16 Shows and Movies to Watch Now That You Actually Have Time Off

Holidays are for spending time with my people, of course… but it’s also a time for declaring myself unreachable while I spend time with some of this year’s most iconic fictional ones. The ones that all my friends said made them cry, or laugh hysterically, but I wouldn’t know, because my to-dos were too busy pushing me into madness. And now that we finally have time off, I’ll for sure be sliding into my holiday pajamas, grabbing my favorite bevy, and retreating to the basement until I am all caught up on all the shows I’ve skillfully dodged spoilers for on TikTok, patiently awaiting the day when I can finally watch the show myself.

If you’re looking for the best shows and movies to watch during holiday break, I’ve rounded up some of the best 2025 releases to (finally) queue up. The big hits you forgot you had on your watchlist, the hidden gems that got swept away in our streaming algorithms, and the pop-culture darlings that will help explain why hockey is suddenly hot now. Read on, settle in, and enjoy some of this year’s best fictional worlds while you finally have a second to breathe from yours.

Movies to watch:

1. Frankenstein

I never thought Frankenstein could be hot until I watched Jacob Elordi portray him for two and a half hours. He did such a marvelous job stepping into a world that is already so well-known by many of us, and adding another layer of vulnerability to the character, making it still feel fresh. Let me nerd out for a second: the set design is also extremely immersive. It’s like being pulled into this lavish, play-like simulation that’s full of so many handmade details that make this world feel both elaborate and artificial. The movie has blown up on Netflix for good reason, and whether you’re here for the chills, the visuals, or just to see Elordi in literally any context—this is a Frankenstein story every movie-lover will fall for.

2. Companion

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if your future kid wanted to date a robot (this is a real conversation I had with my partner this week), Companion takes that futuristic thought and cranks your fears all the way up to ten. Starring Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, and more, this sci-fi thriller follows a group of friends on a casual weekend getaway that quickly turns into a hilarious, bloody mess when one specific guest—a robot designed for human connection—suddenly goes haywire. It’s a wildly fun movie that flew a bit under the radar earlier this year, but absolutely deserves a spot in your queue. It’s sharp, full of twists and turns, and is sneakily political if you want a conversation starter at dinner.

3. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Another year, another star-studded Knives Out movie for me to watch happily between eggnog and gift exchanges. Not only is our beloved southern detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) back with even more of those witty, southern one-liners, but he’s joined by a sparkling new lineup of questionable suspects: Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, and Kerry Washington, to name a few! This perfectly impossible crime is the best movie night pick to wind down with now that you have the time. In this specific mystery, Blanc is unraveling a case at a small-town church with a dark history. I’ve personally been dying to solve this case and watch, but keep putting off because I’ve been so busy. But no more. And don’t worry, even if you haven’t seen the first two films, the fresh cast and plot make it easy to jump in.

4. Oh, Hi

I’ll admit it takes a lot for a movie to actually make me laugh out loud, but this underrated rom-com gem, starring Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman, had me in literal tears this year. If your year included some questionably bad dates, watching Iris and Isaac navigate their relationship is a hilarious reminder that your own romantic misadventures might not be as bad as others. Rom coms are always my go-to for unwinding, and this one is perfect for sneaking in a comedic break between holiday dinners and family visits. The story follows Iris (Gordon) and Isaac (Lerman) on their first weekend away together—but when Iris realizes they don’t see the relationship the same way, things spiral into a funny hostage situation that captures the anxieties and absurdities of modern dating.

5. Sinners

In case your film-snob friend hasn’t told you yet, let me be the one: Sinners is one of the best movies of the year. It has two Michael B. Jordans, a gripping storyline that will stick with you for weeks, and horrifying visuals that will make your skin crawl in the best of ways. It’s definitely not a holiday movie, but it is a fantastic movie to watch this time of year if you’ve been meaning to find the time. But it is visually aggressive in some scenes if you don’t love blood and gore with your holiday cheer. That said, certifying itself as one of the highest-grossing horror films ever, this vampiric experience feels like taking part in cinematic history, and is absolutely worth your time now that you finally have it.

6. Twinless

If you’re in the mood for a little indie-film expedition, Twinless is a dramedy treasure chest full of cinematic gold, and in my opinion, deserves way more attention than it got this year. The story follows Roman and Dennis, who are both grieving the loss of their twin, and connect through an emotional support group. The two characters slowly form an unexpected, deeply moving friendship, which is anchored by standout performances from Dylan O’Brien, James Sweeney, Lauren Graham, and Chris Perfetti. Twinless feels like a warm, quiet reminder of just how healing connection can be—offering a powerful visual experience before heading into the new year.

7. One Battle After Another

One Battle After Another is, hands down, one of 2025’s most electric releases. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn, and Chase Infiniti, this movie doesn’t just deliver one of the most jaw-dropping car chase scenes I’ve ever seen on screen; it’s also a father/daughter story, a tale of rebellion, and pure cinematic fun from start to finish. Even with its nearly three-hour runtime (bear with me), you will never grow bored. While it’s definitely a blockbuster I’d argue is best enjoyed on the big screen, blasting it at max volume at home on a Wednesday afternoon is still a thrill you won’t regret pressing play on. It was also just recently nominated for Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes!

