There are at least 20 upcoming holiday films appearing on TV and theaters featuring a slew of Black talent in lead roles. Just about most cable channels from Lifetime, Hallmark, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Netflix, Roku, and OWN and Digital platforms have original holiday films premiering from November to December.
“Christmas In The Tropics”
“A Christmas Destiny”
“Christmas Cover-Up”
Sunday, November 1 on Starz
Directed by Bobby Peoples and Renee Peoples from a script written by Camara Davis, the cast includes Brely Evans, Trina Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Skye Griffin, Ray “Misster Ray” Cunningham, Gabriel Bush
Tori, Gwen and Sam have spent years joking about getting rid of their boss at the payday loan store where they work. When he turns up dead in a Santa suit hours before the store’s biggest holiday sale, they become the obvious suspects. Instead of calling the police, they hide the body and try to keep the store running as if nothing happened, a plan that falls apart fast as customers, security and surprise visitors keep coming through the door.
“Christmas Owes Me Nothing”
Sunday, November 1 on Prime Video
Directed by Derrick Mullen from a script written by Kyria Williams, the cast includes Stanley Aughtry, James Jay Alexander, Natalie W. Baker, Paige Merritt, Lester Greene, Sasha Wakefield, Jerard McWhirter, Mason Douglas
The Malone family faces its first Christmas without the matriarch who held them together. Honoring his late wife’s final wish, Bishop Malone invites Eugene, a father rebuilding his life after prison, along with his wife and son, to the family’s annual holiday getaway. Under one roof, old wounds surface, especially for the bishop’s eldest daughter, Cassidy, and both families have to decide what forgiveness really makes possible.
“A Richer Christmas”
Sunday, November 1 on Starz
Directed by Damián Romay from a script written by Maurice Lindsay and Tressa Azarel Smallwood, the cast includes Tobias Truvillion, Teresa Celeste, Karlie Redd, Sencere M. Brown, Allen C. Shepherd Sr., LondonRose Sellars
An affluent family’s comfortable life comes apart when they lose everything just before the holidays. As they scramble to make sense of the chaos, they start to realize that the things that matter most never came with a price tag.
"The Holiday Spark"
Monday, November 2 on Roku
Directed by Rhonda Baraka from a script by Mary Kate Hegarty.and starring Jamie Chung and Joey Graziadei (in what marks The Bachelor breakout’s first feature film role).
Perpetual bachelor and firefighter Dean enlists children's book illustrator Laura to help plan a festive holiday party for his firehouse. As they work together around the small town of Littlewood, an unexpected romance blossoms as they rethink their views on love and careers
“The Christmas Rewrite”
Tuesday, November 3 on Digital
Directed by Johnnard Harper and starring Jenna Nolen, De'Tuan Williams, Brandy Specks, and NeShaunda Mays.
A struggling screenwriter facing a career-ending deadline is magically pulled into the world of her own unfinished Christmas script, where she must confront heartbreak, rewrite her story, and rediscover love before time runs out in both realities.
“The Holiday Hitman”
Tuesday. November 3 on Digital
Directed by Bradley Stryker, the cast includes Nick Sagar, Julio Cesar Cedillo, Florence Hall
A hitman must fend off a group of bounty hunters sent by a vengeful crime lord after refusing a job on Christmas Eve to spend the holidays with his family.
“Holiday House Divided”
Tuesday, November 3 on Digital
Directed and written by Evin Gibson and released by Maverick Entertainment Group
After the death of their mother, Mama Pat, just days before Christmas, two estranged sisters—Perry (played by Ashley Benjamin) and London (played by Jasmyne Mangum)—return to the family home. Years earlier, a betrayal involving a man they both loved fractured their relationship. Now, instead of a standard reading of the will, the sisters discover that Mama Pat hid her final will somewhere inside the house. They must put aside their past and work together to uncover their mother's final legacy.
Mama Mae's Christmas
Tuesday, November 3 on Digital
Produced and directed by Denise Mone't, the cast includes Denise Mone't, Brandy Specks, John Pyles
When ambitious Houston event planner Ava Johnson discovers her family is about to lose their home before Christmas, she hatches a desperate plan to win a televised holiday contest by disguising herself as her long-estranged grandmother, Mama Mae. But juggling two identities becomes pure chaos as Ava dodges suspicious relatives, mischievous kids, family secrets, and her childhood crush Calvin, who starts falling for the real Ava not knowing she's pretending to be Mama Mae.
“A Southern Christmas”
Tuesday, November 3 on Digital
Produced and directed by LaQuita Langhorn, the cast includes Dazarae Mathews, Quasheem D Herring, Fatima L.Gray, Renwick Malone
When three distant, drama-plagued siblings return home for a southern Christmas, their parents' dream reunion quickly spirals into a hilarious, chaotic mess. Between a looming divorce, a hidden theft ring, a mistress crashes, and a drunk uncle playing Santa, secrets are exposed and relationships are tested. Can this dysfunctional family survive the holidays, or will the festive chaos tear them apart?
