The weekend before Christmas, right here on Netflix, 
There are fun, festive shows and joyful movie picks!
When the yule log’s not burning bright on your TV, 
Why not fire up something merry to see? 

The advent calendar’s down to the single digits (and hopefully your shopping list is, too), because we’ve entered the final countdown to Christmas! In this last weekend before the big climax of the festive season, why not get cozy with a stream that captures the magic of the holiday? Queue up a double feature of unconventional twists on The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, a whole sleigh full of Santa’s adventures, or a delicious cookie-baking extravaganza. Merry streaming to all, and to all a good night! 

But first, what’s new on Netflix?

An essential piece of American history. Tyler Perry’s new drama The Six Triple Eight, based on a 2019 WWII History Magazine article by Kevin M. Hymel, tells the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, America’s only all-Black, all-female battalion deployed to Europe in World War II. Kerry Washington stars in the film as Major Charity Adams. Not up for that mission? Catch this: The new three-part docuseries Aaron Rodgers: Enigma examines the career of the notable quarterback and chronicles his recovery from a 2023 injury. And if that’s still not enough to satisfy your football craving, just hold out until Wednesday: Two NFL games, the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Houston Texans, will stream live on Netflix on Christmas Day — with the latter featuring a halftime show by Beyoncé. 

If you have just a night … 

Follow the visions of sugarplums dancing in your head. Oliver Bokelberg’s 2020 documentary Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker turns its lens on legendary choreographer Debbie Allen as she stages her annual Christmas show, a lively modern reinterpretation of the beloved ballet. To double up on holiday magic (and add some echoes of another, more Dickensian Christmas classic), follow it up with Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square, a musical directed and choreographed by none other than Allen. Christine Baranski stars as a coldhearted businesswoman who plans to evict the residents of her hometown, until an angel (Parton) visits her with a few sassy lessons about the true meaning of Christmas. 

If you have a whole day … 

Spend it with the big guy. Santa’s got an all-nighter coming up, and you can show your support with a mini-marathon of different stories about him. Start with Simon Otto’s new animated comedy That Christmas (co-written by Love Actually filmmaker Richard Curtis and Peter Souter), in which a snowstorm throws Christmas Eve into disarray in a small town, with Brian Cox providing the voice of Saint Nick. Go back in time from there with Sergio Pablos’ Klaus, which provides an alternate origin story for the legendary figure. J.K. Simmons’ distinctive voice goes to the title character, a reclusive woodworker, and Jason Schwartzman voices a postman who teams up with him to bring toys to children. And Santa gets a live-action rendering in Clay Kaytis’ comedy The Christmas Chronicles and Chris Columbus’ sequel, in which a very cool Kurt Russell wears the red suit and Goldie Hawn co-stars as his Mrs. Claus. 

If you have the entire weekend … 

Don’t forget the cookies and milk! ’Tis the season for The Great British Baking Show: Holidays, and the new two-part Season 7 is now here and ready to sweeten your week (along with all six of its predecessors). If you gobble that up too fast, don’t worry! There are more treats — plus a little mischief — in two seasons of Nailed It! Holiday!, featuring creations that just might resemble your own attempts at baking. 

Don’t forget, you have one last chance … 

… for a house call. Andrew Lenchewski and John P. Rogers’ USA Network dramedy Royal Pains, which ran for eight seasons, stars Mark Feuerstein as a talented physician who becomes a concierge doctor for the wealthy in the Hamptons. By the end of the month, the doctor will be out. 

Christmas Movies To Stream This Holiday Season