You'd think finding a big-budget holiday rom-com starring a Mother of Dragons and a Crazy Rich Asian would be as easy as finding a Starbucks in central London. It isn't. Every year, as soon as the first frost hits, thousands of people start hunting for last christmas movie streaming options, only to realize that the licensing rights for this film move around more than a London bus in rush hour.
Honestly, the 2019 Paul Feig-directed film has become a bit of a seasonal nomad. It's not like Elf or Home Alone, which seem to have permanent residency on specific platforms. Instead, Last Christmas—written by the legendary Emma Thompson—tends to hop between services like Netflix, Hulu, and Peacock depending on which way the corporate wind is blowing.
The Current State of Last Christmas Movie Streaming
Right now, if you're looking to watch Emilia Clarke trip over her own elf shoes, your best bet is usually Netflix. In late 2025 and moving into early 2026, Netflix has been the primary home for the film in several major territories. But here’s the kicker: streaming rights are notoriously fickle.
Hulu actually held the rights through the end of December 2025, but as many frustrated Redditors noted, it vanished on New Year’s Day. That’s the "enshittification" of streaming for you. One day it’s there, the next it’s behind a different $15-a-month paywall.
- Netflix: Generally has it for the 2025-2026 window, but check your local listings because regional blackouts are real.
- Hulu/Disney+: It was there, then it wasn't. They might get it back for the July "Christmas in Summer" promotions, but don't hold your breath.
- Prime Video: You can almost always rent or buy it here for about $3.99 to $14.99.
- Physical Media: Don't laugh. Buying the Blu-ray for five bucks at a thrift store is the only way to guarantee you can watch it when the Wi-Fi goes down.
Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With This Movie
It’s been years since it came out, yet the search volume for last christmas movie streaming never really dies. Why? It's the George Michael of it all. The movie isn't just named after the song; it’s practically a visual love letter to his discography. We're talking "Faith," "Freedom! '90," and even some unreleased tracks that Emma Thompson personally secured the rights to before George passed away.
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The plot follows Kate (played by Emilia Clarke), a girl who is—let's be real—kind of a mess. She works at a year-round Christmas shop owned by "Santa" (the incredible Michelle Yeoh) and spends her nights drinking too much and avoiding her overbearing Yugoslavian mother (Emma Thompson). Then she meets Tom (Henry Golding). He’s perfect. Too perfect?
If you haven't seen the twist yet, I won't spoil it, but let’s just say the internet had a collective meltdown about it in 2019. Some people hate it. Others think it’s the most poetic thing ever put in a holiday movie. Regardless of where you stand, the chemistry between Clarke and Golding is undeniably charming.
How to Watch If It’s Not on Your Favorite App
If you've searched every app on your Roku and still can't find last christmas movie streaming for free with your subscription, you've got two main paths.
First, the "Rent or Buy" route. This is actually the most stable way to handle holiday movies. Apple TV, Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu), and Google Play all carry it. If you're a person who watches this movie every single December, just buy the digital copy. It costs the same as two peppermint mochas and you’ll never have to google "where is Last Christmas streaming" again.
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Second, the VPN trick. If you’re traveling or living in a region where the licensing hasn't kicked in, a VPN can make your laptop think you're in a country where Netflix does have the rights. Just make sure you’re using a reputable one like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, as the cheaper ones often get blocked by the big streaming giants.
Is It Actually Worth the Hype?
Critics were... well, they were mixed. The movie holds a modest score on Rotten Tomatoes, with some calling the script "clunky." But since when do we listen to critics for Christmas movies? The film grossed over $123 million worldwide on a $25-30 million budget. That’s a massive success.
The real draw isn't the "perfect" storytelling. It’s the vibe. The movie captures a very specific, sparkly, rainy version of London that makes you want to go buy a scarf and eat gingerbread. Plus, seeing Michelle Yeoh play a character who is obsessed with Christmas ornaments is a delight we didn't know we needed until we got it.
The Soundtrack: More Than Just Background Noise
One reason people keep coming back to last christmas movie streaming is the music. It’s basically a greatest hits album.
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- "Last Christmas" (obviously)
- "Too Funky"
- "Fantasy"
- "Praying for Time"
- "Faith"
- "Waiting for That Day"
- "Heal the Pain"
- "One More Try"
- "Fastlove"
- "Everything She Wants"
The film even features "This Is How (We Want You To Get High)," a track George Michael was working on before his death. It gives the whole movie a bittersweet, elegiac tone that sets it apart from the usual Hallmark fluff.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Movie Night
Stop wasting forty minutes scrolling through menus. If you want to watch Last Christmas tonight:
- Check JustWatch first. This site is the gold standard for seeing which platform currently has the rights in your specific country.
- Look for "Holiday Bundles." Sometimes Amazon or Apple will bundle Last Christmas with other Universal Pictures holiday hits like The Holiday or Love Actually for a discounted price.
- Check your local library app. Services like Hoopla or Kanopy often have licensed movies that aren't on the big streamers, and all you need is a library card.
Basically, don't rely on the "big three" streamers to always have what you want. The world of last christmas movie streaming is a moving target. If you find it, watch it immediately before the license expires and it vanishes into the digital ether again.
Setting up a recurring "Watch List" on an app like Letterboxd can also help you track when it moves from one service to another, so you're always ready when that holiday craving hits.