Netflix has just announced its lineup for November 2020, and it’s putting Hallmark on notice. Not content to let the greeting card company-turned seasonal industrial complex powerhouse dominate the holidays, the streamer is launching a salvo of original Christmas films aimed at soothing your post-election (but probably pre-knowing-who-will-be-president) nerves with a dose of cheer injected straight into your eyeballs. Let’s review what’s coming, and rank each entry on the Holly Jolly scale.
Operation Christmas Drop (Nov. 5): Unfortunately, this is not a holiday-themed sequel to Operation Dumbo Drop. A busy congressional aide chasing a promotion (aren’t they all?), Erica skips Christmas with her family and heads overseas at the behest of her boss to visit an air force base the government is looking for reasons to shut down. Will dreamy Captain Andrew Jantz convince her not to put him out of a job—and win her heart—with “Operation Christmas Drop,” during which the pilots drop gifts and supplies on nearby islands? Or will she be rightly disgusted by his flagrant misuse of government property? Holly Jolly rating: A Christmas court martial
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (Nov. 13): In the cherry town of Cobbletown, toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Oscar-winner Forrest Whitaker; good lord) is known for his “fanciful inventions” that delight everyone, probably. But when his assistant (Keegan Michael-Key) steals his latest creation, Jangle’s granddaughter must save Christmas by helping her dad “heal old wounds” and find his seasonal spirit. Billed as “a musical adventure” with songs from John Legend, Usher, and others. Holly Jolly rating: Kid tested, Mr. Magorium approved
The Princess Switch: Switched Again! (Nov. 19): In the sequel to 2018’s The Prince and the Pauper-themed The Princess Switch, Vanessa Hudgens once again pulls double duty as Margaret, the duchess of Montenaro, and Stacy DeNovo, a normie girl who just happens to look exactly like the duchess of Montenaro. After Margaret suddenly inherits her throne, she suffers relationship problems with her boyfriend, and turns to Stacy for help. Hmm, I see where this is going. Holly Jolly rating: A Dead Ringers Christmas
Alien Xmas (Nov. 20): Netflix’s description says it better than I could: “When a race of kleptomaniac aliens attempts to steal Earth’s gravity in order to more easily take everything on the planet, only the gift-giving spirit of Christmas and a small alien named X can save the world.” You know, that old familiar holiday tale. Holly Jolly rating: Defying gravity
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (Nov. 22): A “rich and nasty woman” (again, aren’t they all?) learns her father has died and immediately jets back to her humble hometown to evict everyone living in the properties he owned so she can sell the land to a shopping mall developer (in this economy?). Will the homespun wisdom and down home charm of the local townsfolk prompt her to have a change of heart? Maybe a soundtrack of 14 new tunes by Dolly Parton will do the trick? Holly Jolly rating: Hello Dolly
If Christmas cheer isn’t your bag, there’s lots more stuff coming to Netflix this month, including Ron Howard’s feared and anticipated Oscar-bait adaptation of J.D. Vance’s bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy (Nov. 24), starring Amy Adams and Glenn Close, and Mismatched, a new series based on the bestselling Indian-American YA romance When Dimple Met Rishi (no date set).
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Here’s everything coming to and leaving Netflix next month.
Coming to Netflix in November 2020
Coming in November (No date announced)
November 1
- M’entends-tu? / Can You Hear Me?: Season 2 — Netflix Original
- 60 Days In: Season 5
- A Clockwork Orange
- Boyz n the Hood
- Casper
- Christmas Break-In
- Dawson’s Creek: Seasons 1-6
- Easy A
- Elf Pets: A Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale
- Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue
- Elliot the Littlest Reindeer
- Forged in Fire: Season 6
- Jumping the Broom
- Knock Knock
- Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath: Seasons 1-3
- Little Monsters (1989)
- Mile 22
- Ocean’s Eleven
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop
- Piercing
- Platoon
- School Daze
- Snowden
- The Garfield Show: Season 3
- The Impossible
- The Indian in the Cupboard
- The Next Karate Kid
- Wheels of Fortune
- Yes Man
November 2
November
November 4
November 5
November 6
November 9
November 10
November 11
November 12
- Fruitvale Station
- Graceful Friends
- Ludo — Netflix Film
- Prom Night
November 13
November 15
- A Very Country Christmas
- America’s Next Top Model: Seasons 19 & 20
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
- The Crown: Season 4 — Netflix Original
- Hometown Holiday
- Survivor: Seasons 20 & 28
- V for Vendetta
November 16
November 17
November 18
November 19
November 20
November 22
November 23
November 24
- Dragons: Rescue Riders: Huttsgalor Holiday — Netflix Family
- El Cuaderno de Tomy / Notes for My Son — Netflix Film
- Hillbilly Elegy — Netflix Film
- Wonderoos — Netflix Family
November 25
November 26
- Larry the Cable Guy: Remain Seated
- Mosul — Netflix Film
November 27
November 28
- The Uncanny Counter — Netflix Original
November 29
- Wonderoos: Holiday Holiday! — Netflix Family
November 30
- The 2nd
- A Love So Beautiful — Netflix Original
- Finding Agnes — Netflix Film
- RUST CREEK
- Spookley and the Christmas Kittens
What’s leaving Netflix in November 2020
Leaving November 1
- Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
- Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
- Olympus Has Fallen
- Shark Night
Leaving November 4
Leaving November 6
Leaving November 7
- Hit & Run
- Hope Springs Eternal
- The Sea of Trees
- Sleepless
Leaving November 8
Leaving November 11
Leaving November 14
- Oliver Stone’s Untold History of the United States: Season 1
Leaving November 15
- 9
- Abominable Christmas
- The Addams Family
- Drive
Leaving November 16
Leaving November 17
Leaving November 22
Leaving November 23
Leaving November 26
Leaving November 27
- Jeopardy!: Champion Run I: Gilbert Collins
- Jeopardy!: Champion Run II: Rachel Lindgren
- Jeopardy!: Champion Run III: Ryan Fenster
- Jeopardy!: Champion Run IV: Josh Hill
- Jeopardy!: College Championship III
- Jeopardy!: Producer’s Pick
- The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Leaving November 30
- The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl
- The Bachelor: Season 13
- Bad News Bears
- Diana: In Her Own Words
- Gridiron Gang
- Hostage
- National Security
- Lakeview Terrace
- Moneyball
- Ocean’s Eleven
- Ocean’s Twelve
- Ocean’s Thirteen
- Priest
- Stand and Deliver
- The Tribes of Palos Verdes
- West Side Story
- Y Tu Mamá También
- You Don’t Mess with the Zohan
