Crank out the festive treats and pop on your Christmas jammies (don't own a pair? You're lying)—there's a whole lotta holiday goodness for you to feast your eyes on right now thanks to Neon.
From time-travelling trains to a real-deal Santa Camp, these are the 10 best Christmas movies on Neon NZ right now.
Last Train To Christmas
Think Polar Express—if Polar Express were to take place in an alternate universe, with big hair, shoulder pads, and cracking '80s tunes. Yes, this new flick may be set onboard a train but that's where the similarities with the most-famous-Christmas-train-movie-of-all-time end. Instead, you'll follow Tony Towers, a successful nightclub manager in the 80s, who boards a train at Christmas time only to find that each carriage magically transports him to a different stage in his life. Starring the always-brilliant Michael Sheen, alongside Game of Thrones alumni, Nathalie Emmanuel. Watch it here.
A Boy Called Christmas
Technically this one's for the kids, but Christmas brings out the big kid in all of us, so pffft. Join Nikolas (Henry Lawfull) in A Boy Called Christmas as he embarks on a magical journey alongside his pet mouse and a reindeer named Blitzen to find his father—who, incidentally, is on a quest of his own to find the mythical elven city of Elfhelm. Keep an eye out for Professor McGonagall—erm, we mean Dame Maggie Smith—in the role of Aunt Ruth.
Santa Camp
So we've used the term 'movie' kinda loosely here, 'cos this one's actually a documentary. But once you hear what it's about, you'll see why we had to include it—it follows a bunch of Santas, Mrs Clauses and elves (impersonators, we mean) as they descend on an annual 'Santa Camp' in New Hampshire to learn the tricks of the festive trade. Watch as the camp breaks new and exciting ground this year in the area of inclusion, with transgender Santas, African-American Santas, and more.
A Christmas Story Christmas
Fans of the 1983 classic, A Christmas Story will appreciate the sequel A Christmas Story Christmas, where the OG lead, Ralphie—played by Peter Billingsley (who was just 12 when he filmed the first instalment!)—returns to his childhood home to reconnect with old friends and more importantly, give his own children a Christmas to rival the ones he had growing up. P.S. The kids have some of the most brutal one-liners we've heard in a while, and we love it.
The B*tch Who Stole Christmas
Turns out the grinch who stole Christmas looks less like a green, hairy monster, and more like a fabulous, high falutin editor played by the one-and-only RuPaul (keep your eyes peeled for the 20 other Drag Race stars who also make an appearance). RuPaul plays the boss of big-city fashion journalist, Olivia (Krysta Rodriguez), who is sent to dig up a story in a small, Christmas-obsessed town. Sounds fabulous, right? Watch it here.
Christmas Comes Twice
What if you were given a second chance to change your life? That's exactly what Cheryl (Tamera Mowry-Housley) is about to find out in this feel-good flick from the festive experts at Hallmark, when she magically travels back in time five years while visiting her family at Christmas. With over-the-top sets, cheesy tunes and plenty of romance, this is exactly what the world needs more of right now. Watch it here.
A Christmas Mystery
Again, some might class this as a kid's flick, but we've established how we feel about that particular matter already (never grow up team, it's a trap). If you're on the same wavelength, you'll love this tale that follows a group of kids who must find Santa's enchanted jingle bells, which have gone missing from their town. Will they solve this outrageous mystery, and restore the magic of Christmas? Watch it here.
Holiday Harmony
We spy with our collective Urban List eye, Brooke Sheilds making an appearance in yet another festive flick (who could forget last year's A Castle for Christmas?). However, this time 'round she's taking the passenger seat as a co-star, in this film about a budding singer/songwriter named Gail (Annelise Cepero), who is on her way to take a shot at the big time when she hits a bump in the road (kinda literally) and becomes stranded in a small town called Harmony Springs. Watch it here.
Gingerbread Miracle
Another gem from the haus of Hallmark, this one follows two high-school friends who must work together to sell a Mexican bakery famous for its wish-granting gingerbread cookies, and which shares a special place in both of their hearts. Drool over the baking, and probs the male lead, Jon Ecker, too. Watch it here.
A Hollywood Christmas
How's this for a festive dilemma—a Christmas movie about whether Christmas movies are worthwhile? Enter up-and-coming filmmaker, Jessica (Jessika Van), who must battle the ultimate holiday evil—a film exec attempting to shut down production on her new Christmas flick, all while catching feels in the process. Sounds like something straight out of a Hollywood movie... oh wait, it is. Watch it here.
In the mood for even more festive movies? Of course you are. Here are the best Christmas movies on Netflix NZ.
Image credit: Neon.