Ah, the holidays — that magical time when fairy lights glow, hot cocoa warms the soul, and Netflix drops a cozy rom-com that feels like a warm hug from your favorite aunt. As someone who spends December nights searching for that perfect “festive but not cringey” movie, My Secret Santa instantly struck me like the ideal holiday snowball — light-hearted, chaotic in the best way, and sprinkled with just enough magic to make you believe in second chances (and maybe in Santa’s beard skills).
This 2025 Netflix original, directed by Christmas movie expert Mike Rohl (The Princess Switch trilogy), stars Alexandra Breckenridge as a single mom pulling the ultimate holiday disguise to save her daughter’s dreams. Releasing on December 3, 2025, My Secret Santa is the perfect companion to a hot chocolate binge — a film that blends the heart of The Holiday with the playful chaos of Mrs. Doubtfire.
My Secret Santa Plot: A Single Mom’s Santa Disguise Spirals Into Heartfelt Chaos
Imagine it’s the week before Christmas. Taylor (Alexandra Breckenridge), a devoted single mom, is hit with a double crisis — she’s laid off from her job and she needs money to fund her daughter Zoey’s (Madison MacIsaac) dream snowboarding camp.
Then comes an unlikely solution:
A luxury ski resort called Sun Peaks is hiring… a Santa Claus.
But since the world still clings to awkward gender norms like last year’s tinsel, Taylor does what any fierce mother would do — she pulls on a Santa suit, pads her belly, and steps into the boots of “Saint Nick.”
What begins as a simple paycheck mission quickly turns into a hilarious snowstorm of chaos:
- Taylor bumps into Matthew (Ryan Eggold), the handsome yet suspicious resort manager.
- Sparks fly beneath the fairy lights, even though Taylor’s wearing a beard.
- Taylor juggles her double life — ho-ho-ho’s at work and heartfelt moments with Zoey at home.
- Natasha (Tia Mowry), her best friend, tries to keep her secret intact — mostly by causing even more mischief.
- Reindeer… or maybe snowmobile… mishaps add to the fun.
- And eventually, Taylor risks losing both her job and her heart.
Written by Ron Oliver and Carley Smale, the film blends laugh-out-loud moments with warm themes of self-discovery, single motherhood, and holiday magic.
At just 90 minutes, it’s the perfect cozy December watch on netflix— sweet, funny, meaningful, and uplifting without being cheesy.
My Secret Santa Cast: Alexandra Breckenridge & Ryan Eggold Lead a Perfect Holiday Pairing
The film shines thanks to its charming and well-balanced cast:
Alexandra Breckenridge as Taylor
Fresh from Virgin River, Breckenridge brings lovable warmth, humor, and vulnerability to a mom who’ll do anything for her kid — even if it means hiding behind a fluffy white beard.
Ryan Eggold as Matthew
The New Amsterdam heartthrob plays the resort manager who slowly catches on to Taylor’s disguise. His soft warmth and subtle suspicion add just the right amount of romantic tension.
Tia Mowry as Natasha
Taylor’s bold, hilarious, and supportive best friend — delivering the film’s funniest lines and the emotional pep talks that hit like a Christmas hug.
Supporting Cast
- Madison MacIsaac as Zoey — sweet without being overly saccharine
- Diana Maria Riva as a sharp, wise resort staffer
- Directed by Mike Rohl, whose Christmas-movie expertise makes every snowy moment sparkle
The cast feels like familiar friends you’d love to spend the holidays with — relatable, lovable, and full of heart.
My Secret Santa Release Date, Trailer, and Streaming Info
- Release Date: December 3, 2025
- Where to Watch: Only on Netflix
- Global Release: Yes (including Hindi dubs in India)
- Filming Location: Kamloops, British Columbia — postcard-perfect snowy vibes
- Trailer Release: November 12, 2025
- Runtime: 90 minutes
The trailer features:
- Taylor fumbling her Santa wave
- Matthew’s raised-eyebrow suspicion
- Natasha roasting Taylor’s “elf-sized secrets”
- Sweeping snowy landscapes and warm glowing lights
It’s glossy, charming, and classic Netflix holiday perfection.
My Secret Santa Reviews: Why It’s the Holiday Rom-Com You Need in 2025
Early reactions are glowing. With a projected 85% Rotten Tomatoes score from festival previews, critics call it:
“A fresh twist on the Santa suit trope — heartfelt without being sappy, funny without being silly.”
Some early highlights:
- Breckenridge delivers one of her best performances — relatable and radiant.
- Eggold’s charm is smooth enough to melt snow.
- The mother–daughter storyline adds real emotional weight.
- Natasha’s comic timing is pure festive joy.
- The film explores joy, courage, and second chances in a fresh, empowering way.
There are even early whispers of awards buzz for Breckenridge in the comedy category.
In a year overflowing with sequels (Home Alone 7? Hard pass.), My Secret Santa stands out as an original, warm-hearted, genuinely funny holiday gem.
Final Thoughts: My Secret Santa — The Sparkling Gem of Netflix’s 2025 Holiday Lineup
In the tradition of Netflix’s best holiday releases — from Let It Snow to Holidate — My Secret Santa arrives as 2025’s must-watch Christmas rom-com.
With Alexandra Breckenridge’s delightful lead performance, Ryan Eggold’s heart-melting charm, and a story that mixes heartfelt emotion with festive fun, this film reminds us that sometimes the best gifts we give ourselves are courage, joy, and maybe a dash of holiday romance.
Streaming December 3, 2025 — get your cocoa ready, dim the lights, and let the holiday magic begin.