"Second Chance Holiday"
Thursday, November 5 on Roku
Directed by Maxwell McGuire from a script written by Erin Muroski, the cast includes Ayesha Curry, Matthew Daddario, Dennis Andres, Arlene Duncan
Dating expert Chelsey Banks is determined to break her “curse” of getting dumped every holiday season. When she reunites with her high school boyfriend, she starts to wonder whether her bad luck has been steering her back to her first love all along. The film is Ayesha Curry’s first leading role in a feature.
"Merry Memories"
Friday, November 6 on Hallmark
Starring Lindura and Brendan Morgan
Rigid accountant Michaela (Lindura) cares for her nephew Danny (Omi Fitzpatrick-Gonzales) while his mother is on military deployment. When Danny needs help with a holiday scrapbook assignment, Michaela teams up with his free-spirited substitute teacher, Bryan (Brendan Morgan), leading to unexpected romance
"Tyler Perry's The Gospel of Christmas"
Wednesday, November 11 on Netflix
Written and directed by Tyler Perry, the cast includes Durrell “Tank” Babbs, Fantasia Barrino Taylor, CeCe Winans, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Hezekiah Walker, Chanté Moore, Jekalyn Carr, Ann Nesby, Le’Andria Johnson, The Clark Sisters
Pastor Isaac Jefferson inherits his family’s church in a struggling New York neighborhood and has to fight to save it, his marriage and his faith at the same time. Torn between a voice from his past urging him to give up and another pushing him to keep praying, Isaac leans on his wife, Rebecca, whose steady faith becomes his anchor. The film features an ensemble of gospel legends, with Kirk Franklin as music producer.
“A Royal Stables Christmas”
Thursday, November 12 on UpTV
Directed by Marco Deufemia from a script written by Paula Tiberius, the cast includes Kathryn Davis, Franco Lo Presti, Tara Elizabeth, Jennifer Dale, Charlie Jean Boyke
At a prestigious equestrian training center, Ella forms a connection with a charming horseman who understands her desire to escape family expectations and forge her own path. But when his surprising royal secret is revealed, Ella must decide whether their Christmas romance can overcome the obstacles standing between them.
“A Proud Family Wizmas”
Saturday, November 14 on Disney+
After Penny Proud goes on a rant against "Wizmas" and the commercialization of the holiday pushed by mayor and media mogul Wizard Kelly, she gets into a heated argument with Santa Claus. When Santa abruptly quits on Christmas Eve and hands Penny his red suit, she must team up with a crew of irreverent elves to save Christmas for the children of Emilyville and the rest of the world.
"Mistletoe and Mimosas"
Sunday, November 15 on Hallmark Channel
Starring Tamera Mowry-Housley, Kristoffer Polaha, Jennifer Robertson
Claire Bennett (Mowry-Housley) is a Manhattan business consultant who unexpectedly inherits her late Uncle Lou's festive, Christmas-themed bar, The Tipsy Reindeer, in upstate New York. Finding the bar deep in debt, she squares off against Zach (Polaha), the part-owner of a trendy neighboring club called Algorithm, through a 12 Days of Christmas competition to save the business
"Our Holiday Playbook"
Friday, November 20 on Hallmark Channel
Directed by Terry Ingram from a script by Brisacarleton, marking their first produced Hallmark script. Starring Taylor Cole and Charles Michael Davis
Lexi Bell (Taylor Cole) returns home and strikes a deal with former football star Eddie (Charles Michael Davis)—she helps him with a family bake-off in exchange for him posing as her fake boyfriend so she can participate in her family's fiercely competitive annual Christmas flag football game, the "Bell Bowl".
"Christmas Everyday: Married and Bright"
Saturday, November 28 on Lifetime
Directed by Roger M. Bobb from a script written by Meg DeLoatch, the cast includes Brandy Norwood, Robert C. Riley, Debbi Morgan and Sy'rai Smith
Chicago fashion designer Fancy Ballantine is working hard to protect and grow her boutique while simultaneously planning her dream Christmas wedding to her fiancé, Jaylen. With her mother, Evelyn, and sister, Belle, supporting her, everything looks like it is going according to plan. However, intense business pressures and the sudden re-emergence of a reformed ex cause Fancy to take on too much alone, unintentionally pushing Jaylen away. She must figure out how to release the past before it ruins the future she wants.
"The Christmas Showdown 2"
Saturday, November 28 on OWN
Starring Amber Stevens West, Corbin Reid, Jenifer Lewis, Tommy Miles
Childhood best friends and independent business partners Chastity and April are back to run H-Town Events for their first full year on their own in Sugar Heights. When Mayor Ellis brings in the national events planning company Largesse Productions—led by the formidable Tate—to help with their cornerstone event, the Jolly Jubilee, Chastity and April view them as rivals and must defend their Christmas Spectacular.
"Checking Inn for Christmas"
Saturday, November 28 on Lifetime
Starring Juliah Cheree Taylor, Vivica A. Fox, Jackée Harry, Josh Henderson, Vanessa Angel, Michael Paré, Eric Roberts
Journalist Claire lands a career-making assignment from her editor: a front-page feature on a charming holiday resort and its owner, Julian. Racing to hit her Christmas deadline, Claire is drawn in by fireside interviews and Julian’s vision for the inn, and eventually has to choose between the perfect headline and the perfect Christmas kiss.
