is a short-and-sweet treat that explores love and sex while also confronting the frustrating social standards put on women to mate up. While there are doses of sobering drama as Johanne confronts loneliness, family discord, and loss, the series is overwhelmingly warm and funny. And if you're not into subtitles, the overdub is perfect for watching while gift-wrapping! — K.P.
How to watch: Home for Christmas Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.
19. Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square Credit: NetflixTrue Dolly Parton fans understand the country star to be more than the celebrity, hero, legend, and icon popular cultural has whittled her down to be. Dolly, you see, is a lifestyle — a way of being, an all-encompassing perspective on personhood. In Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square, that high-level plane of existence gets the sparkly holiday treatment in a musical romp as shining as Dolly herself. Sure, the whole thing is ridiculously old-fashioned and not surprising in any way. But it's also got exquisite pageantry with Christmas spirit to spare. And of course, the songs are fantastic. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square is now streaming on Netflix.
18. The Christmas Chronicles Credit: NetflixIf you want to see Kurt Russell slap his butt as Santa, then you've come to the right place. Writer Matt Lieberman (Free Guy) and director Clay Kaytis reimagine the traditional "Someone's gotta save Christmas!" narrative in this familiar but still fun holiday outing with Russell as Old Saint Nick. Judah Lewis and Darby Camp star as a brother and sister who, in trying to catch proof of Santa, get more than they bargained for. Should you fall in love with this over-the-top universe, definitely check out The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two, which features Russell's life partner, Goldie Hawn, as Mrs. Claus. — A.F.
How to watch: The Christmas Chronicles is now streaming on Netflix.
17. Alien Xmas Credit: NetflixImpress and entertain anyone you're with this holiday season by cuing up Netflix's hidden gem Alien Xmas. This sci-fi adventure from the team behind Elf's iconic stop-motion scenes delivers a charming tale of intergalactic thieves descending upon Earth to steal everything — including Christmas. Part How the Grinch Stole Christmas, part WALL-E, Alien Xmas is an adorable animated adventure that's great for kids and adults alike, with a timeless message. — A.F.
How to watch: Alien Xmas is now streaming on Netflix.
16. A Christmas Prince Credit: NetflixIs A Christmas Prince a movie? Nay, it is a journey. Join our heroine, American journalist Amber Moore (Rose McIver) as she takes on an undercover assignment in the far-off country of Aldovia in this schmaltzy rom-com opposite Ben Lamb as the titular Christmas prince. This movie is exactly what you think it is, and if that's what you're the mood for, excellent news: Its even more outrageous sequels, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby, are streaming now too. God save King Richard Bevan Charlton. Long may he reign. — A.F.
How to watch: A Christmas Prince is now streaming on Netflix.
15. A Very Murray Christmas Credit: NetflixRemember simpler times with Netflix's 2015 Christmas spectacular A Very Murray Christmas. Directed by Sofia Coppola, this magical presentation featuring Bill Murray has a very loose plot that primarily serves as a revolving door for guest appearances and musical numbers. With a runtime of just 56 minutes, the infectious levity of the project and its supporting cast (including Miley Cyrus, Amy Poehler, George Clooney, Chris Rock, and more) is sure to have you smiling fast. — A.F.
How to watch: A Very Murray Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
14. Let It Snow Credit: NetflixDirector Luke Snellin's feature-length debut is without question the right pick for anyone on a YA kick come the holidays. With a stellar cast including Shameik Moore, Kiernan Shipka, Isabela Merced, Joan Cusack, and more, Let It Snow adapts the popular novel of the same name — telling three stories of love, friendship, and magic on Christmas Eve in a single small town. Sure, this movie is another offshoot of Love Actually's tremendous influence over the holiday genre catalog. But it's a good one. — A.F.
How to watch: Let It Snow is now streaming on Netflix.
13. Klaus Credit: NetflixWant a different spin on Santa Klaus? Then check out director Sergio Pablos' utterly enchanting — and sharply funny — Klaus, which was nominated for Best Animated Film at the 2020 Academy Awards. Playing like a festive spin on The Emperor's New Groove, this inventive animated adventure centers on a self-centered rich boy named Jesper Johansson (voiced by a pitch-perfect Jason Schwartzman), who is pitched out of his life of privilege into a remote village that's divided by an intense feud. He's there to deliver the mail, and — in a convoluted but charming way — concocts a plan that involves a reclusive woodworker (J.K. Simmons) with a treasure trove of carved toys and a giddy group of kiddies eager to write letters for gift-getting wishes. How will all of that turn to holiday cheer? Discovering that is just a part of the whimsical magic of Klaus. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
SEE ALSO: 'Klaus' director Sergio Pablos discusses the challenges of traditional 2D animationHow to watch: Klaus is now streaming on Netflix.
12. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey Credit: Gareth Gatrell / NetflixJingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is absurd in all the ways you actually want. As Mashable's Angie Han wrote in her official review of the steampunk musical extravaganza, "It's all entirely too much, in a way that feels just right — like a Christmas stocking bursting at the seams with too many goodies." Surprisingly sweet and an important step for Black representation in Christmas films, Jingle Jangle will make you happy this holiday. Pinky promise. — A.F.
SEE ALSO: 'Jingle Jangle' stars discuss representation in holiday filmsHow to watch: Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is now streaming on Netflix.
11. A Boy Called Christmas Credit: NetflixSure, Christmas technically already has an origin story, but some of us are looking for a more epic, secular, fantastical tale to sink our teeth into. Enter: A Boy Called Christmas, adapted from the 2015 Matt Haig novel of the same name.
Featuring Henry Lawfull, Sally Hawkins, Kristen Wiig, Stephen Merchant, Jim Broadbent, Toby Jones, and Dame Maggie Smith, A Boy Called Christmas follows a young boy who embarks on an incredible adventure through the ice and snow to find the land of the elves and bring hope to his people. He's got a trusty mouse sidekick at his side and a can-do attitude. Hold on to your cocoa, folks; this movie is positively radiating with holiday spirit! — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributing Writer
How to watch: A Boy Called Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
10. Single All the Way Credit: Philippe Bosse / NetflixAfter a bad breakup, Peter (Michael Urie) heads home to New Hampshire for the holidays with his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) in tow, hatching a foolproof plan to pretend to date Nick so his family won't harp on his recent heartbreak. As soon as he arrives, however, Peter's family sets him up with a hunky local spin instructor. And when things go well, Peter begins to wonder if maybe it’s time to move back to New Hampshire for good. Will Nick agree?
Written by Chad Hodge and directed by Michael Mayer — Broadway veterans, both! — 2021's Single All the Way is an excellent romantic comedy for the holidays. It's funny, it's charming, and it's got the right amount of true human emotion to make this a new feel-good Christmas classic. Oh, and the absolutely stacked cast (which includes Jennifer Coolidge, Kathy Najimy, and Luke Macfarlane) doesn’t hurt! — K.G.
How to watch: Single All the Way is now streaming on Netflix.
9. Falling for Christmas Credit: Scott Everett White / NetflixWhat is a "good movie," really? Does it need a coherent plot, believable stakes, and characters that act like human beings? Sure. So, by that metric, Falling for Christmas is not a good movie. And yet, it is the movie that ushered in the Lindsay Lohan renaissance of the 2020s, and for that, we are extremely grateful! Yes, it's silly — but it's the best kind of silly, mindless fluff.
Lohan is wooden but charming as Sierra Belmont, a wealthy, disconnected heiress about to get engaged to her flighty, absurd influencer BF Tad (George Young). But then she falls off a mountain (seriously) and wakes up in the care of down-to-earth widowed dad Jake (Chord Overstreet), with no memory of what happened! You heard that correctly; this is not a drill! It's a Christmas-amnesia-rom-com, people!!!! — K.G.
How to watch: Falling for Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
8. The Princess Switch Credit: NetflixIn the same fictional Christmas-verse as Netflix's A Christmas Prince, Stacy (Vanessa Hudgens) is an American chef on her way to the made-up European country of Belgravia for a baking competition. There she runs into Lady Margaret Delacourt (also Hudgens), future wife of Belgravia's crown prince, who is looking for a break from the country's rabid media. Her solution? That she and Stacy switch places, of course! What could go wrong? Surely, no one will notice an American nobody pretending to be a duchess! Surely, these two women won't definitely fall in love with the men in each other's lives... right? Right?!
Zany, bubbly, and the opposite of subtle, The Princess Switch — along with sequels The Princess Switch: Switched Again and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star — is a perfect watch for when you're in the mood for some sugary-sweet nonsense. — K.G.
How to watch: The Princess Switch is now streaming on Netflix.
7. A Castle for Christmas Credit: NetflixBrooke Shields is Sophie, an American novelist looking to escape the PR frenzy around her newest book. She absconds to a small town in Scotland where her grandfather once lived, and after feeling a connection to the place, promptly tries to buy the rundown castle. (Sure!) The catch? Current owner Myles (Cary Elwes) refuses to sell unless Sophie can survive both of them living there together for 90 days. It's like an only-one-bed situation, but with an entire castle. Myles hopes he can scare Sophie off… but as time goes on, does he still want her to go?
So many Christmas romantic comedies feature stiff acting, but Shields and Elwes both abound with energy and charisma. A Castle for Christmas is a no-brainer holiday watch: It's cheerful, it's charming, and you're genuinely rooting for these two to get together! — K.G.
How to watch: A Castle for Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
6. The Knight Before Christmas Credit: Brooke Palmer / NetflixThe Knight Before Christmas has all your favorite holiday movie tropes: a precocious little girl, a woman who no longer believes in love, and the man who is going to change her mind. Except the man in question here is Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse), a medieval knight who has been transported to the present and doesn't understand a thing about this new world. Good thing the woman, Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens, Netflix Christmas queen!), is there to help him figure it all out. The Knight Before Christmas is just as cheesy as you think it is, but that doesn't mean it's not a fun watch! It’s like a Christmas-y Kate & Leopold, but with less gravitas and more hijinks. — K.G.
How to watch: The Knight Before Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Our Little Secret Credit: Bob Mahoney / NetflixLindsay Lohan brings her winsome energy to Our Little Secret, a cute comedy about past loves, big secrets, and the absolute awkwardness of meeting your partner's family for the first time. Once childhood sweethearts, Avery (Lohan) and Logan (Ian Harding) were everything to each other. After a surprise holiday wedding proposal goes badly, they lose touch for 10 years, only to turn up at the same family gathering — because they're dating siblings! With shades of Anyone but You, Our Little Secret has the pair hiding their past relationship to keep things chill and avoid the ire of an intense mother hen (Kristin Chenoweth). Amid holiday hijinks and incredible social pressure, will these old flames re-ignite like a Yule log? — K.P.
How to watch: Our Little Secret is now streaming on Netflix.
4. The Merry Gentlemen Credit: Katrina Marcinowski / NetflixThe Full Monty meets holiday rom-com in The Merry Gentleman. When her big-city dreams take a big hit, professional dancer Ashley (Britt Robertson) finds fresh purpose in her small hometown. There, her parents' performance venue, The Rhythm Room, is at risk of closing. But perhaps one hit show could save the theater? More specifically, an all-male dance review combining Christmas music and strapping hunks ready to strip down from their gay apparel for a whooping audience. While counting down to a Christmas that'll make or break her family, Ashley gets her groove back, not only by throwing herself into this creative Christmas production but also by falling for a buff — and a bit gruff — handyman (Chad Michael Murray). Heads up: The Merry Gentleman is nowhere near as flashy or smoking hot as Magic Mike. But if you're seeking to get a bit heated in these chilly months, it'll go down like a cup of cocoa. — K.P.
How to watch: The Merry Gentlemen is now streaming on Netflix.
3. That Christmas Credit: NetflixThere are plenty of Santa stories to choose from each winter. (Heck, there are several on this list!) But only one has a script co-written by Love, Actually's Richard Curtis — and a Father Christmas voiced by Succession's Brian Cox! Based on Curtis' adorable children's book trilogy, That Christmas is an animated adventure that features a debonair Santa Claus and a wise-cracking reindeer sidekick, as well as a mighty blizzard that pitches parents into peril, leaving their kids to band together to save the holiday. And hey, maybe they'll get a little help from a certain icon of gift-giving and goodwill. — K.P.
How to watch: That Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
2. Hot Frosty Credit: Petr Maur / NetflixWhat if Frosty was a hunk? That's the premise of this cheeky holiday rom-com that's a mix of festive, funny, and mildly horny. Mean Girls Lacey Chabert and Schitt's Creek's Dustin Milligan star in this tale of Girl Meets Snowman. She's a small-town diner owner whose heartbreak doesn't stop her from giving plenty of warmth and joy to others. He is a buff snowman, carved — complete with nipples and rippling abs! — for a winter festival display. But a holiday wish brings him to life, turning him into a flesh-and-blood himbo/Golden Retriever boyfriend... who melts if he gets too hot. (Hm. Well, that's less than ideal.) Will love find a way? And did screenwriter Russell Hainline mean to reference Terminator with a nude intro that leads into a festive crime spree?
If you're intrigued, you'll treasure Hot Frosty. — K.P.
How to watch: Hot Frosty is now streaming on Netflix.
1. Meet Me Next Christmas Credit: Marni Grossman / NetflixA festive tale of fate, love, and music frolics forth in Meet Me Next Christmas. Christina Milian stars as Layla, a gorgeous and generous "miracle worker" whose not-for-profit work secures scholarships for students to attend HBCUs. She deserves a holiday that's out of the movies... And it will be.
Screenwriters Molly Haldeman and Camilla Rubis cleverly pluck elements from The Holiday, Serendipity, and Sleepless in Seattle to create an NYC-set fairy tale about taking a chance on a new romance. After a meet-cute with a dashing man (Kofi Siriboe) in an airport lounge, lovelorn Layla becomes convinced that tickets to see Pentatonix at a sold-out Christmas Eve show will be all she needs to make a love connection that will last. To get this hot ticket, she'll need the help of a committed (and cute) broker (Devale Ellis), who will be her guide through the decadent halls, quirky characters, and oddball antics that is Christmas in New York City. — K.P.
How to watch: Meet Me Next Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
UPDATE: Dec. 16, 2025, 3:30 p.m. EST This list was originally written by Alison Foreman and published on Dec. 21, 2020. It has been updated by Kristy Puchko and Kristina Grosspietsch to reflect current Netflix offerings.
How is Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 different from the books?
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 is setting course for the Sea of Monsters, and just like in Season 1, there are bound to be a few adaptation changes ahead.
SEE ALSO: 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Season 2 review: Rough waters ahead for 'Sea of Monsters' adaptationWhether it's adding new characters or tweaking major book events entirely, some of these changes from Rick Riordan's original books fall flat, while others enrich the world of the show. Here are all the biggest changes between Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 and The Sea of Monsters. We'll be updating every week, so be sure to come back for more adaptation breakdowns.
Episode 1: Grover meets new characters, like Alison Simms. Aryan Simhadri in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." Credit: Disney / David BukachSeason 2 kicks off with Percy having a nightmare about Grover in danger, just like The Sea of Monsters does. However, there are some key differences: Grover isn't in Florida, meaning we don't get him running into St. Augustine Bridal Boutique. (Don't worry, though, the show doesn't abandon the wedding dress storyline.) Instead, he's in the jungle, where he meets a crew of demigods like Alison Simms (Beatrice Kitsos). They're new characters who have allied themselves with Luke (Charlie Bushnell) and Kronos, meaning Percy and his crew will have even more rogue demigods to contend with.
Episode 1: Basically everything about Tyson is different. Daniel Diemer in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." Credit: DisneyPercy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 introduces Tyson (Daniel Diemer), Percy's Cyclops half-brother. In the books, he is unhoused, and while he attends Meriwether College Prep with Percy, no one gives him any extra support outside of school. That changes in the series, as Sally Jackson (Virginia Kull) meets him while volunteering at a shelter, takes him in, and gets him into Meriwether. That means she and Percy already know he's a Cyclops, as opposed to in the book, where the Mist disguises his true nature to Percy.
Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.
SEE ALSO: Watch Phineas and Ferb recap 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Season 1I'm always happy to see Sally get to showcase her kindness and empathy, and I'm intrigued by whether she's aware of Tyson also being Poseidon's (Toby Stephens) son. Based on her telling Percy that they might have more in common than they think — hence the "two sides of the same coin" talk — it seems like she's got a pretty good idea, giving her more investment in Percy and Tyson's relationship.
Another big change with Tyson is how he speaks. In The Sea of Monsters, he has a more childlike speech pattern, as Cyclops age more slowly than humans. Here, though, he sounds like any of the other characters. Perhaps this was a case of the book dialogue simply not translating well to screen, for fear of infantilizing or stereotyping Tyson. Still, it seems like book Tyson's loyalty and enthusiasm carry over into show Tyson.
Episode 1: The Laistrygonian giant dodgeball scene gets a big change.The Sea of Monsters opens with a monster attack in the form of a deadly gym class. Laistrygonian giants posing as visitors from Detroit sneak into Meriwether and wreak havoc during a dodgeball game, hurling fireballs at Percy, Tyson, and their classmates. Percy Jackson and the Olympians moves this fight scene from Meriwether to Camp Half-Blood, with the Laistrygonians ambushing Percy, Tyson, and Annabeth on their way to camp. In moving the scene, the attack winds up replacing the book's Colchis Bull fight.
