During most of the year, I’d consider myself to be a tough movie critic. Trust me, I don’t to be a film snob—the truth is, I’m just a tired person. A movie has to be pretty damn good to keep my attention or else I’ll inevitably “rest my eyes” and fall into a deep, accidental slumber. If a film is dull, predictable, or features bad acting, it will always be preferred to sleep.
I’m not sure what it is about the holiday season, but when it comes to cheesy clichés and foreseen plots, all of my previously true statements fly out the window. Give me mediocre acting! Give me happy endings Give me a “will they or won’t they” storyline where they most definitely “will!” It’s the kind of nostalgia that I live for and is a sure way to launch myself into the holiday spirit. Grab your favorite mug and fill it with hot cocoa if you find yourself enjoying all the holiday movies. These 30 holiday movies will get you in holiday moods
Where to stream: Netflix
If there’s one thing that Sloane and Jackson have in common, it’s their hatred for the holiday season. After a chance meeting and bonding over the shared experience of dodging holiday relationship pressures, they form a pact to be each other’s holiday plus ones. It’s simple, fun, and easy, but just how long can they keep it up? This one is completely raw and downright hilarious.
Where to stream: Netflix
This Netflix holiday film will make you feel all the feels. Meet Rush Williams—widowed father of four and radio DJ who unexpectedly loses his job right before the holidays. His family must then give up their lives of luxury and move back to their old home. Then, they have to work together to rebuild their lives over the holidays. It’s a story about overcoming obstacles, leaning on your loved ones, and remembering that it’s not what you have but WhoThat is what matters.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
This movie is a surprising holiday classic. Kate finds herself in a spiral downwards one year after receiving a heart transplant. She’s dangerously close to losing her job, can’t find a sure place to live, and is detaching from friends and family. Kate meets Tom, a charming, optimistic stranger around Christmas who helps her turn her world around. I was moved by this film. There are so many It is full of emotions and is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Grab your Kleenex because, in between the fun and Christmas cheer, this one’s a real tear-jerker.
Where to stream: Netflix
This romantic comedy about Christmas is here to help after 2020’s dumpster fire. Abby, a struggling photographer who is talented, inherits an advent book from her grandmother. Her bad luck soon changes. Soon, Abby discovers that the calendar can predict the future and point her in the right direction for love. It’s a refreshing take on holiday cheer and, of course, serves up a love triangle that’ll keep you on your toes.
Where to stream: Netflix
Alright, I’ll be the first to admit: When I think of the holiday season, the absolute last things that I subsequently think of are elephants, divorce, Rob Lowe, or Kristin Davis. And that’s exactly what makes Holiday in the Wild Such an unexpected treat. Kate abruptly divorces her husband and takes her pre-planned second honeymoon to Zambia. She finds new purpose and romance, and rediscovers who she is.
Where to stream: Netflix
A Bad Moms Christmas This is the ultimate holiday mood for 2021. After three modern-day moms bond over the stress of creating a perfect holiday season, dealing with visiting mothers, and “doing it right,” they make the executive decision to take back Christmas and bring fun back into the holiday season. It’s messy, it’s comedic, it’s heartfelt, and in my book, it’s pure gold.
Where to stream: Netflix
If you’re someone who goes crazy for Hallmark holiday movies, this Netflix film was made just for you (a gift from Santa himself). Ellen Langford, a head-in-the-clouds socialite, is in the process of being primed to take over her father’s company. After a tumultuous holiday, her father asks that she visit his hometown in order to learn more about the company’s roots. There’s humor, there’s romance, there’s drama, and there’s an unexpected snowstorm—what more could a cheesy holiday movie lover ask for?
Where to stream: Netflix
Disclaimer: This trailer shows the entire movie. If you think I’m mad about this, I assure you, I am not. I love a predictable, non-problematic plot, especially during holidays. What can I really say? I’m a sucker for a happy ending. Mason, from Wizards of Waverly PlaceThis is what is gifting me. AllDisney Channel Original Movie vibes.
Where to stream: Netflix
I never thought I’d say this, but nowadays, when I see Vanessa Hudgens, I automatically think of the holidays. I blame this movie. This is the ultimate Christmas film cliché that I live for—think Parent Trap Sprinkle some holiday cheer onto it. When Stacy discovers a lookalike with royal connections, the two trade places—giving each other exactly what they’ve been missing. This one is a favorite of mine. The Princess Switch: It’s Back!
