Over 20+ 2025 Holiday Original Movie Premieres Starring Black Talent
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, BET+, Netflix, and OWN have original holiday films premiering from November to December.
Here’s a roundup of some of the films. (Updated of 11/22/25)
Nov. 4 - Merry Little Baby (Peacock)
Nov. 4 - Stuck on Christmas (VOD)
Nov. 4 - Christmas Family Ties
Nov. 5 - Finding Joy (Prime Video)
Nov. 7 - Unexpected Christmas in theaters
Nov. 13 - #WorstChristmasEver in theaters, on Tubi (Nov. 18)
Nov. 16 - Tidings for the Season (Hallmark)
Nov. 18 - Holiday Bae (Prime Video, Apple TV)
Nov. 19 - Merry Little Mystery on Roku
Nov. 20 - Christmas By Design (BET+)
Nov. 27 - Son Of The Preacher (BET+)
Nov. 27 - A Heart For Christmas (ALLBLK)
Nov. 28 - The Snow Must Go On (Hallmark Channel)
Nov. 29 - The Christmas Checklist (UpTV)
Nov. 29 - Christmas Everyday (Lifetime)
Nov. 29 - Fake Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (OWN)
Nov. 29 - The Christmas Campaign (Lifetime)
Dec. 2 - Christmas For The Soul (Plex)
Dec. 4 - Love After Holidays (BET+)
Dec. 5 - Jingle All the Way to Love (Lifetime)
Dec. 6 - Deck the Hallways (Lifetime)
Dec. 6 - The Christmas Showdown (OWN)
Dec. 6 - Merry Missed Connection (Lifetime)
Dec. 11 - Never Alone For Christmas: Memphis (BET+)
Dec. 12 - A Runaway Bride for Christmas (Lifetime)
Dec. 13 - Very Merry Mystery (OWN)
Dec. 18 - Vera’s Holiday Flop (BET+)
Dec. 21 - The Firefighter's Christmas Wish
Dec. 25 - A Soulful Christmas (BET+)
Merry Little Baby
Nov. 4 on Peacock
Written and Directed by Denise Mone't
Cast: Denise Mone't, Deangelo Howard Jr.. Brandy Specks, Erica Hubbard
When Shanice's baby pact she made with her best friend fails, she decides to go on a app to find a sperm donor to be her baby daddy this holiday season which also happens to be her 35th birthday.
Stuck on Christmas
Nov. 4 on VOD
Directed by Johnnard Harper
Cast: April Dillard, Antrone Harris, Dee Hill, Damian Valentine, Mikiya Crudup
The competition for a major promotion is heating up between Synclaire and James, two ambitious rivals whose professional antagonism has spilled over into playful (and not-so-playful) pranks. But when a sudden malfunction leaves them both stranded in the company elevator on Christmas Eve, their race for the top becomes a desperate struggle for freedom.
Christmas Family Ties
Nov. 4 on VOD
Directed by Mintaka Brower
Cast: Leilani White, Amiri Thompson, Shamere Reid, Steven Thornton
Two years after the death of her mother, Amaya pleads to Santa to bring her family together for Christmas like they used to. Her father David, having fallen out with his siblings after his own mother's death, decides to bring her to their ancestral family home for the holiday. Will they survive the holiday with their own family dysfunction and financial ruin hanging over their heads?
Finding Joy
Nov. 5 on Prime Video
Produced, Written & Directed by Tyler Perry
Cast: Shannon Thornton, Tosin Morohunfola, Brittany S. Hall, Inayah, Eric Stanton Betts, Aaron O’Connell, Natalie O’Connell, Jeffery Thomas Johnson, Whitney Goin
Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy follows Shannon Thornton as Joy, a New York fashion designer whose talents are overshadowed by her boss. Just like her career, Joy has been unlucky in love. Encouraged by her steadfast friends Ashley (Brittany S. Hall) and Littia (Inayah), Joy follows her crush Colton (Aaron O'Connell) to Colorado, hoping for holiday magic. Instead, a shocking revelation and a snowstorm leave her stranded. At her lowest, Joy meets Ridge (Tosin Morohunfola), a chance encounter that transforms her perspective on life and love.
