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This holiday season, streaming services are delivering all the best movie gifts, whether you’re gearing up for awards season or looking for a festive escape.
Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, and more are rolling out a mix of original content perfect for post-Thanksgiving turkey and football binges or while wrapping presents on Christmas Eve. And don’t worry—you’ll spot plenty of A-list stars in action: Angelina Jolie seeks a Best Actress Oscar with a biopic about Maria Callas, Ben Stiller stars in a Christmas comedy, Kerry Washington leads a Tyler Perry war movie, and even the Virgin Mary takes center stage in a fresh take on the Nativity.
Here’s a sneak peek at 15 exciting movies you can stream from the comfort of your couch:
‘Emilia Pérez’ (Nov. 20)
In this Spanish-language blend of telenovela melodrama, crime thriller, and musical, lawyer Rita Moro Castro (Zoe Saldaña) is hired by a drug lord (Karla Sofía Gascón) to transition into a woman. The plot thickens when the cartel boss’s wife (Selena Gomez) reappears years later.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘An Almost Christmas Story’ (Nov. 24)
A young owl named Moon gets stuck in a tree bound for Rockefeller Plaza. After escaping, he teams up with a lost girl, Luna, to find their way home in this heartwarming animated short, starring John C. Reilly, Natasha Lyonne, and Jim Gaffigan.
Where to watch: Disney+
‘The Merry Gentlemen’ (Nov. 20)
In this quirky holiday comedy, Broadway dancer (Britt Robertson) stages an all-male Christmas revue to save her parents’ bar. She recruits buff contractor (Chad Michael Murray) and his friends for a festive dance show.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Blitz’ (Nov. 22)
Saoirse Ronan stars in this gripping World War II drama as a mother separated from her son amidst Nazi bombings in London. The son embarks on a dangerous journey to reunite with her.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
‘Out of My Mind’ (Nov. 22)
Phoebe-Rae Taylor plays a non-verbal sixth-grader with cerebral palsy trying to navigate her challenges. With the help of assistive technology, Melody strives to be heard in this touching coming-of-age drama.
Where to watch: Disney+
‘The Piano Lesson’ (Nov. 22)
In this adaptation of August Wilson’s play, John David Washington stars as a man wanting to sell a musical heirloom to buy land tied to his family’s history. His sister (Danielle Deadwyler) fights to preserve the family legacy.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Spellbound’ (Nov. 22)
Princess Ellian (voiced by Rachel Zegler) embarks on a quest to break a spell that has turned her parents (Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem) into monsters in this magical animated adventure.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Our Little Secret’ (Nov. 27)
Lindsay Lohan stars in this holiday rom-com about a woman trying to impress her boyfriend’s mom at a family holiday getaway, only to find out her beau’s sister is dating her ex.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Sweethearts’ (Nov. 28)
Best friends (Nico Hiraga and Kiernan Shipka) come home for Thanksgiving with a mission to break up with their high school sweethearts, but things get complicated as they reevaluate their own relationship.
Where to watch: Max
‘Nutcrackers’ (Nov. 29)
Ben Stiller stars as a workaholic who becomes the guardian of four unruly boys, forcing him to navigate the chaos in this heartwarming holiday comedy.
Where to watch: Hulu
‘That Christmas’ (Dec. 4)
Richard Curtis (director of Love Actually) brings us an animated Christmas movie filled with intertwined stories about family, love, loneliness, and Santa’s blizzard-bound mistake.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Mary’ (Dec. 6)
In this action thriller, Noa Cohen stars as the mother of Jesus, forced to go into hiding with Joseph (Ido Tako) after her immaculate conception is discovered. Anthony Hopkins plays King Herod in pursuit of the newborn.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Maria’ (Dec. 11)
Angelina Jolie plays opera legend Maria Callas in this biopic set in the 1970s, focusing on her final days in France as she revisits her life, loves, and career with the emotional support of her butler and housekeeper.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Carry-On’ (Dec. 13)
Taron Egerton stars in this high-stakes action thriller about a TSA agent who’s blackmailed into letting a dangerous package through security, setting off a tense, action-packed adventure.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘The Six Triple Eight’ (Dec. 20)
Kerry Washington leads the cast in this World War II drama, inspired by the true story of the all-female, African American Army Corps unit responsible for delivering millions of pieces of backlogged mail to boost troop morale.
Where to watch: Netflix
Whether you’re looking for heartfelt drama, holiday fun, or thrilling action, these 15 movies will provide the perfect entertainment as you cozy up for the season. Happy streaming!
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