Where to stream: Netflix
Royal-obsessed people, unite! When a dedicated pediatrician agrees to care for a high-profile, overindulged prince while he recovers from a ski accident, she finds that he has a mature side that makes him less of a royal pain—and a tad bit lovable. The love story of my dreams is real. This is it.
Where to stream: Netflix
Look at who we have. Vanessa Hudgens is back, ready to make all our holiday wishes come true. This time, Hudgens plays Brooke, a science teacher who doesn’t believe in love. She meets Sir Cole, a medieval knight who was transported to Ohio by a sorceress. Together, they work together to help him return to his home.
Where to stream: Netflix
This film is the closest combination of true crime/holiday that I’ve ever seen. In this holiday film, an undercover officer meets a suspected diamond theft suspect. After getting to know him, she begins to feel for him. And the suspicion that he’s being framed for a crime he didn’t commit. It’s quirky, it’s feel-good, and it should be at the top of your holiday watch list.
Where to stream: Netflix
This holiday movie was a joy to watch. A Christmas cliché, above-average acting, and a bit of wanderlust? Sign me up. Young, aspirant journalist is given the chance of a lifetime. She is assigned to have tea with a scandalous prince who is poised to become king. To her surprise, Christmas comes early, as she learns that he’s more than meets the eye. If you like what you watch, you’re in luck because there are two more in the series. Enter The Royal Wedding: A Christmas Prince A Christmas Prince: The Royal baby.
Where to stream: Netflix
Speaking of wanderlust, let’s take a trip to Guam, shall we? A congressional aide goes to Guam to investigate a tropical military base that is known for dropping supplies and gifts to remote island Christmas islands using military cargo planes. Andrew, an easy-on-the eyes Air Force captain, convinces her that she is not trying to shut down the base.
Where to stream: Netflix
Maggie and Jack, longtime friends and radio hosts, create a fake relationship over the holidays to build their brand and grow their show to a national level. Will they remain in the friendzone, break up their friendship, or cross the lines into the beyond? It’s the ultimate “will they or won’t they” storyline and is one of Netflix’s great new holiday features.
Where to stream: Hulu
John Tucker Must Die, say “hello” to the holiday season. This film shows Livvy being unexpectedly dumped just before the holidays. She teams up with two of her ex’s past girlfriends to serve up the ultimate Christmas payback. But how far can they go? Operation “Rudolph’s Revenge” is a go.
Where to stream: Hulu
PSA: If you’re going to make a Christmas wish this year, Be specific. When Addie makes a wish for her neighbor to fall in love with her, it comes true—but not in the way she expects. Enter Pete, a guy from her past and her brand-spankin’ new next-door neighbor, who seems to be under a Christmas spell, head-over-heels in love with her. During the film Addie tries make him fall in love with her so she can keep her eyes fixed on her OG prospect.
Where to look: Netflix
A not-so-cliché teen romance, a strong female lead, quirky fashion, and a holiday meets To All The Boys vibe. What more could you ask for in holiday features? Here’s a list of eight episodes that our team is obsessed with. Though it’s not technically a movie, we consider it one because most of us blew through the entire series in one sitting. If you will, consider it a Christmas miracle.
Where to stream: Netflix
Thought This Christmas This will be a completely different look Actual Christmas, it’s the family reunion that we’ll be watching on repeat. For this particular holiday season, matriarch Ma’Dere Whitfield brings her entire family together to celebrate the holidays for the first time in four years. When individual secrets and unspoken feelings are uncovered, family dynamics are stressed—and isn’t that what the holiday season is all about? It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, and it’ll leave you feeling all of the warm and fuzzies.
