The Year’s Best New Streaming Christmas Rom-Coms, From ‘A Merry Little Ex-Mas’ to ‘Champagne Problems’

At Variety, we’re serious about the business of entertainment — and equally serious about our holiday rom-com viewing. We’ve diligently studied each of this year’s offerings from the major streamers, and this crop really has it all: mystery Santas, precocious kids, grand larceny, ski-slope bullies, chaste smooches, sculpted abs, snowstorms, messy divorces — and Oliver Hudson. With so many presents to choose from, this handy chart will help you pick the right movie for a hot cocoa-fueled evening by the fire.

• Finding Joy

  Amazon Prime Video

  Lovelorn New York fashion designer Joy (Shannon Thornton) is stranded in a snowstorm in Colorado for Christmas. Luckily, a mysterious man, Ridge (Tosin Morohunfola), is ready to assist.

  CHEMISTRY: Fine? The enemies-to-lovers trope is convincing, but the cutting away to her two stoner friends distracts from the romance.

  CHEER: Negative. This could have taken place any time of year.

  VERDICT: If you’re looking for a light holiday romance, this isn’t it! (But it’s almost worth it for the very nontraditional Christmas movie ending.)

• Champagne Problems

  Netflix

  Executive Sydney (Minka Kelly) is sent to Paris to acquire a Champagne brand, then accidentally falls for the heir of the empire, Henri (Tom Wozniczka).

  CHEMISTRY: Decent. They hook up the night they meet(!) — plus, he doesn’t lose interest after she reveals her relatable tummy issues.

  CHEER: Pretty. How could Christmas in Paris with holiday markets and bubbly not be pretty?

  VERDICT: It’s charming and sweet, while reminding you to follow your heart, pursue your career aspirations … and go to Europe.

• Merv

  Amazon Prime Video

  Charlie Cox and Zooey Deschanel are exes who split custody of their pup, Merv. But when Merv is diagnosed with depression, the trio heads to a pampered dog resort where the human romance rekindles. Plenty of cute set pieces and misunderstandings follow.

  CHEMISTRY: Intense. Cox and Deschanel play yearning just right, and once the sad reason behind their split is revealed, there won’t be a dry eye in the audience.

  CHEER: Apathetic. It’s snowy in one early scene, but most of the movie takes place on a Florida beach.

  VERDICT: It’s a mostly cute sitcom-level romp, but the lack of holiday tidings doesn’t make it feel seasonal at all.

• My Secret Santa

  Netflix

  “Mrs. Doubtfire,” but with a single mom (Alexandra Breckenridge) cosplaying as St. Nick who falls in love with a nepo baby ski lodge tycoon (Ryan Eggold).

  CHEMISTRY: Low. He bares great abs (and almost flashes his buns!), but she mostly keeps her Santa suit on.

  CHEER: High. It looks like Buddy the Elf set-decorated this drenched-in-tinsel production.

  VERDICT: So delightfully sweet and sappy it will rot your teeth.

• Joy to the World

  Hulu

  Lifestyle author Joy (Emmanuelle Chriqui) enlists her best friend (Chad Michael Murray) to play her husband for a Christmas broadcast — but he’s a little too believable.

  CHEMISTRY: Joyful! The trope of the best friend who secretly wants more packs on extra heat here — pun intended for that kitchen kiss.

  CHEER: Happy. Joy and her fake family give her house a complete Christmas makeover. Gorgeous.

  VERDICT: Highly predictable, but combining veteran actors with great chemistry works holiday wonders.

• A Merry Little Ex-Mas

  Netflix

  Kate (Alicia Silverstone) and Everett (Oliver Hudson) are recent exes hoping to do Christmas as a family with the kids — but he brings along his new girlfriend.

  CHEMISTRY: Merry! Kate and Everett are clearly meant for each other, since they broke up for … no real reason.

  CHEER: Bright! There’s sledding, cozy sweaters, snuggling, tree trimming, snowmen and flannel everywhere.

  VERDICT: It’s the perfect family holiday vibe, and Pierson Fodé takes MVP as Chet, Kate’s hunky and good-natured fling.

• Jingle Bell Heist

  Netflix

  Sophie (Olivia Holt) and Nick (Connor Swindells) are two desperate (and sexy!) singles who conspire to rob her greedy boss.

  CHEMISTRY: Sad. Sophie and Nick are much more focused on their tragic backstories than on flirting.

  CHEER: Happy. The mood is heavy, but the department store backdrop dazzles.

  VERDICT: If you’re looking for a sappy Hallmark movie knockoff, search elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a darkly comedic heist film with a Christmas setting, this is a solid watch.