Netflix is challenging the Hallmark Channel’s holiday domination with 28 new festive additions this season. But that’s not all, folks!

BY LAURA D.C. KOLNOSKI

LOVE HARD
NETFLIX – NOW PLAYING (RATED 13+)
Our pick for an LOL holiday romcom is this take on the perils and potential of internet dating. Nina Dobrev is the lovelorn Natalie, whose friend convinces her to visit the object of her online affection, only to learn she’s been cat fished by Josh, a teenager with Photoshop skills. Hilarity ensues. Comedian/actor Jimmy O. Yang (Crazy Rich Asians) is Josh. Also starring Harry Shum, Jr. (Glee).

THE PRINCESS SWITCH 3: ROMANCING THE STAR
NETFLIX – NOW PLAYING (RATED PG)
Nothing says Christmas like a heist movie, right? It’s a stretch, as is the premise – the title is a ri on Romancing the Stone. Vanessa Hudgens plays three roles in this third installment of the franchise: Margaret, queen of the fictional Montenaro; Stacy, princess of the equally imaginary Belgravia; and cousin Fiona, drama queen. All of them team up to retrieve a precious stolen artifact. Costarring another Crazy Rich Asians alum, Remy Hii.

A CASTLE FOR CHRISTMAS
NETFLIX – NOVEMBER 26 (UNRATED)
Who better than Cary Elwes, the dreamy Westley in 1986’s The Princess Bride, to co-star with Brooke Shields in a holiday tale about a castle? American author Sophie (Shields) travels to Scotland to escape a scandal and becomes determined to buy a castle from the reluctant, cranky duke who owns it (Elwes). Filmed on location.

BEING THE RICARDOS
AMAZON PRIME, DECEMBER 21 (UNRATED)
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s daughter Lucie released a video in October, when the first trailer for this longawaited biographical drama debuted, proclaiming it “fantastic.” Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, with Nicole Kidman playing Lucy and Javier Bardem as Desi, the story goes behind the scenes of their classic, groundbreaking I Love Lucy series, still airing worldwide. The supporting cast includes J.K. Simmons as William Frawley, Nina Arianda as Vivian Vance, and other real people played by Tony Hale, Ronny Cox, and Clark Gregg. In theaters December 10.

Foodie Fare
CANDY COATED CHRISTMAS
DISCOVERY + – NOW PLAYING (RATED PG-13)
Fans of the Pioneer Woman are celebrating her film debut, produced by the Food Network, with the folksy ranch maven cast as a bakery owner in the hamlet of Peppermint Hollow who befriends an executive returning to her hometown (Molly McCook of Last Man Standing). Of the role written specifically for her, Drummond said, “This fi lm has all the magical elements that make holiday movies so special.” The Food Network is maximizing the collaboration with related content. It’s the first original fi lm from Discovery+.

SCHOOL OF CHOCOLATE
NETFLIX – NOVEMBER 26
Chocoholics will be salivating over this limited competition series in which eight pastry pros compete at the School of Chocolate under the tutelage of Amaury Guichon, a French pastry chef/chocolatier from Las Vegas with four million Instagram followers. The winner will receive a prize package with a career opportunity.

THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW: HOLIDAYS
NETFLIX – DECEMBER 3
Two special holiday-themed episodes of the tremendously popular U.K. baking competition will “deck the halls with sugar, butter, and chocolate as competitors from previous seasons bake wondrous winter treats for the judges.” While the first episode focuses on the traditional, the second promises to “spice things up.” Yum.