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Netflix’s holiday lineup includes two films featuring Gilmore Girls alums Jared Padalecki and Milo Ventimiglia. Padalecki stars in Guarding Stars, due Nov. 18, while Ventimiglia appears in A Dog’s Perfect Christmas, scheduled for Nov. 4.
Netflix’s 2026 holiday lineup includes new movies starring Gilmore Girls actors Jared Padalecki and Milo Ventimiglia, giving fans two familiar cast members to look for in November. A Dog’s Perfect Christmas, featuring Ventimiglia, is scheduled to premiere on November 4; Padalecki stars in Guarding Stars, set for November 18.
Netflix shared the titles in a holiday-programming video posted to X on October 13, according to Good Housekeeping’s report. The video identified Padalecki, who played Dean Forrester on the WB series, as a star of Guarding Stars, and Ventimiglia, who played Jess Mariano, as part of the cast of A Dog’s Perfect Christmas. Netflix’s post invited viewers to “Mark your calendar for the most wonderful time of the year!”
Guarding Stars is based on Katherine Center’s 2022 novel The Bodyguard. The story follows Hannah, a no-nonsense bodyguard played by Leighton Meester, who is assigned to protect Hollywood action star Jack, played by Padalecki, from a stalker. After a family emergency takes Jack to Texas, he asks Hannah to pose as his girlfriend so his family will not learn her identity.
A Dog’s Perfect Christmas follows the Goss family after a tragedy. The story is told through the perspective of Winstead, a basset hound voiced by Thomas Haden Church, as the family reconnects during the holidays and brings a corgi into their lives. Ventimiglia plays Hunter, a member of the Goss family, according to the report.
Two Familiar Faces, Two Holiday Stories
The announcement gives viewers who know Padalecki and Ventimiglia from Gilmore Girls a clear reason to take note of two separate Netflix releases, rather than one reunion or shared project. The actors played characters linked to Rory Gilmore’s relationships, Dean and Jess, but their new films feature different plots, co-stars and release dates.
The pairing also places the films on Netflix’s November holiday schedule, with the dog-centered family story arriving first and the romantic bodyguard story following two weeks later. That gives fans a straightforward way to find both titles as the platform rolls out its seasonal programming. The announcement itself confirms the casting and scheduled dates; it does not establish how the movies will perform or whether the actors share scenes.
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From Stars Hollow to Netflix
Padalecki and Ventimiglia both appeared in Gilmore Girls, the television series set in the fictional Connecticut town of Stars Hollow. Padalecki played Dean, Rory’s early boyfriend, while Ventimiglia joined the cast as Jess, another of Rory’s romantic interests. Their connection to the show is the basis for the fan interest highlighted in Good Housekeeping’s coverage.
Netflix’s October 13 social post announced the two films as part of its upcoming holiday programming. The available source describes the films’ premises, principal roles and scheduled November dates, but does not provide full production details or a broader release calendar. The movies are independent projects; the report does not describe them as a Gilmore Girls reunion or continuation.
“Mark your calendar for the most wonderful time of the year!”
— Netflix, in the caption accompanying its October 13 X post, as quoted by Good Housekeeping
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Release Plans and Film Details
The announced dates are November 4 and November 18, 2026, but the source does not specify release times, international availability or whether either date could change. It also does not provide trailers, full casts, runtimes or detailed production information beyond the credited roles and plot outlines.
The report recounts positive comments from some fans on X, but offers no audience survey or broader measure of reaction. It remains unclear how prominent Padalecki and Ventimiglia’s roles will be, and the announcement does not indicate whether the films contain references to Gilmore Girls.
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November Premiere Dates Ahead
The next confirmed milestones are the films’ scheduled Netflix debuts: A Dog’s Perfect Christmas on November 4, followed by Guarding Stars on November 18. Netflix may share trailers or additional viewing information before release, but the source does not identify a date for any further announcements.
Until the films arrive, viewers can rely on the announced premises and casting to distinguish the projects: one centers on a family and its dogs, while the other pairs a bodyguard with the action star she is assigned to protect. Whether the movies meet the scheduled dates and what additional details Netflix will release remain to be seen.
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Key Questions
Which Gilmore Girls actors are in the Netflix holiday movies?
Jared Padalecki, who played Dean Forrester, stars in Guarding Stars. Milo Ventimiglia, who played Jess Mariano, appears in A Dog’s Perfect Christmas.
When do the two Netflix movies come out?
A Dog’s Perfect Christmas is scheduled for November 4, 2026. Guarding Stars is scheduled for November 18, 2026.
What is Guarding Stars about?
Based on Katherine Center’s 2022 novel The Bodyguard, the film follows Hannah, played by Leighton Meester, as she protects Hollywood action star Jack, played by Padalecki. After Jack returns to Texas for a family emergency, he asks Hannah to pose as his girlfriend.
What is A Dog’s Perfect Christmas about?
The film follows the Goss family as they try to reconnect after a tragedy. The story is told from the perspective of Winstead, a basset hound voiced by Thomas Haden Church, and Ventimiglia plays family member Hunter.
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