A Very Murray Christmas: Cast, Story and 2015 Release
Netflix 2015 seasonal special, not a 2026 release or concert
A Very Murray Christmas: Cast, Story and 2015 Release
A Very Murray Christmas is a holiday comedy and musical special released in 2015, directed by Sofia Coppola and starring Bill Murray as a version of himself. Its wintry New York setting, awkward conversations and surprise celebrity performances make it different from a conventional Christmas movie. The title does not describe Murray's later live blues band or a newly released 2026 production.
Quick facts
| Release | 2015 |
| Director | Sofia Coppola |
| Leading performer | Bill Murray |
| Other featured performers | Miley Cyrus, George Clooney, Chris Rock and others |
Story and setting
The premise begins with Murray preparing to host a holiday television broadcast at a New York hotel while a major snowstorm threatens the show's guest list. Instead of a polished variety special, the evening takes a stranger, more intimate path. Hotel staff, unexpected visitors and celebrity guests transform the gathering into a chain of comic and musical moments. The loose structure is deliberate: the film's appeal comes from atmosphere and personalities more than from a traditional plot with an antagonist.
Who appears in the special?
Murray leads a cast that includes Miley Cyrus, George Clooney, Chris Rock, Amy Poehler, Michael Cera, Maya Rudolph, Rashida Jones, Jason Schwartzman and Paul Shaffer. Some performers take on recognizable versions of themselves or roles tailored to the special's backstage setting. The film often surprises viewers by letting actors sing, play off one another or appear briefly. A cast listing should distinguish the performers from any characters described in publicity material rather than inventing roles.
Sofia Coppola's approach
Coppola previously directed Murray in Lost in Translation, and both projects make use of his ability to look simultaneously amused and isolated. The Christmas special is lighter, but its quiet hotel passages and offhand jokes carry the same understanding that a pause can be funnier than a punch line. The songs, celebrity cameos and deadpan setup create a deliberately unconventional alternative to sentimental holiday programming.
Release date and where to watch
Netflix labels A Very Murray Christmas as a 2015 comedy special. Its availability and audio options can vary by country and over time; a listing found in an old article should not be treated as a guarantee that it is currently playable in every region. Check the title page in the viewer's own location for the current listing. It should not be confused with Murray's separate rock-and-blues live act.
Frequently asked questions
What year did A Very Murray Christmas come out?
It was released in 2015.
Did Sofia Coppola direct it?
Yes.
Is it a new Bill Murray movie in 2026?
No. It is an older holiday special that may resurface in seasonal searches.
Related reading
Bill Murray: The Actor Behind Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day • Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers: Band, Songs and Shows