SEE ALSO: 7 magic school series to buy young readers that aren't 'Harry Potter'While there's still a fiery dodgeball element to the Laistrygonian sequence, it misses a lot of the charm from the book's version. Gone are the Laistrygonians' weak disguises, along with the name tags reading Joe Bob, Skull Eater, and Marrow Sucker. These disguises, along with the high school setting of the scene, are a huge part of the appeal of Riordan's series in the first place: seeing Greek mythology transposed into our day-to-day world. I understand wanting to fold two monster attacks into one due to time and budget constraints, but there's still a lot lost when you rip away one of the defining elements of the book series.
Episode 1: Chiron is fired for different reasons.Rounding out the biggest changes from episode 1 is Chiron's (Glynn Turman) firing from Camp Half-Blood. In the show, he's fired because he's the son of Kronos, which makes the Greek gods wary about his allegiances. The book takes it a step farther: In The Sea of Monsters, Chiron's connection to Kronos makes him a prime suspect in the poisoning of Thalia's (Tamara Smart) tree. He's already fired by the time Luke poisons the tree in the show, though. Percy sees Luke attack the tree in person, furthering the animosity between the two.
Episode 2: Whoa, there's a lot of drama between Percy and Annabeth. Walker Scobell and Leah Sava Jeffries in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." Credit: Disney / David BukachPercabeth shippers, buckle up, because this episode delivers so much angst. Chiron reveals the Great Prophecy to Annabeth before telling her that she can't let Percy go on any quests. Cue Annabeth planning to sabotage Percy in the chariot race should it come down to the two of them. Later, she suggests she go on Clarisse's (Dior Goodjohn) quest for the Golden Fleece without Percy. All of this is new, and it's stressful, adding more distrust between the pair.
Despite all the new twists in how the quest comes together, the end result is the same: Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson set out for the Sea of Monsters. However, Percy and Annabeth are more at odds than ever before, setting a more adversarial tone for the quest ahead.
Episode 3: Percy Jackson and the Olympians shows off a different side of Clarisse. Dior Goodjohn in "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." Credit: Disney / David BukachEpisode 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 makes a few tweaks to Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson's encounter with Luke aboard the Princess Andromeda, getting new characters like Allison involved, and even having Tyson set off a bomb in totally badass fashion.
The biggest change in the episode, though, is that we get more of Clarisse's perspective as she sets out on her quest. We witness firsthand her trip to the Oracle, along with her father Ares (Adam Copeland) gifting her a ship and a zombie crew. Unlike in the book, these are losing soldiers from a vast variety of wars, as opposed to simply Confederate soldiers. For a number of reasons... good call, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
But Ares' gift is a double-edged sword. He immediately undermines her field experience to the soldiers and threatens Clarisse should she fail. Dad of the Year, he is not. That scene fuels Clarisse's insecurities heading into her mission, which only get worse as the soldiers repeatedly ignore her.
By the episode's end, though, she's won them over by promising them a place in Elysium once they die. Is this a check she can actually cash? I'm not sure yet. However, her rousing speech is proof of her burgeoning leadership skills. Plus, seeing Clarisse actually struggle with the beginning of her quest is something we don't get much of in The Sea of Monsters, beyond a tense conversation Percy overhears between her and Ares. That's one of the benefits of a TV adaptation that isn't a book narrated in first person: We get to take in other perspectives. As a result, Clarisse gets more layers this episode, and Goodjohn gets to truly shine as a more prominent member of Percy Jackson and the Olympians' ensemble.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 is now streaming on Disney+, with a new episode every week.
How to watch Christy: Is Sydney Sweeneys boxing movie streaming anywhere?
Despite having a messy year in the press, Sydney Sweeney is having a breakout year in film. In Christy, she took on her most challenging role yet. Not only did she gain 35 pounds and endure rigorous training to play a boxing legend, but she also completely disappeared into the role.
Directed by David Michôd and produced by Sweeney, Christy also stars Ben Foster (Sharp Corner), Merritt Wever (Severance), Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), and Jess Gabor (Shameless). If you skipped the theaters, but still want to watch it at home, here's what you need to know.
What is Christy about?Christy follows famous boxer Christy Martin (Sweeney) on her rise from small-town West Virginia nobody to the face of women's boxing. But while the world sees her tough exterior, fueled by grit and determination, she's fighting a much deeper battle behind the scenes. The biopic chronicles not only her legendary fights in the ring, but Martin's toughest battles outside it: domestic abuse, trauma, and sexual identity.
Check out the full official trailer for Christy:
Is Christy worth watching?Following its world premiere at 2025's Toronto International Film Festival, Christy earned some mixed reviews that skew more positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 66 percent critic rating and 96 percent audience rating at the time of writing.
Mashable's own movie critic had only negative things to say about it, calling the script "a mess, creating clumsy archetypes and hitting on Lifetime movie cliches with no self-awareness." But many others have praised Sweeney's performance and ability to disappear into the role. Jury's out on whether or not the film will receive any notable nods this awards season; if nothing else, we wouldn't be surprised to see Sweeney earn a nomination or two.
Check out Mashable's full review of Christy.
How to watch Christy at home Credit: Black Bear PicturesWhile there's no official streaming date yet for Christy, you still have a couple of different options for tuning in at home. We've broken down the details below.
Buy or rent on digitalAs of Dec. 9, Christy is available to purchase or rent on digital video-on-demand platforms. You can buy the movie for your digital library and watch it whenever you want or rent it for 30 days. Just note that you'll only have 48 hours to finish watching the rental once you begin.
You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:
Prime Video — buy for $19.99, rent for $14.99
Apple TV — buy for $19.99, rent for $14.99
Fandango at Home — buy for $19.99, rent for $14.99
Kaleidescape — buy for $19.99, rent for $14.95
As a Black Bear Pictures independent film, we're not sure exactly which streaming service will pick up Christy yet. We'll be tracking any new streaming details that pop up and will update this article as soon as we know. Until then, your best option is to rent or purchase the film via video-on-demand.
How to watch Christy: Is Sydney Sweeneys boxing movie streaming anywhere?
Despite having a messy year in the press, Sydney Sweeney is having a breakout year in film. In Christy, she took on her most challenging role yet. Not only did she gain 35 pounds and endure rigorous training to play a boxing legend, but she also completely disappeared into the role.
Directed by David Michôd and produced by Sweeney, Christy also stars Ben Foster (Sharp Corner), Merritt Wever (Severance), Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), and Jess Gabor (Shameless). If you skipped the theaters, but still want to watch it at home, here's what you need to know.
What is Christy about?Christy follows famous boxer Christy Martin (Sweeney) on her rise from small-town West Virginia nobody to the face of women's boxing. But while the world sees her tough exterior, fueled by grit and determination, she's fighting a much deeper battle behind the scenes. The biopic chronicles not only her legendary fights in the ring, but Martin's toughest battles outside it: domestic abuse, trauma, and sexual identity.
Check out the full official trailer for Christy:
Is Christy worth watching?Following its world premiere at 2025's Toronto International Film Festival, Christy earned some mixed reviews that skew more positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 66 percent critic rating and 96 percent audience rating at the time of writing.
Mashable's own movie critic had only negative things to say about it, calling the script "a mess, creating clumsy archetypes and hitting on Lifetime movie cliches with no self-awareness." But many others have praised Sweeney's performance and ability to disappear into the role. Jury's out on whether or not the film will receive any notable nods this awards season; if nothing else, we wouldn't be surprised to see Sweeney earn a nomination or two.
Check out Mashable's full review of Christy.
How to watch Christy at home Credit: Black Bear PicturesWhile there's no official streaming date yet for Christy, you still have a couple of different options for tuning in at home. We've broken down the details below.
Buy or rent on digitalAs of Dec. 9, Christy is available to purchase or rent on digital video-on-demand platforms. You can buy the movie for your digital library and watch it whenever you want or rent it for 30 days. Just note that you'll only have 48 hours to finish watching the rental once you begin.
You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:
Prime Video — buy for $19.99, rent for $14.99
Apple TV — buy for $19.99, rent for $14.99
Fandango at Home — buy for $19.99, rent for $14.99
Kaleidescape — buy for $19.99, rent for $14.95
As a Black Bear Pictures independent film, we're not sure exactly which streaming service will pick up Christy yet. We'll be tracking any new streaming details that pop up and will update this article as soon as we know. Until then, your best option is to rent or purchase the film via video-on-demand.
The 25 best movies of 2025, and where to stream them
2025 has been a stupendous year for cinema, whatever your tastes.
For action fans, Tom Cruise dazzled in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. The MCU returned with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*, respectively. Martial arts movie legends Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio joined forces with Ben Wang in the rousing Karate Kid: Legends. Jack Black's A Minecraft Movie has action scenes so bonkers it drove audiences absolutely wild. Then Paul Thomas Anderson awed critics and audiences alike with his epic action thriller One Battle After Another.
Horror movie fans were spoiled for choice when it came to excellent scares and sinister twists. With Mashable's best horror films of 2025, we celebrated the 25 best, ranging from eerie indies like Shelby Oaks and Good Boy to studio stunners like Bring Her Back, Weapons, and 28 Years Later.
When it came to comedy, stars like Keke Palmer, Ben Affleck, Keanu Reeves, Benicio del Toro, Pedro Pascal, and Liam Neeson had us howling with One of Them Days, The Accountant 2, Good Fortune, The Phoenician Scheme, The Materialists, and Naked Gun. Meanwhile, dramas like Hamnet, The Life of Chuck, Hedda, and Marty Supreme had us cheering and tearing up. And lovers of musicals got to swoon over Song Sung Blue, KPop Demon Hunters, Sinners, and Wicked: For Good.
And yet these genre labels fall short of properly capturing all the sensationally surprising things 2025 cinema brought us. As Mashable's entertainment team looked over the movies hitting so far this year, we found a lot of our favorites didn't snugly fit into one genre. They could best be described as post-apocalyptic rom-com, espionage family comedy, body horror fairy tale, political thriller/screwball comedy, and vampire historical drama/musical. But no matter how you categorize them, these films are absolutely awesome.
So with no further ado, here are the 25 best movies of 2025, and where you can watch them.
25. Die My LoveYou know that thing where a fiery — even feral — romance turns sour? That's the story at the center of Die My Love, the latest from We Need to Talk About Kevin helmer Lynne Ramsay. And as you might expect from this fantastic filmmaker, this drama pulls no punches as it explores domestic discomfort churning into fiery loathing.
Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson star as Grace and Jackson, a pregnant couple settling down in a fixer-upper home in a rural part of America. At first, Grace relishes her role as mother and the forest surroundings, which speak to her animalistic passions. But as her husband's work pulls him away, she grows lonely, resentful, and angry. While this film takes some dramatic turns, it works best as a showcase for Lawrence, whose performance shows her early fire still burns, but with a mature intensity.
In my review, I declared, "Grace's journey will make you squirm, perhaps cackle. But in her messy quest for something beyond being boxed in, she offers a radical freedom to her audience. In the discomfort of watching her bicker, battle, and act out, an excitement of possibility burns. Where could this lead, not just for her — but for us? Will you walk away from Die My Love rattled? Feeling recognized? Or dared to be reborn?" — K.P.
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, LaKeith Stanfield, Nick Nolte, and Sissy Spacek
How to watch: Die My Love is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
24. Mickey 17As follow-up to his Best Picture-winning Parasite, Bong Joon Ho delivered a scathing and silly political satire with Mickey 17.
Robert Pattinson stars as the eponymous protagonist, a low-level criminal who flees earth by taking a pretty brutal gig on a colonizing spaceship. He's an expendable, meaning a human test dummy who dies over and over only to be human printed again to, well, die again. Despite all these deaths, Mickey makes a cozy life for himself on the ship, falling for the tough-as-nails Nasha (Naomi Ackie). But their love life is thrown into a spin when human error leads to two Mickeys — 17 and 18 — existing at once. That's a threat to the snarling rich folk (Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette) who rule the ship. And, man, we haven't even gotten to the "creeper" aliens who live on the surface of the humans' new home world!
SEE ALSO: Toni Collette and Naomi Ackie on Bong Joon Ho's filmmaking process in 'Mickey 17'A film rich in plot and twists, Mickey 17 is a rollicking ride, mainly because its celebrated writer/director refuses to be predictable. The movie shifts tones and genres freely, reflecting the tumultuous life (or lives) of Mickey. And it's an absolutely mind-blowing blast. As I wrote in my review for Mashable, "The journey Mickey goes on is winding and wild, bucking the conventional flow of a sci-fi action movie by being only gently sci-fi and barely action. Instead, Mickey 17 plays as a political comedy with cross-genre flare, ultimately urging the audience to see the similarities, and perhaps find our own inner Mickey 17." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo
How to watch: Mickey 17 is now streaming on HBO Max.
23. ArcoFrench director Ugo Bienvenu's animated film Arco is part fanciful tale of rainbows, time travel, and childhood friendship, part climate change fable. It all kicks off when 10-year-old Arco (voiced by Juliano Valdi in the English-language dub) steals his sister's time-traveling cloak and journeys from 2932 to 2075. There, he becomes fast friends with young Iris (voiced by Romy Fay), and the two endeavor to get him home. The pair's efforts play out against a sobering backdrop of ecological disaster, creating a poignant portrait of a world in crisis, and the hopeful young souls who will inherit it.
With its climate change angle and unlikely friendships, Arco recalls two of 2024's animated standouts: Flow and The Wild Robot. But it also forges an identity of its own thanks to its stunning 2D animation, which plays like a combination of the styles of Jean Giraud (aka Mœbius) and the films of Studio Ghibli. As I wrote in my review, "In a mainstream animation landscape dominated by 3D-animated films, Arco's visuals are a testament to the enduring power of 2D work, as well as French filmmakers' commitment to the medium. If you love animation, run, don't walk — or better yet, fly by rainbow — to catch it." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Romy Fay, Juliano Krue Valdi, Natalie Portman, Will Ferrell, Andy Samberg, Flea, America Ferrera, and Mark Ruffalo
How to watch: Arco is coming soon to Apple TV.
22. Black BagBlack Bag marks the third collaboration between director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter David Koepp, the first being the riveting techno-thriller Kimi, and the second being the superbly unique haunted house movie Presence. Both creators relish the opportunity to shake up a genre. With this movie they do that to the espionage thriller, with Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender.
SEE ALSO: 'Presence's Steven Soderbergh and David Koepp on ghosts, horror, and hating winksWhen UK intelligence tells agent George Woodhouse (Fassbender) that his wife Kathryn (Blanchett) might be a turncoat, he does what any master spy might: He throws a dinner party, inviting all the suspected double agents. While Black Bag offers espionage standards like globe-trekking, covert surveillance, and lie detector tests, it's Koepp's dialogue over dinner that makes this movie absolutely electrifying. Soderberg's direction of a crackling cast makes the most of every cutting line.
In my review for Mashable, I was especially elated to see a portrayal or marriage that didn't fall into the tedious cliches of stagnation. I wrote, "As soon as Black Bag was over, I felt that dizzying high one gets from a proper spy thriller, the rush of vicarious adrenaline from the case cracked and the day saved. But I also had the deep urge to see this movie again immediately. Because as generous as the filmmaker and stars are with slathering this story in George and Kathryn's mutual attraction, I couldn't get enough. I wanted to go back to feel the thrill of their love for each other all over again." — K.P.
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan
How to watch: Black Bag is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.
21. The MastermindA story in two acts, Kelly Reichardt's autumnal art heist film The Mastermind is as far from Ocean's 11 as the genre can get. Set in Massachusetts in the '70s and based on the Worcester Art Museum robbery, the film leans on realism instead of glitz and action to explore why a person might decide to pluck a masterpiece from the wall of a public cultural institution. Here, the film's true gem is Josh O'Connor, whose magnetic, understated leading performance feels as worn-in as his character's collection of cozy sweaters.
The Challengers star plays middle-class family man and carpenter J.B. Mooney, whose unemployment weighs heavily on his conscience and his ability to provide for his wife Terri (Alana Haim) and young sons (Jasper and Sterling Thompson). So, he cases his town's main art gallery in order to steal four works by American modernist Arthur Dove, with his family in tow. However, it's just the first chapter in J.B.'s tale, as he's set for a rambling road trip through America amid the constant presence of the Vietnam War.
The Mastermind has been celebrated by critics, including myself, for Reichardt's ability to thread this tense historical context through the heist and comedy genres. As I wrote in my review, "There are no heist movie archetypes here, only crunchy leaves, modernist art, and bumbling realism. It's a combination worth the steal." — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Josh O'Connor, Alana Haim, Jasper Thompson, Sterling Thompson, Hope Davis, Bill Camp, John Magaro, Gaby Hoffmann, Cole Doman, Eli Gelb, Javion Allen
How to watch: The Mastermind is available for pre-order on Prime Video.
20. Song Sung Blue"Sometimes you just need a feel-good movie and a good tearjerker, and writer/director Craig Brewer delivers both with Song Sung Blue," I wrote in my review.
Based on the incredible true story of Lightning and Thunder, a Neil Diamond cover band out of Milwaukee, Song Sung Blue tells a story of love, music, and how both can help us overcome incredible tragedy. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson star as the married musical couple at the film's center. Together they craft electric chemistry, rousing song numbers, and a love story that hits with the force of a runaway car.
As I concluded in my review, "All this makes for a feel-good movie that can be jarringly intense, because the bad times can come out of nowhere. (C'est la vie!) But like a great Neil Diamond song, Song Sung Blue will find its way into your heart, where it will linger." — K.P.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Jayson Warner Smith, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi
How to watch: Song Sung Blue opens in theaters on Dec. 25.
