Netflix's first Christmas movie of 2025 is now streaming (and it’s a festive delight)

The holidays are coming, and you can feel it everywhere. It’s that special time of year when schedules slow down, and we all start craving a little extra joy, laughter, and wonder. That’s exactly why Netflix has begun rolling out its new Christmas movies now.

Each year, as the season turns, the streaming giant brings us stories that capture the very essence of the holidays. We're talking about films that make your heart swell, your cheeks hurt from laughter, and your spirit light up with the warmth of the season.

This year, Netflix will be releasing four new Christmas films that star some pretty well-known actors. In fact, the first of these festive releases is now available to stream. It's titled A Merry Little Ex-Mas, and I'd highly recommend settling in with your coziest blanket and a cup of hot cocoa to enjoy it.

A Merry Little Ex-Mas is the perfect Christmas movie to watch on Netflix in 2025

Being a fan of Christmas movies in general, I was looking forward to seeing what new Christmas magic Netflix would bring this year. After finding out the plot and who would be starring in My Merry Little Ex-Mas, I knew this would be a holiday film worth anticipating. From the moment I pressed play, I was immediately swept into its cozy, festive world.

We're taken to the small fictional New England town of Winterlight. Here, we meet Kate Holden, played by Alicia Silverstone. Kate had big dreams of working as an architect after college, but she gave up that career when she fell in love with Everett (Oliver Hudson). Now many years later, Kate finds herself questioning the choices she made and the life she built.

Once the picture-perfect couple, she and Everett are in the final stages of an amicable divorce, trying to navigate their new normal while co-parenting their two kids. As the holidays roll in, Kate plans to make this Christmas one to remember before officially closing that chapter of her life and selling their family home. But when Everett unexpectedly brings his much younger girlfriend home for the holidays, things take a chaotic and emotional turn.

The movie's plot alone was interesting enough to grab my attention. It seemed like the kind of story that could either be overly predictable or surprisingly heartfelt. Thankfully, it ended up leaning towards the latter as well as having the right amount of humor. Much of what made this movie so entertaining to watch is seeing Silverstone and Hudson on screen together.

I had no doubt that they'd give strong performances as individual actors, but their chemistry was what really brought the story to life. They play off each other effortlessly, capturing that complicated mix of lingering affection, frustration, and familiarity that often comes with long-term relationships.

But that's not to say the rest of the cast didn't hold their own. Melissa Joan Hart brought warmth and wit to every scene she was in, while Jameela Jamil stole a few moments as Everett’s new, much-younger girlfriend. Pierson Fodé had me laughing from the moment he appeared, bringing a goofy charm and playful energy to his role of a young man who sweeps Kate off her feet with his flirtatious ways.

Then, there are the younger cast members, Wilder Hudson and Emily Hall. They might not be household names, but they were surprisingly good. They left me wanting to see what other projects they had been in and what they might do next.

Overall, Netflix made the best decision by releasing this Christmas movie first. Now, I'm more excited than ever for the rest of the streamer's holiday lineup!

A Merry Little Ex-Mas is streaming now only on Netflix.