Get cozy and watch Lifetime’s ‘Secretly Santa’ online ASAP
As the holidays settle in, viewers reach for blankets and cocoa while hunting for the right Christmas story to keep them company. Lifetime’s Secretly Santa delivers exactly that kind of seasonal comfort. The network has built a long catalog of original holiday movies alongside its darker thrillers, and this 2021 romance remains one of the warmer entries worth revisiting.
What is ‘Secretly Santa’ about?
Secretly Santa follows business rivals Miranda and Paul who meet anonymously during a costumed Santa Crawl. They share an instant connection but never exchange names before the night ends. When their competing startups merge, the pair must work together in person without realizing their professional sparring partner is the same person they connected with at the crawl. Online messages under their holiday aliases keep the secret romance alive, creating a double life that grows more complicated as feelings develop in both the virtual and real worlds. The film also includes an LGBTQ storyline that stood out at the time, with lead actress Alicia Dea Josipovic noting in a Nicki Swift interview that the project brought more diversity to the format than many earlier Lifetime and Hallmark-style entries.
Behind the scenes
Alicia Dea Josipovic, known from Degrassi: The Next Generation, had long wanted to star in a Christmas movie and felt an immediate pull toward Miranda’s character. She described the role as a strong, independent hustler with heart who stands up for her beliefs. Josipovic and co-star Travis Nelson developed strong chemistry from their first day on set and became close friends during filming. She praised Nelson’s collaborative energy and said it made each workday enjoyable. Josipovic expressed hope for a sequel during 2021 press, yet no follow-up has been announced or produced.
Where to Watch Secretly Santa in 2026
The film remains accessible through official channels. Viewers can stream it directly on the mylifetime.com website and the Lifetime app. It is also available on Philo and other live TV streaming services that carry the Lifetime channel. No major free ad-supported platforms have added the title at this time.
Alicia Dea Josipovic’s Holiday Movie Career
Josipovic’s interest in holiday projects continued after Secretly Santa. She appeared in the 2025 Great American Family original Christmas in Midnight Clear, marking another entry in her seasonal filmography. That role followed the same press cycle where she first voiced her desire to make more Christmas movies.
Impact of Secretly Santa on Lifetime Holiday Programming
The movie’s LGBTQ storyline received attention for offering early representation within the network’s holiday slate. Contemporary interviews also highlighted its broader casting diversity. These elements placed Secretly Santa among the titles that helped shift expectations for what Lifetime Christmas films could include.
Similar Lifetime Christmas Movies to Secretly Santa
Viewers who enjoy the rivals-to-lovers and anonymous-meet-cute structure will find similar dynamics across Lifetime’s annual holiday output. The network continues releasing original Christmas movies each season, many built around comparable romantic tension and seasonal settings.
Secretly Santa still offers a tidy mix of mistaken identity, workplace friction, and holiday warmth that rewards a single evening’s watch. The film’s steady availability on Lifetime platforms and Philo keeps it easy to queue up whenever the mood for a low-stakes romance strikes.
