Yahoo Lifestyle These 15 Christmas Films Starring Black Casts Are A Must-Stream This Holiday Season
It is officially the holiday season. What better way to spend the cold, snow-laden days than wrapped in a blanket, buying presents, and watching Christmas movies that make you smile? We all know that representation matters, and seeing diversity, especially during the holidays, is important. Black Christmas films have recently become more dynamic, particularly on major Christmas networks like Hallmark and Lifetime. New contenders have emerged over the past few years, including compelling Black Christmas films with an all-Black cast or Black main character on BET+, OWN Network, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. Here are 15 feel-good Black Christmas films, ranging from classic favorites to newer releases.
1.The Preacher's Wife
The Preacher's Wife is an iconic movie made in 1996 that follows the Biggs family in New York City. The scenes from their church were filmed in Newark, New Jersey. The wife, Julia (Whitney Houston), supports her pastor husband, Henry. However, amidst their financial struggles and responsibilities, she feels neglected. When an angel named Dudley (Denzel Washington) comes to bring the holiday spirit back into their family, he sparks a connection with Houston's character. Dudley, charming and kind-hearted, is tasked with guiding the couple and rejuvenating their faith. Things get complicated when he begins to fall for Julia. The movie also follows their school-aged son, Jeremiah, who has a close relationship with his fostered best friend and doesn’t want to be far from him. The soundtrack is a classic with Whitney Houston's powerful performances of "I Believe in You and Me" and "Joy to the World."
2.This Christmas
This movie makes you feel like you are part of the family. The film stars Chris Brown, Loretta Devine, Columbus Short, Lupe Ontiveros, Regina King, Sharon Leal, Idris Elba, and Lauren London. Set in 2007 in Los Angeles, the Whitfield family gathers for a holiday reunion at Ma'Dere Whitfield's (Loretta Devine) house. This big, music-loving family has a complicated history, especially for the matriarch, whose husband left due to his devotion to the craft. The film centers around themes of romance, family, and forgiveness.
3.Last Holiday
Imagine doing everything you've ever wanted to do, getting attention and recognition for being authentically you, enjoying the best European holiday, eating great food, and looking your absolute finest. And then, the love of your life crashes your vacation to propose and tries to rescue you when he thinks you are in danger. Last Holiday (2006) does exactly that. In the film, Georgia Bird, played by Queen Latifah, is misdiagnosed with a terminal illness. She takes her "possibilities book" and turns her dreams into reality, living each day as if it were her last. Set in a beautiful European destination during the holiday season, the movie evokes a spirit of joy, wanderlust, and gratitude for the beauty of life. And, of course, LL Cool J plays the leading man — what’s not to love about that?
4.Black Nativity
Black Nativity is a 2013 musical drama film directed by Kasi Lemmons, based on the stage play of the same name by Langston Hughes. The movie reimagines the classic Nativity story. It centers around family, faith, and redemption.The story follows Langston (Jacob Latimore), a teenage boy from Baltimore who is sent to spend Christmas with his estranged grandparents, Reverend Cornell (Forest Whitaker) and Aretha Cobbs (Angela Bassett), in Harlem after his mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson), encounters financial difficulties. Langston initially arrives in Harlem feeling troubled and disconnected, but he eventually forms a strong bond with his grandparents and comes to recognize the power of community.
5.Dear Secret Santa
The story follows Jennifer (Tatyana Ali), a young woman who has been down on her luck and heartbroken after a breakup. Just as the holiday season rolls around, she starts receiving anonymous, heartfelt letters from a Secret Santa who seems to know her better than anyone else. These notes bring her joy, hope, and a little spark of holiday magic that she desperately needs. The film has a mystical element that embodies the idea of Christmas magic.As Jennifer reads each letter, she becomes curious about who is behind them, and the mystery deepens when she starts to feel a connection with a charming and mysterious man (Darrin Dewitt Henson). Could he be the one sending the letters? Things take an intriguing turn when she recalls the wish she made at the well and remembers her late friend, who knew details about her that are written in the letters. It’s a very sweet movie that’s perfect for settling into the holiday season.
