10 Netflix Releases You Can’t Miss This December — Including the Stranger Things Finale

Netflix is closing out 2025 with a stacked December lineup, featuring highly anticipated finales, emotional documentaries and star-studded original films. The most talked-about release is undoubtedly the explosive final chapter of Stranger Things, arriving in two parts on December 25 and 31, marking the end of the nearly decade-long global phenomenon.

But before fans return to the Upside Down, Netflix is premiering a mix of new releases including George Clooney and Adam Sandler’s latest collaboration, a Kate Winslet-directed drama, and uplifting documentaries spotlighting resilience and creativity around the world.

Here are the 10 best movies and shows to stream on Netflix in December 2025.

All the Empty Rooms — Dec. 1

This powerful short documentary follows photographers Lou Bopp and Steve Hartman as they capture the preserved bedrooms of children lost to school shootings. It offers a moving reflection on grief, legacy and the human impact of violence.

My Secret Santa — Dec. 3

A holiday rom-com starring Alexandra Breckenridge and Ryan Eggold, this festive film follows a single mom who disguises herself as a resort Santa to get a job — only to fall in love while keeping her identity secret.

The Abandons — Dec. 4

Led by Lena Headey, Gillian Anderson and Lucas Till, this gritty Western drama focuses on two rival families battling for land and power. With striking cinematography and fierce female leads, it reinvents the classic Western from a new perspective.

Jay Kelly — Dec. 5

George Clooney and Adam Sandler star in this introspective film about an aging Hollywood star and his longtime manager. Directed with humor and emotional depth, it explores fame, friendship and reinvention.

The New Yorker at 100 — Dec. 5

A documentary celebrating the centennial of the iconic magazine, featuring insights from editors, writers and contributors who shaped its cultural legacy.

Masaka Kids: A Rhythm Within — Dec. 9

Produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, this short documentary highlights the globally beloved Ugandan dance group Masaka Kids Africana and how creativity transforms young lives.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery — Dec. 12

Daniel Craig returns as detective Benoit Blanc in the third installment of the hit murder-mystery franchise. Also starring Mila Kunis, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, and more, the story centers around a shocking murder inside a religious community.

Emily in Paris, Season 5 — Dec. 18

Emily trades Paris for Italy in this new season full of romantic twists and new settings. Returning cast includes Lily Collins, Ashley Park and Lucas Bravo.

Goodbye June — Dec. 24

Kate Winslet directs and stars in a deeply emotional drama about four siblings navigating their mother’s final days during the holidays. Featuring Toni Collette and Helen Mirren, the film delivers heartbreak and humor in equal measure.

Stranger Things Season 5: Volume 2 & The Finale — Dec. 25 & 31

The end is here. The beloved cast — including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Winona Ryder and David Harbour — return for the last battle against Vecna and the Upside Down. The Duffer brothers promise a massive, emotional send-off.