19. KPop Demon HuntersOfficially the most popular Netflix original movie of all time, KPop Demon Hunters delivers a little bit of everything: romance, action, comedy, and a totally addictive soundtrack that's gone platinum.
Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans begin their enthralling musical with K-pop trio HUNTR/X, who, when they aren't making bops like "Golden," are battling demons to protect the very souls of their fans. But just as the girl group thinks they're on the verge of building an impenetrable barrier with their songs, the demons fight back with a boy band of their own.
SEE ALSO: 'KPop Demon Hunters' stars Arden Cho and May Hong react to fans' TikTok videosThe Saja Boys are comically hot, delivering smooth moves, devious plans, and plenty of slapstick. Plus, they've got a tiger who is cute, creepy, and silly to boot! Whether it's the martial arts action sequences, the swoon-worthy song-and-dance numbers, or the cheeky sense of humor that's grabbed fans of all ages, KPop Demon Hunters is sure to thrill again and again. And hey, there's a sing-along version too. What more could we ask for? How about a sequel?* — K.P.
Starring: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun
How to watch: KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.
18. It Was Just an AccidentIranian director Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident picked up the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, and it's not hard to see why. Part revenge odyssey, part oddball road trip, the film is a unique rallying cry against authoritarianism.
It Was Just an Accident introduces mechanic Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri), who kidnaps a customer of his (Ebrahim Azizi), believing him to be the soldier who tortured him in prison. He's not entirely sure he has the right man, though, prompting him to reunite with his fellow prisoners in order to determine whether he's correct. The ensuing investigation proves darkly funny and unnerving, as Vahid and his motley crew ponder what to do with the man who caused them so much pain — if he even is the right man. And if he is, what then? Would their vengeance be justified, or would it be more of the same kind of cruelty they endured in prison?
The story behind It Was Just an Accident is just as remarkable as the film itself. The Iranian regime has arrested Panahi in the past and banned him from traveling and making movies, although he continued to do so in secret. It Was Just an Accident is his first film following the lifting of the ban, but even then, he shot it covertly, adding an extra layer of urgency to the film's blistering portrayal of how authoritarianism stifles the lives of everyone living under it. — B.E.
Starring: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr, Afssaneh Najmabadi, and George Hashemzadeh
How to watch: It Was Just an Accident is available for pre-order on Prime Video.
17. No Other ChoiceBoasting a corporate jargon title long-deployed to evade responsibility, Park Chan-wook's anti-capitalist parable No Other Choice might feel a little too real to those burned by the job market. This wicked social commentary is one of the director's most comedic films to date, but that doesn't mean it's not dark as hell.
Based on Donald E. Westlake's 1997 novel The Ax and written by Park, Lee Kyoung-mi, Jahye Lee, and Don McKellar, the film follows hardworking paper company employee Yoo Man-soo (an outstanding Lee Byung-hun), who gets the chop in a merciless company restructure. With his family to provide for, including his wife Mi-ri (Crash Landing on You's Son Ye-jin) and two kids, Man-soo scrambles to find a job — and when the perfect opportunity comes along, he takes drastic measures to ensure he'll land it.
Critics praised No Other Choice for its moral ambiguity and biting social satire. As I wrote in my own review, "As a viewer, we're simultaneously rooting for Man-soo and unnerved by his capacity for calculated manipulation and murder. No Other Choice poses the question: Would you kill for the life you want? In fact, the film doesn't even ask it, instead presenting a man believing himself forced into making such a decision due to cold, hard corporate strategy. It's out of his hands." — S.C.
Starring: Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran
How to watch: No Other Choice opens in theaters on Dec. 25.
16. The Ugly Stepsister2025 is proving a great year for great horror movies, kicking off with The Ugly Stepsister out of the Sundance Film Festival. This twisted fairytale plays like the grubby baby of Wicked and The Substance. Hear me out.
This gnarly body-horror movie reimagines Cinderella by focusing on the heroine's much-maligned stepsister Elvira (Lea Myren). Writer/director Emilie Blichfeldt delivers not only a deeply empathetic tale of a young girl grappling with a princely crush, sibling rivalry, and crippling societal pressures to conform to cruel beauty standards, but also the grisly scenes to back up its social critique. This one isn't for the faint of stomach.
SEE ALSO: 'Sinners,' 'Black Mirror,' and 'The Ugly Stepsister': Film critics weigh in on what's worth watching and what's skippableIn my review for Mashable out of Sundance, I cheered, "The Ugly Stepsister is a deranged and dizzying achievement, folding in a classic story with a bitingly modern satire and bold body horror. Blichfeldt weaves these elements together to make a film that feels both of this moment and aesthetically nostalgic... And yet, her journey, as gross and grim as it is, is threaded with a ribbon of exhilaration, rebellion, and even defiant joy. Simply put, The Ugly Stepsister is savagely brutal and yet strangely beautiful."* — K.P.
Starring: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, Flo Fagerli, Isac Calmroth, and Malte Gårdinger
How to watch: The Ugly Stepsister is now streaming on Hulu and is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
15. The Life of ChuckWhen people think of the works of Mike Flanagan (The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass) or Stephen King, they don't usually think life-affirming stories. But The Life of Chuck will change that.
Based on a King novella, this genre-bending wonder is post-apocalyptic thriller meets feel-good coming-of-age drama meets ghost story. And yet, it's more! Tom Hiddleston stars as Chuck Krantz, whose life, at a glance, might be considered average. But in this rapturous movie, filled with a wonderful ensemble cast, King and Flanagan weave a tale of love, loss, and dance that's sure to enthrall audiences.
SEE ALSO: Every single Stephen King movie adaptation, rankedIn Mashable's review out of the film's Toronto International Film Festival premiere, I cheered, "The Life of Chuck is masterfully told. Like King's most moving adaptations, it doesn't play by standard rules of structure or audience expectations. It demands we follow the winding road through playful dialogue, painful lows, and rollicking highs to an unknown beyond. It's surprising and upsetting, funny and profound. I laughed hard, cried 'til my eyes ached, and once gasped so loud that I heard it echo across a theater struck silent by a moment both shocking and tender."* — K.P.
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tom Hiddleston, Annalise Basso, Benjamin Pajak, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Matthew Lillard, Carl Lumbly, Samantha Sloyan, Harvey Guillén, Jacob Tremblay, Kate Siegel, and Mark Hamill
How to watch: The Life of Chuck is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.
14. BunnyAfter Hours. Do the Right Thing. In the Heights. When Harry Met Sally. They're movies with very different plots and vibes, and yet all are definitively New York. Now the canon of exceptionally New York movies has grown, thanks to Bunny.
The directorial debut of Ben Jacobson, Bunny centers on an East Village tenement resident (Mo Stark) whose very bad birthday is a tapestry of chaos, community, and characters that are undeniably the fabric of New York City. Like the iconic cinema listed above, Bunny channels the energy of this great city, while also embracing its funkier elements. This fantastic, funny, and surprising indie is also an unapologetic and unsentimental love letter to New York.* — K.P.
Starring: Mo Stark, Ben Jacobson, Liza Colby, Anthony Drazan, Linda Rong Mei Chen, Genevieve Hudson-Price, Eleonore Hendricks, Kia Warren, Richard Price, and Henry Czerny
How to watch: Bunny is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
13. Jay Kelly"George Clooney delivers one of the best comedic performances of his career in Jay Kelly," I wrote in my NYFF review of Noah Baumbach's latest.
In a bit of masterful casting, Baumbach has Clooney play a world-famous movie star who is unflappably charming and a bit of a buffoon. Thus, when Jay Kelly (Clooney) is faced with a mid-life crisis, he orders his entourage to follow him on an impromptu European tour, where he hopes to find solace in his cinematic legacy while reconnecting with his daughters. This makes for an ensemble comedy that's as hilarious and smart as it is star-stuffed. As I concluded in my review, "In the end, Jay Kelly is a clever crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to amuse and make you think." — K.P.
Starring: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, and Greta Gerwig
How to watch: Jay Kelly is now streaming on Netflix.
12. Sorry, BabySince its debut at Sundance last January, critics have been raving about Sorry, Baby, championing the uniquely bristling comedy of writer/director/leading lady Eva Victor in her debut feature.
The internet-famous comedian reinvents herself with a touching tale of a grad student named Agnes (Victor), who's struggling to cope after a bad thing happens to her. What's the bad thing? And how does it shape this challenging but charming movie? In my review out of Sundance 2025, I dig into all that, so check that article for trigger warnings/spoilers.
What you need to know now is: "Bittersweet, brilliant, and heartwarmingly funny, Sorry, Baby is a movie that is sure to find an audience beyond Sundance. And not just because A24 is a master of marketing offbeat cinema, but because Victor has a voice that is strong, strange, and demands to be heard."* — K.P.
Starring: Eva Victor, Naomi Ackie, Louis Cancelmi, Kelly McCormack, Lucas Hedges, and John Carroll Lynch
How to watch: Sorry, Baby is now streaming on HBO Max.
11. BugoniaThe dynamic duo of Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone reunite with their tin foil hats on for Bugonia, a brilliant, complex conspiracy caper that will put you in a perpetual state of flux and doubt.
A remake of Jang Joon-hwan's Save the Green Planet! with a script by The Menu's Will Tracy, Bugonia sends us into the conspiracy theory twilight zone with Teddy, a bike-riding beekeeper played by Stone and Lanthimos' Kinds of Kindness collaborator Jesse Plemons. His theory? The world's pitiful state is due to a covert alien race living among us, one of which is buzzword-dropping big pharma CEO Michelle Fuller (Stone). So, Teddy ropes in his young cousin Don (Aidan Delbis) to kidnap Michelle and extract the truth. From here, the film plunges Teddy and Michelle into a brutal, uncomfortably timely tête-à-tête about humanity, capitalist greed, class politics, and whether the human race is actually worth saving.
SEE ALSO: Emma Stone reveals how 'Good Luck, Babe' wound up in 'Bugonia'Critics have been divided on Bugonia, especially around the bleak barrage of topics the characters wade through. Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko writes in her review, "Bugonia, despite having a sensational cast and clear vision for its world, lacks profundity in its smorgasbord of hot topics. Environmentalism, oligarchy, the manosphere, healthcare for profit — all of these make for a dizzying brew from which Teddy and Michelle arise on opposing sides." Thankfully, Stone and Plemons deliver such subjects with formidable, hilarious, and dark performances and an ample helping of Chappell Roan. — S.C.
Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Alicia Silverstone, Stavros Halkias
How to watch: Bugonia is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.
10. Marty SupremeTimothée Chalamet is on fire in Mary Supreme, which at first glance might look like a sports drama. But under its greasy and gritty surface, it's much, much more.
Co-written and directed by Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme takes the true story of a charismatic ping-pong player and makes it the stuff of New York legends. Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, a skilled pro table tennis player whose mouth is regularly writing checks his ass can't cash. Though set in the 1950s, Safdie chooses an '80s soundtrack of synth pop that makes Marty feel like an anti-hero ahead of his time, with a hustle and frenetic energy better suited to an era of big egos and bigger ambitions. Chalamet and an incredible ensemble build on this energy to the point where at times, as in Safdie's Uncut Gems, Marty Supreme can feel like a masterfully orchestrated panic attack.
As I roared in my review, "This zinging dialogue, racing score, and electric cast collide to create cinema that celebrates New York, while recognizing its warts with a bleeding grin. All of this makes Marty Supreme an unusual crowdpleaser. Full of wild humor and shocking turns, it has its audience in a chokehold of tension and surprise, rarely letting up for us to breathe. And yet, what a thrill to be breathless." — K.P.
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara, and Fran Drescher
How to watch: Marty Supreme opens in theaters on Dec. 25.
9. HamnetAcademy Award–winning director Chloé Zhao finds herself back in the awards race thanks to Hamnet, an exquisite historical drama that offers up a different look at the life of William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal). Based on the novel by Maggie O'Farrell, who co-wrote the screenplay with Zhao, Hamnet's focus isn't really on the Bard. Instead, it's on his wife Agnes (a stellar Jessie Buckley), whose connection to nature and strange visions defy convention. But when Agnes and her husband lose their youngest son Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), the pair weather their grief in vastly different ways, resulting in the kind of film the word "heart-wrenching" was invented for.
SEE ALSO: Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley reveal the real surprise in 'Hamnet'Poised to wring every last ounce of water from your tear ducts, Hamnet charts its own bold course away from other Shakespeare-adjacent films. As Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "Not only does Zhao reject the temptations of glossy Hollywood biopics, but also the regal romance or cerebral theatricality of a barrage of Oscar-adored Shakespeare adaptations, from a handful of intense Hamlets to The Tragedy of Macbeth to the winsome Shakespeare in Love. Her Shakespeare and company are more feral, bringing this historic tragedy fresh blood and true grit." — B.E.
Starring: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, and Joe Alwyn
How to watch: Hamnet is now in theaters.
8. The BaltimoronsNo movie this year has hit me quite like The Baltimorons. A scrappy indie written by director Jay Duplass and the film's star Michael Strassner, this is a comedy that offers a masterful blend of feel-bad and feel-good. Because to truly appreciate the sweet, you need the salty.
SEE ALSO: 'The Baltimorons' creators play 'Say Action' with hilarious resultsStrassner stars as Baltimore native Cliff Cashen, an improv comedian who's having a comically bad Christmas Eve. It all begins with a broken tooth that sends him on a hasty quest for a dentist who'll work a holiday. That's how he meets Dr. Didi (Liz Larsen), a no-nonsense DDS who doesn't find Cliff's constant jokes nearly as funny as he does. But as the holiday delivers blows to both these strangers, they begin to form a beautiful bond. Shenanigans silly and sometimes lightly criminal will follow. And along the way, Strassner and Larsen shine, an odd couple hilarious and humane.
In my review out of SXSW, I proclaimed, "The feel-good movie of 2025 has arrived." And I stand by it. — K.P.
Starring: Michael Strassner, Liz Larsen, and Olivia Luccardi
How to watch: The Baltimorons is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
7. The Ballad of Wallis IslandYou might have missed this feel-good movie when it hit theaters, but don't sleep on the chance to enjoy it at home. Perhaps while wearing a cozy sweater to be lavish in comfort.
Written and starring Tom Basden and Tim Key, this Focus Features gem imagines what would happen if a lonely but lovely folk-rock fan won the lottery. In The Ballad of Wallis Island, Charles (Key), who lives on the remote island, uses heaps of cash to reunite his favorite band, McGwyer Mortimer. There's just one problem. This folk duo — made up of Herb McGwyer (Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) — weren't just a band, but also a couple, who broke up hard. So, this reunion concert is socially awkward, to say the least.
Adapted from an award-winning short film Basden and Key made with director James Griffiths, The Ballad of Wallis Island creates an enveloping village atmosphere. Then it plops down a flailing rock star and his chipper ex to create some sparks and lots of laughs. In my review out of SXSW 2025, I cheered, "The Ballad of Wallis Island is not only deeply charming and laugh-out-loud funny for all its social foibles and comedy duo banter, but it's also cathartic....as Basden and Key strike their final chord of this masterfully charted comedy, you feel it reverberate warmly in your heart, carrying you out of the theater with a song still playing there." — K.P.
Starring: Tim Key, Tom Basden, Sian Clifford, Akemnji Ndifornyen, and Carey Mulligan
How to watch: The Ballad of Wallis Island is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
6. 28 Years Later23 years ago, director Danny Boyle rewrote the rules of zombie movies with his hit thriller 28 Days Later. This year, he reteamed with the first film's screenwriter, Alex Garland, to resurrect this frightening franchise with a sequel that basically shrugs off Juan Carlos Fresnadillo's schlocky follow-up 28 Weeks Later. And we're elated for it.
28 Years Later evolves this film series in ways both epic and gloriously horrifying. Centered on the coming-of-age of an adolescent boy named Spike (Alfie Williams) in a post-apocalyptic Scotland, this sequel delivers heart-wrenching family drama, intriguing lore, and a harrowing evolution of the infected persons, including monstrous beasts known as Alphas. Perhaps the scariest single sequence of 2025 is when this towering terror races after Spike and his desperate dad (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), while a gorgeous twilight shines behind them. Its beauty in contrast to their peril reflects the indifference of the wider world, which has left the UK to fend for themselves against these marauding monsters.
Rich with earnest and intense performances, jaw-dropping gore, and nerve-shredding tension, 28 Years Later isn't just an epic horror film — it counts as cardio. — K.P.
Starring: Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and Jack O’Connell
How to watch: 28 Years Later is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Pee-wee as HimselfBetween Pee-wee's Playhouse and Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Pee-wee Herman was an '80s icon adored by kids and grown-ups alike. But a scandal in 1991 brought Paul Reubens, the man behind the children's show, into a cruel tabloid spotlight. Since then, Reubens had rebuilt his reputation and broadened his career, appearing in movies like Mystery Men, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Matilda. But the scorch of scandal kept Reubens reluctant to be open with the public about his life and loves — that is, until documentarian Matt Wolf began collaborating with the comedian for Pee-wee as Himself.
SEE ALSO: Say More: R.L. Stine on 'Fear Street: Prom Queen' and Matt Wolf on 'Pee-wee as Himself'Though Reubens died of cancer before the film was wrapped, Wolf has built an empathetic and comprehensive portrait of the man, the artist, and the enigma. Told in two parts, this HBO documentary explores not only Reuben's inspirations for his most popular character, but also his queerness, and why he chose to go back into the closet to pursue a career in Hollywood.
