If you’re anything like me, your Netflix "My List" is basically a digital graveyard of half-finished documentaries and movies you’ll "definitely watch next weekend." But December is different. The streamer usually saves the heavy hitters for the end of the year, and honestly, the lineup for new netflix for december 2025 is kind of absurd. We aren't just talking about a few cheesy Hallmark-style rom-coms. We’re talking about the actual end of an era with Stranger Things, a brand new Knives Out mystery, and some live sports that might actually make you put down the controller for once.
Let's be real: nobody has time to scroll for forty minutes just to end up watching The Office for the ninth time. I've sifted through the noise to figure out what actually deserves a spot on your screen this month.
The Big Ones: Stranger Things and Benoit Blanc
Look, we have to start with the elephant in the room. The second half of Stranger Things 5 is finally hitting on December 25. It’s been years. We’ve all aged. The kids in the show look like they’re ready for their ten-year high school reunions. But this is the big finale, and Netflix is splitting the landing, with the final-final episodes dropping right on New Year’s Eve. If you aren't glued to your couch on Christmas Day watching Eleven try to save Hawkins one last time, are you even doing December right?
Then there’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery on December 12. Rian Johnson is back, Daniel Craig’s accent is presumably even more chaotic, and the cast is stacked with people like Josh O’Connor and Cailee Spaeny. This time, Benoit Blanc is heading to a religious setting—a small-town priest gets killed, and things get weird. It’s the perfect "watch with your parents" movie because it’s smart enough to keep you interested but easy enough for them to follow.
The Holiday Rom-Coms (The Guilty Pleasures)
Netflix knows we want fluff in December. They gave us My Secret Santa on December 3, starring Alexandra Breckenridge from Virgin River. The plot is basically a mad lib: a single mom disguises herself as a male Santa at a luxury resort to keep her job. It’s silly. It’s predictable. You’ll probably love it while you’re decorating the tree.
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If you want something a bit more "prestige holiday," keep an eye out for Goodbye June on Christmas Eve. It’s Kate Winslet’s directorial debut, and she’s starring in it alongside Toni Collette. It’s about a family gathering for what might be their last Christmas together. It’s probably going to be a tearjerker, so keep the tissues nearby.
The Surprise Hits You Might Miss
Aside from the blockbusters, there’s some weirdly interesting stuff coming to new netflix for december.
- The Abandons (Dec 4): A gritty Western from Kurt Sutter (the Sons of Anarchy guy). It’s about a group of outlier families in 1850s Oregon. If you like Yellowstone but wish it had more mud and less fancy ranch clothes, this is for you.
- Man vs. Baby (Dec 11): Rowan Atkinson is basically doing a sequel to Man vs. Bee, but this time he’s babysitting. It’s pure slapstick. Short episodes, high stress, very funny.
- Jay Kelly (Dec 5): A Noah Baumbach movie starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler. Yes, you read that right. It’s a comedy-drama that people are already whispering about for awards season.
Live Sports and Reality TV
Netflix is leaning hard into live events this year. On Christmas Day, they’re streaming two NFL games: the Cowboys vs. Commanders and the Lions vs. Vikings. It’s a bold move, and honestly, it’s kinda nice to have everything in one app if you’ve already cut the cord.
For the reality junkies, Owning Manhattan Season 2 drops early in the month (December 5). Ryan Serhant is still trying to dominate the high-end real estate market while dealing with agents who seem to spend more time fighting than selling penthouses. It’s the perfect mindless watch for when you’re too tired to think.
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Why This December Feels Different
In the past, Netflix would dump a hundred things and hope ten of them stuck. This year, the strategy feels more focused. They’re leaning into "appointment viewing"—things you actually have to watch the day they drop or risk getting spoiled on social media.
Between the high-stakes ending of Stranger Things and the theatrical feel of the new Knives Out, they’re trying to prove they can still do big-budget cinema better than anyone else. Plus, bringing back Emily in Paris (Season 5 on December 18) ensures that the "fashion-as-escapism" crowd stays happy.
Actionable Viewing Plan
To make the most of your subscription this month, I’d suggest a tiered approach. Use your weekends for the big movies like Wake Up Dead Man and Jay Kelly. Save the shorter, punchier stuff like Man vs. Baby or Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (Season 2 drops Dec 11) for those weeknights when you only have thirty minutes before bed.
And seriously, clear your schedule for December 25 and 31. The Stranger Things finale is going to be the only thing anyone talks about for weeks. If you haven't rewatched the previous seasons lately, you might want to start now—there’s a lot of lore to remember before the Upside Down finally (hopefully) closes for good.
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Start by marking your calendar for December 12. That Knives Out premiere is usually a massive cultural moment, and it’s a great way to kick off the "real" holiday season before the Stranger Things madness begins.