Red One, directed by Jake Kasdan (from the new Jumanji films), is another movie that follows the tradition of inserting Christmas stories – or Santa Claus himself – into more adult action contexts, like Violent Night and Fatman did. This time, Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) is mysteriously kidnapped, so his head of security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with a cynical mercenary (Chris Evans) to rescue him. It's another buddy comedy, now featuring an unlikely pair that must rediscover goodness and the Christmas spirit within themselves. It doesn't offer anything that the previously mentioned films haven't done before – and even better – but the charisma of its leading duo, combined with action comedy, provides good holiday entertainment.
Charming animation, originally created for Cartoon Network and later sold to Amazon, Merry Little Batman is a different kind of story from what we're used to with the bat-hero. After all, it focuses on young Damian Wayne. The boy, alone in Wayne Manor on Christmas Eve, transforms into the "Little Batman" to defend Gotham City from villains who want to spoil the holiday festivities. Different and creative, it's a film that only reinforces how versatile and enjoyable Batman can be.
Like Jumanji, but set in Christmas. Starring Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross, "Candy Cane Lane" is a family Christmas comedy in which a man unintentionally makes a deal with a mischievous elf. Now, to avoid being turned into a doll, he must collect the golden rings owned by the characters from the classic song "The 12 Days of Christmas." It's a conventional and somewhat chaotic Christmas movie, but it's enjoyable due to the performances of its cast.
The second part of the delightful Christmas romantic comedy starring Asa Butterfield (Sex Education) and Cora Kirk (the After saga). In Your Christmas or Mine? 2, the couple finds themselves entangled in another holiday escapade that now involves their families, complicating their stay – and the stability of their relationship. Although it's an update of the genre formula for younger generations, there isn't much inventiveness here: it's a predictable but comforting story, perfect for the holiday season.