From iconic Christmas favourites to newbies to add to the ever-growing list, these are must-watch movies for the festive season …
CHRISTMAS CLASSICS
Love Actually available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime or Apple TV
Richard Curtis’ Love Actually (2003) embodies the Christmas spirit and is a guaranteed feel-good film. This world famous romantic comedy features a star-studded cast including Hugh Grant, Keira Knightly, Rowan Atkinson, Alan Rickman (RIP), Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy, Laura Linney and our very own Liam Neeson. The movie follows nine intertwined stories which examine the complications that come with the one emotion that connects us all: love. As the characters navigate romance, family, weddings and even airports at Christmas time, we are with them every step of the way. Plus, Hugh Grant’s epic dance in No. 10 Downing Street to the Pointer Sisters’ Jump (For My Love), also covered by Girls Aloud, is simply unforgettable. It has since gone viral with the advent of social media, especially on platforms like TikTok, where creators perform their varied own renditions! The same goes for the infamous scene featuring Knightly and her husband’s best friend … if you know, you know.
The Holiday on Prime Video
The Holiday is another seasonal must-watch. The 2006 film stars Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as two lovelorn women from opposite sides of the Atlantic who house swap for Christmas to escape their respective heartbreak. The protagonists then cross paths with Jude Law and Jack Black who, of course, are their perfect matches. A charming, hilarious story of self-discovery and friendship, The Holiday ticks all the boxes for a cosy film to curl up to. Make sure to have tissues ready as we dare you not to shed a tear, even after the 100th watch …
Bridget Jones’s Diary on Prime Video
Renée Zellweger is an absolute hoot as the lead character in this 2001 adaptation of Helen Fielding’s famous novel of the same name, also featuring Hugh Grant (a Richard Curtis favourite, who’s also behind this film). At the start of the New Year, 32-year-old Bridget decides it’s time to take control of her life – and start keeping a diary. The viewer follows along as she lives, learns and writes about her failed romances, work, friends, exercise (or lack thereof) and everything in between. This heartwarming comedy has Christmassy themes throughout, plus a hilariously British brawl between Grant and Colin Firth. It proved so popular that it became a trilogy, with Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason out in 2004 and Bridget Jones’s Baby in 2016.
When Harry Met Sally available to buy or rent on Apple TV
Our ultimate comfort film and the oldest on this list, from 1989, Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal walking around chilly New York City perfectly sums up this time of year. The natural chemistry between the two is palpable and Ryan boasts the oversized fashion we so love now, while the evolution of her hair as the movies progresses is a story in itself! It all starts, of course, with their love/hate friendship (erring on the side of the latter). The two frenemies (before the term became part of our lexicon) are forced by a mutual friend to drive together to the big city to begin their adult lives. When fate brings them back together five years later, they finally have to deal with their feelings. That scene says it all …
You’ve Got Mail available to buy or rent on Apple TV
While this cult classic from 1998 doesn’t entirely take place over Christmas, the Christmas catalysts featured in the film are some of the most important and compelling moments in cinematic history, so it will forever be on rotation! Adapted from The Shop Around The Corner, a 1940 romantic comedy, this update was directed by the wonderful Nora Ephron. Meg Ryan returns and plays Kathleen Kelly (who must have Irish ancestry), owner of a boutique bookshop – which would definitely make our Best Shops list – who is threatened by Foxbooks, a chain store that moved in across the street. Tom Hanks plays the owner and, while they hate each other in reality, unbeknownst to them they begin an intense and anonymous internet romance. You can imagine what revelations happen next. This is a lovely escape into the world of books we could get lost in.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Our Little Secret on Netflix
Lindsey Lohan is back again for another romcom-Christmas-extravaganza, out in November 2024. This marks Lohan’s third lead role in a Netflix original, following her performances in 2022’s Falling for Christmas and Irish Wish, released earlier this year. Our Little Secret follows the story of two exes forced to endure Christmas together after realising their current partners are siblings, setting the stage for plenty of festive drama. Light-hearted and entertaining, to say the least.