6.Boxing Day
The story follows the male protagonist, Melvin (Aml Ameen), a British author living in the U.S., who returns to London with his American fiancée, Lisa ( Lorraine Toussaint), to introduce her to his family during the Christmas season. The title refers to the holiday celebrated in the UK and other Commonwealth countries, which are known for big sales, sports, and family gatherings.Melvin’s return home is filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of family, but things quickly get complicated when secrets, old flames, and unresolved tensions come to light. As Melvin navigates his complicated relationship with his family and tries to manage the cultural clash between his American fiancée and his British relatives, he begins to question what he really wants out of life and love. The film also highlights the prominent Caribbean culture in London and explores the similarities and differences between Black Americans and Black Europeans. Boxing Day is a fresh take on a holiday movie, filled with humor, romance and relatable family drama.
7.Snowglobe
Movies with Christmas magic or that element of the mystical tend to be my favorite, and Snowglobe delivers on that front. This film takes a multiracial, very charismatic family and makes the mundane life of the main character, Angela (Christina Milian), feel incredibly relatable. Angela is in desperate need of some sort of shake-up.Snowglobe is a fun, whimsical holiday movie that’s perfect for getting into the festive spirit. Angela doesn’t have the holiday spirit and feels overwhelmed by her large family, who is always butting into her life. But when she shakes up the snowglobe, she is transported to a perfect, storybook Christmas world.In this magical place, it’s Christmas all the time. However, when the monotony of the same celebrations and festivities starts to get to her, Angela begins to long for her real life and the nuances of her beautiful family. As she experiences the holiday magic she’s been missing, Angela learns what it truly means to appreciate the season and what she wants out of her own life.The snowglobe comes with rules, and when Angela nearly gets permanently stuck inside, it all comes down to what is really important to her.
8.Meet Me Next Christmas
This movie premiered on Netflix in 2024 and is truly what dreams are made of. It features the perfect "meet-cute" that neither of the characters, Layla (Christina Milian) nor professional concierge Teddy (Devale Ellis), can actually remember, which can be frustrating to watch as a viewer. However, the two characters team up when Layla, who is a firm believer in fairy-tale love, wants to reignite a spark with James (Kofi Siriboe), a guy she believes is the man of her dreams. Layla feels a special connection with James after meeting him in an airport lounge the year prior. When she learns that he’s going to the sold-out Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert, she races through New York City to get her hands on a ticket, enlisting Teddy’s help and hoping to reconnect with James at the concert.As they spend time together, Layla and Teddy start to fall for each other, leading Layla to confront her own projections about love. The movie is cute, funny and ignites feelings of hope that you, too, could meet a Christmas bae — maybe even in an airport lounge while traveling back home for the holidays.
9.Something From Tiffany's
Something From Tiffany’s, released on Amazon Prime Video in 2022, is a heartwarming holiday romantic comedy that centers around love, fate, and the unexpected twists life can take. The movie follows the story of Rachel (Zoey Deutch), a young woman hoping for a romantic gesture from her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Ethan (Kendrick Sampson), a kind and thoughtful man, is planning to propose to his girlfriend, Vanessa (Shay Mitchell), with a special gift from Tiffany’s. While the story is set around Christmas, it doesn’t overly harp on the season; instead, it’s about second chances.When a mix-up happens at Tiffany’s, their paths cross in a serendipitous way. Rachel receives a gift intended for Ethan’s girlfriend, and Ethan ends up with a gift meant for Rachel’s boyfriend. In an attempt to get the engagement ring back, Rachel and Ethan spend more time together, they begin to question what they really want out of love and relationships.