In my review out of Sundance, I wrote, "Pee-wee as Himself is not a simple love letter to the iconic character or Reubens. That would suggest Wolf goes easy on either, fawning over them without reservation. This is something greater...Thought-provoking, boldly funny, and emotionally riveting, Pee-wee as Himself is [Reuben's] gift to us as grown-ups, as it reveals how hard that lesson can be, and how we must keep pushing ourselves to learn it." — K.P.
Starring: Paul Reubens, Lynne Marie Stewart, Laurence Fishburne, Natasha Lyonne, Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira: Mistress of the Dark), Debi Mazar, and David Arquette
How to watch: Pee-wee as Himself is now streaming on HBO Max.
Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.
4. FrankensteinFrankenstein is the monster movie Guillermo del Toro was born to make. The heralded filmmaker behind Pan's Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, and the Oscar–winning wonder of The Shape of Water poured his heart and soul into this stirring adaptation of Mary Shelley's landmark 1818 novel. Pulling from his passion for monsters and from his personal life, del Toro makes this not just a story of mankind and monsters but also fathers and sons.
Oscar Isaac stars as the titular doctor, a mad scientist determined to overcome his childhood trauma of losing his mother (Mia Goth) by resurrecting an exquisite corpse (Jacob Elordi). However, this creature proves more than a science project or a pet. He yearns to grow, to learn, and to love. But in a world that cannot understand him, his quest will be violent and heartbreaking.
In my review out of TIFF, I proclaimed, "As a whole, del Toro's Frankenstein is a marvel. His vision is clear and mesmerizing. His ensemble is electrifying. His adaptation is unique, soulful, and unforgettable. The man who loves monsters has just made his masterpiece: It's rich, rapturous, and ruthlessly interrogates what it means to be human, with all of our glory and our flaws." — K.P.
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz
How to watch: Frankenstein is now streaming on Netflix.
3. HeddaWe fell hard for Hedda. Writer/director Nia DaCosta reimagined Henrik Ibsen's classic anti-heroine Hedda Gabler as a queer Black intellectual, enraged by the confines of a predominantly white, straight, and patriarchal society in 1950s England. Tess Thompson, who's previously worked with DaCosta in Little Woods and The Marvels, is not just radiant in the title role, but burns so ferociously with passion, rage, and regret that it's a mesmerizing marvel to watch her Hedda sow chaos and social carnage.
Nina Hoss, as Hedda's gender-flipped love interest Eileen Lovborg, is entrancing from her first entrance. Their chemistry is not only captivating but also volatile. Even if you know where Ibsen's story goes, DaCosta's bold take reveals new angles, fresh energy, and a lustiness that is almost smothering. Cheers to composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, who fuels this fevered atmosphere with a score made up of human groans and heavy breathing.
SEE ALSO: 'Hedda's Tessa Thompson, Nia DaCosta, and Nina Hoss reveal the secrets to that sexy entranceAs I raved in my review out of Hedda's TIFF premiere, "Sumptuous, hot, and challenging, this is a drama of love, sex, and regret that burns like a shot of whisky, so good you'll want to go at it again." — K.P.
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Imogen Poots, Tom Bateman, Nicholas Pinnock, and Nina Hoss
How to watch: Hedda is now streaming on Prime Video.
2. One Battle After AnotherPaul Thomas Anderson returned to theaters with a truly epic father-daughter story. As I wrote in my review, "One Battle After Another is sure to be one of the most critically heralded movies of the year. On paper, that might seem obvious. This film is written and directed by 11-time Academy Award nominee Paul Thomas Anderson, maker of Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Inherent Vice, Phantom Thread, and Licorice Pizza. True to Anderson's form, it boasts a compelling ensemble cast that includes big names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor, as well as incendiary new talent Chase Infiniti. And on some level, it's inspired by a dense novel, Thomas Pynchon's Vineland. But don't let the wild praise make you think you know what to expect."
Beyond being a political thriller about a former revolutionary (DiCaprio) flailing to protect his teen daughter (brilliant newcomer Chase Infiniti) from a menacing military antagonist (Sean Penn), One Battle After Another is also a comedy about parenthood. Action scenes that are truly dizzying are followed by slapstick and almost vaudevillian banter between rebels and a shady white supremacists called the "Christmas Adventurers." The result is a film that, even at two hours and 50 minutes, flies by, thrilling audiences while tugging at our heartstrings and giving some sharp satire to our current socio-political climate. Rarely has a movie with so much to say been so damned entertaining. — K.P.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti
How to watch: One Battle After Another is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
1. SinnersNot just one of the best horror movies of 2025, but one of the best movies of 2025 full stop, Sinners is a celebration of genre and cinema. Writer/director Ryan Coogler reimagined vampire lore as a way to explore what it means to be young, Black, and gifted in America.
Michael B. Jordan stars as the Smokestack Twins, Black gangsters turned juke joint proprietors whose opening night is crashed by a vicious white vampire (Jack O'Connell) thirsty for the blood of their magical bluesman, Sammie (Miles Caton in a jaw-dropping debut). The character-building in this 1932-set period piece is rich, developing emotional plotlines of love, loss, and injustice. Supporting cast like Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo had audiences cheering — in packed 70mm IMAX theaters and online. So, by the time O'Connell shows up, you might have been so entranced by this deep Southern drama you'd forgotten vampires were even going to be a part of it. But he proves to be a unique and mesmerizing monster, earning awe and screams in equal measure.
Critics praised the epic scope Coogler applied to his genre-fluid drama — which might be a horror musical. In my review of the film, I wrote, "Sinners is more than a hell of a thrilling vampire movie. Like Black Panther, it expands beyond the expectations of its genre to become a magnificent film, emanating with spirit, power, and purpose. Smoothly blending vampire horror into a unique tale of regret, resilience, and redemption, Coogler and Jordan have made a cinematic marvel that is terrifying, satisfying, and unforgettable." — K.P.
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Yao, Lola Kirke, and Delroy Lindo
How to watch: Sinners is now streaming on HBO Max, and available for rent or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.
The 25 best movies of 2025, and where to stream them
2025 has been a stupendous year for cinema, whatever your tastes.
For action fans, Tom Cruise dazzled in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. The MCU returned with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*, respectively. Martial arts movie legends Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio joined forces with Ben Wang in the rousing Karate Kid: Legends. Jack Black's A Minecraft Movie has action scenes so bonkers it drove audiences absolutely wild. Then Paul Thomas Anderson awed critics and audiences alike with his epic action thriller One Battle After Another.
Horror movie fans were spoiled for choice when it came to excellent scares and sinister twists. With Mashable's best horror films of 2025, we celebrated the 25 best, ranging from eerie indies like Shelby Oaks and Good Boy to studio stunners like Bring Her Back, Weapons, and 28 Years Later.
When it came to comedy, stars like Keke Palmer, Ben Affleck, Keanu Reeves, Benicio del Toro, Pedro Pascal, and Liam Neeson had us howling with One of Them Days, The Accountant 2, Good Fortune, The Phoenician Scheme, The Materialists, and Naked Gun. Meanwhile, dramas like Hamnet, The Life of Chuck, Hedda, and Marty Supreme had us cheering and tearing up. And lovers of musicals got to swoon over Song Sung Blue, KPop Demon Hunters, Sinners, and Wicked: For Good.
And yet these genre labels fall short of properly capturing all the sensationally surprising things 2025 cinema brought us. As Mashable's entertainment team looked over the movies hitting so far this year, we found a lot of our favorites didn't snugly fit into one genre. They could best be described as post-apocalyptic rom-com, espionage family comedy, body horror fairy tale, political thriller/screwball comedy, and vampire historical drama/musical. But no matter how you categorize them, these films are absolutely awesome.
So with no further ado, here are the 25 best movies of 2025, and where you can watch them.
25. Die My LoveYou know that thing where a fiery — even feral — romance turns sour? That's the story at the center of Die My Love, the latest from We Need to Talk About Kevin helmer Lynne Ramsay. And as you might expect from this fantastic filmmaker, this drama pulls no punches as it explores domestic discomfort churning into fiery loathing.
Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson star as Grace and Jackson, a pregnant couple settling down in a fixer-upper home in a rural part of America. At first, Grace relishes her role as mother and the forest surroundings, which speak to her animalistic passions. But as her husband's work pulls him away, she grows lonely, resentful, and angry. While this film takes some dramatic turns, it works best as a showcase for Lawrence, whose performance shows her early fire still burns, but with a mature intensity.
In my review, I declared, "Grace's journey will make you squirm, perhaps cackle. But in her messy quest for something beyond being boxed in, she offers a radical freedom to her audience. In the discomfort of watching her bicker, battle, and act out, an excitement of possibility burns. Where could this lead, not just for her — but for us? Will you walk away from Die My Love rattled? Feeling recognized? Or dared to be reborn?" — K.P.
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, LaKeith Stanfield, Nick Nolte, and Sissy Spacek
How to watch: Die My Love is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
24. Mickey 17As follow-up to his Best Picture-winning Parasite, Bong Joon Ho delivered a scathing and silly political satire with Mickey 17.
Robert Pattinson stars as the eponymous protagonist, a low-level criminal who flees earth by taking a pretty brutal gig on a colonizing spaceship. He's an expendable, meaning a human test dummy who dies over and over only to be human printed again to, well, die again. Despite all these deaths, Mickey makes a cozy life for himself on the ship, falling for the tough-as-nails Nasha (Naomi Ackie). But their love life is thrown into a spin when human error leads to two Mickeys — 17 and 18 — existing at once. That's a threat to the snarling rich folk (Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette) who rule the ship. And, man, we haven't even gotten to the "creeper" aliens who live on the surface of the humans' new home world!
SEE ALSO: Toni Collette and Naomi Ackie on Bong Joon Ho's filmmaking process in 'Mickey 17'A film rich in plot and twists, Mickey 17 is a rollicking ride, mainly because its celebrated writer/director refuses to be predictable. The movie shifts tones and genres freely, reflecting the tumultuous life (or lives) of Mickey. And it's an absolutely mind-blowing blast. As I wrote in my review for Mashable, "The journey Mickey goes on is winding and wild, bucking the conventional flow of a sci-fi action movie by being only gently sci-fi and barely action. Instead, Mickey 17 plays as a political comedy with cross-genre flare, ultimately urging the audience to see the similarities, and perhaps find our own inner Mickey 17." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo
How to watch: Mickey 17 is now streaming on HBO Max.
23. ArcoFrench director Ugo Bienvenu's animated film Arco is part fanciful tale of rainbows, time travel, and childhood friendship, part climate change fable. It all kicks off when 10-year-old Arco (voiced by Juliano Valdi in the English-language dub) steals his sister's time-traveling cloak and journeys from 2932 to 2075. There, he becomes fast friends with young Iris (voiced by Romy Fay), and the two endeavor to get him home. The pair's efforts play out against a sobering backdrop of ecological disaster, creating a poignant portrait of a world in crisis, and the hopeful young souls who will inherit it.
With its climate change angle and unlikely friendships, Arco recalls two of 2024's animated standouts: Flow and The Wild Robot. But it also forges an identity of its own thanks to its stunning 2D animation, which plays like a combination of the styles of Jean Giraud (aka Mœbius) and the films of Studio Ghibli. As I wrote in my review, "In a mainstream animation landscape dominated by 3D-animated films, Arco's visuals are a testament to the enduring power of 2D work, as well as French filmmakers' commitment to the medium. If you love animation, run, don't walk — or better yet, fly by rainbow — to catch it." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Romy Fay, Juliano Krue Valdi, Natalie Portman, Will Ferrell, Andy Samberg, Flea, America Ferrera, and Mark Ruffalo
How to watch: Arco is coming soon to Apple TV.
22. Black BagBlack Bag marks the third collaboration between director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter David Koepp, the first being the riveting techno-thriller Kimi, and the second being the superbly unique haunted house movie Presence. Both creators relish the opportunity to shake up a genre. With this movie they do that to the espionage thriller, with Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender.
SEE ALSO: 'Presence's Steven Soderbergh and David Koepp on ghosts, horror, and hating winksWhen UK intelligence tells agent George Woodhouse (Fassbender) that his wife Kathryn (Blanchett) might be a turncoat, he does what any master spy might: He throws a dinner party, inviting all the suspected double agents. While Black Bag offers espionage standards like globe-trekking, covert surveillance, and lie detector tests, it's Koepp's dialogue over dinner that makes this movie absolutely electrifying. Soderberg's direction of a crackling cast makes the most of every cutting line.
In my review for Mashable, I was especially elated to see a portrayal or marriage that didn't fall into the tedious cliches of stagnation. I wrote, "As soon as Black Bag was over, I felt that dizzying high one gets from a proper spy thriller, the rush of vicarious adrenaline from the case cracked and the day saved. But I also had the deep urge to see this movie again immediately. Because as generous as the filmmaker and stars are with slathering this story in George and Kathryn's mutual attraction, I couldn't get enough. I wanted to go back to feel the thrill of their love for each other all over again." — K.P.
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan
How to watch: Black Bag is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.
21. The MastermindA story in two acts, Kelly Reichardt's autumnal art heist film The Mastermind is as far from Ocean's 11 as the genre can get. Set in Massachusetts in the '70s and based on the Worcester Art Museum robbery, the film leans on realism instead of glitz and action to explore why a person might decide to pluck a masterpiece from the wall of a public cultural institution. Here, the film's true gem is Josh O'Connor, whose magnetic, understated leading performance feels as worn-in as his character's collection of cozy sweaters.
The Challengers star plays middle-class family man and carpenter J.B. Mooney, whose unemployment weighs heavily on his conscience and his ability to provide for his wife Terri (Alana Haim) and young sons (Jasper and Sterling Thompson). So, he cases his town's main art gallery in order to steal four works by American modernist Arthur Dove, with his family in tow. However, it's just the first chapter in J.B.'s tale, as he's set for a rambling road trip through America amid the constant presence of the Vietnam War.
The Mastermind has been celebrated by critics, including myself, for Reichardt's ability to thread this tense historical context through the heist and comedy genres. As I wrote in my review, "There are no heist movie archetypes here, only crunchy leaves, modernist art, and bumbling realism. It's a combination worth the steal." — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Josh O'Connor, Alana Haim, Jasper Thompson, Sterling Thompson, Hope Davis, Bill Camp, John Magaro, Gaby Hoffmann, Cole Doman, Eli Gelb, Javion Allen
How to watch: The Mastermind is available for pre-order on Prime Video.
20. Song Sung Blue"Sometimes you just need a feel-good movie and a good tearjerker, and writer/director Craig Brewer delivers both with Song Sung Blue," I wrote in my review.
Based on the incredible true story of Lightning and Thunder, a Neil Diamond cover band out of Milwaukee, Song Sung Blue tells a story of love, music, and how both can help us overcome incredible tragedy. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson star as the married musical couple at the film's center. Together they craft electric chemistry, rousing song numbers, and a love story that hits with the force of a runaway car.
As I concluded in my review, "All this makes for a feel-good movie that can be jarringly intense, because the bad times can come out of nowhere. (C'est la vie!) But like a great Neil Diamond song, Song Sung Blue will find its way into your heart, where it will linger." — K.P.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Jayson Warner Smith, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi
How to watch: Song Sung Blue opens in theaters on Dec. 25.
19. KPop Demon HuntersOfficially the most popular Netflix original movie of all time, KPop Demon Hunters delivers a little bit of everything: romance, action, comedy, and a totally addictive soundtrack that's gone platinum.
Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans begin their enthralling musical with K-pop trio HUNTR/X, who, when they aren't making bops like "Golden," are battling demons to protect the very souls of their fans. But just as the girl group thinks they're on the verge of building an impenetrable barrier with their songs, the demons fight back with a boy band of their own.
SEE ALSO: 'KPop Demon Hunters' stars Arden Cho and May Hong react to fans' TikTok videosThe Saja Boys are comically hot, delivering smooth moves, devious plans, and plenty of slapstick. Plus, they've got a tiger who is cute, creepy, and silly to boot! Whether it's the martial arts action sequences, the swoon-worthy song-and-dance numbers, or the cheeky sense of humor that's grabbed fans of all ages, KPop Demon Hunters is sure to thrill again and again. And hey, there's a sing-along version too. What more could we ask for? How about a sequel?* — K.P.
Starring: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun
How to watch: KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.
18. It Was Just an AccidentIranian director Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident picked up the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, and it's not hard to see why. Part revenge odyssey, part oddball road trip, the film is a unique rallying cry against authoritarianism.
It Was Just an Accident introduces mechanic Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri), who kidnaps a customer of his (Ebrahim Azizi), believing him to be the soldier who tortured him in prison. He's not entirely sure he has the right man, though, prompting him to reunite with his fellow prisoners in order to determine whether he's correct. The ensuing investigation proves darkly funny and unnerving, as Vahid and his motley crew ponder what to do with the man who caused them so much pain — if he even is the right man. And if he is, what then? Would their vengeance be justified, or would it be more of the same kind of cruelty they endured in prison?
The story behind It Was Just an Accident is just as remarkable as the film itself. The Iranian regime has arrested Panahi in the past and banned him from traveling and making movies, although he continued to do so in secret. It Was Just an Accident is his first film following the lifting of the ban, but even then, he shot it covertly, adding an extra layer of urgency to the film's blistering portrayal of how authoritarianism stifles the lives of everyone living under it. — B.E.
