You don't have to wait for December to watch a show set at Christmas. TVLine recently rounded up five series that use the holiday as a backdrop but run on drama, romance, action, comedy and strong characters. Black Doves, Hawkeye and Home for Christmas are among them. This guide gives you all five, what kind of mood each suits, and a simple way to pick one.
Why some Christmas shows travel well
A Christmas show gets stuck in December when the holiday is the whole point. Take away the tinsel and nothing is left.
The shows on TVLine's list are different. Christmas sets the scene, but the engine is something else: a spy plot, a superhero mission, a family under strain, a dating experiment. If the story would still hold up with the decorations removed, you can watch it in July.
That is a pattern worth noticing, and it's my own read rather than TVLine's: the best "anytime" Christmas shows pick a genre first and the holiday second.
Black Doves: pick this for a spy thriller
If you want tension, start here. TVLine's list includes Black Doves as the conspiracy thriller of the group. The festive setting gives it a distinctive look, but what keeps you watching is the intrigue.
Best for: viewers who normally avoid anything with "Christmas" in the pitch.
Hawkeye: pick this for superhero action
Hawkeye is the Marvel entry. It takes place during the holiday, but it is fundamentally an action series built around its characters, which is why it holds up outside the season.
Best for: anyone who wants action with a lighter, seasonal flavor, or who already follows Marvel.
Home for Christmas: pick this for family drama and romance
TVLine highlights Home for Christmas as an international pick. The holiday is part of the premise, but the draw is the people and the relationships. Streamers have widened what counts as Christmas TV, and shows from outside the usual Hollywood holiday pipeline are a big part of that.
Best for: viewers who want something character-driven and a little different from the standard holiday formula.
How to Ruin Christmas: pick this for comedy
Another international comedy on TVLine's list. The title promises chaos, and it fits the idea that Christmas stories don't have to be sweet and gentle. A comedy about things going wrong is funny in any month.
Best for: people tired of cheesy holiday cheer who still want a laugh.
12 Dates of Christmas: pick this for reality dating
This is the reality dating entry. Dating shows are built around romance and awkward moments, not the calendar, so it makes sense that this one still plays when it's warm outside.
Best for: easy, low-effort viewing when you want romance without a heavy plot.
How to choose in under a minute
- Want suspense? Black Doves.
- Want action? Hawkeye.
- Want family and heart? Home for Christmas.
- Want comedy? How to Ruin Christmas.
- Want light romance? 12 Dates of Christmas.
The genre spread is the real takeaway. TVLine's list covers romance, family drama, superhero action, reality dating and a conspiracy thriller, so there is likely something for whatever mood you're in.
Why year-round holiday viewing makes sense
Holiday viewing is increasingly about comfort and rewatchability, not just the season. Part of the appeal is familiarity: you know the setting, you know the tone, and you can settle in. Nothing says that comfort has an expiry date.
Pick the genre you'd normally watch, check whether it has a Christmas version on this list, and press play. The season is optional.
