Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max & Amazon Adding 7 New Releases On Christmas: The 3 to Watch
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!
Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon’s Prime Video and HBO Max are not taking Christmas off, adding seven new shows, sports and movies to their lineups today (December 25, 2025). Here are the three to watch, in my humble opinion:
Stranger Things – Season 5 (3 episodes)
Where to Watch: Netflix
When to Watch: Thursday, December 25
The second installment of the fifth and final season of the upside down world of those crazy kids debuts today on Christmas Day with three new episodes. (The first four episodes of S5 premiered on November 26 with four episodes.) The series finale will then be released on Netflix (and select movie theaters) on December 31. If you’re not familiar with Stranger Things by now, the show, which stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown (pictured above), follows a mysterious young girl (Brown) who opens a pathway between Earth and a hostile (very hostile) alternate dimension called the Upside Down. The series depicts a band of teenagers who assist the clueless adults in restoring order in our world. (Seasons one through four, the first part of season five, are now available on Netflix.)
Dunk the Halls: NBA Basketball, Cavaliers at Knicks
Where to Watch: Disney Plus
When to Watch: Thursday, December 25, Noon ET
On Christmas, Disney+ will simulcast ABC‘s broadcast of the Cleveland Cavaliers-New York Knicks game at noon ET. But the mouse network will add an extra gift under the tree with an animated real-time version of the game starring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and, last but not least, Chip and Dale. The alternative game, which will also air on ESPN2, will display each player as a motion-tracked animation version of himself while the Disney toon figures cheer from the sidelines at Madison Square Garden.
NFL Christmas Doubleheader
Where to Watch: Netflix
When to Watch: Thursday, December 25, 1:30 p.m. ET and 4:30 p.m. ET
Soon after you have unwrapped the gifts, Netflix will kick off its exclusive NFL doubleheader starting with the Dallas Cowboys-Washington Commanders game at 1 p.m. ET, followed by the Minnesota Vikings-Detroit Lions contest at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Lions (8-7) need wins in their final two games of the season (and a few losses by other teams) to keep their playoff hopes alive so game two is the one to watch here.
Movies & Shows Added Today to Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney Plus
Netflix
Thursday, December 25
Christmas Gameday: Cowboys vs. Commanders
Christmas Gameday: Lions vs. Vikings
Stranger Things 5: Volume 2
Amazon’s Prime Video
Thursday, December 25
Thursday Night Football: Broncos at Chiefs
HBO Max
Thursday, December 25
Happy And You Know It (HBO Original)
Disney Plus
Thursday, December 25
NBA Basketball: Cavaliers at Knicks, noon ET
Dunk the Halls – the real-time, animated NBA game: Cavaliers at Knicks
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
Peacock
No new releases today.
Hulu
No new releases today.
Paramount Plus
No new releases today.
Apple TV
No new releases today.
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