10.'Twas The Chaos Before Christmas
Released in 2019 and starring Cynthia Kaye McWilliams, Sherri Shepherd, Affion Crockett, Victoria Rowell, Malachi Malik, and Marquita Goings, 'Twas the Chaos Before Christmas is a hilariously entertaining holiday film. The story centers around two families who book the same home for a Christmas vacation in Washington, D.C., only to find themselves caught in a mix-up that forces them to share the space.Each family arrived with high hopes of having the perfect holiday, but now they must learn to coexist and find common ground to make the best of the situation. The main character, played by Sherri Shepherd, is all about prioritizing tradition, quality time, and homemade gifts. In contrast, the other family is more high-maintenance and focused on relaxation, luxury and opulence. As they navigate their differences and clash over their holiday expectations, both families learn important lessons about what it truly means to celebrate the season and find joy together.Twas the Chaos Before Christmas is packed with comedy, heartwarming moments, and a message about the importance of family, love, and embracing the unexpected during the holidays.
11.Candy Cane Lane
This movie premiered in 2023 on Amazon Prime Video. Candy Cane Lane is a holiday comedy that follows Chris (Eddie Murphy), a father who is determined to have the most spectacular Christmas decorations on his block, outshining all the others. Chris takes his goal of winning the best neighborhood holiday display very seriously, much to the dismay of his wife (Tracee Ellis Ross) and their kids.
The film introduces a magical and fantastical element when Chris inadvertently gets caught up in some holiday magic. When Chris notices toys coming to life inside a toy store, controlled by a sinister store owner, he realizes he is dealing with more than just a simple Christmas lights contest. He risks losing everything that truly matters to him.
12.Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, which premiered on Netflix in 2020, is a heartwarming holiday movie about a toymaker named Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) who loses his spark for inventing after being betrayed by his former apprentice. This story is the perfect family-friendly movie and touches on generational storytelling elements. Jeronicus rediscovers his passion for inventing with the help of his spirited granddaughter, Journey (Madalen Mills). The film is colorful and features some catchy, uplifting songs.
13.Merry Liddle Christmas, 1, 2 & 3
I love the way this trilogy unfolds; it is the perfect Christmas romance. The first movie premiered on Lifetime in 2020. The Merry Liddle Christmas trilogy is a heartwarming series of holiday romantic comedies that follows the story of Kayla Liddle, played by Kelly Rowland, as she falls in love with Thomas Cadrot's character. Each movie builds on the next, showcasing Kayla's journey from being an independent, career-focused woman to finding love and learning to balance her personal and professional life with the joys and challenges of the holiday season, eventually becoming a married woman and later a mom.
14.Almost Christmas
Almost Christmas is a heartwarming holiday comedy-drama that centers around the dysfunctional Meyers family. The story begins when Walter Meyers (Danny Glover) decides to host the family’s first Christmas gathering since the passing of his wife, hoping it will bring everyone together. However, the gathering takes a turn for the worse before it gets better, with clashing personalities and conflicts arising. Despite the chaos and tension, and with help from their aunt (Mo'Nique), the story highlights the importance of love, forgiveness, and the strength of family bonds. The Meyers family ultimately discovers that even in their imperfections, they can come together, have a good time, and figure out the secret ingredient to their late mom's pie recipe.
15.A Very Merry Beauty Salon
Now, this is the reunion we have been waiting for! I am so excited about this movie, which premieres on Lifetime on December 7, 2024. It truly warms my heart to see the Tia and Tyreke couple from Sister, Sister back together again.In A Very Merry Beauty Salon, Sienna (Tia Mowry) is the owner of a hair salon and will be honored at an Atlanta-based ball for her community work. Lawrence (RonReaco Lee) owns a wine-tasting room in the town near Sienna's salon. Lawrence's wine company is co-sponsoring the ball at which Sienna is being honored. Throughout the movie, Sienna and Lawrence are unexpectedly brought together, and their romance begins to blossom. The idea of the ball feels reminiscent of débutante balls of the past, and with the natural chemistry between the former co-stars, the movie is both exciting and a nod to Mowry's own entrepreneurial ventures, including her haircare line, 4U by Tia.
