The basset hound movie topped Netflix's English film chart in its first week, but What's on Netflix says it's also the weakest opening for any of Netflix's Wednesday Christmas movies since 2024.
Netflix's first new Christmas movie of the season is No. 1. A Dog's Perfect Christmas drew 8.6 million views and 14.5 million hours viewed from Nov. 2 to 8, topping Netflix's global Top 10 for English films, Netflix reported Tuesday.
There's a catch in the numbers. What's on Netflix compared it with the 10 holiday movies Netflix has released on Wednesdays since 2024, and A Dog's Perfect Christmas came in last. "Our Little Secret" opened with 32.4 million views, and the next-lowest, "A Merry Little Ex-Mas," pulled 12.8 million.
The site called it a movie "winning the hearts of those who watched." It also noted Netflix is licensing more outside Christmas movies this year, which may be crowding it out.
What is A Dog's Perfect Christmas about?
It's based on W. Bruce Cameron's 2020 novel of the same name. Cameron also wrote "A Dog's Purpose," and his wife and writing partner, Cathryn Michon, directed this one from a script they wrote together.
The story is told by Winstead, a wise old basset hound voiced by Thomas Haden Church. Two Christmases after losing his wife, grandfather Sander Goss is grumpy and fighting with his teenage granddaughter, Ello, a figure skater.
Then Ello's mother lands in the hospital in an induced coma, and the family falls apart. A lively corgi puppy named Ruby shows up and helps pull everyone back together before Christmas Eve.
Who is in the cast of A Dog's Perfect Christmas?
Netflix lists this cast:
Dennis Quaid as Sander Goss
Brooke Lena Johnson as Ello
Milo Ventimiglia as Hunter, Ello's overworked dad
Mary Steenburgen as Claire, who catches Sander's eye
Kathleen Rose Perkins as Juliana, Ello's mom
Jennifer Tilly as Lucille
Thomas Haden Church as the voice of Winstead
Three corgi puppies named Harry, William and Charles shared the role of Ruby, What's on Netflix reported. Somebody on that set really likes the royal family.
Is A Dog's Perfect Christmas OK for kids?
Netflix rates it TV-14. The movie runs 1 hour and 41 minutes.
The heavy part is the mom's illness. The family spends much of the movie dealing with her hospital stay, so younger kids may have questions.
The good news for anyone still recovering from "A Dog's Purpose": Michon confirmed no dogs die in this one, What's on Netflix reported. Its reviewer gave the movie 3 out of 5 and called it "harmless with the right amount of heart."
What else is in Netflix's Top 10 this week?
Family movies are doing a lot of the work on the English film list:
Sing 2 is No. 5 with 4.3 million views in its 14th week
Sing is No. 8 with 3.2 million views in its 18th week
KPop Demon Hunters is back at No. 10 with 2.8 million views, in week 69 on the chart
The top of the English TV list went to the true-crime series "Taken: Natalee Holloway," with 12.9 million views. "Black Doves" Season 2 was down 65% from its first season, What's on Netflix reported.
What Christmas movies are coming to Netflix next?
Netflix is dropping a new holiday movie almost every week, according to What's on Netflix's 2026 lineup:
Tyler Perry's The Gospel of Christmas: Wednesday, Nov. 11
The Christmas Switch: Thursday, Nov. 12, a Swedish rom-com starring real-life twin sisters
Guarding Stars: Wednesday, Nov. 18, with Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki
In a Holidaze: Wednesday, Dec. 2, a Christmas time-loop rom-com with Maddie Ziegler
Gabby's Dollhouse: Makers and Bakers Holiday: Wednesday, Dec. 9 in the U.S., a baking and crafting competition for preschool fans
Netflix posts its Top 10 every Tuesday, so the first numbers for "The Gospel of Christmas" should show up Nov. 17. If you'd rather stick with cable, Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas schedule is also out, and we rounded up its highlights on Nov. 3.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Netflix Tudum (Nov. 10, 2026), Top 10 views, hours and runtime for the week of Nov. 2 to 8
What's on Netflix (Nov. 10, 2026), comparison with Netflix's Wednesday Christmas movies, TV list and Black Doves numbers
What's on Netflix (Nov. 5, 2026), review, plot and supporting cast
What's on Netflix (Oct. 15, 2026), 2026 Christmas movie lineup, release dates, corgi casting and no-dogs-die detail
Netflix (Nov. 2026), title page cast list and TV-14 rating
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