As the leaves turn to frost and playlists fill with jingling bells, Netflix is sleighing the holiday movie game with My Secret Santa, a feel-good romantic comedy set to premiere globally on December 3, 2025. Directed by The Princess Switch helmer Michael Rohl and starring Virgin River‘s Alexandra Breckenridge alongside New Amsterdam‘s Ryan Eggold, this yuletide tale swaps elves for disguises and delivers a fresh twist on the season’s classic tropes. Blending laugh-out-loud hijinks with heartfelt moments, the film follows a resourceful single mom who dons a Santa suit—complete with prosthetics and a wig—to land a gig at a luxurious ski resort, only to tumble headfirst into an unexpected romance. With supporting turns from Sister, Sister alum Tia Mowry and a script co-penned by the team behind Lindsay Lohan’s Falling for Christmas, My Secret Santa is poised to become the streaming service’s must-watch mistletoe must-have, offering viewers a dose of winter wonder just in time for the holidays.

The story centers on Taylor (Breckenridge), a vivacious single mother grappling with financial woes after a job loss. Desperate to fund her young daughter’s ski lessons—a nod to their shared love of the slopes—Taylor spots a seasonal opening at the fictional Sun Peaks Resort. There’s a catch: The role requires a jolly, bearded Santa Claus. Undeterred, she transforms into “Hugh Mann,” a portly, white-bearded Kris Kringle, complete with a full suit, wig, and makeup that demands hours in the chair. “It was physically demanding but oddly energizing,” Breckenridge shared in a recent Netflix Tudum interview, drawing vocal inspiration from Tim Allen’s iconic Santa portrayals while infusing her version with a woman’s wry, on-the-fly learning curve. Landing the job feels like a holiday miracle—until she crosses paths with Matthew (Eggold), the resort’s charming, no-nonsense manager.

What starts as playful banter—Taylor fumbling ho-ho-hos while Matthew oversees the resort’s festive frenzy—ignites into undeniable sparks. But as Taylor’s Santa facade crumbles under the weight of snowball fights, late-night cocoa chats, and stolen glances amid twinkling lights, the truth threatens to derail her double life. Will her deception turn holiday cheer into heartbreak, or lead to a merry-ever-after? The setup echoes timeless rom-com beats—think While You Were Sleeping meets The Holiday—but with a modern edge: Taylor’s resilience as a working mom, the joy of childlike wonder, and a subtle nod to embracing one’s true self, beard or no beard. Co-writer Carley Smale, known for her whip-smart dialogue, layers in gentle fish-out-of-water humor, ensuring the film skews sincere rather than slapstick.

Breckenridge, 43, brings her signature warmth to the role, fresh off Virgin River‘s steamy small-town escapades. “Taylor’s got that fighting spirit I love playing—flawed, fierce, and full of heart,” she told What’s on Netflix during a set visit. Eggold, 42, trades his brooding doctor for a swoon-worthy leading man with a soft spot for underdogs, marking a delightful pivot from medical dramas. Their chemistry, teased in the official trailer released October 17, crackles with easy rapport—think lingering eye contact over a sleigh ride gone awry. Mowry, 46, shines as Taylor’s sassy best friend and resort co-worker, delivering comic relief and sisterly wisdom, while emerging talent Madison MacIsaac rounds out the ensemble as Taylor’s wide-eyed daughter, adding poignant family dynamics.

Filming wrapped in Kamloops, British Columbia, last spring, transforming the snowy Canadian Rockies into the opulent Sun Peaks—a stand-in for alpine luxury with real sleigh bells and faux snowdrifts. Rohl, a Hallmark and Netflix veteran with credits like A Christmas Prince, leaned into practical effects for Taylor’s transformation, ensuring the Santa suit felt tangible and transformative. “We wanted that Home Alone magic—cozy, chaotic, and crammed with holiday details,” producer Howard Braunstein explained to When to Stream. The score, by composer Mychael Danna (Life of Pi), weaves twinkling chimes with upbeat folk, amplifying the film’s playful tone. Early buzz from test screenings hails it as “repeat-viewing gold,” perfect for Netflix’s holiday rail where it slots alongside staples like The Holiday and newcomers like Oh..

Netflix’s 2025 holiday slate is stacked, but My Secret Santa stands out for its empowering spin on Santa lore—a woman stepping into the red suit, literally and figuratively. In an era of inclusive storytelling, it celebrates single parenthood without saccharine pity, focusing instead on joy reclaimed amid adversity. “It’s about finding your place in the magic, no matter the costume,” Mowry noted in a cast Q&A, echoing the film’s themes of authenticity and serendipity. With global release on December 3, expect it to dominate watchlists, potentially cracking Netflix’s all-time holiday viewership records—The Christmas Chronicles still reigns with 65 million households in its debut week.

Critics’ early peeks are glowing: The Viewers Perspective calls it “a clean idea with a lead who carries both the costume and the heart,” praising its “repeat seasonal play” potential. For fans craving lighter fare post-Squid Game marathons, this is the antidote: 98 minutes of fluff, flirtation, and festive feels. Add it to your My List now—trailers are live, posters adorn social feeds, and the countdown to December 3 is on. In a season of tinsel and traditions, My Secret Santa reminds us: The best gifts come wrapped in surprises, and sometimes, love arrives in a beard.