Starring: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr, Afssaneh Najmabadi, and George Hashemzadeh
How to watch: It Was Just an Accident is available for pre-order on Prime Video.
17. No Other ChoiceBoasting a corporate jargon title long-deployed to evade responsibility, Park Chan-wook's anti-capitalist parable No Other Choice might feel a little too real to those burned by the job market. This wicked social commentary is one of the director's most comedic films to date, but that doesn't mean it's not dark as hell.
Based on Donald E. Westlake's 1997 novel The Ax and written by Park, Lee Kyoung-mi, Jahye Lee, and Don McKellar, the film follows hardworking paper company employee Yoo Man-soo (an outstanding Lee Byung-hun), who gets the chop in a merciless company restructure. With his family to provide for, including his wife Mi-ri (Crash Landing on You's Son Ye-jin) and two kids, Man-soo scrambles to find a job — and when the perfect opportunity comes along, he takes drastic measures to ensure he'll land it.
Critics praised No Other Choice for its moral ambiguity and biting social satire. As I wrote in my own review, "As a viewer, we're simultaneously rooting for Man-soo and unnerved by his capacity for calculated manipulation and murder. No Other Choice poses the question: Would you kill for the life you want? In fact, the film doesn't even ask it, instead presenting a man believing himself forced into making such a decision due to cold, hard corporate strategy. It's out of his hands." — S.C.
Starring: Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran
How to watch: No Other Choice opens in theaters on Dec. 25.
16. The Ugly Stepsister2025 is proving a great year for great horror movies, kicking off with The Ugly Stepsister out of the Sundance Film Festival. This twisted fairytale plays like the grubby baby of Wicked and The Substance. Hear me out.
This gnarly body-horror movie reimagines Cinderella by focusing on the heroine's much-maligned stepsister Elvira (Lea Myren). Writer/director Emilie Blichfeldt delivers not only a deeply empathetic tale of a young girl grappling with a princely crush, sibling rivalry, and crippling societal pressures to conform to cruel beauty standards, but also the grisly scenes to back up its social critique. This one isn't for the faint of stomach.
SEE ALSO: 'Sinners,' 'Black Mirror,' and 'The Ugly Stepsister': Film critics weigh in on what's worth watching and what's skippableIn my review for Mashable out of Sundance, I cheered, "The Ugly Stepsister is a deranged and dizzying achievement, folding in a classic story with a bitingly modern satire and bold body horror. Blichfeldt weaves these elements together to make a film that feels both of this moment and aesthetically nostalgic... And yet, her journey, as gross and grim as it is, is threaded with a ribbon of exhilaration, rebellion, and even defiant joy. Simply put, The Ugly Stepsister is savagely brutal and yet strangely beautiful."* — K.P.
Starring: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, Flo Fagerli, Isac Calmroth, and Malte Gårdinger
How to watch: The Ugly Stepsister is now streaming on Hulu and is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
15. The Life of ChuckWhen people think of the works of Mike Flanagan (The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass) or Stephen King, they don't usually think life-affirming stories. But The Life of Chuck will change that.
Based on a King novella, this genre-bending wonder is post-apocalyptic thriller meets feel-good coming-of-age drama meets ghost story. And yet, it's more! Tom Hiddleston stars as Chuck Krantz, whose life, at a glance, might be considered average. But in this rapturous movie, filled with a wonderful ensemble cast, King and Flanagan weave a tale of love, loss, and dance that's sure to enthrall audiences.
SEE ALSO: Every single Stephen King movie adaptation, rankedIn Mashable's review out of the film's Toronto International Film Festival premiere, I cheered, "The Life of Chuck is masterfully told. Like King's most moving adaptations, it doesn't play by standard rules of structure or audience expectations. It demands we follow the winding road through playful dialogue, painful lows, and rollicking highs to an unknown beyond. It's surprising and upsetting, funny and profound. I laughed hard, cried 'til my eyes ached, and once gasped so loud that I heard it echo across a theater struck silent by a moment both shocking and tender."* — K.P.
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tom Hiddleston, Annalise Basso, Benjamin Pajak, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Matthew Lillard, Carl Lumbly, Samantha Sloyan, Harvey Guillén, Jacob Tremblay, Kate Siegel, and Mark Hamill
How to watch: The Life of Chuck is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.
14. BunnyAfter Hours. Do the Right Thing. In the Heights. When Harry Met Sally. They're movies with very different plots and vibes, and yet all are definitively New York. Now the canon of exceptionally New York movies has grown, thanks to Bunny.
The directorial debut of Ben Jacobson, Bunny centers on an East Village tenement resident (Mo Stark) whose very bad birthday is a tapestry of chaos, community, and characters that are undeniably the fabric of New York City. Like the iconic cinema listed above, Bunny channels the energy of this great city, while also embracing its funkier elements. This fantastic, funny, and surprising indie is also an unapologetic and unsentimental love letter to New York.* — K.P.
Starring: Mo Stark, Ben Jacobson, Liza Colby, Anthony Drazan, Linda Rong Mei Chen, Genevieve Hudson-Price, Eleonore Hendricks, Kia Warren, Richard Price, and Henry Czerny
How to watch: Bunny is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
13. Jay Kelly"George Clooney delivers one of the best comedic performances of his career in Jay Kelly," I wrote in my NYFF review of Noah Baumbach's latest.
In a bit of masterful casting, Baumbach has Clooney play a world-famous movie star who is unflappably charming and a bit of a buffoon. Thus, when Jay Kelly (Clooney) is faced with a mid-life crisis, he orders his entourage to follow him on an impromptu European tour, where he hopes to find solace in his cinematic legacy while reconnecting with his daughters. This makes for an ensemble comedy that's as hilarious and smart as it is star-stuffed. As I concluded in my review, "In the end, Jay Kelly is a clever crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to amuse and make you think." — K.P.
Starring: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, and Greta Gerwig
How to watch: Jay Kelly is now streaming on Netflix.
12. Sorry, BabySince its debut at Sundance last January, critics have been raving about Sorry, Baby, championing the uniquely bristling comedy of writer/director/leading lady Eva Victor in her debut feature.
The internet-famous comedian reinvents herself with a touching tale of a grad student named Agnes (Victor), who's struggling to cope after a bad thing happens to her. What's the bad thing? And how does it shape this challenging but charming movie? In my review out of Sundance 2025, I dig into all that, so check that article for trigger warnings/spoilers.
What you need to know now is: "Bittersweet, brilliant, and heartwarmingly funny, Sorry, Baby is a movie that is sure to find an audience beyond Sundance. And not just because A24 is a master of marketing offbeat cinema, but because Victor has a voice that is strong, strange, and demands to be heard."* — K.P.
Starring: Eva Victor, Naomi Ackie, Louis Cancelmi, Kelly McCormack, Lucas Hedges, and John Carroll Lynch
How to watch: Sorry, Baby is now streaming on HBO Max.
11. BugoniaThe dynamic duo of Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone reunite with their tin foil hats on for Bugonia, a brilliant, complex conspiracy caper that will put you in a perpetual state of flux and doubt.
A remake of Jang Joon-hwan's Save the Green Planet! with a script by The Menu's Will Tracy, Bugonia sends us into the conspiracy theory twilight zone with Teddy, a bike-riding beekeeper played by Stone and Lanthimos' Kinds of Kindness collaborator Jesse Plemons. His theory? The world's pitiful state is due to a covert alien race living among us, one of which is buzzword-dropping big pharma CEO Michelle Fuller (Stone). So, Teddy ropes in his young cousin Don (Aidan Delbis) to kidnap Michelle and extract the truth. From here, the film plunges Teddy and Michelle into a brutal, uncomfortably timely tête-à-tête about humanity, capitalist greed, class politics, and whether the human race is actually worth saving.
SEE ALSO: Emma Stone reveals how 'Good Luck, Babe' wound up in 'Bugonia'Critics have been divided on Bugonia, especially around the bleak barrage of topics the characters wade through. Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko writes in her review, "Bugonia, despite having a sensational cast and clear vision for its world, lacks profundity in its smorgasbord of hot topics. Environmentalism, oligarchy, the manosphere, healthcare for profit — all of these make for a dizzying brew from which Teddy and Michelle arise on opposing sides." Thankfully, Stone and Plemons deliver such subjects with formidable, hilarious, and dark performances and an ample helping of Chappell Roan. — S.C.
Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Alicia Silverstone, Stavros Halkias
How to watch: Bugonia is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.
10. Marty SupremeTimothée Chalamet is on fire in Mary Supreme, which at first glance might look like a sports drama. But under its greasy and gritty surface, it's much, much more.
Co-written and directed by Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme takes the true story of a charismatic ping-pong player and makes it the stuff of New York legends. Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, a skilled pro table tennis player whose mouth is regularly writing checks his ass can't cash. Though set in the 1950s, Safdie chooses an '80s soundtrack of synth pop that makes Marty feel like an anti-hero ahead of his time, with a hustle and frenetic energy better suited to an era of big egos and bigger ambitions. Chalamet and an incredible ensemble build on this energy to the point where at times, as in Safdie's Uncut Gems, Marty Supreme can feel like a masterfully orchestrated panic attack.
As I roared in my review, "This zinging dialogue, racing score, and electric cast collide to create cinema that celebrates New York, while recognizing its warts with a bleeding grin. All of this makes Marty Supreme an unusual crowdpleaser. Full of wild humor and shocking turns, it has its audience in a chokehold of tension and surprise, rarely letting up for us to breathe. And yet, what a thrill to be breathless." — K.P.
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara, and Fran Drescher
How to watch: Marty Supreme opens in theaters on Dec. 25.
9. HamnetAcademy Award–winning director Chloé Zhao finds herself back in the awards race thanks to Hamnet, an exquisite historical drama that offers up a different look at the life of William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal). Based on the novel by Maggie O'Farrell, who co-wrote the screenplay with Zhao, Hamnet's focus isn't really on the Bard. Instead, it's on his wife Agnes (a stellar Jessie Buckley), whose connection to nature and strange visions defy convention. But when Agnes and her husband lose their youngest son Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), the pair weather their grief in vastly different ways, resulting in the kind of film the word "heart-wrenching" was invented for.
SEE ALSO: Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley reveal the real surprise in 'Hamnet'Poised to wring every last ounce of water from your tear ducts, Hamnet charts its own bold course away from other Shakespeare-adjacent films. As Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review, "Not only does Zhao reject the temptations of glossy Hollywood biopics, but also the regal romance or cerebral theatricality of a barrage of Oscar-adored Shakespeare adaptations, from a handful of intense Hamlets to The Tragedy of Macbeth to the winsome Shakespeare in Love. Her Shakespeare and company are more feral, bringing this historic tragedy fresh blood and true grit." — B.E.
Starring: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, and Joe Alwyn
How to watch: Hamnet is now in theaters.
8. The BaltimoronsNo movie this year has hit me quite like The Baltimorons. A scrappy indie written by director Jay Duplass and the film's star Michael Strassner, this is a comedy that offers a masterful blend of feel-bad and feel-good. Because to truly appreciate the sweet, you need the salty.
SEE ALSO: 'The Baltimorons' creators play 'Say Action' with hilarious resultsStrassner stars as Baltimore native Cliff Cashen, an improv comedian who's having a comically bad Christmas Eve. It all begins with a broken tooth that sends him on a hasty quest for a dentist who'll work a holiday. That's how he meets Dr. Didi (Liz Larsen), a no-nonsense DDS who doesn't find Cliff's constant jokes nearly as funny as he does. But as the holiday delivers blows to both these strangers, they begin to form a beautiful bond. Shenanigans silly and sometimes lightly criminal will follow. And along the way, Strassner and Larsen shine, an odd couple hilarious and humane.
In my review out of SXSW, I proclaimed, "The feel-good movie of 2025 has arrived." And I stand by it. — K.P.
Starring: Michael Strassner, Liz Larsen, and Olivia Luccardi
How to watch: The Baltimorons is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
7. The Ballad of Wallis IslandYou might have missed this feel-good movie when it hit theaters, but don't sleep on the chance to enjoy it at home. Perhaps while wearing a cozy sweater to be lavish in comfort.
Written and starring Tom Basden and Tim Key, this Focus Features gem imagines what would happen if a lonely but lovely folk-rock fan won the lottery. In The Ballad of Wallis Island, Charles (Key), who lives on the remote island, uses heaps of cash to reunite his favorite band, McGwyer Mortimer. There's just one problem. This folk duo — made up of Herb McGwyer (Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) — weren't just a band, but also a couple, who broke up hard. So, this reunion concert is socially awkward, to say the least.
Adapted from an award-winning short film Basden and Key made with director James Griffiths, The Ballad of Wallis Island creates an enveloping village atmosphere. Then it plops down a flailing rock star and his chipper ex to create some sparks and lots of laughs. In my review out of SXSW 2025, I cheered, "The Ballad of Wallis Island is not only deeply charming and laugh-out-loud funny for all its social foibles and comedy duo banter, but it's also cathartic....as Basden and Key strike their final chord of this masterfully charted comedy, you feel it reverberate warmly in your heart, carrying you out of the theater with a song still playing there." — K.P.
Starring: Tim Key, Tom Basden, Sian Clifford, Akemnji Ndifornyen, and Carey Mulligan
How to watch: The Ballad of Wallis Island is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
6. 28 Years Later23 years ago, director Danny Boyle rewrote the rules of zombie movies with his hit thriller 28 Days Later. This year, he reteamed with the first film's screenwriter, Alex Garland, to resurrect this frightening franchise with a sequel that basically shrugs off Juan Carlos Fresnadillo's schlocky follow-up 28 Weeks Later. And we're elated for it.
28 Years Later evolves this film series in ways both epic and gloriously horrifying. Centered on the coming-of-age of an adolescent boy named Spike (Alfie Williams) in a post-apocalyptic Scotland, this sequel delivers heart-wrenching family drama, intriguing lore, and a harrowing evolution of the infected persons, including monstrous beasts known as Alphas. Perhaps the scariest single sequence of 2025 is when this towering terror races after Spike and his desperate dad (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), while a gorgeous twilight shines behind them. Its beauty in contrast to their peril reflects the indifference of the wider world, which has left the UK to fend for themselves against these marauding monsters.
Rich with earnest and intense performances, jaw-dropping gore, and nerve-shredding tension, 28 Years Later isn't just an epic horror film — it counts as cardio. — K.P.
Starring: Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and Jack O’Connell
How to watch: 28 Years Later is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Pee-wee as HimselfBetween Pee-wee's Playhouse and Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Pee-wee Herman was an '80s icon adored by kids and grown-ups alike. But a scandal in 1991 brought Paul Reubens, the man behind the children's show, into a cruel tabloid spotlight. Since then, Reubens had rebuilt his reputation and broadened his career, appearing in movies like Mystery Men, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Matilda. But the scorch of scandal kept Reubens reluctant to be open with the public about his life and loves — that is, until documentarian Matt Wolf began collaborating with the comedian for Pee-wee as Himself.
SEE ALSO: Say More: R.L. Stine on 'Fear Street: Prom Queen' and Matt Wolf on 'Pee-wee as Himself'Though Reubens died of cancer before the film was wrapped, Wolf has built an empathetic and comprehensive portrait of the man, the artist, and the enigma. Told in two parts, this HBO documentary explores not only Reuben's inspirations for his most popular character, but also his queerness, and why he chose to go back into the closet to pursue a career in Hollywood.
In my review out of Sundance, I wrote, "Pee-wee as Himself is not a simple love letter to the iconic character or Reubens. That would suggest Wolf goes easy on either, fawning over them without reservation. This is something greater...Thought-provoking, boldly funny, and emotionally riveting, Pee-wee as Himself is [Reuben's] gift to us as grown-ups, as it reveals how hard that lesson can be, and how we must keep pushing ourselves to learn it." — K.P.
Starring: Paul Reubens, Lynne Marie Stewart, Laurence Fishburne, Natasha Lyonne, Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira: Mistress of the Dark), Debi Mazar, and David Arquette
How to watch: Pee-wee as Himself is now streaming on HBO Max.
Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.
4. FrankensteinFrankenstein is the monster movie Guillermo del Toro was born to make. The heralded filmmaker behind Pan's Labyrinth, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, and the Oscar–winning wonder of The Shape of Water poured his heart and soul into this stirring adaptation of Mary Shelley's landmark 1818 novel. Pulling from his passion for monsters and from his personal life, del Toro makes this not just a story of mankind and monsters but also fathers and sons.
Oscar Isaac stars as the titular doctor, a mad scientist determined to overcome his childhood trauma of losing his mother (Mia Goth) by resurrecting an exquisite corpse (Jacob Elordi). However, this creature proves more than a science project or a pet. He yearns to grow, to learn, and to love. But in a world that cannot understand him, his quest will be violent and heartbreaking.
In my review out of TIFF, I proclaimed, "As a whole, del Toro's Frankenstein is a marvel. His vision is clear and mesmerizing. His ensemble is electrifying. His adaptation is unique, soulful, and unforgettable. The man who loves monsters has just made his masterpiece: It's rich, rapturous, and ruthlessly interrogates what it means to be human, with all of our glory and our flaws." — K.P.
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz
How to watch: Frankenstein is now streaming on Netflix.
