New Christmas films 2026: UK release dates and where to watch

Christmas 2026 has a new Scrooge, an action-hero Santa and enough festive romances to occupy several evenings on the sofa. The useful question is which ones need a cinema ticket and which will arrive with a subscription.

Here are the Christmas films announced so far, with UK cinema dates, streaming release dates and the gaps still worth checking. This is a preview of forthcoming releases, not a ranking: we haven't reviewed the new films yet.

Research checked: 17 October 2026. Dates can move. This guide covers Christmas-themed films, with returning favourites listed separately.

The dates at a glance

Netflix dates above come from its announcements and the specialist reporting linked below. Check the title in your UK Netflix account before planning an evening around it; a US listing alone does not confirm UK availability.

New Christmas films in UK cinemas

Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint — 6 November

A disastrous shopping trip lands Aubrey, played by John Bradley, with community service at a retirement home. The residents face losing their home, and a production of Dickens's Christmas ghost story becomes part of the rescue effort. Expect amateur dramatics with rather more at stake than remembering the lines.

Jack Spring directs, with Sophia Di Martino, Celia Imrie, Richard E. Grant and Adjoa Andoh among the cast; Jim Broadbent contributes a voice role. Parkway's UK listing confirms 6 November. For anyone looking for a new British Christmas comedy, this is the obvious diary entry.

Ebenezer — 13 November

Johnny Depp plays Scrooge in Ti West's take on Charles Dickens, alongside a cast including Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint and Andrea Riseborough. The familiar journey through Christmas past, present and future is getting another big-screen telling.

Parkway lists the UK opening on 13 November. How this version handles the ghosts is one of the things to watch for; a famous story is no guarantee of a particular tone or age suitability. For a comparison beforehand, there's Alastair Sim's Scrooge (1951).

Violent Night 2 — 4 December

David Harbour returns as Santa, with Tommy Wirkola directing again. If your December viewing tends towards Christmas horror and festive action, this belongs on the shortlist.

Universal's UK site confirms 4 December. Check the sequel's own BBFC certificate before booking: the first film's rating doesn't establish the second film's classification.

New Christmas films on streaming

A Dog's Perfect Christmas — 4 November, Netflix

A family under strain, a grandfather and a basset hound: this one is aiming squarely at the emotional side of Christmas. Cathryn Michon directs, with Dennis Quaid, Milo Ventimiglia and Mary Steenburgen in the cast. Netflix's autumn slate lists 4 November.

It comes from W. Bruce Cameron's novel. Familiar names from other dog films don't make it a sequel to them.

The Gospel of Christmas — 11 November, Netflix

Tyler Perry's festive drama follows a pastor and his family trying to save a struggling New York church before Christmas. Fantasia Barrino Taylor and Durrell “Tank” Babbs star, with gospel performers among the ensemble.

Netflix confirms the film, its trailer and the 11 November release. It's a different prospect from the season's romantic comedies.

The Christmas Switch — 12 November reported, Netflix

Two sisters swap their very different lives over Christmas in this Swedish romantic comedy, starring Félice and Happy Jankell. A change of address rarely solves everything in these films, which is usually where the fun begins.

Netflix's title page confirms the film. The 12 November date is reported by What's on Netflix; UK availability still needs checking in the app.

Guarding Stars — 18 November, Netflix

Leighton Meester's bodyguard must protect Jared Padalecki's movie star over the holidays. Professional boundaries and Christmas romance make an awkward combination.

Netflix's Media Center lists 18 November, although the page currently displays the United States territory. Treat that as the announced release date, with the UK listing to check separately.

The Man with the Bag — 2 December, Prime Video

Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Santa, whose stolen bag sends him into an unlikely partnership with a thief played by Alan Ritchson. Adam Shankman directs the Christmas heist comedy.

Amazon confirms a worldwide Prime Video premiere on 2 December. Thirty years after Jingle All the Way, Schwarzenegger is back in the Christmas-present business, this time with rather more deliveries to make.

In a Holidaze — 2 December reported, Netflix

Maddie Ziegler stars in a romance about reliving a disastrous Christmas until its heroine works out what she wants. Tiffany Paulsen directs the adaptation of Christina Lauren's novel, with Rob Lowe and Patton Oswalt also appearing.

Netflix confirms the time-loop premise, and What's on Netflix reports a global 2 December release. A useful sofa-night alternative to Santa's heist on Prime Video that same day.

A standalone trailer hasn't been verified as of 17 October. This official Netflix holiday teaser includes footage from the film.

Christmas favourites returning to cinemas

These aren't new films, but they may be the easiest outings to agree on.

Arthur Christmas — from 20 November. The 2011 film turns fifteen this year. Park Circus confirms its UK and Ireland re-release date.

Original-release teaser; dates shown in this older video are not the 2026 re-release dates.

The Holiday — from 4 December. Nancy Meyers's house-swap romance turns twenty, and the same Park Circus announcement confirms its return. Check your local cinema for actual showtimes; a re-release date doesn't mean every venue is playing it.

It's a Wonderful Life — selected December screenings. For its eightieth anniversary, Tyneside Cinema lists screenings from 11 to 24 December. Those are confirmed dates at that venue, rather than a promise of a nationwide opening.

What still needs a date?

Clashing Through the Snow is a forthcoming Prime Video comedy starring Christopher Briney and Michelle Randolph as colleagues caught up in holiday travel chaos. TV Insider currently lists winter 2026; we haven't verified a firm UK premiere date or an official trailer. Fan-made trailers are not included.

We also haven't verified a new 2026 Sky Original Christmas film for this guide. Hallmark's US premieres need separate UK availability checks, so they aren't being presented here as UK streaming releases.

If you're choosing tonight's film rather than planning November, start with our romantic Christmas films or best British Christmas films. The forthcoming titles above can wait their turn to earn a place.