This Forgotten 2018 Christmas Rom-Com Creeping Up Netflix Charts Needs to Be On Your Watch List for Winter

Published 11/19/2025, 2:24 AM EST

Getting no sleep before Christmas might sound like a celebratory must, but Netflix has been hinting at a different kind of sleeplessness this holiday season. As its homepage glitters with red and green, one unexpected title is quietly climbing the charts. It is not the typical yuletide flick with predictably perfect snow days, but rather one that flirts with insomnia, sparks, and seasonal serendipity.

Who knew insomnia could be the secret ingredient to a Christmas love story sweeter than eggnog?

Netflix gives a sleepless spin to holiday romance

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The film in question, No Sleep 'Til Christmas, has resurfaced on Netflix and is finding a new audience years after its initial release. The romantic comedy, first aired in 2018, takes a fresh approach to holiday love stories. Instead of mistletoe miracles, it follows two insomniacs; mind you, one is about to get married to someone else, who discovers that they can only fall asleep when they are together. Despite what it sounds like, a premise like this might be oddly relatable for anyone lying awake amid December’s chaos.

Despite premiering on Freeform first, No Sleep 'Til Christmas never achieved the seasonal stardom of its Hallmark contemporaries. It slipped under the radar, overshadowed by blockbuster holiday sequels and streaming newcomers. But as it is being rediscovered on Netflix after its release on the platform on November 11, 2025, right in line with all the month's releases, the film’s quirky concept and unabashedly modern humor have sparked a quiet resurgence.

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If counting sheep does not seem to be working, one might try counting sparks, and No Sleep 'Til Christmas has plenty to go around.

No Sleep 'Til Christmas's cast brings tinsel towns tale to reel-life

The chemistry driving the story comes courtesy of real-life couple Odette Annable and Dave Annable, whose natural banter gives their characters depth beyond rom-com fluff. Supporting performances by Charles Michael Davis and Sheryl Lee Ralph lend levity and warmth, grounding the film in genuine emotion. Directed by Phil Traill, the movie keeps the tone sharp and sparkling, striking a balance between holiday whimsy and human weariness that feels just right for the season.

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In a sea of recycled Christmas clichés, No Sleep 'Til Christmas offers something refreshingly unpredictable. It’s not about perfect presents or snow-globe endings, but about connection born from chaos, the kind that keeps you awake for all the right reasons. If your winter watch list still has room for one more holiday romance, this understated gem might just steal your sleep and your heart before Christmas morning.

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Will you be tuning in with your streaming-cents to this forgotten 2018 holiday romance comedy? Let us know in the comments below!

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Adiba Nizami

900 articles

Adiba Nizami is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. Covering the Hollywood beat with a voice both sharp and stylish, she blends factual precision with a flair for wit. Her pieces often dissect celebrity narratives—both on-screen and off—through parasocial nuance and cultural relevance.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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