The holiday season is officially upon us, and everyone seems determined to survive it armed with a blanket, hot chocolate, and a movie that asks absolutely nothing of them but to feel good. Netflix viewers, have flung themselves into the festive spirit with gusto, gravitating toward two animated delights graced by Anne Hathaway’s unmistakable voice.

With tender stories, lively characters, and just enough charm to soothe the December chaos, these films have fluttered into the platform’s Top 10.

What has captured the world's seasonal attention is completely and quite literally out of the blue. 

Anne Hathaway returned to Netflix in animated form last week, as Rio and Rio 2 soared into the platform’s Top 10 movies (US) list. Hathaway voices the spirited blue macaw Jewel, navigating life, love, and adventure first in Rio de Janeiro and then in the Amazon rainforest in the offerings. The 2011 and 2014 releases captured audiences with renewed intensity, ranking number three and number four on the platform's chart.

Both films feature a star-studded ensemble cast, including Jesse Eisenberg as Blu, Jewel’s love interest, and Jamie Foxx and George Lopez, and more, who bring other vibrant avian characters to life. The story centers on a family of birds, making it an ideal choice for a Christmas watch when the spirit of domestic love is at its peak.

Both Rio films were extremely successful at the box. The original flick in the two-movie franchise made $483 million worldwide on a modest $90 million budget, while the sequel raked in $498 million on a production cost of $103 million. The movies that these films triumphed over to secure their place on Netflix's Top 10 (US) movies list make this achievement even more significant.

'The Devil Wears Prada 2' First Look Revealed: Meryl Streep’s Set Snaps Has Fans Divided Over Interesting Details

Several new and enduringly popular Netflix releases with festive themes could not compete against Rio.

K-Pop Demon Hunters, which has been all the rage among Netflix’s best releases of 2025, ranked number five on the Top 10 roster. Jingle Bell Heist, released on November 26, offering a promising blend of romance and robbery, stood at number six, while Caught Stealing took the number seven position.

Jay Kelly, the George Clooney starrer, In Your Dreams, another animation, and Cheaper by the Dozen took the eighth, ninth, and tenth spots, respectively. The only titles to rank better than the Rio movies were Troll 2 and My Secret Santa, in first and second positions.

Ultimately, as the holiday season continues, Rio and Rio 2 remind viewers why some stories never lose their magic. Netflix’s animated festive films list is impressively expansive, offering something for every mood and age, but these blue-hued bird adventures soar above the rest, making them an irresistible choice for both cozy family nights or solo holiday binges. In a season built for warmth and joy, these films perfectly capture the spirit of festive togetherness.

All Confirmed Movies and TV Shows Leaving Netflix in January 2026

What do you think of Rio movies getting a new life via Netflix this holiday season? Let us know in the comments below.