Unexpected Christmas
Nov. 7 in theaters
Directed by Michael Vaughn Hernandez
Cast: Lil Rel Howery, Tabitha Brown, Anna Maria Horsford, Reagan Gomez-Preston, DomiNque Perry, Terrence Terrell, Trell Woodberry, Ricco Ross, Koryn Hawthorne, Cece Friday, and Howie Bell
When the Scott family gathers for Christmas, the dream reunion Momma Scott (Anna Maria Horsford) planned quickly turns upside down. Her daughter Marissa (DomiNque Perry) returns home fresh off a breakup with her boyfriend Richard (Lil Rel Howery) and is then shocked when Richard arrives arm in arm with her estranged stepsister Kerry (Reagan Gomez-Preston). Marissa tries to play it cool and invites a surprise guest of her own who has everyone talking, all while Kerry is cooking up a scheme that could ruin the whole celebration. Add in a few romantic mix-ups, old rivalries, and plenty of family secrets, and everyone is in for an unforgettable holiday. With love, laughter, and a little bit of chaos around every corner, this Christmas might just bring the Scotts closer together—or blow the roof off the house!
#WorstChristmasEver
Directed by Maurice Hall, Christopher Kinsman, Tony L. Patterson
Nov. 13 in theaters, Nov. 18 on Tubi
Cast: BJ Britt, Bill Bellamy, Tamala Jones, Shanti Lowry, Taja V. Simpson and Maurice Hall
Britt stars as Billy Turner, a newly divorced workaholic with more emotional baggage than frequent flyer miles. Against his better judgment, Billy agrees to fly across the country for Christmas to see his young adult children — James (Tyler Lofton) and Haley (Mo Ashley) — plus his ex-wife Alicia (Shanti Lowry) and her very new fiancé Chris (played by Hall himself). Adding to the holiday mayhem are Billy’s best friends Larry (Bill Bellamy) and Cynthia (Tamala Jones), who try to keep him from spiraling into full-on Grinch mode. But holiday miracles come in all kinds of packages. For Billy, it’s Harmony Davis (Taja V. Simpson), a sharp lawyer who he literally stumbles upon during a failed attempt to drink away his holiday blues. What begins as chicken wings and banter soon turns into something a bit more complicated — and possibly, a second chance at love.
Holiday Bae
Nov. 18 on Prime Video, Apple TV
Directed by Rock White
Cast: Tabitha Myles, Draper Wynston, Whitney Lampkin, Brandon Medlock, Tonya Holloway, Bill Hass, Lauren Ashley White, Corey Pratt, A’meriee Cleveland, Dennis Raveneau
Holiday Bae is a warm, funny, and charming holiday romantic comedy that follows Shilo, an ambitious publishing coordinator, who must fake her way through Christmas with a chef’s family of strangers in order to secure the rights to his cookbook—or walk into the new year facing a reality she’s not prepared for.
The film blends classic holiday magic with modern-day chaos as Shilo, played by Tabitha Myles, accidentally breaks into the home of Michelin-star chef Darius Harris (Draper Wynston). A misunderstanding leads to Darius’ family believing she is his long-distance girlfriend, forcing the two into a holiday-long charade to keep the peace and protect their own ambitions. As Shilo becomes immersed in the lively Harris family, she’s met with unexpected love, laughter, and her own surprising personal growth.
Tidings for the Season
Nov. 16 at 8 pm on Hallmark
Directed by Linda-Lisa Hayter
Cast: Tamera Mowry-Housley, B.J. Britt and Elijah-Justus Lewis.
Adam Kade (Britt) is the serious face on the local news. His life takes an unexpected turn in early December when he meets Robbie (Lewis), a 10-year-old who is Adam’s biggest fan. Robbie has an important request: He wants his favorite newscaster to talk about more than just what's going wrong in the world. How about reporting on the good stories too? Adam is ambitious and wants to move up in the world, but he takes this question to heart as the holidays approach. He discovers Robbie’s mom, Lucy (Mowry-Housley), is a single parent working hard to take care of her son. The last thing she needs is anything complicating a very busy schedule, including Adam. As new friendships form and Adam gains a healthy perspective, his reporting changes. He starts covering feel-good stories about hometown heroes during the holidays. A romance develops between Adam and Lucy, and Lucy lets go of always being so self-reliant as she and Adam draw close. But when Adam’s reporting leads to bigger opportunities, he must decide what matters most this holiday season – the bigger job he has been longing for or his newfound community, including the love of a boy who thinks of Adam as his hero.
Merry Little Mystery
Nov. 19 on Roku
Directed by Caroline Labrèche
Cast: Jordin Sparks, Keon Alexander, BJ Harrison
Natasha Maxwell spends the holidays at her grandparent's house in the tiny town of Roundtop, where she grew up. She happily takes over from her grandfather as the small town's benevolent Secret Santa, covertly delivering gifts to deserving and grateful citizens. Meanwhile, while attempting to foil Adrian, an investigative reporter determined to reveal Natasha's identity as the mystery gift giver, she ends up falling in love.