8. Materialists

This will-they-wont-they rom com (or dramedy, whatever the Reddit thread you’re reading wants to call it) got so much love this year. With a super fun press tour from Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, clips and conversations about this movie were just unavoidable. Not to mention that it’s actually a great movie. Materialists has this effortless charm to it, and is the kind of movie that pulls you in happily with its mood and rhythm just as much as the plot. If it slipped by your queue when it first came out, now’s the perfect moment to catch up on a long flight or lazy afternoon. It’s super funny, thoughtful, and feels like a slightly modernized version of your favorite early 2000s rom-com.

Shows to watch:

1. Adults

Don’t even get me started on how underrated this Gen-Z–coded comedy is. Actually, let’s: Adults is severely, criminally, 25-to-life level, underrated TV. In an entertainment landscape where Gen Z characters are often treated as comic relief only, this show actually lets them feel human, nuanced, and seen amidst their glowing sense of humor. The plot follows a group of twenty-somethings in Queens as they navigate their identities, careers, friendships, and adult responsibilities. The cast’s chemistry is pure comedy gold, and it’s an easy, digestible eight-episode watch for the long break. The first season dropped this year and was just renewed for season two.

2. Boots

After impulsively joining the U.S. Marine Corps, a bullied teen uncovers new purpose and new bonds with his team of recruits in this eight-episode drama. This story strikes powerful chords and showcases very human experiences, making for an educational and enlightening watch. The show has been praised for its honest portrayal of a gay recruit in the 90s Marine Corps, with high Rotten Tomatoes scores, and a cultural impact that has me adding it to my watchlist over the holidays. The show was just recently canceled, which has caused so much heartbreak (and political debate) online, but the powerful themes and smart writing will hopefully make the show’s impact last, despite the disappointing cancellation news.

3. Heated Rivalry

The viral show the internet cannot stop raving about, Heated Rivalry, is the perfect bit of spice to celebrate your time off. The story follows two hockey stars whose rivalry slowly turns into a secret, years-long romance as they chase glory, wrestle with their feelings, and fall deeper for each other. Based on the Rachel Reid book of the same name, the show is technically about sports… but really, it’s about love and longing. It also has lots of super sexy tension. It’s been widely praised for its portrayal of love and for having very little actual hockey, feeling less like a sports series and more like a popcorn bucket full of irresistible, homoerotic romance scenes that just happen to take place in oversized jerseys.

4. All Her Fault

After watching Succession, I’ve been dying to see more from Sarah Snook, and this gripping new Peacock thriller feels like the perfect mystery to dive into. Our editor Lauren recommended it recently, and it’s been popping up all over my Instagram algorithm, which is a combo fierce enough to land it on my watchlist. I love a thriller every now and then, and this one is packed full of 180 plot twists and high stakes. Snook stars as Marissa, a mother desperately searching for her missing five-year-old son, with a fallout that sends her family spiraling as long-buried secrets start to surface. It feels super intense, unsettling, and the kind of slow-burning thrill that’s fun to watch in one stretch now that you have time to get fully into it.

5. I Love LA

I actually hate LA, but I am totally in love with this fictional version that stars Rachel Sennott, Josh Hutcherson, Odessa A’zion, and more favorites. The story follows an ambitious Maia (Sennott) as she tries to juggle her career, friendships, and her relationship with her boyfriend, all while figuring out what she wants her mark to be. What makes the show really click is that it’s about Zillennials and created by Zillennials, with Sennott as a writer, producer, creator, and star on the show, which gives it a refreshing sense of authenticity that I’m obsessed with. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, painfully relatable, occasionally heartbreaking, and the finale just came out—meaning you have plenty of time to catch up on the hype during the holiday break.

6. Pluribus

Created by one of TV’s most iconic figures, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan is back with a new sci-fi dramedy series this year—and it’s already become Apple TV’s biggest show ever. The show stars Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seehorn as the most depressed person alive, in a world that’s been overtaken by forced happiness. The premise is deeply unsettling, but profoundly so, and has a pilot episode for the cinema books. I started watching it recently and got instantly hooked, but then life rudely interrupted and forced me to hit pause. Now that I finally have some real time off, this is sitting right at the top of my watchlist, waiting for my full, undivided attention.

7. All’s Fair

Ok, take a walk with me. I’m not a movie nut who wants to waste your time. I know you’re busy, so let me just be frank… this show sucks. BUT, it’s also wildly entertaining. Somehow, when I am hit by the glossy glow of a celeb parade that includes Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, and Sarah Paulson, I can’t help but eat it up. So, if you’re looking at the above list and thinking, “I want something that I can melt between the couch with, without a fraction of brain power,” this show is your cozy must-watch. It’s so bad it’s good, and it does have some fun one-liners that can be handy in the group chat. The show follows a successful divorce lawyer and the owner of an all-female law firm in LA. It was also just renewed for a second season!

8. Task

This seven-episode crime drama is the perfect binge to tug at your heartstrings over a long holiday weekend—if you dare. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, and more, the new HBO Max series is packed with tension, all the drama, and an Emmy-worthy performance from Mark Ruffalo. The story follows an FBI agent (Ruffalo) assigned to lead a task force to take down a crew of violent robbers. The emotional stakes are crazy captivating, and it’s a show that is impossible to look away from once you start. If you love a character-driven plot, this morally gray storyline leaves so much room for interpretation, and the “bad guy” isn’t as clear-cut as it might seem.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Madigan Will, Assistant Editor

As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Madigan writes and edits content for every topic under the digital media sun. As the oldest of four siblings, she enjoys utilizing her big sister persona to connect and inspire readers—helping them discover new ways to maximize their everyday.

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