The upcoming Netflix holiday romantic comedy starring Nick Jonas is moving toward production. The project, which the singer and actor signed on for in April, has entered pre-production and now has a start date for filming: January 19, 2027, in New Jersey, with a schedule lasting approximately one month.
According to the latest production listings, the project has also changed its working title. What was initially known as an untitled romantic comedy is now listed under the working title Untitled Nick Jonas Xmas.
What is the Nick Jonas Christmas movie about?
The main plot has not changed since the initial announcement in the spring, although production documents reveal a new detail: Jonas's character is named Tom Benton. The official synopsis describes the story as follows: Tom Benton is a confirmed bachelor whose carefree life is turned upside down when he unexpectedly inherits his cousin's baby daughter. Just as he begins to get used to his new life as a father, things get complicated when the child's godmother appears during the holidays to claim custody. What follows is a love story that neither of them expected.
The premise combines echoes of Three Men and a Baby with an enemies-to-lovers plot set in the middle of a custody dispute, all set during Christmas, a very characteristic formula for Netflix's holiday productions.
Who is behind the camera?
The script is by Tamara Chestna, known to Netflix subscribers for Moxie, the teen comedy directed by Amy Poehler that arrived on the platform in 2021. Chestna also wrote Something from Tiffany's, the holiday romantic comedy for Prime Video, so this is not her first holiday love story. In addition to writing the script, Chestna serves as a producer on the project.
Casting for the godmother and the rest of the cast is being handled by Chelsea Bloch and Marisol Roncali. At the moment, no other names have been confirmed beyond Jonas, although with filming scheduled for January, the female lead is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Directing duties fall to Ari Sandel, known primarily for The DUFF, although he also has previous experience with Netflix: he directed When We First Met, the romantic comedy starring Adam DeVine that was one of the platform's first original comedy productions, released in February 2018. His most recent film work was Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween for Sony, and he also holds an Oscar for his short film West Bank Story.
On the production side, Steve Barnett leads the team for Monarch Media, the production company responsible for A Week Away for Netflix and co-producer of Richard Linklater's Hit Man, which Netflix released in 2024. Alan Powell and Vicky Patel, also of Monarch, serve as executive producers. Mark Ross produces through Lincoln Road Films, while Spencer Berman and Nick Jonas himself produce under the Jonas banner, Powered by Jonas. Sophia Lin is listed as line producer.
When does filming begin?
Filming is currently scheduled from January 19 to February 19, 2027, entirely in New Jersey. It is a tight five-week schedule, which is common for Netflix holiday romantic comedies.
The choice of location has special meaning: Jonas and his brothers grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey, so this shoot is in a way a homecoming. Furthermore, it will allow for filming in the middle of a real winter, rather than relying on artificial snow during the California summer, as happens in many holiday productions.
This will be the first time Nick Jonas leads a Netflix original production, although he is no stranger to the platform. He was an executive producer on the holiday series Dash & Lily in 2020, which unfortunately never had a second season, in which the Jonas Brothers performed the song Like It's Christmas and Nick appeared in a cameo as himself. In 2021, the brothers were also the stars of Jonas Brothers Family Roast, hosted by Kenan Thompson.
The project also comes in the midst of a very active period for the artist. Jonas co-starred with Paul Rudd in John Carney's Power Ballad, released by Lionsgate in June after a warm reception at the SXSW festival. This December he will return to the Jumanji franchise alongside Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, and Kevin Hart, and he is also attached to White Elephant, a holiday horror film alongside Kathryn Newton.
When will it be released on Netflix?
Netflix has not yet announced a release date, and it is unlikely to do so soon. The most logical goal would be Christmas 2027: a shoot that concludes in February leaves almost a full year for post-production, a more than sufficient margin considering that Netflix has pushed through holiday romantic comedies on much tighter deadlines.
The only caveat is that Netflix sometimes saves Christmas movies for release the following year, so a 2028 release cannot be completely ruled out. This production is, for the moment, the first original Christmas title of 2027 with a firm filming date, which suggests it could become one of the big draws when Netflix begins to present its holiday catalog for next year.
Frequently asked questions about the Nick Jonas Christmas movie
When does filming for the Nick Jonas Christmas movie begin?
Filming for Untitled Nick Jonas Xmas is scheduled from January 19 to February 19, 2027, and will take place entirely in New Jersey.
Who is directing the Nick Jonas Christmas movie?
It is directed by Ari Sandel, known for The DUFF and When We First Met, and winner of an Oscar for the short film West Bank Story.
What character does Nick Jonas play in the movie?
Nick Jonas plays Tom Benton, a confirmed bachelor who inherits his cousin's baby daughter and whose life changes when the child's godmother claims custody at Christmas.
Who wrote the script for the movie?
The script is by Tamara Chestna, screenwriter of Moxie and the holiday comedy Something from Tiffany's for Prime Video.
When will the movie be released on Netflix?
Netflix has not yet confirmed a release date. Everything points to Christmas 2027, although a 2028 release cannot be ruled out if the platform decides to reserve it for later.
Is this the first Netflix original movie starring Nick Jonas?
Yes, it is his first starring role in a Netflix original production, although he previously participated as an executive producer on the series Dash & Lily and appeared in Jonas Brothers Family Roast.
