As the holiday season approaches, entertainment studios are producing festive programming at a rapid pace, similar to the bustling activity in Santa’s workshop. Viewers can look forward to a variety of seasonal specials airing across broadcast networks, cable networks, and streaming platforms.
This year’s lineup features a mix of sequels, heartwarming series, and classic specials. Among the highlights are three follow-ups to the successful Hallmark Channel film “Christmas on Cherry Lane,” a documentary series that uncovers the journey of a letter sent to Santa, and the beloved animated classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Here are ten options to get you in the holiday mood this year:
– Lindsay Lohan makes her return in a holiday-themed romantic comedy on Netflix titled “Our Little Secret,” set to release Wednesday. In this film, Lohan, alongside Ian Harding from “Pretty Little Liars,” plays former lovers who unexpectedly reunite for Christmas after discovering they are now dating siblings. Lohan described the film as full of heart and humor, adding that such content is exactly what audiences need today. The cast also features Kristin Chenoweth.
– “Dear Santa, The Series” is set to bring warmth and joy akin to a cozy cup of hot chocolate. Now in its second season, the show explores the United States Postal Service’s Operation Santa program, where children write letters to Santa that a team of elves works to fulfill. Season two will be available for streaming on Hulu starting Friday.
– Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Mathison headline “Home Sweet Christmas,” a story about childhood friends reuniting over a tragic family loss involving a sugar maple farm left to them both. This film will debut on Sunday on Great American Family.
– The 1985 classic “Brewster’s Millions,” featuring Richard Pryor and John Candy, has been revamped with a holiday theme. “Brewster’s Millions: Christmas” showcases China Anne McClain as Morgan Brewster, a wealthy heiress faced with the challenge of completing a series of tasks before Christmas to keep her family fortune. The film is scheduled for release on December 5 on BET+ and includes appearances by Romeo Miller and the children of Richard Pryor, Richard Pryor Jr. and Rain Pryor.
– The Hallmark film “Christmas on Cherry Lane,” which became a major hit, delves into the lives of three families sharing the same home across different time periods on Christmas Eve. Three sequels are set to stream on Hallmark+, depicting stories from 1951 to contemporary times. The first sequel, “Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane,” features Jonathan Bennett and Vincent Rodriguez III and debuts on December 5. Following that, “Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane,” starring Catherine Bell and James Denton, airs December 12, while the final installment, “Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane,” arrives December 19 with Erin Cahill and Brooke D’Orsay.
– An original holiday movie titled “A Season to Remember” will air on OWN on December 7. Michele Weaver stars as a sports reporter striving to establish her career in a male-dominated field, facing challenges in securing compelling stories just before Christmas. She partners with a freelance photographer, played by Nathan Owens, who aids her in discovering romance and self-confidence.
– Freeform is celebrating the season with its “25 Days of Christmas” programming, which will feature holiday-themed content throughout December. Notable dates include December 8, showcasing Tim Allen’s “The Santa Clause” series alongside the animated classics “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman.”
– On December 11, NBC presents “A Motown Christmas Special,” hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey, with a stream available on Peacock the following day. The show will feature performances by Motown legends including Robinson, Gladys Knight, and The Temptations, as well as a medley by Bailey honoring Diana Ross and the Supremes. Jamie Foxx leads a tribute to Stevie Wonder, featuring artists like Andra Day and Jordin Sparks, accompanied by a live band.
– A special Christmas-themed double episode of “The Simpsons,” titled “O C’mon All Ye Faithful,” will stream on Disney+ on December 17. In this storyline, a well-known mentalist arrives in Springfield, using his abilities to elevate holiday cheer. Homer becomes hypnotized, leading him to believe he is Santa Claus, ultimately challenging the town’s perspectives on Christmas and the idea of miracles. The episode will include musical numbers from Patti LaBelle and Pentatonix.
– Lastly, Netflix plans to stream two NFL games on Christmas Day, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Baltimore Ravens facing the Houston Texans. Additionally, superstar Beyoncé will perform at halftime during the game involving her hometown team, the Texans. Both games will also be available on broadcast television in the respective team markets.