A Merry Little Ex-Mas: Release date, where to watch, and what to expect

A Merry Little Ex-Mas is set to release on November 12, 2025. This holiday comedy brings in some more emotional cues to the usual festive cheer. Featuring Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson, the film explores post-divorce life with humor and heart. It will stand out in the holiday movie lineup this year, directed by Steve Carr and written by Holly Hester.

This Netflix original views Christmas differently. It explores how the emotional aftermath of a divorce needs no drama. Maintaining holiday normalcy can be better instead.

The story follows Alicia Silverstone's Kate, who is adjusting to divorce. She wants one last perfect Christmas with her family before selling the house. Everett, her ex-husband, arrives with his younger girlfriend, changing things.

A Merry Little Ex-Mas: Release date and time of the movie

On November 12, 2025, Netflix will premiere A Merry Little Ex-Mas. The movie's release date is perfect for the holidays, giving viewers a new take on Christmas drama and comedy. The movie will be streaming at 12:00 AM PST, allowing subscribers to watch it across time zones.

How to Stream A Merry Little Ex-Mas: Subscription plans and more

To watch A Merry Little Ex-Mas, viewers will need a Netflix subscription. Based on streaming choices, Netflix offers several plans. "Standard with Ads" costs $7.99 per month and offers HD streaming and two streams. The $17.99 "Standard" plan offers HD streaming and two devices for ad-free viewing. The $24.99 "Premium" plan offers 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and four simultaneous streams. All of these plans will stream the movie, giving all viewers a subscription option.

A Merry Little Ex-Mas: What should the viewers expect from the film?

The film deviates from Christmas movies. A Merry Little Ex-Mas explores the emotional aftermath of divorce rather than rekindling a romance or a magical holiday reunion. Kate wants one last Christmas with her family before selling her house. Her ex-husband's arrival with his successful, younger girlfriend forces her to face unresolved feelings. The film's slapstick humor and heartfelt moments show the awkward, sometimes painful realities of post-divorce life. So viewers can expect emotional tension, laughs, and unexpected twists only a holiday reunion can bring.

Director Steve Carr stated to Netflix in an interview on October 10, 2025,

“We were in bitter cold Canada. I mean, so cold. But we were chasing the snow so we went north. And I couldn’t be happier about that. Instead of Hollywood snow, we had real Canadian snow, three feet deep.”

Further about the movie plot, he mentioned,

"Like George in It’s a Wonderful Life, [when] something big happens to shake up your life, it changes your point of view, and you realize the life you have is the one you’re meant to have."

A Merry Little Ex-Mas Cast

The movie has a great cast, but Alicia Silverstone as Kate and Oliver Hudson as Kate's ex-husband Everett stand out. Alicia Silverstone, who is best known for her roles in Clueless and Reptile, plays a woman trying to keep her life together during the crazy holiday season with her usual charm.

Oliver Hudson, who has been in Happy Gilmore 2 and Scream Queens, plays Everett in a way that is both clueless and funny. Some other well-known cast members are Pierson Fode (The Wrong Paris), Jameela Jamil (The Good Place), and Melissa Joan Hart (No Good Nick).

Melissa Joan Hart stated to Tudum her excitement about the cast of the movie,

“This was a dream-come-true cast. It’s a mystery to me how Alicia and I have somehow never even met until now, considering we have so much and so many people in common. Oliver is one of the funniest men I've ever met … Jameela I was dying to work with, and we hit it off like BFFs immediately. And [Pierson’s] a complete pro and such a joy on set!"

A Merry Little Ex-Mas Trailer Insights

The trailer for A Merry Little Ex-Mas sets the tone with a mix of humor and tension. Early on, Kate, played by Alicia Silverstone, expresses her excitement for Christmas, saying, "I love Christmas. The lights, family time. It's awesome." She loses the holiday spirit when her ex-husband Everett arrives with his new girlfriend. The trailer is funny when Kate is surprised and asks, “Does every person in this town know?” about a gossip surrounding her ex-husband’s new relationship.

The awkwardness is evident throughout the trailer. Kate clumsily suggests keeping things civil., “Maybe we should all have dinner.” The tension rises as Kate’s ex-husband, Everett, lightly jokes, "I’m sorry that I wasn’t a better husband,” showing his obliviousness to the emotional complexity of the situation.

The trailer teases holiday chaos with awkward family moments and humor. It also suggests Kate's emotional journey as she struggles to accept her divorce and maintain her ideal Christmas.

A Merry Little Ex-Mas will be available to stream on Netflix.