Christmas is upon us, sure, but Netflix’s December line-up of films and TV shows is packed full of non-festive gems, too.

First up, there’s a documentary about Brazilian rapper Emicida, as well as George Clooney’s nightmarish new sci-fi, The Midnight Sky.

We’ve also got Ryan Murphy’s musical comedy film, The Prom, to look forward to, and Chadwick Boseman’s final movie, the Oscar-tipped August Wilson adaptation Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

And, of course, we have the much-anticipated first season of Bridgerton, Shonda Rhimes’ sexy and star-studded regency romance, in the mix, too.

Essentially, there truly is something here for everyone to enjoy. And don’t worry: there’s plenty more Christmas-themed goodies to get stuck into, as well.

With that in mind, then, here’s our pick of what’s new on Netflix this December.

Please note that this article will be updated regularly to include new titles.

Angela’s Christmas Wish – 1 December 

One for kids and kids-at-heart, Angela’s Christmas Wish is a heart-warming tale of a determined little girl who sets out to reunite her family in time for Christmas. Based on characters from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, it promises to be a tender and funny story about the importance of family and togetherness.

Galaxy Quest – 1 December

When a group of washed-up actors from the cult sci-fi television series, Galaxy Quest, are abducted by a race of aliens, they quickly realise that their (very friendly) captors have zero concept of TV. Instead, they wholeheartedly believe that the actors are the heroic space travellers they portray on-screen… and that they’re the only ones who can save them from a formidable foe, too. Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver star in this laugh-out-loud 1999 satire.

The Holiday Movies That Made Us – 1 December 

In this extra special festive edition of the documentary programme, we’re treated to a series of exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes secrets so we can learn all about how our favourite Christmas films (including The Nightmare Before Christmas and Elf) were made.

Fierce – 2 December

In this fun and frothy musical film, a gifted young singer sets out to win the love and approval of her father – who just so happens to be on the judging panel of the TV talent show she’s entered.

Just Another Christmas – 3 December

After taking a very nasty fall on Christmas Eve, grinchy Jorge blacks out and wakes up one year later, with no memory of the year that has passed.

Cue a Groundhog Day moment, as he soon realises that he’s doomed to keep waking up on Christmas Eve after Christmas Eve, having to deal with the aftermath of what his other self has done the other 364 days of the year. 

Mank – 4 December

Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins star in Netflix’s new black-and-white film, Mank, which reevaluates the glamour of 1930s Hollywood through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for Orson Welles.

Christmas Crossfire – 4 December

And now for something completely different. In Christmas Crossfire, Edda and Sam take a trip to an almost empty village, where they are unexpectedly separated and plunged into a terrifying fight between men who have nothing to lose. Will they reunite before it’s too late? And, more importantly, will they survive the trip?

Selena: The Series – 4 December

Selena: The Series is a biographical drama series, all about the life story of Selena Quintanilla, the Queen of Tejano music and an iconic Mexican-American pop star.

Room 2806: The Accusation - 7 December

In 2011, former former IMF director and would-be French presidential candidate Dominique Strauss-Kahn was accused of raping a maid, Nafissatou Diallo, in a hotel room in New York City. This hard-hitting docuseries follows the case (which was later dismissed) with testimony from  Diallo. It also examines other accusations of sexual violence levied against the politician. 

Stage Mother – 7 December

Starring Jacki Weaver, Lucy Liu, Adrian Grenier, and Mya Taylor, this heartwarming film sees worlds collide when a Texas church choir director inherits her late son’s drag queen club in San Francisco.

Emicida: AmarElo – It’s All For Yesterday – 8 December

Featuring interviews and basktage scenes with rapper Emicida, this documentary film explores the production of the Estúdio AmarElo project and, at the same time, the history of Brazilian Black culture in the last 100 years.

How To Get Away With Murder: Season 6 – 9 December

For those who haven’t seen this award-winning series yet, Viola Davis’ Annalise Keating is a criminal defence lawyer and professor, who spends her days teaching and inspiring a group of aspiring law students.

However, her life is flipped upside-down when she finds herself entangled in an actual murder.

The Prom – 11 December

Almost everything Ryan Murphy touches turns to gold at the moment, so we’re understandably excited about The Prom.

Starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Corden, Andrew Rannells, and Jo Ellen Pellman (among others), this riotous musical sees a gaggle of performers join forces with a high school senior who isn’t allowed to take her girlfriend to the prom due to homophobic school policies. Cue the magic.

The Mess You Leave Behind – 11 December

In compelling new thriller The Mess You Leave Behind, Raquel starts a new job as a teacher at a small village’s high school. It’s supposed to be a fresh start for her, but she soon finds herself haunted by a suspicious death that occurred there weeks before… and winds up fearing for her own life, too.

The Netflix Afterparty: The Best Shows of The Worst Year – 13 December

The Netflix Afterparty sees David Spade, London Hughes, and Fortune Feimster take a look through the past year of Netflix releases and talk to some of the big stars.

Tiny Pretty Things – 14 December

Based on the book of the same name by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton, this is basically Black Swan meets Pretty Little Liars.

Check out the trailer below:

“Set in the world of an elite ballet academy, this series charts the rise and fall of young adults who live far from their homes, each standing on the verge of greatness or ruin,” promises the official Tiny Pretty Things synopsis.

“As Chicago’s only elite dance school, the Archer School of Ballet serves as the company school for the city’s renowned professional company: City Works Ballet. The Archer School is an oasis for an array of dancers: rich and poor, from north and south, and a range of backgrounds. Yet they all share a rare talent and passion for dance, a loyal sense of community… and when it comes to their dreams, no Plan B.”

How To Ruin Christmas – 16 December

South African Holiday series How To Ruin Christmas sees prodigal daughter Tumi try to make things right after completely ruining what should have been her sister’s picture-perfect Christmas wedding.

The Ripper – 16 December

For five years, between 1975 to 1980, the Yorkshire Ripper murders cast a dark shadow over the lives of women in the North of England. 13 women were dead and the police seemed incapable of catching the killer. No one felt safe – and every man was a suspect. Now, just weeks after the death of convicted serial killer, Peter Sutcliffe (who died while in prison at HM Prison Frankland), Netflix’s new docuseries will explore his crimes.

Watch the trailer below:

Home for Christmas: Season 2 – 18 December

The first season of this Norwegian romcom saw Johanne attempt to (Holidate-style) find a boyfriend for Christmas. In this new season, we see her settle into a promising new relationship and embrace the love and joy of the festive season, despite the best efforts of ex-boyfriends and new neighbors.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – 18 December

Tensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey (Viola Davis). 

Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of her music. And, as the band waits in the studio’s claustrophobic rehearsal room, ambitious trumpeter Levee (the late and great Chadwick Boseman) — who has an eye for Ma’s girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry — spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives.

Mary Queen Of Scots – 20 December

The story, for those who aren’t up to date on their Elizabethan history, focuses on the young and confident Mary Stuart (Saoirse Ronan) and her attempt to wrestle the English throne out from under her cousin, Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie). Needless to say, her plan is quickly foiled – and Mary soon finds herself condemned to years of imprisonment in a strange country, with her life at the mercy of the very same woman she attempted to betray.

The Midnight Sky – 23 December

George Clooney is the director of this sci-fi film about a lone scientist in the Arctic who races to contact a crew of astronauts returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe. 

Bridgerton – 25 December

Based on the historical romance novels by bestselling author Julia Quinn, Stylist’s Helen Bownass has Bridgerton pegged as an absolute must-watch.

“It tells the story of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset,” she says of the upcoming Netflix show. “The couple come to an arrangement to get engaged in an effort to get Basset’s mother off his back about getting married. However, during the engagement Daphne finds herself falling for her faux lover and has to work out how she can make the fake relationship a reality.”

Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina: Season 4 – 31 December

All good things must come to an end, and so too must Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina.

“The Eldritch Terrors descend upon Greendale [and] the coven must fight each terrifying threat one-by-one (The Weird, The Returned, The Darkness to name a few), all leading up to… The Void, which is the End of All Things,” reads Netflix’s synopsis for the finale, which is due to land on the streaming platform on 31 December.

“As the witches wage war, with the help of The Fright Club, Nick begins to slowly earn his way back into Sabrina’s heart, but will it be too late?”

Images: Netflix