Christmas By Design
Nov. 20 on BET+
Directed by Patricia Cuffie-Jones
Cast: Danielle LaRoach “Tuesday Comfort,” Lamon Archey “David Joy,” Monanik Dugar “Helena Comfort,” and Celeste Seda “Caroline Renard”
A famous handbag designer working on deadline to complete her special edition holiday line for charity finds her newest designs stolen in a company data breach and calls in an IT expert only to find they have an embarrassing romantic history from last year’s Christmas party.
A Heart For Christmas
Nov. 27 on ALLBLK
Directed by Maurice Hall
Cast: Nikiva Dionne, Taja V. Simpson, Maurice Hall
A young girl’s Christmas wish reunites her family when the mother she never knew returns home — but things get complicated when her father’s heart belongs to someone else.
Son Of The Preacher
Nov. 27 on BET+
Directed by Marvin Towns
Cast: Gabrielle Graham “Jasmine,” Chris LeBlanc “Caleb Samuel,” Darren Herbert “Reverend Samuel,” Rachel Crawford “Reverend Mildred Samuel,” Ronnie Rowe “Pastor John Miles,” Tkaia Green “India,” Karen Burthwright “Joy Carmichael”
Jasmine, a whip-smart beauty entrepreneur, dreams of launching her haircare brand that feels just out of reach. Enter Caleb Samuel — a flashy, social media–famous preacher’s kid with three million followers, a fast car, and a complicated relationship with his megachurch dynasty. What starts as Jasmine’s hustle to land a business deal quickly sparks into a connection neither of them saw coming.
The Snow Must Go On
Nov. 28 on The Hallmark Channel
Directed by Jeff Beesley
Cast: Heather Hemmens, Corey Cott
A former Broadway star agrees to direct his niece's high school Christmas musical in the hopes of impressing an influential Broadway producer.
The Christmas Checklist
Nov. 29 at 7 p.m on UpTV
Cast: Jarod Joseph and Sarah Power
In this UpTV series, a woman receives a list of 12 tasks she must accomplish prior to Christmas from her mom, who has recently passed. Starring Jarod Joseph and Sarah Power.
Christmas Everyday
November 29th at 8pm on Lifetime
Directed by Roger Bobb
Cast: Brandy Norwood, Sy'Rai Smith, Debbi Morgan, Robert C Riley
Following the death of her father, Fancy (Brandy Norwood) has been more determined than ever to uphold her father’s cherished Christmas traditions as her mother Evelyn (Debbi Morgan) has also begun losing her sight. But things aren’t a smooth ride as Fancy simultaneously is planning her bridezilla baby sister’s, Belle (Sy’rai Smith), wedding. When a water pipe bursts and disrupts the fairytale wedding plans, Fancy finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the rugged, yet charming, contractor Jaylen (Robert C Riley) who is tasked with renovating the house. Through all the chaos, she learns valuable lessons about faith, family, and the true meaning of Christmas.
Fake Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
November 29 at 9pm ET/PT on OWN
Directed by Kelly Fyffe-Marshall
Cast; Kiki Layne, Etienne Maurice
Kiki Layne stars as a professor whose tiny white lie snowballs into full-on Christmas chaos when she pretends to be in a relationship with a stranger — who ends up being unconscious and mistaken for her boyfriend. Things get complicated when her ex reappears as the family doctor.
The Christmas Campaign
November 29th at 10pm on Lifetime
Directed by David DeCoteau
Cast: Vivica A. Fox, Jackée Harry, Chelsea Rose Brooks, Austen Jaye
Two rival ad executives (Chelsea Rose Brooks and Austen Jaye) must join forces for a holiday campaign under the watchful eye of their boss (Vivica A. Fox). As competition turns to connection, they find love might be the ultimate win.
Christmas For The Soul
Dec. 2 on Plex
Directed by Aaron L. Williams
Cast: Fatima, Trazi Lashawn, Orlando Eric Street, Lakesha Logan
The film follows Leslie Ross, a soul food chef, who is invited to cook Christmas dinner for the wealthy Shaw family, who are aiming to buy up her neighborhood. When the CEO goes missing, Leslie is caught in the middle of a dysfunctional family feud.
Love After Holidays
Dec. 4 on BET+
Directed by Antoine Allen
Cast: Jacinth Headlam, Malik Yoba, Jeremy Meeks, Trina
A talk show host battles addiction and personal loss while reclaiming her life and faith one day at a time — discovering that healing can be the greatest gift of all.