"A Firefighter's Christmas Calendar"
Sunday, November 29 on Lifetime
Directed by Mars Horodyski, the cast includes Kyana Teresa and Holly Deveaux.
"The Snowflake Effect"
Friday, December 4 on Hallmark
Starring Heather Hemmens as Tanya and Mark Ghanimé as Jason
Corporate attorney Tanya buys a charming antique glass snowflake as a last-minute White Elephant gift. Unbeknownst to her, the ornament carries a generation-old holiday curse/good luck tradition. After it enters a gift exchange improperly, Tanya suffers a streak of bad luck and must team up with shop clerk Jason to track the ornament down across Chicago before Christmas Day.
"A Memorable Christmas"
Friday, December 4 on AspireTV
Written and directed by Eric Dickens, the film stars Asia’h Epperson, Mike Merrill, Kamel Goffin, Stephen Cofield Jr., Steven Strickland and Chantal Maurice. Produced by Okema T. Moore and Kia Perry.
Commercial real estate attorney Harper Freeman comes home for the holidays and learns that her own firm plans to demolish the community center where she volunteers teaching girls to dance. Harper has to decide what home and community really mean to her.
"Christmas from the Heart"
Saturday, December 5 on Lifetime
Starring Tia Mowry and Henderson Wade
Jade (Tia Mowry), a grieving widow, travels to Lisbon during Christmas to meet the recipient of her late husband’s heart. In a twist of fate, she finds herself falling for the woman’s brother, Alex (Henderson Wade). Now Jade must navigate an intricate maze of love and grief while grappling with finding new romance and still feeling loyal to her late husband.
"Tapping into Christmas"
Saturday, December 5 on OWN
Directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones, the film stars Foxx, D Smoke, Debbie Allen and Obba Babatundé; also featuring Chloé Arnold and Maud Arnold, founders of Syncopated Ladies
After her theater career in New York stalls, Jeni Walker (Corinne Foxx) returns home to Memphis, TN for Christmas and discovers her beloved community theater, Heritage House, is about to close. She teams up with her sisters, Cora (Chloé Arnold) and Mable (Maud Arnold), to stage a holiday tap showcase to save the theater, rekindling her love of performing with a little help from soulful musician, Chance (D Smoke). Debbie Allen also stars as Ms. Dianne, Jeni’s mentor and the owner of Heritage House, and Obba Babatundé stars as Mr. Duncan, Jeni’s childhood tap instructor.Created and choreographed by Chloé Arnold and Maud Arnold, founders of the internationally acclaimed tap dance company Syncopated Ladies, Tapping Into Christmas brings their passion for tap, performance and storytelling to the screen.
"The Toymaker's Christmas Romance"
Saturday, December 5 on Lifetime
Directed by Mike Donis, the cast includes Chantel Riley, Brendan Morgan, Raven Dauda, Kate MacLellan
Ambitious toy executive Vanessa Reed (Chantel Riley) faces a corporate takeover that threatens her promotion to CEO. With guidance from Christmas spirits and toymaker Jordan (Brendan Morgan), she attempts to save her career and rediscover the season's spirit..
“A Christmas Cookie Caper: A Puzzle Time Mystery”
Thursday, December 10 on UpTV
Written and directed by Peter Sullivan, the cast includes Vivica A. Fox, Morgan Bradley, Rob Mayes, Zachary Bostrom, and William Brock.
Set during Winter Haven’s 100th Annual Christmas Cookie Challenge, amateur sleuth Vera Vexley investigates after a celebrity baker is found unconscious, using cryptic crossword clues and hidden secrets to clear a friend's name. The film serves as a follow-up to 2025's A Christmas Murder Mystery.
"An Inseparable Christmas"
Saturday, December 12 on Lifetime
Starring Rebecca Dalton, Jinesea Bianca Lewis, Nicolas Nondono, Dennis Andres
Free-spirited traveler Abbie (Rebecca Dalton) returns home for the holidays, where her lifelong best friend Sam (Jinesea Bianca Lewis) books a local walking tour of their hometown. The tour is led by Abbie's former travel crush Wes (Nicolas Nondono) and is also joined by Sam's recently divorced neighbor David (Andres). The journey sparks unexpected romantic detours for both women, causing them to rethink what they want out of love, adventure, and home.
"Hearts All Aglow"
Friday, December 18 on Hallmark Channel
Directed by Roger M. Bobby and executive produced by D'Angela Proctor, the film stars Emmy Award winner Mishael Morgan, B.J. Britt, Holly Robinson Peete, Dennis Haysbert, Darryl Hinds, Jinesea Lewis, and Christina Aceto
The movie follows a music historian (Morgan) who crashes a prestigious Christmas gala hoping to secure an exclusive interview with a legendary, Grammy-winning singer. While there, she crosses paths and teams up with a New York attorney (Britt) who is on a mission of his own: retrieving a piece of his family's history that was previously donated to the museum. As they navigate a series of chaotic Christmas contests throughout the night, their initial partnership turns into an unexpected holiday romance.