3. HeddaWe fell hard for Hedda. Writer/director Nia DaCosta reimagined Henrik Ibsen's classic anti-heroine Hedda Gabler as a queer Black intellectual, enraged by the confines of a predominantly white, straight, and patriarchal society in 1950s England. Tess Thompson, who's previously worked with DaCosta in Little Woods and The Marvels, is not just radiant in the title role, but burns so ferociously with passion, rage, and regret that it's a mesmerizing marvel to watch her Hedda sow chaos and social carnage.
Nina Hoss, as Hedda's gender-flipped love interest Eileen Lovborg, is entrancing from her first entrance. Their chemistry is not only captivating but also volatile. Even if you know where Ibsen's story goes, DaCosta's bold take reveals new angles, fresh energy, and a lustiness that is almost smothering. Cheers to composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, who fuels this fevered atmosphere with a score made up of human groans and heavy breathing.
SEE ALSO: 'Hedda's Tessa Thompson, Nia DaCosta, and Nina Hoss reveal the secrets to that sexy entranceAs I raved in my review out of Hedda's TIFF premiere, "Sumptuous, hot, and challenging, this is a drama of love, sex, and regret that burns like a shot of whisky, so good you'll want to go at it again." — K.P.
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Imogen Poots, Tom Bateman, Nicholas Pinnock, and Nina Hoss
How to watch: Hedda is now streaming on Prime Video.
2. One Battle After AnotherPaul Thomas Anderson returned to theaters with a truly epic father-daughter story. As I wrote in my review, "One Battle After Another is sure to be one of the most critically heralded movies of the year. On paper, that might seem obvious. This film is written and directed by 11-time Academy Award nominee Paul Thomas Anderson, maker of Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Inherent Vice, Phantom Thread, and Licorice Pizza. True to Anderson's form, it boasts a compelling ensemble cast that includes big names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor, as well as incendiary new talent Chase Infiniti. And on some level, it's inspired by a dense novel, Thomas Pynchon's Vineland. But don't let the wild praise make you think you know what to expect."
Beyond being a political thriller about a former revolutionary (DiCaprio) flailing to protect his teen daughter (brilliant newcomer Chase Infiniti) from a menacing military antagonist (Sean Penn), One Battle After Another is also a comedy about parenthood. Action scenes that are truly dizzying are followed by slapstick and almost vaudevillian banter between rebels and a shady white supremacists called the "Christmas Adventurers." The result is a film that, even at two hours and 50 minutes, flies by, thrilling audiences while tugging at our heartstrings and giving some sharp satire to our current socio-political climate. Rarely has a movie with so much to say been so damned entertaining. — K.P.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti
How to watch: One Battle After Another is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
1. SinnersNot just one of the best horror movies of 2025, but one of the best movies of 2025 full stop, Sinners is a celebration of genre and cinema. Writer/director Ryan Coogler reimagined vampire lore as a way to explore what it means to be young, Black, and gifted in America.
Michael B. Jordan stars as the Smokestack Twins, Black gangsters turned juke joint proprietors whose opening night is crashed by a vicious white vampire (Jack O'Connell) thirsty for the blood of their magical bluesman, Sammie (Miles Caton in a jaw-dropping debut). The character-building in this 1932-set period piece is rich, developing emotional plotlines of love, loss, and injustice. Supporting cast like Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo had audiences cheering — in packed 70mm IMAX theaters and online. So, by the time O'Connell shows up, you might have been so entranced by this deep Southern drama you'd forgotten vampires were even going to be a part of it. But he proves to be a unique and mesmerizing monster, earning awe and screams in equal measure.
Critics praised the epic scope Coogler applied to his genre-fluid drama — which might be a horror musical. In my review of the film, I wrote, "Sinners is more than a hell of a thrilling vampire movie. Like Black Panther, it expands beyond the expectations of its genre to become a magnificent film, emanating with spirit, power, and purpose. Smoothly blending vampire horror into a unique tale of regret, resilience, and redemption, Coogler and Jordan have made a cinematic marvel that is terrifying, satisfying, and unforgettable." — K.P.
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Yao, Lola Kirke, and Delroy Lindo
How to watch: Sinners is now streaming on HBO Max, and available for rent or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.
The 20 best Netflix TV shows of 2025
2025 was a massive year for Netflix — and not just because of its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Pictures.
In many ways, 2025 was the end of an era for the streamer's TV offerings, as two of its biggest hits, Squid Game and Stranger Things, came to a close. Elsewhere, though, new original series like Adolescence captured the cultural zeitgeist (and countless awards).
SEE ALSO: The 10 best TV shows of 2025 (so far), and where to stream themBut of the seemingly countless shows that premiered on Netflix this year, which were truly the cream of the crop? Lucky for you, we've sorted through the streamer's massive list of offerings and determined the series you absolutely must check out. There's something for everyone on this list, from quirky new comedies and YA romances to devastating mini-series and nightmare-inducing dystopias. Read on for the 20 best Netflix shows of 2025.
20. Wednesday, Season 2All hell (and Hyde) broke loose in Wednesday Season 2, with Alfred Gough and Miles Millar's spooky series returning with all the energy of a teen werewolf at a full moon party. Back in the braids, Jenna Ortega is a macabre marvel as the show's titular storm cloud, with a murderous avian case to crack, a stalker to unmask, and a haunting vision about her bestie Enid (the delightful Emma Myers) to decrypt. And that's aside from the hell that is dealing with her Bruce Springsteen-loving new Nevermore Academy principal (Steve Buscemi, a slam dunk of a cast addition), and her tempestuous relationship with her mother, Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), which reaches a literal sword-clashing point. As Mashable's Belen Edwards writes in her review, "[M]ake no mistake: Wednesday remains the star of the show. Ortega remains the cold, dead heart of the series — and I mean that as a compliment in tribute to Wednesday!"
Season 2 not only infests its episodes with even more Edgar Allan Poe references and nods to the '90s Addams Family movies (including Christopher Lloyd himself), it solves the pesky problem of Wednesday's love triangle and lets her get back to the business of scalping serial killers and quoting Machiavelli as relationship advice. In addition, this season served up a bubbling cauldron of treats, including a long-awaited, very short cameo from Lady Gaga and the season's highlight, director Tim Burton delivering an exquisite stop-motion sequence to weave "The Tale of the Skull Tree" in his signature Gothic fantasy style. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Jenna Ortega, Isaac Ordonez, Victor Dorobantu, Luis Guzmán, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joanna Lumley, Fred Armisen, Emma Myers, Hunter Doohan, Joy Sunday, Moosa Mostafa, Georgie Farmer, Noah B. Taylor, Evie Templeton, Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Christopher Lloyd, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Jamie McShane, and Thandiwe Newton
How to watch: Wednesday, Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
19. Squid Game, Season 3It's the end of an era on Netflix, as Hwang Dong-hyuk's smash hit Squid Game comes to a bloody close. Following the end of Season 2's unsuccessful player rebellion against the games, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is basically a shell of his former self. As he battles through new twisted games and faces down increasingly greedy contestants, will he find any last shreds of hope for his future and humanity? Or has the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) successfully ground down his faith in his fellow players?
Honestly, Squid Game's grand finale is a bit of a mess, one that loses whatever little subtlety it had left. (Those masked billionaires tank the show whenever they're on screen!) But even at its most ridiculous, the show remains stomach-churningly captivating. Even after three seasons, it's tough not to get invested in the games, or to scream at the screen every time disaster strikes. So thank you, Squid Game, for the many heart attacks you've given over the years. I think this season's hide-and-seek game alone took months off my life. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Yim Si-Wan, Kang Ha-neul, Wi Ha-jun, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-wook, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Roh Jae-won, and Jo Yuri
How to watch: Squid Game, Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
18. Black Mirror, Season 7Charlie Brooker's sci-fi anthology series can be patchy, but when the show hits, it really hits. Opening with one of the all-time most devastating episodes (one that may be better not to watch first, in fact), Season 7 is a mixed bag with some very high highs (or lows, if you're talking from an existential dread perspective) and plenty of its trademark, technology-based terror. Fans of "USS Callister" will be happy, as there's a sequel, as will anyone who likes their futuristic fear with a side of moving nostalgia (hello, "Eulogy"). — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
Starring: Will Poulter, Awkwafina, Peter Capaldi, Paul Giamatti, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross, Cristin Milioti, Chris O'Dowd, Emma Corrin, Jimmi Simpson, and Issa Rae
How to watch: Black Mirror, Season 7 is now streaming on Netflix.
17. Ginny and Georgia, Season 3After a few stumbles, Ginny & Georgia pulled its best season out of the hat this year. By Season 3, Sarah Lampert's series has become a show of both high drama and powerful, relatable themes, especially when it comes to continuing to raise the bar for mental health representation on TV. As Liv Facey writes for Mashable, "By depicting characters struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma in authentic ways, the show validates viewers' own experiences and challenges, helping to normalise these struggles and encourage open conversations about mental health."
This season sees Brianne Howey at her most impressive yet as single mother Georgia Miller, who ended Season 2 in handcuffs. Season 3 plunges Georgia into past trauma as she endures her high profile court case, and as her teen daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) puts it, "the carefully constructed house of cards finally crumbles." Gentry is equally excellent this season, as Ginny finds power in poetry, and we're also treated to strong performances by Felix Mallard as the seriously struggling Marcus, and Sara Waisglass as his proud theater kid twin sister, Maxine, who basically has to scream to be heard. It's not every day a series truly finds its feet in its third season, but Ginny and Georgia genuinely broke me this year. — S.C.
Starring: Brianne Howey, Antonia Gentry, Felix Mallard, Sara Waisglass, Diesel La Torraca, Jennifer Robertson, Scott Porter, Raymond Ablack, Katie Douglas, Chelsea Clark, Nathan Mitchell, Katelyn Wells, Ty Doran, and Noah Lamanna
How to watch: Ginny & Georgia, Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
16. Running PointCross Ted Lasso with the NBA, and you get Running Point. Created by Mindy Kaling, Elaine Ko, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, this sports comedy centers on the wealthy Gordon family, owners of the Los Angeles Waves. When the family's sole daughter, Isla (Kate Hudson), unexpectedly gets appointed team president, she faces the steep challenge of turning a lifeless team around — all while being underestimated at every turn by her skeptical brothers.
SEE ALSO: 'Running Point' review: Mindy Kaling's latest combines 'Ted Lasso,' 'Succession,' and basketballWhat follows is pure fun: part Ted Lasso fish-out-of-water sports story, part Succession-style examination of a messed-up wealthy family. Leading it all is Hudson, who proves herself quite the comedic playmaker, alongside a hilarious ensemble including Brenda Song, Drew Tarver, and Scott MacArthur. Whether you love basketball or are on the hunt for a glossy new sitcom, Running Point is a sure bet, one that I praised in my review as "a sharp comedy that skewers both professional basketball and dysfunctional families with glee." — B.E.
Starring: Kate Hudson, Brenda Song, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, Fabrizio Guido, Toby Sandeman, Chet Hanks, Max Greenfield, Jay Ellis, and Justin Theroux
How to watch: Running Point is now streaming on Netflix.
15. ForeverJudy Blume's seminal coming-of-age novel Forever… provided young readers with refreshingly honest depictions of teen romance and sexuality. Now, her classic gets a thoughtful adaptation in Netflix's Forever, created by Mara Brock Akil (Girlfriends). Brock Akil follows the core storyline of Blume's work but shifts the setting from 1970s New Jersey to 2018 Los Angeles. She also reimagines the novel's leads as two Black teens, Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.), each of whom is facing big choices about college and the future.
SEE ALSO: 'Forever' review: Netflix series strays from Judy Blume classic, but that's a good thingBrock Akil's big adaptation changes pay off, allowing her to examine issues of race and class, as well as how modern-day technology impacts intimacy. Plus, she deepens our understanding of both Keisha and Justin's home lives. The pair are already extra compelling together thanks to Simone and Cooper Jr.'s immaculate chemistry, but Forever makes you just as interested in their individual goals as in their relationship. Still, their romance remains one of the sweetest TV love stories of the year. As I wrote in my review, "[Forever] is a sweet, heart-wrenching account of young love, one that significantly diverges from Blume's original novel but is still very much a companion piece to it." — B.E.
Starring: Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., Xosha Roquemore, Marvin Lawrence Winans III, Wood Harris, Barry Shabaka Henley, Niles Fitch, Paigion Walker, and E’myri Crutchfield
How to watch: Forever is now streaming on Netflix.
14. Too MuchThe title of Lena Dunham's Netflix rom-com series Too Much has a versatile application, but it's likely most often heard by women constantly told to rein it in. Carly Rae Jepsen gets it. And so does Megan Stalter's protagonist, Jessica, a New Yorker who takes a job in London to get away after a horrendous break-up. There, she meet-cutes discombobulated musician Felix (Will Sharpe). (The Girls creator wrote Too Much loosely based on her experience meeting her husband, British musician Luis Felber, who co-created the series.) The supporting cast is absolute gold, from uncharacteristic appearances from Andrew Scott, Stephen Fry, and Jennifer Saunders to the practically perfect casting of Rita Wilson, and a chillingly real performance from Michael Zegen as Jessica's ex. But nothing beats these two leads.
Hacks/Cora Bora star Stalter brings every last element of her signature, internet-beloved comedy to the series, as Jessica makes a lot of chaotic decisions while processing her seriously toxic past relationship. Equally, Sharpe's Felix has his own complex personal past and shit to figure out, with The White Lotus star offering his own messy version of the rom-com male lead. As Belen Edwards writes in her Mashable review, "Dunham, Stalter, and Sharpe stir up sparks during even the most awkward or cringeworthy moments of Jessica and Felix's relationship. (And given that it's a Dunham project, there are many such moments.) In the end, this cross-continental pairing often teeters on the edge of disaster, but Too Much finds joy in their messy journey of trying to pull back from the brink." — S.C.
Starring: Megan Stalter, Will Sharpe, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Adwoa Aboah, Andrew Rannells, Daisy Bevan, Dean-Charles Chapman, Emily Ratajkowski, Janicza Bravo, Kaori Momoi, Leo Reich, Michael Zegen, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Rhea Perlman, Richard E. Grant, Rita Wilson, Andrew Scott, and Stephen Fry
How to watch: Too Much is now streaming on Netflix.
13. Toxic TownThe first of two limited series from writer Jack Thorne on this list, Toxic Town tells a fictionalised version of a real-life story. Following a group of mothers who've given birth to children with limb differences, Thorne's drama follows their legal battle against the local council as they attempt to get to the bottom of whether or not they were poisoned due to negligence and corruption at the nearby steelworks. It's an emotional and frustrating story that's brought to life by a strong script and incredible performances across the board, especially from Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) and Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus), who star as two of the real-life mothers leading the fight. — S.H.
Starring: Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood, Rory Kinnear, Brendan Coyle, Robert Carlyle, Joe Dempsie, Claudia Jessie, Ben Batt, Stephen McMillan, Lauren Lyle, Michael Socha, Karla Crome, and Matthew Durkan
How to watch: Toxic Town is now streaming on Netflix.
12. The Four SeasonsTina Fey reinvents Alan Alda's 1981 comedy The Four Seasons in this charming series from Netflix. Fey and an all-star cast including Colman Domingo, Steve Carell, and Will Forte play three couples who go on vacation together every season. Despite the picturesque locations, tensions inevitably rise within the friend group when Nick (Carell) leaves his wife Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver) and begins dating a younger woman (Erika Henningsen).
SEE ALSO: 'The Four Seasons' review: Tina Fey and Steve Carell go on vacation in winning comedyWhile The Four Seasons boasts its fair share of dry wit, cringe comedy, and the occasional slapstick, it's the group's interpersonal tensions that truly make this show stand out. Fey and co-creators Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield deftly examine the pitfalls of adult friendships and long-lasting marriages, creating a comedy that doubles as an aching reflection on the work that goes into even the most enduring friendships and romances. As I wrote in my review, "It's the substance that sneaks up on you that really makes The Four Seasons a winner, even if it's a slower burn from the jump." — B.E.
Starring: Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Will Forte, and Erika Henningsen
How to watch: The Four Seasons is now streaming on Netflix.
11. Dept. QThe Queen's Gambit creator Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani strike mystery gold in Dept. Q, adapted from Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen's series of the same name. The show centers on Detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), an English cop in Scotland who's disliked by practically everyone he comes into contact with. As Carl recovers from a traumatic gunshot wound, he's put in charge of a new department, one tasked with solving cold cases. It's a publicity stunt dressed up as a public service, but with the help of some unlikely assistants, Carl may just be able to turn this department into a powerhouse. Their first case? The disappearance of prosecutor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), whose current plight is nothing short of a claustrophobic nightmare.
Dept. Q toggles between taut mystery and intriguing character study, delving deep into Carl's growth toward someone who's maybe slightly pleasant, as well as the journeys of Carl's fellow detectives Akram (Alexej Manvelov), Rose (Leah Byrne), and Hardy (Jamie Sives). Together, they create a lovable squad with the potential for a long run of case-cracking on Netflix. The streaming gods demand it! — B.E.
Starring: Matthew Goode, Kelly Macdonald, Chloe Pirrie, Kate Dickie, Alexej Manvelov, Jamie Sives, and Leah Byrne
How to watch: Dept. Q is now streaming on Netflix.
10. The Diplomat, Season 3Debora Cahn's lauded drama The Diplomat returned for another round of red hot political tête-à-tête with Season 3, with the West Wing writer notably reuniting Bartlet administration alumni Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford as the U.S. president and her husband. However, as we've come to know The Diplomat over three seasons, the top brass aren't necessarily the main focus here. Amid the intricate dance of diplomacy, Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell return in fine form as U.S. Ambassador Kate Wyler and her husband, Hal, with Season 3 throwing a colossal spanner into their already turbulent relationship. Russell hits every damn note as the series' no-bullshit protagonist is pushed to her limit, and Sewell crafts Hal as obscenely punchable this season.
