There’s nothing quite like the aroma of hot chocolate, a cozy blanket, and a good holiday film to welcome the most wonderful time of the year.
This November 2026, the entertainment industry officially kicks off its most competitive holiday release season yet. Streaming giants like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Hallmark, along with the major movie studios, have rolled out a diverse lineup perfect for sparking the festive, family-friendly spirit.
From heartwarming stories featuring pets to road trip comedies and musical reunions centered on faith, this month’s offerings promise to touch hearts, bring laughter, and captivate audiences of all tastes. The releases in the coming weeks will bring together movie legends such as Johnny Depp and Dennis Quaid with favorite TV stars, including Lacey Chabert, Leighton Meester, and Jared Padalecki.
Below, we’ll break down the release dates, plots, and streaming platforms for the big titles that are sure to become your holiday obsessions this November.
A Dog’s Perfect Christmas
Where to Watch: Netflix
Release date: Wednesday, November 4
Genre: Family movies for the holiday season, Family comedy-drama, Pet-friendly movies, Film adaptation
To kick things off, Netflix presents A Dog’s Perfect Christmas, a heartwarming story based on the novel by W. Bruce Cameron (author of A Dog’s Purpose) and directed by Cathryn Michon. This time, the story is narrated by Winstead, a wise Basset Hound voiced by Thomas Haden Church.
The plot follows the Goss family at a critical moment: while Grandpa Sander (Dennis Quaid) grapples with grief and his estrangement from his granddaughter Ello (Brooke Lena Johnson), a medical emergency leaves the young girl’s mother in an induced coma. Amid the chaos of the holiday season and with the support of her uncle Hunter (Milo Ventimiglia), the unexpected arrival of a mischievous little Corgi puppy named Ruby will become the driving force that tries to keep the family together.
The official description of the Netflix film reads:
“From the bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose, a tale of a family in crisis where a teenager, her grandfather, and his trusty basset hound struggle to keep the household together at Christmas.”
The best news for animal lovers? The director has already confirmed that, unlike in other dramas, the puppy doesn’t die in this one.
The Gospel of Christmas
Where to Watch: Netflix
Release date: Wednesday, November 11
Genre: Family movies for the holiday season, Family drama and comedy, Faith- and spirituality-themed musicals, Community-driven films
Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas marks the celebrated filmmaker’s third Christmas movie, following his previous hits A Madea Christmas (2013) and Finding Joy (2025).
Written and directed by Perry himself, and produced by Angi Bones and Tony L. Strickland, this new production presents a moving story of faith and overcoming adversity. The plot follows Isaac (Durrell “Tank” Babbs), a struggling pastor who inherits his family’s church.
The official synopsis reads:
“In Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas, a struggling pastor inherits his family’s church in a troubled New York neighborhood, but as he battles doubt, temptation, and a sinister adversary, he must rediscover his faith and the power of prayer to save his church, his family, and his community.”
The film is produced by the legendary Kirk Franklin, one of the most influential figures in modern gospel music in recent decades. And its soundtrack stands out as an energetic celebration that ranges from contemporary and classic songs to gospel, rap, and Christmas music.
In addition, the production brings together true legends of the genre, including CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, The Clark Sisters, Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful, Jekalyn Carr, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
Ebenezer
Where to Watch: In theaters
Release date: Friday, November 13
Genre: Supernatural holiday drama, Dark gothic fantasy, Film adaptation, Christmas movies about personal redemption
This new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ literary classic, A Christmas Carol, is directed and edited by Ti West, based on a screenplay adapted by Nathaniel Halpern. The filmmaker moves away from traditional children’s adaptations to offer a gothic and visually stylized reinterpretation that delves deeply into the story’s roots as a ghost story.
According to Paramount Pictures’ description:
“In Dickensian London, wealthy misanthrope Ebenezer Scrooge is forced into a terrifying supernatural journey on Christmas Eve. Visited by the spectral Jacob Marley and three ghosts, he must confront the mistakes of his past and the bleakness of his present. Scrooge faces his deepest fears and a grim future in a desperate fight for personal redemption.”