Jingle All the Way to Love
Dec. 5th at 8pm on Lifetime
Directed by Graeme Campbell
Cast: Erin Agostino, Romaine Waite
A lawyer wins a radio contest that turns her mysterious sleigh bell encounter from years ago into a citywide search for her holiday soulmate.
Deck the Hallways
Dec. 6th at 8pm on Lifetime
Cast: Loretta Devine, Naika Toussaint, Jaime M. Callica
Zoe (Naika Toussaint), a Bay Area tech exec, returns to Chicago to visit her grandmother Agnes (Loretta Devine), who’s traded old traditions for new adventures — including canceling the beloved holiday party her late husband started. Determined to revive the celebration, Zoe teams up with her childhood crush Jace (Jaime M. Callica) and their 5th Floor neighbors to bring the joy back to Christmas Eve. As sparks fly, a last-minute setback threatens the fun — but Agnes proves that the holiday spirit lives on through community, courage, and love.
The Christmas Showdown
Dec. 6 at 9pm ET/PT on OWN
Directed by Nanea Miyata
Cast: Amber Stevens West, Corbin Reid, Loretta Devine, Obba Babatundé, Carla Renata
Old friends turned rivals reunite when they’re forced to co-produce a holiday event. With help from a wise Christmas legend, they rediscover friendship, purpose, and the true magic of collaboration.
Merry Missed Connection
Dec. 6th at 10pm on Lifetime
Cast: Emily Alatalo, Andrew Bushell
Marie (Emily Alatalo) seems to have it all—including a detailed diary chronicling the last 24 years of her life. When she brings it to a speed dating event in hopes of finding someone to take home for Christmas, a mix-up leads her to grab the wrong journal. As she and a mysterious stranger try to reconnect, their “missed connection” might just turn into a holiday miracle.
Never Alone For Christmas: Memphis
Dec. 11 on BET”
Directed by Kenny Young
Cast: Melissa L. Williams, Juhahn Jones, K. Michelle, Chris Sakyi, Tom Arnold, Danielle Renee Houston, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, Eric Lane, Timothy Tinker Sr., Kat Smith, Maurice Smith, Harold Dennis, Martel “TZ” Shaw, Sharyn Michele Grose, Walter Harris, Shelle Alycee Coleman, Kenny Young
Two Memphis ladies with big hearts, a dating coach, and a once-great Beale Street blues singer, find themselves unexpectedly alone for Christmas, so they help one another reset their love lives.
A Runaway Bride for Christmas
Dec. 12th at 8pm on Lifetime
Directed by Marco Deufemia
Cast: Nischelle Turner, Mark Ghanime
When runaway bride Emma (Nischelle Turner) returns to her hometown for refuge, she unexpectedly reconnects with her high school crush Mitch (Mark Ghanime), who’s nursing his own heartbreak. But when her ex shows up determined to win her back, Emma must decide whether to protect her heart—or take a leap of faith on love again before Christmas.
Very Merry Mystery
Dec. 13 at 9pm ET/PT on OWN
Directed by Winnifred Jong
Cast: Ashleigh Monique Murray, Tristan Mack Wilds
A hairstylist’s cozy holiday night turns into a Christmas crime caper when her host vanishes mid-party. She and her detective boyfriend must solve the mystery before Christmas morning.
Vera’s Holiday Flop
Dec. 18 on BET+
Director: Charity Jordan
Cast: Charity Jordan, Terri J. Vaughn, Griff, Chrissy McDaniel, Tyler Chronicles, Algebra Blessett, Jelani Akil, Saycon Sengbloh
Vera’s high school reunion and the holidays collide in this hilarious story of second chances, old flames, and rediscovered joy.
The Firefighter's Christmas Wish
Dec. 21 on W Network in Canada
Directed by Mars Horodyski
Cast: Kyana Teresa and Holly Deveaux.
When firefighter Dani Reed (Holly Deveaux) rescues a family just before Christmas, she reignites her late mother's ‘Holiday Heroes’ fundraiser to help the community. With her ambitious sister Jackie, charming photographer Sasha, and supportive dad by her side, Dani finds love, purpose, and the courage to step into true leadership
A Soulful Christmas
Dec. 25 on BET+
Director: Cas Sigers
Cast: Kaci Walfall, Myles Truitt, Kenny Lattimore, Shanice, Taylor Symone, E. Roger Mitchell, Towanda Braxton
Two music legacies collide when the children of rival R&B icons must record a Christmas duet. Between tension, talent, and romance, they might just find harmony again.