Holidate on Netflix
Although it was released in 2020, Holidate is still a relatively new flick on our list. Emma Roberts plays a disgruntled young woman who hates the holidays, sitting at the kids’ table or stuck on awkward dates. She meets a fellow holiday hater one particularly bad Christmas, so they make a pact to be each other’s “holidate” for every festive occasion throughout the next year. However, as a year of absurd celebrations come to an end, they find that sharing everything they hate may just prove to be something they unexpectedly love. Both of these Netflix fixes also star the always fabulous Kristin Chenoweth, so you know it’s going to be good.
The Holdovers, available to rent or buy on Apple TV or Prime Video
Starring the captivating Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa, this heartfelt film from 2023 is set in 1970 and tells the story of a strict teacher at a boarding school who is forced to chaperone a handful of students with nowhere to go on Christmas break. You’ll find this Oscar winner one to hold dear for many years to come.
That Christmas on Netflix
Based on the trilogy of children’s books by Mr. Christmas, Richard Curtis, this film is just out and marks his first foray into animation. It follows another series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, voiced by none other than Succession‘s Brian Cox. It also features the return of Bill Nighy, another Curtis favourite, and Fiona Shaw, who is playing a blinder as the new villain in the second season of Bad Sisters.
Nutcrackers on Disney+
Starring Ben Stiller (in his first lead film role in six years) and Linda Cardellini, this new Disney+ movie is set to be a favourite, if even just with the younger generation. This comedy-drama unfolds as Mike (played by Stiller) is on the heels of closing the biggest deal of his career, when he is pulled away from his bachelor life in the big city to a farm in rural Ohio in order to take care of his recently orphaned nephews. The four rowdy boys cause trouble every which way they turn. What Mike thought was going to be a quick trip turns into an unexpected adventure. As the holidays approach, he discovers the big hearts behind the boys’ mischief. This forces him to decide between his career and being the uncle his nephews need him to be.
FOR THE TV SCHEDULE
Fantastic Mr. Fox Christmas Eve at 5.25pm on TG4
With a stellar voice cast including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe and Owen Wilson, directed by the brilliant Wes Anderson in his animation debut, this 2009 stop-motion movie is one to watch on Christmas Eve with the whole family. Based on Roald Dahl’s novel, an urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm-raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers’ retaliation. Each time you watch, you’ll be blown away by the incredible animation, and enjoy the genius in front and behind the camera.
Die Hard Christmas Eve at 10.05pm on TG4
There’s been a long-running debate about whether 1988’s Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not, but for many die-hard fans (we couldn’t resist!) it will forever be a Christmas classic. Starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman in another hit, this action-packed film follows a New York City police officer who tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party in LA. Interestingly, a host of the decade’s most popular action heroes including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone turned down the role of McClane, but we can’t imagine the film without Willis, especially his now famous catchphrase that’s definitely NSFW!
An Cailín Ciúin Christmas Day at 9.30pm on TG4
This Oscar-nominated gem based on Claire Keegan’s novella Foster is one to gather around to watch after a feast this Christmas Day. The deeply moving coming-of-age drama explores the transformative power of family in rural Ireland during the summer of 1981. This poignant film captures the beauty and complexity of human connection.
The Way We Were New Year’s Eve at 10.20am on TG4
Starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford, this 1973 romantic drama follows the pair’s whirlwind romance, which is dashed by their differing political views and convictions that ultimately drive them apart. The soundtrack is also memorable, especially Streisand’s title song of the same name. Pop the kettle on (or pour your tipple of choice) and enjoy a cosy night in to celebrate New Year’s Eve with your loved ones.
Rocketman New Year’s Day at 10.20pm on TG4
Taron Egerton had big platforms to fill to capture Elton John’s eccentricity, which he accomplished in this award-winning 2019 hit musical drama. The biopic focuses on John’s early days in England as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music thanks to his musical partnership with Bernie Taupin, played by Jamie Bell. Bryce Dallas Howard stars as John’s mother, his husband David Furnish was a producer and he served as executive producer, giving it his seal of approval. The costumes, set design and cinematography make it a splendour to behold, perfect to ring in the New Year.
SEE MORE: 10 Of The Best Books For Giving and Receiving In December
