Welcome to the Netflix Streaming Report for December 24, 2014. After the long week you deserve a relaxing staycation with a bowl of popcorn, a bucket of ice cream, and only your Netflix queue to judge you. In the spirit of the Christmas season, we’re going to look at all of the best holiday movies on Netflix Watch Instant as well as what’s new this week.

First, here’s what’s new on Netflix for this week:

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (Christopher Landon) Rated R [84 min] – After being “marked,” Jesse begins to be pursued by mysterious forces while his family and friends try to save him. Starring Andrew Jacobs, Jorge Diaz, Gloria Sandoval, Molly Ephraim, and Richard Cabral

If you come in with low expectations you’re going to have a good time. Far superior than Paranormal Activity 4, but not nearly as haunting as Paranormal Activity 3, The Marked Ones fares well as an average found footage horror. (Watch it now)

Dark Skies (Scott Stewart)Rated PG-13 [97 min] – As the Barret family’s peaceful suburban life is rocked by an escalating series of disturbing events, they come to learn that a terrifying and deadly force is after them. Starring Keri Russell, Jake Brennan, Josh Hamilton, Dakota Goyo, and J.K. Simmons

Fans of M. Night Shamalamadingdong’s Signs will quite enjoy this slow burn of an extraterrestrial thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. (Watch it now)

Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (David Mirkin) Rated R [92 min] –  Two women get into a lot of trouble when they go to their high school reunion and lie about their lives after twelfth grade. Starring Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, and Janeane Garofalo

“I hope your babies look like monkeys.” (Watch it now)

The Trip to Italy (Michael Winterbottom) Not Rated [108 min] – Two men, six meals in six different places on a road trip around Italy. Starring Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Rosie Fellner

For good background noise, food porn, and a handful of laughs. (Watch it now)

And Here’s Our Top Christmas Picks:

Love Actually (Richard Curtis) Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England. Starring Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Kiera Knightley, Bill Nighy, Andrew Lincoln, Colin Firth, and Liam Neeson

This is pretty much a given. Am I right ladies? (Watch it now)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (Henry Selick) Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn’t quite understand the concept. Starring Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, and Catherine O’Hara

When you haven’t had enough of the thrills and chills of Halloween, The Nightmare Before Christmas is always the best go to holiday classic. (Watch it now)

Scrooged (Richard Donner) A selfish, cynical T.V. executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve. Starring Bill Murray, Karen Allen, and John Forsythe

I find Scrooged to be one of the most underrated Christmas movies of all time. It offers a great performance by Bill Murray, it has many really funny moments, the three ghosts are unique, and did I mention Bill Murray? (Watch it now)

The Muppet Christmas Carol (Brian Henson) The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser’s redemption on Christmas Eve. Starring Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and Frank Oz

Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge with a bunch of Muppets, what more could you ask for? (Watch it now)

Bad Santa (Terry Zwigoff) A miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid, and the security boss discovers the plot. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, and Lauren Graham

If an unorthodox Christmas movie is what you seek, but sticks with the themes and sensibility of the holiday spirit, Bad Santa has your name on it. (Watch it now)

White Christmas (Michael Curtiz) A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general. Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney

For those who seek a true classic Christmas movie. (Watch it now)

Happy Christmas (Joe Swanberg) After a break up, Jenny moves in with writer Kelly, her filmmaker husband, and their child. Despite a rocky start, Jenny’s influence helps Kelly realize that an evolution in her life, career and relationship is necessary for her happiness. Starring Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Webber, and Joe Swanberg

And finally, we have Anna Kendrick for you. It’s not a Christmas movie in the traditional sense, but Happy Christmas has this slice of life resonance that many can relate to. It’s not the most involved or engaging story, but it works on a small indie level. (Watch it now)

What will you be watching?

Look forward to more new titles from the Netflix Streaming Report every Thursday.

 

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All plot synopses courtesy of IMDb.com