The holidays just took a brighter turn. Tyler Perry is returning with his first-ever holiday movie in over a decade, Finding Joy, debuting worldwide on Prime Video on November 5, 2025. The last time Perry treated us to the yuletide spirit was with A Madea Christmas in 2013. Now, he interweaves love, laughter, and life lessons with a new winter romance that seems fated to join the seasonal regulars.
Shannon Thornton’s Leading Lady Era Begins
At the center of this film is Shannon Thornton, making her first starring turn in a Christmas romcom. She plays Joy, a young New York fashionalist with design talent stifled by a controlling boss and with a love life that’s been equally jinxed. Thornton infuses Joy with warmth, humor, and emotional truth and makes her an immediately relatable kind of heroine because she’s so genuine.
Snowstorms, Secrets, and a Chance Encounter
Joy’s journey begins on New York sidewalks and expands to Colorado mountains, chasing her long-time crush Colton (Aaron O’Connell) to experience a pinch of Christmas enchantment. However, she’s left brokenhearted and alone in the snow. But just when all seems to go against her, destiny intervenes. Joy crosses paths with Ridge (Tosin Morohunfola), and their serendipitous encounter transforms her entire worldview on life, love, and discovering one’s true joy.
Sisterhood, Sass, and Holiday Magic
Tyler Perry knows how to craft a world of heart, and Finding Joy isn’t any different. Supported by her ride-or-dies, her gurls Littia (Inayah) and Ashley (Brittany S. Hall), Joy’s story is not only about love. It’s about sisterhood, community, and choosing yourself even when life throws lemons your way. Add Perry’s hallmarks and the emotional punch that he’s known for, and this film promises all of the feels that keep people coming back time and again.
Behind the Tinsel and the Drama
Directed, written, and produced by Tyler Perry, Finding Joy is also supported by Will Areu and Angi Bones in producer roles. The movie is 106 minutes long and shockingly holds an R rating, meaning we can anticipate a bit of spice and melodrama that is higher than expected with a holiday rom-com. The supporting cast consists of Whitney Goin, Jeffery Thomas Johnson, Natalie O’Connell, Aaron O’Connell, Eric Stanton Betts, Inayah, and Brittany S. Hall, completing a compilation of a holiday film that’s new but timeless.
Biggest Holiday Habit Arrives Checklist
Perry always had a way of making films that stick with you long after the credits have run, and Finding Joy seems set to be that film that you go back to during every holiday season. Starring a star turn by Shannon Thornton, a make-you-swoon turn by Tosin Morohunfola, and a story of re-finding love and positivity, Finding Joy is that seasonal romance that we didn’t know we were asking for.
Catch Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy on Prime Video on November 5, 2025.
