Netflix Announces November 2025 Release Date for Holiday Rom-Com 'Jingle Bell Heist'

Streaming giant Netflix has officially announced the highly anticipated premiere date for its upcoming Christmas romantic comedy, *Jingle Bell Heist*. This festive feature is set to debut globally on November 26, 2025, kicking off the streaming service’s holiday programming slate. The film is helmed by director Michael Finnegan, who brings a versatile background to the project, having previously directed the popular teen romance *To All the Boys I've Loved Before* and episodes of the acclaimed horror series *The Haunting of Bly Manor* and *Midnight Mass*. The script itself, crafted by Abby McDonald and Amy Reed, generated significant buzz when it was recognized by the prestigious "Black List" in December 2022, identifying it as one of the year’s most promising, yet unproduced, screenplays.

The core narrative of *Jingle Bell Heist* revolves around two protagonists driven to desperate measures by personal crises. We meet Sofia Martin (Olivia Holt), a sharp-witted employee in the retail sector, and Nick O’Connor (Connor Swindells), a skilled repair technician. Both find themselves backed into a corner financially. Sofia is urgently attempting to secure the substantial funds required to cover her mother’s ongoing cancer treatment, while Nick is seeking financial relief and stability necessary to care for his daughter following a difficult divorce settlement.

Against the backdrop of the bustling holiday season in London, both individuals independently arrive at the same audacious solution to their monetary woes: a high-stakes robbery. Their shared target is none other than the city's most prestigious and heavily secured department store. The timing of their planned caper is particularly daring, scheduled for the quiet chaos of Christmas Eve, when security might be momentarily distracted by the festive rush.

Circumstances soon conspire to throw Sofia and Nick together, compelling them to forge an uneasy, temporary alliance to execute their meticulously planned operation. This forced partnership, however, quickly becomes complicated. As the heist progresses and hidden motives come to light, the unexpected romantic chemistry that sparks between the two protagonists begins to pose a serious threat to the success of their entire scheme. The supporting cast features Lucy Punch in the role of Cynthia, Peter Serafinowicz as the formidable Maxwell Sterling, along with contributions from Poppy Drayton, Natasha Joseph, and Michael Salami.

Behind the scenes, the film was a collaborative effort between production companies ACE Entertainment and TeaShop Films, with veteran producer Matt Kaplan overseeing the project. Principal photography officially began in December 2023, utilizing authentic London locations to establish a rich, festive setting. Finnegan’s directorial approach, often praised for its elegant cinematography and use of deep focus, is anticipated to create a powerful visual dichotomy in the film. This stylistic choice will emphasize the stark contrast between the glittering glamour of the Christmas window displays and the inherent danger and secrecy surrounding the criminal undertaking.

Ultimately, *Jingle Bell Heist* is being marketed not just as a seasonal comedy, but as a poignant story exploring themes of redemption, finding hope, and the possibility of a second chance at love, all unfolding amid the frantic energy of the holidays. Viewers will be captivated as they watch this reluctant pairing of two desperate souls evolve into a genuine connection, even as they work together to bypass the sophisticated security measures of the upscale retail establishment.