This feature film marks Johnny Depp’s return to the big screen. The actor leads a stellar cast that includes Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman, and Daisy Ridley, as well as Sam Claflin, Arthur Conti, and Ellie Bamber.
Unlike the usual cheerful and cozy holiday stories, this film features desolate winter landscapes and terrifying spectral encounters, balanced with a profound emotional weight centered on human remorse. Ebenezer is rated PG-13.
Guarding Stars
Where to Watch: Netflix
Release date: Wednesday, November 18
Genre: Family movies for the holiday season, Festive romantic comedy, Film adaptation, Stories of misunderstandings and fake relationships
Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, the highly anticipated holiday romantic comedy Guarding Stars will arrive on Netflix next Wednesday, November 18, to win over fans of the genre.
Based on Katherine Center’s best-selling novel The Bodyguard, the story brings together two television icons in a nostalgic crossover: Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl) and Jared Padalecki (Supernatural).
The plot follows Hannah Brooks, a relentless bodyguard who is hired to protect the charismatic action star Jack Stapleton from a dangerous stalker. To keep the secret from the actor’s family, the two move to a picturesque ranch in Montana for the holidays, where they must pretend to be deeply in love.
With the perfect contrast between a relentless bodyguard and a capricious Hollywood star, Guarding Stars is the ideal choice for audiences who enjoy romantic comedies centered on fake relationships and arrangements of convenience.
Clashing Through the Snow
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Release date: Wednesday, November 25
Genre: Christmas road movie, Festive romantic comedy, Stories of romantic entanglements and workplace rivalry.
Directed by Carlson Young, Clashing Through the Snow is Prime Video’s new romantic comedy. It’s worth noting that the screenplay is by Daniel Mackey and Rebecca Ewing, creators of the Christmas hit Love Hard.
The plot follows Walter (Andrew Schulz) and Hannah (Michelle Randolph), two office rivals forced to share a cross-country road trip after their flights are canceled due to a snowstorm.
Fashion and entertainment personalities such as Paris Hilton (who will play herself in a satirical role) and Julia Fox join this chaotic holiday adventure, which has all the potential to become one of the season’s biggest viral hits.
Described as a modern take on the classic Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Clashing Through the Snow promises laughs, mix-ups, and just the right touch of romance for the holidays.
Mickey’s Home Alone
Where to Watch: Disney +
Release date: Friday, November 27, 2026.
Genre: Family movies for the holiday season, Digital animation (CGI), Comedy of errors and mischief, Reimagined classics.
Directed by Shane Prigmore, Mickey’s Home Alone is Disney+’s new original holiday film. This animated feature stands out for being directly inspired by the iconic 1990s comedy classic Home Alone, giving it a heartwarming and fun animated twist that’s perfect for watching with the whole family.
The plot kicks off amid a chaotic morning of preparations, when Minnie surprises the group with tickets to spend Christmas at a luxurious Ice Palace. In the rush to leave on time for the trip, Mickey Mouse and his faithful dog Pluto are accidentally left behind and completely alone at home. The peaceful evening is interrupted when two cunning and hungry villains—a raccoon and a weasel—try to sneak in to steal the Christmas dinner, forcing Mickey to defend his home with ingenious McCallister-style traps while Minnie and the rest of the group desperately try to make their way back.
Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True
Where to Watch: Hallmark Channel
Release date: Saturday, November 28
Genre: Family movies for the holiday season, Contemporary magical romance, Romantic comedy about second chances, Holiday family comedies
Directed by Ryan Landels, Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True is this month’s biggest and most anticipated premiere on the Hallmark Channel. Marking a historic milestone as the first Christmas movie officially co-produced by Hallmark and Walt Disney World, this project came to life directly at the iconic theme parks and resorts in Orlando, Florida.”
The plot follows Lindsey (Lacey Chabert), who travels with her entire family to spend a dream Christmas in the most magical place on Earth. However, her perfect plans take a turn when she discovers that the room next door is occupied by Philip (Travis Van Winkle), a man with whom she’s just had a disastrous first date and who is also traveling with his own family. Forced to run into each other constantly throughout their vacation, their initial rivalry and tension will begin to fade thanks to a very special wish made at the iconic Cinderella Fountain.