Meanwhile, the rug is pulled from under CIA Chief Eidra Park (an always-impeccable Ali Ahn), and Deputy Chief of Mission Stuart Hayford (the ever-charming Ato Essandoh) continues to be Kate's best chance at staying sane in the embassy. Thankfully, Season 3 also brings back David Gyasi as Kate's dashing crush, foreign secretary Austin Dennison, and Rory Kinnear as dreadful UK PM Nicol Trowbridge, while giving more screen time to Nana Mensah as matter-of-fact White House Chief of Staff Billie Appiah. Cahn proves The Diplomat is still the best political series on Netflix, as Season 3 skyrockets the stakes and pushes its now-lived-in characters to the brink. — S.C.
Starring: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh
How to watch: The Diplomat, Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
9. Stranger Things, Season 5Stranger Things continued its trend of going as big as possible in its fifth and final season. Demogorgons fighting the military! Driving into the Upside Down! Will (Noah Schnapp) getting show-stopping powers of his own! While I may not know how Stranger Things will stick the landing at the time of writing this, that last scene is worth a spot on this list for sheer hype alone.
Season 5 struggles with the same problems Stranger Things has been fighting for the latter half of its run, especially when it comes to overstuffing episodes to the point of exhaustion. Still, as I wrote in my review, "The flashy battles and lore bombshells can get the blood pumping, but it's the characters who have kept viewers coming back for many, many years. Knowing we'll be saying goodbye to them only makes these episodes sweeter, exhaustion be damned." — B.E.
Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, and Maya Hawke
How to watch: Stranger Things, Season 5, Volume 1 is now streaming on Netflix.
8. A Man on the Inside, Season 2Move over, Only Murders in the Building — Netflix's A Man on the Inside is coming for your cozy mystery crown. The series reunites creator Michael Schur (The Office, Parks and Recreation) with The Good Place star Ted Danson, and the pair's partnership continues to sparkle with wit and warmth.
Danson plays Charles Nieuwendyk, a newly minted PI whose next case takes him undercover on a liberal arts college campus. As he unravels a mystery involving a stolen laptop, blackmail, and an insufferable billionaire alum (Gary Cole), he also gets closer to his friends and family — not to mention a new love interest, played by Danson's real-life wife Mary Steenburgen. It's here that A Man on the Inside really shines, building dynamic communities and families and lovingly examining the ties that bind them together. If you're looking for the most comforting watch of the year, this is up there. — B.E.
Starring: Ted Danson, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, and Stephanie Beatriz
How to watch: A Man on the Inside, Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
7. WaywardCanadian comedian Mae Martin delivered a compelling drama mini-series with Wayward, led by the one and only Toni Collette as an enigmatic cult leader. Serene and intimidating, Evelyn Wade (Collette) runs Tall Pines Academy, a reform school for teenagers with some peculiar practices. Some rebellious teens are desperate to get out, and a new-to-town cop (Martin) may be their best chance for rescue.
In my review for Mashable, I cautioned: "All this makes for a show that's very easy to binge-watch. So now a warning: Don't hit play on Wayward unless you're ready to surrender yourself to eight hours of this sensational series. Like the town at its center, it's hard to walk away from."* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Starring: Mae Martin, Brandon Jay McLaren, Sarah Gadon, Patrick J. Adams, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Patrick Gallagher, Sydney Topliffe, Joshua Close, and Toni Collette
How to watch: Wayward is now streaming on Netflix.
6. Haunted HotelMy personal favorite new Netflix show is Haunted Hotel, an animated series Mashable TV critic Belen Edwards rightly summarized in her review as "The Shining meets Bob's Burgers."
Following a single mom, her two trouble-seeking kids, and her ghost brother and his demon ward (who is in the body of a little boy from centuries before), this wild cartoon from Rick and Morty writer Matt Roller balances the sweet, family-focused plotlines of a sitcom with a slew of horror movie references that give the show a darkly comic edge. The collision of macabre humor and a charming family makes the first watch through a breeze. But the iconic horror Easter eggs, the hilariously cheery Will Forte as a ghost uncle, and Jimmi Simpson's addictively chaotic take on demon boy Abaddon will have you coming back for rewatches again and again. It's an unlikely comfort show, but a solid one. — K.P.
Starring: Eliza Coupe, Will Forte, Skyler Gisondo, Natalie Palamides, and Jimmi Simpson
How to watch: Haunted Hotel is now streaming on Netflix.
5. North of NorthThe small-town comedy genre gets a lovely new entry in Netflix's North of North, which transports viewers to the Arctic town of Ice Cove. There, young Inuk woman Siaja (Anna Lambe) decides to leave her stale marriage to local legend Ting (Kelly William) and start over. That's easier said than done in an isolated town of 2,200 people, but Siaja is determined to succeed — although things get complicated when her estranged father (Jay Ryan) returns to town.
Don't let the frigid setting fool you: North of North is as heartwarming as TV shows come. Siaja's journey to independence is equal parts inspiring and amusing, as it takes several ridiculous mishaps for her to learn what she wants. Also touching is her troubled relationship with her mother, Neevee (Maika Harper), whose rocky past has led her to put up a tough exterior. These two flawed, lovable women head up a charming ensemble, with Ice Cove and its townspeople coming to life through detailed character work and specific town traditions like elders' night and walrus dick baseball. You read that right: walrus dick baseball. To watch how that plays out, and to fall in love with Lambe's wonderful turn as Siaja, be sure to journey North of North.* — B.E.
Starring: Anna Lambe, Maika Harper, Braeden Clarke, Jay Ryan, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Zorga Qaunaq, Bailey Poching, and Kelly William
How to watch: North of North is now streaming on Netflix.
4. Death by LightningImagine Deadwood meets Veep, and you'll have a good idea of what Death by Lightning brings to the table as it unfurls the stranger-than-fiction story of how President James A. Garfield was assassinated by the rogue Charles J. Guiteau.
This four-part mini-series is adapted from Candice Millard's sensational non-fictional book Destiny of the Republic (seriously, give it a read), and it boasts some incredible performers and some very beard-forward acting. Michael Shannon stars as Garfield, reigning in his volatile energy to become a portrait of quiet nobleness, while "Matthew Macfadyen brings Tom Wambsgans energy to Charles Guiteau," as Belen noted in her review. There are also dynamic turns from Nick Offerman, Bradley Whitford, and Shea Whigham. A lot of power-grubbing, machismo, and madness come into play, and watching how some things just don't change is alternatively amusing and troubling. And truly, the wildest parts really happened. — K.P.
Starring: Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford, and Shea Whigham
How to watch: Death by Lightning is now streaming on Netflix.
3. Long Story ShortLong Story Short is exactly what you'd expect from BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg: witty as hell one moment, downright devastating the next. The series invites viewers into the lives of the Schwooper siblings (voiced by Ben Feldman, Abbi Jacobson, and Max Greenfield), spanning decades from their chaotic childhoods to their equally chaotic adulthoods. From disastrous bar mitzvahs to awkward interventions, you've got a seat at the family table for it all.
Long Story Short cleverly collapses time in each episode, demonstrating how small incidents in our youth can snowball into major hangups in our later years. That nonlinear chronology turns the series into a thought-provoking examination of trauma and ever-shifting family ties. And what a family the Schwooper clan is, bursting with clashing personalities, inside jokes, and grievances that feel equal parts grounded and absurd. Spend just a few minutes with them, and you'll feel like you've known them your whole life, a quality that led me to call them "an instant classic TV family" in my review.* — B.E.
Starring: Ben Feldman, Abbi Jacobson, Max Greenfield, Lisa Edelstein, and Paul Reiser
How to watch: Long Story Short is now streaming on Netflix.
2. Mo, Season 2Not only is Mo one of the best TV shows of 2025 — it's also essential viewing. Co-created by Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef, this semi-autobiographical series centers on Palestinian refugee Mo (Amer) and his family's lives in Houston. Season 2 opens with Mo struggling to get back to the U.S. from Mexico. Detention centers and perilous border crossings await, all sobering reflections of the real-life journeys of immigrants trying to make it across the U.S.-Mexico border.
SEE ALSO: 'Mo' Season 2 review: Here's why it's still one of TV's most important showsAs UK Editor Shannon Connellan wrote in her review, "Mo's second season comes at a volatile time for Palestinians and undocumented immigrants alike, with those in power enforcing heartless, brutal decisions from disengaged, lofty offices that impact real people. Somehow, beyond all belief, amid a sense of transience and fear, of stacked odds and starting from scratch, Mo finds levity, surrealism, and personal solidarity in the dark, while being a genuinely funny and moving show."* — B.E.
Starring: Mo Amer, Farah Bsieso, Teresa Ruiz, Tobe Nwigwe, and Omar Elba
How to watch: Mo, Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
1. AdolescenceLikely to be the most harrowing viewing experience you'll have this year, Adolescence traps you in a nightmare over the course of its four episodes, each filmed in one take. Co-created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, and directed by Boiling Point's Philip Barantini, Netflix's much buzzed-about mini-series examines the aftermath of a chilling murder committed by 13-year-old Jamie (newcomer Owen Cooper). Each episode focuses on a different perspective around the case, from a detective (Ashley Walters) investigating Jamie's school to Jamie's family reckoning with his actions.
SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Adolescence' review: One of the best, most devastating shows of 2025These vignettes, coupled with Barantini's one-take technique, create an unflinching portrait of a crime that feels all too rooted in reality. As UK Deputy Editor Sam Haysom wrote in his review, "Adolescence's story isn't a crime mystery so much as a psychological study — it's an exploration of the manosphere culture that's having a real world affect on teenagers, and the societal and familial triggers that might lead to a seemingly ordinary 13-year-old doing something unthinkable. On this level, and on almost all others, the show is chillingly effective."* — B.E.
Starring: Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Owen Cooper, Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, and Amelie Pease
How to watch: Adolescence is now streaming on Netflix.
(*) denotes a blurb has come from a prior list.
The 20 best Netflix TV shows of 2025
2025 was a massive year for Netflix — and not just because of its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Pictures.
In many ways, 2025 was the end of an era for the streamer's TV offerings, as two of its biggest hits, Squid Game and Stranger Things, came to a close. Elsewhere, though, new original series like Adolescence captured the cultural zeitgeist (and countless awards).
SEE ALSO: The 10 best TV shows of 2025 (so far), and where to stream themBut of the seemingly countless shows that premiered on Netflix this year, which were truly the cream of the crop? Lucky for you, we've sorted through the streamer's massive list of offerings and determined the series you absolutely must check out. There's something for everyone on this list, from quirky new comedies and YA romances to devastating mini-series and nightmare-inducing dystopias. Read on for the 20 best Netflix shows of 2025.
20. Wednesday, Season 2All hell (and Hyde) broke loose in Wednesday Season 2, with Alfred Gough and Miles Millar's spooky series returning with all the energy of a teen werewolf at a full moon party. Back in the braids, Jenna Ortega is a macabre marvel as the show's titular storm cloud, with a murderous avian case to crack, a stalker to unmask, and a haunting vision about her bestie Enid (the delightful Emma Myers) to decrypt. And that's aside from the hell that is dealing with her Bruce Springsteen-loving new Nevermore Academy principal (Steve Buscemi, a slam dunk of a cast addition), and her tempestuous relationship with her mother, Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), which reaches a literal sword-clashing point. As Mashable's Belen Edwards writes in her review, "[M]ake no mistake: Wednesday remains the star of the show. Ortega remains the cold, dead heart of the series — and I mean that as a compliment in tribute to Wednesday!"
Season 2 not only infests its episodes with even more Edgar Allan Poe references and nods to the '90s Addams Family movies (including Christopher Lloyd himself), it solves the pesky problem of Wednesday's love triangle and lets her get back to the business of scalping serial killers and quoting Machiavelli as relationship advice. In addition, this season served up a bubbling cauldron of treats, including a long-awaited, very short cameo from Lady Gaga and the season's highlight, director Tim Burton delivering an exquisite stop-motion sequence to weave "The Tale of the Skull Tree" in his signature Gothic fantasy style. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Jenna Ortega, Isaac Ordonez, Victor Dorobantu, Luis Guzmán, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joanna Lumley, Fred Armisen, Emma Myers, Hunter Doohan, Joy Sunday, Moosa Mostafa, Georgie Farmer, Noah B. Taylor, Evie Templeton, Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Christopher Lloyd, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Jamie McShane, and Thandiwe Newton
How to watch: Wednesday, Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
19. Squid Game, Season 3It's the end of an era on Netflix, as Hwang Dong-hyuk's smash hit Squid Game comes to a bloody close. Following the end of Season 2's unsuccessful player rebellion against the games, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is basically a shell of his former self. As he battles through new twisted games and faces down increasingly greedy contestants, will he find any last shreds of hope for his future and humanity? Or has the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) successfully ground down his faith in his fellow players?
Honestly, Squid Game's grand finale is a bit of a mess, one that loses whatever little subtlety it had left. (Those masked billionaires tank the show whenever they're on screen!) But even at its most ridiculous, the show remains stomach-churningly captivating. Even after three seasons, it's tough not to get invested in the games, or to scream at the screen every time disaster strikes. So thank you, Squid Game, for the many heart attacks you've given over the years. I think this season's hide-and-seek game alone took months off my life. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Yim Si-Wan, Kang Ha-neul, Wi Ha-jun, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-wook, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Roh Jae-won, and Jo Yuri
How to watch: Squid Game, Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
18. Black Mirror, Season 7Charlie Brooker's sci-fi anthology series can be patchy, but when the show hits, it really hits. Opening with one of the all-time most devastating episodes (one that may be better not to watch first, in fact), Season 7 is a mixed bag with some very high highs (or lows, if you're talking from an existential dread perspective) and plenty of its trademark, technology-based terror. Fans of "USS Callister" will be happy, as there's a sequel, as will anyone who likes their futuristic fear with a side of moving nostalgia (hello, "Eulogy"). — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
Starring: Will Poulter, Awkwafina, Peter Capaldi, Paul Giamatti, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross, Cristin Milioti, Chris O'Dowd, Emma Corrin, Jimmi Simpson, and Issa Rae
How to watch: Black Mirror, Season 7 is now streaming on Netflix.
17. Ginny and Georgia, Season 3After a few stumbles, Ginny & Georgia pulled its best season out of the hat this year. By Season 3, Sarah Lampert's series has become a show of both high drama and powerful, relatable themes, especially when it comes to continuing to raise the bar for mental health representation on TV. As Liv Facey writes for Mashable, "By depicting characters struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma in authentic ways, the show validates viewers' own experiences and challenges, helping to normalise these struggles and encourage open conversations about mental health."
This season sees Brianne Howey at her most impressive yet as single mother Georgia Miller, who ended Season 2 in handcuffs. Season 3 plunges Georgia into past trauma as she endures her high profile court case, and as her teen daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) puts it, "the carefully constructed house of cards finally crumbles." Gentry is equally excellent this season, as Ginny finds power in poetry, and we're also treated to strong performances by Felix Mallard as the seriously struggling Marcus, and Sara Waisglass as his proud theater kid twin sister, Maxine, who basically has to scream to be heard. It's not every day a series truly finds its feet in its third season, but Ginny and Georgia genuinely broke me this year. — S.C.
Starring: Brianne Howey, Antonia Gentry, Felix Mallard, Sara Waisglass, Diesel La Torraca, Jennifer Robertson, Scott Porter, Raymond Ablack, Katie Douglas, Chelsea Clark, Nathan Mitchell, Katelyn Wells, Ty Doran, and Noah Lamanna
How to watch: Ginny & Georgia, Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
16. Running PointCross Ted Lasso with the NBA, and you get Running Point. Created by Mindy Kaling, Elaine Ko, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, this sports comedy centers on the wealthy Gordon family, owners of the Los Angeles Waves. When the family's sole daughter, Isla (Kate Hudson), unexpectedly gets appointed team president, she faces the steep challenge of turning a lifeless team around — all while being underestimated at every turn by her skeptical brothers.
SEE ALSO: 'Running Point' review: Mindy Kaling's latest combines 'Ted Lasso,' 'Succession,' and basketballWhat follows is pure fun: part Ted Lasso fish-out-of-water sports story, part Succession-style examination of a messed-up wealthy family. Leading it all is Hudson, who proves herself quite the comedic playmaker, alongside a hilarious ensemble including Brenda Song, Drew Tarver, and Scott MacArthur. Whether you love basketball or are on the hunt for a glossy new sitcom, Running Point is a sure bet, one that I praised in my review as "a sharp comedy that skewers both professional basketball and dysfunctional families with glee." — B.E.
Starring: Kate Hudson, Brenda Song, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, Fabrizio Guido, Toby Sandeman, Chet Hanks, Max Greenfield, Jay Ellis, and Justin Theroux
How to watch: Running Point is now streaming on Netflix.
15. ForeverJudy Blume's seminal coming-of-age novel Forever… provided young readers with refreshingly honest depictions of teen romance and sexuality. Now, her classic gets a thoughtful adaptation in Netflix's Forever, created by Mara Brock Akil (Girlfriends). Brock Akil follows the core storyline of Blume's work but shifts the setting from 1970s New Jersey to 2018 Los Angeles. She also reimagines the novel's leads as two Black teens, Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.), each of whom is facing big choices about college and the future.
