As families gather during Christmas break looking for entertainment that reflects the heart of the season, a growing slate of faith-centered and family-friendly films offers stories of hope, redemption, love and unexpected grace.
Whether families seek to celebrate the birth of Christ, spark conversations about faith and character or simply enjoy uplifting storytelling during the Christmas break, this collection of new releases offers something for nearly every age group.
From biblical epics and Nativity reenactments to romantic comedies and holiday dramas rooted in faith and family, here are seven releases to watch this Christmas break.
1. 'Merv' — streaming on Prime Video
Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox star in this warmhearted romantic comedy about second chances and one very special dog.
After their breakup leaves their beloved pet Merv depressed, Anna (Deschanel) and Russ (Cox) enter an awkward co-parenting arrangement to help restore their pup’s joy. A spontaneous Florida trip brings both humans and canine together again as healing leads to rekindled romance.
Rated PG, the film also stars Chris Redd and Patricia Heaton and is produced by "Touched by an Angel" star Roma Downey and Matthew Baer. Written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart.
2. 'David' — in theaters
This sweeping biblical epic traces the rise of Israel’s most unexpected king. From the quiet devotion of a shepherd boy to the climactic showdown with Goliath, the film follows David’s journey of faith, courage and obedience while confronting betrayal, love and royal destiny. The story frames the legendary battle not just as a test of strength, but as a spiritual struggle for the future of a nation.
Worship artist Phil Wickham voices adult David, while actor, dancer and singer Brandon Engman voices young David.
“Other than Jesus, we have more about the life of David than any other character in the Bible,” Wickham told CP. “We see his struggles, his victories, his failures, we see everything.”
“He was a man of victory and faith and also of sin and failure,” Wickham continued. “So why does God call him a man after His own heart? I think the difference is repentance. He always came back to God. … That’s where I connect with David most, not as a king or a warrior but as someone who still needed to fall on his knees and cry out, ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God.’ That’s who I am, too.”
3. 'Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas' — streaming on Hulu
Hosted by Kevin Costner, this two-hour Christmas special explores the journey of Mary and Joseph as they navigate uncertainty, hardship and the miracle surrounding the birth of Jesus.
Featuring dramatic reenactments of key moments from the Nativity story, the special provides both historical context and emotional depth while celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
“Let’s keep the ‘Christ’ in Christmas,” Coster says in the film trailer.
4. 'Hazel's Heart' — streaming on Angel, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play/YouTube Movies, Fandango At Home, Versant, Vubiquity and DirecTV/AT&T
Set against the frozen plains of North Dakota in March 1920, "Hazel’s Heart" tells the true story of three siblings lost in a deadly blizzard and the quiet, sacrificial love that emerges in the fight to survive.
Directed by Daniel Bielinski and starring Stelio Savante, the film is a reverent, family-centered story that emphasizes love, selflessness and hope amid impossible odds. While not a traditional Christmas film, it has themes of sacrifice and redemptive love that place it firmly in the season’s reflective spirit.
"We're all going to have a David versus Goliath moment," Savante told The Christian Post. "We're taking on something that's much bigger than us, and we're going to have to have something to lean on. That's what this movie is about. It's a beautifully shot film that is a story of resilience, a story of hope and an incredibly important part of American history."
5. 'All Is Merry & Bright' — in theaters
Emily Rose, Eric Close, Doug Jones, John O’Hurley and Sally Struthers headline this faith-based holiday comedy-drama centered on the beautiful chaos of family gatherings.
As Jessica Tannen strives to create the perfect last Christmas with her whole family under one roof, sibling tension, surprise visitors and a mischievous dog send plans awry.
6. 'A Chrismystery' — streaming on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
In "A Chrismystery," a big-city cop (Jen Lilley) reluctantly returns to her hometown with her daughter to take the deputy sheriff job.
Though determined not to stay, when the town's Christmas tree, lights and decorations are stolen, she sets her mind on the case where everyone is a suspect. Solving the holiday mystery alongside the charming sheriff, she may just discover that love is always a gift worth giving.
“I was drawn to it because it’s so outside the box,” Lilley told The Christian Post. “I love my traditional Christmas movies. I’m obsessed with them. But this one is quirky. It’s like if ‘The Grinch’ and ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ had a baby. It felt like a Christmas movie for people who hate Christmas movies.”
7. 'Zootopia 2' — in theaters
While not faith-based, Disney’s animated favorite remains a family-friendly option about courage, friendship, sacrifice and standing up for what’s right. And the 2025 sequel to this 2016 original is heavily marketed as a year-end family hit released for the holiday season.
