From iconic Christmas favourites to newbies to add to the ever-growing list, these are must-watch movies for the festive season …
CHRISTMAS CLASSICS
Bridget Jones’s Diary, 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 series, with Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason out in 2004 and Bridget Jones’s Baby in 2016. The fourth and final film, Mad About The Boy, capped it off this year … but we still think there’s more to the story!
Love Actually, Prime Video 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, 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 …
When Harry Met Sally, 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, 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.
Die Hard, Disney+
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!
NEW CONTENDERS
The Holdovers, 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.
Our Little Secret, Netflix
Lindsey Lohan is back once again for another romcom-Christmas-extravaganza, out last year. 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, 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.
That Christmas, Netflix
Based on the trilogy of children’s books by Mr Christmas, Richard Curtis, this film 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, from our beloved Bad Sisters.
Nutcrackers, Disney+
Starring Ben Stiller (in his first lead film role in six years) and Linda Cardellini, this could become a firm favourite, if even just with the younger generation. This dramedy unfolds as Mike is pulled away from his bachelor life in the big city to a farm in rural Ohio to take care of his recently orphaned nephews. What Mike thought was going to be a quick trip turns into a life-changing adventure as he’s forced to decide between his career and being the father figure his family needs him to be. Heartwarming for this special time of year.
SEE MORE: Book To Screen – 12 Adaptations We Love