Where to stream: Hulu
POV: You’re in love with your girlfriend, decide to spend the holidays with her family, and plan to propose—but when you arrive, you learn that she hasn’t quite come out to her conservative parents yet. The Happiest Season is Hulu’s newest holiday addition that stars Kristen Stewart, Daniel Levy, Aubrey Plaza, and more. It’s the queer, modern-day holiday rom-com your holiday movie rotation was missing.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
It’s Jolie’s first time returning home for the holidays since her Earth-shattering breakup with an ex she’s bound to run in to. In an effort to help, Jolie’s best friend (and distinguished lawyer) Naomi offers up her brother as a stand-in boyfriend and buffer for all of the inevitable hometown ex-boyfriend encounters. Naomi creates a nonromantic Christmas contract which is mutually beneficial for both the parties. In return, Jolie is legally bound help Jack launch his career as a novelist. It’s all fun and games until the contract proves to be a bit more than they bargained for.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
When Holly returns to her hometown for Christmas, she finds herself volunteering to help resurrect her town’s traditional light show—only to find out that her high school sweetheart and ex-boyfriend is in charge of the whole shebang. Although most people would rather die than work on a project with an ex, Holly perseveres and falls in love again. If you’re desperately trying to avoid texting your ex this holiday season, probably skip this one. Or don’t, we can’t tell you what to do (hehe).
Where to stream: Rent on Amazon Prime
OK, I think I’ve said this about 72 times now, but I mean it when I say that this is the ultimate feel-good holiday movie. It’s sassy, messy, and downright hilarious. Almost Christmas It’s a comedy-drama movie and a gift that never stops giving. Walter Meyers, a retired engineer, brings his family together for the holiday season 10 months after his wife’s death. He realizes that having a dysfunctional family under one roof can make it difficult to have a perfect holiday.
Hulu: Where to stream
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been ghosted! You can’t see me RN, but my hand is high up in the sky. You know the drill: Things are going well with someone new, you’re having some great conversations, you pick up on some palpable chemistry, daydream about a future with them, and boom. Crickets. Jess and Ben have the best first date ever. Jess is then involved in a fatal car accident. She wakes up as ghost to settle unfinished business in this hilarious and bittersweet holiday adventure. You’ll laugh, cry, and think twice about ever ghosting anyone again.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
I have a firm belief that you can never have too many holiday romantic comedies. This one is where a single mom/wedding organizer joins forces with a single dad/co-owner of an family-run Christmas decoration/house-lighting company. Their goal? Their goal? To create the perfect Christmas Eve wedding for their clients. Things are going well on the project front. On a personal front, things are going even smoother—that is, until an unexpected snowstorm threatens their work. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from all of these holiday rom coms, it’s to Always Expect the unexpected snowstorm. Another thing I’ve learned: Sometimes, a little love and some holiday magic are all you really need to get by.
Where to stream: Disney+
In this Disney+ comedy, Kris Kringle’s daughter Noelle loves the holidays but wishes that she had a purpose like her brother Nick. Nick collapses under pressure to take over Christmas duties for her father and disappears. Noelle jumps into action to find her brother and save Christmas—because that’s what we women do. We get shit done.
Where to stream: Tubi
My tolerance for the classic Cinderella story plot is so unbelievably high during this time of year, and if you shame me for that, I simply don’t care! In this version, we meet Angie, an event planner who is dedicated to running her uncle’s business. We also meet her cousin Candace, who, to no one’s surprise, is the human version of a credit-stealing, stale piece of bread. Angie is invited to the Christmasquerade Ball by a wealthy local bachelor. The bachelor discovers her identity and begins his search for the masked lady. He can then profess his love and they will live happily ever after. JustIt’s just the way we like it.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
Year after year, Mr. Landis, defense attorney Sarah Wright’s neighbor, places a lit Christmas tree on his roof—and no one knows why. And year after year, Mr. Landis finds himself in a courtroom at risk for jail time for violating the town’s penal code. Sarah agrees to represent Mr. Landis and is forced to work alongside a very irritating, but wildly handsome, prosecutor to make the case right. This heartfelt film is based off a true story. It is more complicated than it seems.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
I’ve had deadline pressure before, but I’ll happily admit that I’ve never had “close on the sale of a historic inn in 12 days, but in the meantime, meet a ghost who haunts it annually at Christmas and help him solve his murder mystery so he can move on” pressure. This holiday season, there is much to be thankful for. This holiday film has it all: comedy, drama, and romance. Andsuspense, and is the Christmas love tale you never saw coming.
Where to stream: Netflix
This musical holiday adventure is a masterpiece of music. The film tells the story of Jeronicus Jangle, a legendary toysmaker who is betrayed by his trusted apprentice. His curious and kind granddaughter discovers his past world and falls for it. She helps him find new inspiration and restore hope. It’s a movie about wonder, family, and Christmas magic that is best enjoyed with your favorite holiday jammies and the faint twinkle of your Christmas tree.
Source: The Every Girl
