Netflix Releases A Dog's Perfect Christmas
Dennis Quaid stars in the holiday film adapted from W. Bruce Cameron's 2020 novel, now streaming on Netflix.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Dogs
Netflix released A Dog's Perfect Christmas on November 4, 2026, as the first film in its 2026 Christmas lineup. The movie, directed by Cathryn Michon from a script by W. Bruce Cameron, follows a grandfather struggling after the loss of his wife.
Why it matters
The release marks Netflix's opening entry in its 2026 holiday slate, giving U.S. viewers a family-oriented seasonal option built on a previously published novel. It also extends the adaptation of Cameron's 2020 book to the streaming platform.
The film premiered on Netflix on November 4, 2026, and is adapted from W. Bruce Cameron's novel published in 2020. Viewership numbers and audience performance have not yet been reported.
The players
Netflix
Netflix is a global streaming service that produces and distributes original films and series to subscribers worldwide.
Dennis Quaid
Dennis Quaid is an American actor known for a long career in film, and he stars as Sander Goss in the movie.
W. Bruce Cameron
W. Bruce Cameron is an American author known for dog-centered novels, and he wrote the book the film is based on and co-wrote its script.
Cathryn Michon
Cathryn Michon is an American writer and director who helmed the film from a script by Cameron.
The details
Dennis Quaid plays Sander Goss, a grandfather whose strained relationship with his teenage granddaughter Ello deepens while her mother Juliana is hospitalized. A Corgi puppy named Ruby joins the household, and Thomas Haden Church voices the family's Basset Hound, Winstead, who narrates the story.
Timeline
2020: W. Bruce Cameron publishes the novel A Dog's Perfect Christmas.
November 4, 2026: The film arrives on Netflix.
Franchise Continuity
The film extends the screen adaptations of W. Bruce Cameron's dog-centered novels, following earlier films drawn from his work such as A Dog's Purpose and A Dog's Way Home. Its arrival on Netflix shows the source material continuing to move between studio and streaming platforms.
The film is available to stream on Netflix for subscribers starting November 4, 2026. Viewers can watch it through the platform rather than in theaters or through a separate purchase.
The takeaway
Families looking for a holiday movie centered on a dog can start streaming A Dog's Perfect Christmas on Netflix, and those who enjoy the story may find Cameron's 2020 novel a fuller version of the tale.
Further reading
Explore more dog news and stories for context on canine-focused entertainment.