SEE ALSO: 'Forever' review: Netflix series strays from Judy Blume classic, but that's a good thingBrock Akil's big adaptation changes pay off, allowing her to examine issues of race and class, as well as how modern-day technology impacts intimacy. Plus, she deepens our understanding of both Keisha and Justin's home lives. The pair are already extra compelling together thanks to Simone and Cooper Jr.'s immaculate chemistry, but Forever makes you just as interested in their individual goals as in their relationship. Still, their romance remains one of the sweetest TV love stories of the year. As I wrote in my review, "[Forever] is a sweet, heart-wrenching account of young love, one that significantly diverges from Blume's original novel but is still very much a companion piece to it." — B.E.
Starring: Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., Xosha Roquemore, Marvin Lawrence Winans III, Wood Harris, Barry Shabaka Henley, Niles Fitch, Paigion Walker, and E’myri Crutchfield
How to watch: Forever is now streaming on Netflix.
14. Too MuchThe title of Lena Dunham's Netflix rom-com series Too Much has a versatile application, but it's likely most often heard by women constantly told to rein it in. Carly Rae Jepsen gets it. And so does Megan Stalter's protagonist, Jessica, a New Yorker who takes a job in London to get away after a horrendous break-up. There, she meet-cutes discombobulated musician Felix (Will Sharpe). (The Girls creator wrote Too Much loosely based on her experience meeting her husband, British musician Luis Felber, who co-created the series.) The supporting cast is absolute gold, from uncharacteristic appearances from Andrew Scott, Stephen Fry, and Jennifer Saunders to the practically perfect casting of Rita Wilson, and a chillingly real performance from Michael Zegen as Jessica's ex. But nothing beats these two leads.
Hacks/Cora Bora star Stalter brings every last element of her signature, internet-beloved comedy to the series, as Jessica makes a lot of chaotic decisions while processing her seriously toxic past relationship. Equally, Sharpe's Felix has his own complex personal past and shit to figure out, with The White Lotus star offering his own messy version of the rom-com male lead. As Belen Edwards writes in her Mashable review, "Dunham, Stalter, and Sharpe stir up sparks during even the most awkward or cringeworthy moments of Jessica and Felix's relationship. (And given that it's a Dunham project, there are many such moments.) In the end, this cross-continental pairing often teeters on the edge of disaster, but Too Much finds joy in their messy journey of trying to pull back from the brink." — S.C.
Starring: Megan Stalter, Will Sharpe, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Adwoa Aboah, Andrew Rannells, Daisy Bevan, Dean-Charles Chapman, Emily Ratajkowski, Janicza Bravo, Kaori Momoi, Leo Reich, Michael Zegen, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Rhea Perlman, Richard E. Grant, Rita Wilson, Andrew Scott, and Stephen Fry
How to watch: Too Much is now streaming on Netflix.
13. Toxic TownThe first of two limited series from writer Jack Thorne on this list, Toxic Town tells a fictionalised version of a real-life story. Following a group of mothers who've given birth to children with limb differences, Thorne's drama follows their legal battle against the local council as they attempt to get to the bottom of whether or not they were poisoned due to negligence and corruption at the nearby steelworks. It's an emotional and frustrating story that's brought to life by a strong script and incredible performances across the board, especially from Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) and Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus), who star as two of the real-life mothers leading the fight. — S.H.
Starring: Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood, Rory Kinnear, Brendan Coyle, Robert Carlyle, Joe Dempsie, Claudia Jessie, Ben Batt, Stephen McMillan, Lauren Lyle, Michael Socha, Karla Crome, and Matthew Durkan
How to watch: Toxic Town is now streaming on Netflix.
12. The Four SeasonsTina Fey reinvents Alan Alda's 1981 comedy The Four Seasons in this charming series from Netflix. Fey and an all-star cast including Colman Domingo, Steve Carell, and Will Forte play three couples who go on vacation together every season. Despite the picturesque locations, tensions inevitably rise within the friend group when Nick (Carell) leaves his wife Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver) and begins dating a younger woman (Erika Henningsen).
SEE ALSO: 'The Four Seasons' review: Tina Fey and Steve Carell go on vacation in winning comedyWhile The Four Seasons boasts its fair share of dry wit, cringe comedy, and the occasional slapstick, it's the group's interpersonal tensions that truly make this show stand out. Fey and co-creators Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield deftly examine the pitfalls of adult friendships and long-lasting marriages, creating a comedy that doubles as an aching reflection on the work that goes into even the most enduring friendships and romances. As I wrote in my review, "It's the substance that sneaks up on you that really makes The Four Seasons a winner, even if it's a slower burn from the jump." — B.E.
Starring: Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Will Forte, and Erika Henningsen
How to watch: The Four Seasons is now streaming on Netflix.
11. Dept. QThe Queen's Gambit creator Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani strike mystery gold in Dept. Q, adapted from Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen's series of the same name. The show centers on Detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), an English cop in Scotland who's disliked by practically everyone he comes into contact with. As Carl recovers from a traumatic gunshot wound, he's put in charge of a new department, one tasked with solving cold cases. It's a publicity stunt dressed up as a public service, but with the help of some unlikely assistants, Carl may just be able to turn this department into a powerhouse. Their first case? The disappearance of prosecutor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), whose current plight is nothing short of a claustrophobic nightmare.
Dept. Q toggles between taut mystery and intriguing character study, delving deep into Carl's growth toward someone who's maybe slightly pleasant, as well as the journeys of Carl's fellow detectives Akram (Alexej Manvelov), Rose (Leah Byrne), and Hardy (Jamie Sives). Together, they create a lovable squad with the potential for a long run of case-cracking on Netflix. The streaming gods demand it! — B.E.
Starring: Matthew Goode, Kelly Macdonald, Chloe Pirrie, Kate Dickie, Alexej Manvelov, Jamie Sives, and Leah Byrne
How to watch: Dept. Q is now streaming on Netflix.
10. The Diplomat, Season 3Debora Cahn's lauded drama The Diplomat returned for another round of red hot political tête-à-tête with Season 3, with the West Wing writer notably reuniting Bartlet administration alumni Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford as the U.S. president and her husband. However, as we've come to know The Diplomat over three seasons, the top brass aren't necessarily the main focus here. Amid the intricate dance of diplomacy, Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell return in fine form as U.S. Ambassador Kate Wyler and her husband, Hal, with Season 3 throwing a colossal spanner into their already turbulent relationship. Russell hits every damn note as the series' no-bullshit protagonist is pushed to her limit, and Sewell crafts Hal as obscenely punchable this season.
Meanwhile, the rug is pulled from under CIA Chief Eidra Park (an always-impeccable Ali Ahn), and Deputy Chief of Mission Stuart Hayford (the ever-charming Ato Essandoh) continues to be Kate's best chance at staying sane in the embassy. Thankfully, Season 3 also brings back David Gyasi as Kate's dashing crush, foreign secretary Austin Dennison, and Rory Kinnear as dreadful UK PM Nicol Trowbridge, while giving more screen time to Nana Mensah as matter-of-fact White House Chief of Staff Billie Appiah. Cahn proves The Diplomat is still the best political series on Netflix, as Season 3 skyrockets the stakes and pushes its now-lived-in characters to the brink. — S.C.
Starring: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh
How to watch: The Diplomat, Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
9. Stranger Things, Season 5Stranger Things continued its trend of going as big as possible in its fifth and final season. Demogorgons fighting the military! Driving into the Upside Down! Will (Noah Schnapp) getting show-stopping powers of his own! While I may not know how Stranger Things will stick the landing at the time of writing this, that last scene is worth a spot on this list for sheer hype alone.
Season 5 struggles with the same problems Stranger Things has been fighting for the latter half of its run, especially when it comes to overstuffing episodes to the point of exhaustion. Still, as I wrote in my review, "The flashy battles and lore bombshells can get the blood pumping, but it's the characters who have kept viewers coming back for many, many years. Knowing we'll be saying goodbye to them only makes these episodes sweeter, exhaustion be damned." — B.E.
Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, and Maya Hawke
How to watch: Stranger Things, Season 5, Volume 1 is now streaming on Netflix.
8. A Man on the Inside, Season 2Move over, Only Murders in the Building — Netflix's A Man on the Inside is coming for your cozy mystery crown. The series reunites creator Michael Schur (The Office, Parks and Recreation) with The Good Place star Ted Danson, and the pair's partnership continues to sparkle with wit and warmth.
Danson plays Charles Nieuwendyk, a newly minted PI whose next case takes him undercover on a liberal arts college campus. As he unravels a mystery involving a stolen laptop, blackmail, and an insufferable billionaire alum (Gary Cole), he also gets closer to his friends and family — not to mention a new love interest, played by Danson's real-life wife Mary Steenburgen. It's here that A Man on the Inside really shines, building dynamic communities and families and lovingly examining the ties that bind them together. If you're looking for the most comforting watch of the year, this is up there. — B.E.
Starring: Ted Danson, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, and Stephanie Beatriz
How to watch: A Man on the Inside, Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
7. WaywardCanadian comedian Mae Martin delivered a compelling drama mini-series with Wayward, led by the one and only Toni Collette as an enigmatic cult leader. Serene and intimidating, Evelyn Wade (Collette) runs Tall Pines Academy, a reform school for teenagers with some peculiar practices. Some rebellious teens are desperate to get out, and a new-to-town cop (Martin) may be their best chance for rescue.
In my review for Mashable, I cautioned: "All this makes for a show that's very easy to binge-watch. So now a warning: Don't hit play on Wayward unless you're ready to surrender yourself to eight hours of this sensational series. Like the town at its center, it's hard to walk away from."* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Starring: Mae Martin, Brandon Jay McLaren, Sarah Gadon, Patrick J. Adams, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Patrick Gallagher, Sydney Topliffe, Joshua Close, and Toni Collette
How to watch: Wayward is now streaming on Netflix.
6. Haunted HotelMy personal favorite new Netflix show is Haunted Hotel, an animated series Mashable TV critic Belen Edwards rightly summarized in her review as "The Shining meets Bob's Burgers."
Following a single mom, her two trouble-seeking kids, and her ghost brother and his demon ward (who is in the body of a little boy from centuries before), this wild cartoon from Rick and Morty writer Matt Roller balances the sweet, family-focused plotlines of a sitcom with a slew of horror movie references that give the show a darkly comic edge. The collision of macabre humor and a charming family makes the first watch through a breeze. But the iconic horror Easter eggs, the hilariously cheery Will Forte as a ghost uncle, and Jimmi Simpson's addictively chaotic take on demon boy Abaddon will have you coming back for rewatches again and again. It's an unlikely comfort show, but a solid one. — K.P.
Starring: Eliza Coupe, Will Forte, Skyler Gisondo, Natalie Palamides, and Jimmi Simpson
How to watch: Haunted Hotel is now streaming on Netflix.
5. North of NorthThe small-town comedy genre gets a lovely new entry in Netflix's North of North, which transports viewers to the Arctic town of Ice Cove. There, young Inuk woman Siaja (Anna Lambe) decides to leave her stale marriage to local legend Ting (Kelly William) and start over. That's easier said than done in an isolated town of 2,200 people, but Siaja is determined to succeed — although things get complicated when her estranged father (Jay Ryan) returns to town.
Don't let the frigid setting fool you: North of North is as heartwarming as TV shows come. Siaja's journey to independence is equal parts inspiring and amusing, as it takes several ridiculous mishaps for her to learn what she wants. Also touching is her troubled relationship with her mother, Neevee (Maika Harper), whose rocky past has led her to put up a tough exterior. These two flawed, lovable women head up a charming ensemble, with Ice Cove and its townspeople coming to life through detailed character work and specific town traditions like elders' night and walrus dick baseball. You read that right: walrus dick baseball. To watch how that plays out, and to fall in love with Lambe's wonderful turn as Siaja, be sure to journey North of North.* — B.E.
Starring: Anna Lambe, Maika Harper, Braeden Clarke, Jay Ryan, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Zorga Qaunaq, Bailey Poching, and Kelly William
How to watch: North of North is now streaming on Netflix.
4. Death by LightningImagine Deadwood meets Veep, and you'll have a good idea of what Death by Lightning brings to the table as it unfurls the stranger-than-fiction story of how President James A. Garfield was assassinated by the rogue Charles J. Guiteau.
This four-part mini-series is adapted from Candice Millard's sensational non-fictional book Destiny of the Republic (seriously, give it a read), and it boasts some incredible performers and some very beard-forward acting. Michael Shannon stars as Garfield, reigning in his volatile energy to become a portrait of quiet nobleness, while "Matthew Macfadyen brings Tom Wambsgans energy to Charles Guiteau," as Belen noted in her review. There are also dynamic turns from Nick Offerman, Bradley Whitford, and Shea Whigham. A lot of power-grubbing, machismo, and madness come into play, and watching how some things just don't change is alternatively amusing and troubling. And truly, the wildest parts really happened. — K.P.
Starring: Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford, and Shea Whigham
How to watch: Death by Lightning is now streaming on Netflix.
3. Long Story ShortLong Story Short is exactly what you'd expect from BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg: witty as hell one moment, downright devastating the next. The series invites viewers into the lives of the Schwooper siblings (voiced by Ben Feldman, Abbi Jacobson, and Max Greenfield), spanning decades from their chaotic childhoods to their equally chaotic adulthoods. From disastrous bar mitzvahs to awkward interventions, you've got a seat at the family table for it all.
Long Story Short cleverly collapses time in each episode, demonstrating how small incidents in our youth can snowball into major hangups in our later years. That nonlinear chronology turns the series into a thought-provoking examination of trauma and ever-shifting family ties. And what a family the Schwooper clan is, bursting with clashing personalities, inside jokes, and grievances that feel equal parts grounded and absurd. Spend just a few minutes with them, and you'll feel like you've known them your whole life, a quality that led me to call them "an instant classic TV family" in my review.* — B.E.
Starring: Ben Feldman, Abbi Jacobson, Max Greenfield, Lisa Edelstein, and Paul Reiser
How to watch: Long Story Short is now streaming on Netflix.
2. Mo, Season 2Not only is Mo one of the best TV shows of 2025 — it's also essential viewing. Co-created by Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef, this semi-autobiographical series centers on Palestinian refugee Mo (Amer) and his family's lives in Houston. Season 2 opens with Mo struggling to get back to the U.S. from Mexico. Detention centers and perilous border crossings await, all sobering reflections of the real-life journeys of immigrants trying to make it across the U.S.-Mexico border.
SEE ALSO: 'Mo' Season 2 review: Here's why it's still one of TV's most important showsAs UK Editor Shannon Connellan wrote in her review, "Mo's second season comes at a volatile time for Palestinians and undocumented immigrants alike, with those in power enforcing heartless, brutal decisions from disengaged, lofty offices that impact real people. Somehow, beyond all belief, amid a sense of transience and fear, of stacked odds and starting from scratch, Mo finds levity, surrealism, and personal solidarity in the dark, while being a genuinely funny and moving show."* — B.E.
Starring: Mo Amer, Farah Bsieso, Teresa Ruiz, Tobe Nwigwe, and Omar Elba
How to watch: Mo, Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
1. AdolescenceLikely to be the most harrowing viewing experience you'll have this year, Adolescence traps you in a nightmare over the course of its four episodes, each filmed in one take. Co-created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, and directed by Boiling Point's Philip Barantini, Netflix's much buzzed-about mini-series examines the aftermath of a chilling murder committed by 13-year-old Jamie (newcomer Owen Cooper). Each episode focuses on a different perspective around the case, from a detective (Ashley Walters) investigating Jamie's school to Jamie's family reckoning with his actions.
SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Adolescence' review: One of the best, most devastating shows of 2025These vignettes, coupled with Barantini's one-take technique, create an unflinching portrait of a crime that feels all too rooted in reality. As UK Deputy Editor Sam Haysom wrote in his review, "Adolescence's story isn't a crime mystery so much as a psychological study — it's an exploration of the manosphere culture that's having a real world affect on teenagers, and the societal and familial triggers that might lead to a seemingly ordinary 13-year-old doing something unthinkable. On this level, and on almost all others, the show is chillingly effective."* — B.E.
Starring: Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Owen Cooper, Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, and Amelie Pease
How to watch: Adolescence is now streaming on Netflix.
(*) denotes a blurb has come from a prior list.
Best gifts for mom 2025: 60+ thoughtful gift ideas that she probably doesnt have yet
There's a lot of pressure when brainstorming good gift ideas for your mom. She sacrificed a lot for you, and you'd like to show some appreciation back. Part of our larger series dedicated to finding the best gifts for everyone, this list of gifts for your mom (or any mom or mother figure, for that matter) attempts to think outside of the same old generic suggestions that have plagued moms at major holidays for decades.
SEE ALSO: The 71 absolute best stocking stuffers for 2025Does she have a unique interest or pastime that's a huge part of her life? You could look for hyper-specific items that speak directly to her passions, or pick up an item to finally get her started on that dream hobby. If she'd appreciate a more practical gift, rack your brain for a frustration that she's mentioned more than once — perhaps her coffee machine sucks or she's having trouble sleeping. You can't go wrong with gifting something that'll make her life easier.
Either way, the best Christmas gifts for mom will make her feel listened to, valued, or straight-up pampered. Consider what she does when she has no one putting demands on her time — then shop for those moments. And if you get stuck, visit our guide to the best gifts under $50 for even more winning ideas.
