“Our Little Secret” and other new Christmas films to stream

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” the song goes. “There will be parties to throw/billions of movies to binge on.”

If Andy Williams’ chestnut doesn’t actually mention streaming, that’s only because it came out long before Hallmark, UPtv, Great American Family, and Lifetime decided to flood the holidays with movies. However, because time is a finite resource, the following selection of new seasonal offerings focuses on releases from the major platforms. And remember, once you see someone stranded in a snowstorm, it’s a plot development. If you see it ten times, it’s a cliché. If you see it 50 times, it’s a Christmas movie convention – and we love conventions this time of year.

“Dear Santa Claus”

Stream it on Paramount+.

This year’s entry in the “Bad Santa” subgenre goes all out. And that’s because the bearded, burly guy in the red outfit is actually Satan (Jack Black). He was summoned by young Liam (Robert Timothy Smith), who accidentally swapped two letters in his note to Santa Claus. And now the devil won’t leave until Liam asks for three wishes, which sounds easier than it turns out. Dear Satan doesn’t fully deliver on this delicious premise, which is surprising considering the film is directed by a Farrelly brother (Bobby) and the cast is right – you get the feeling Black has been waiting for this his whole life to play this role. Still, there are enough nuts to make this fruitcake taste good.

Pay attention to: Gastrointestinal complaints.