Something about the holiday season makes it prime for romance — at least in the movie world. After all, what other time of year has a specific plant dedicated to making people kiss underneath it? Whole networks like Lifetime and Hallmark make bank off that concept with their TV movies about couples falling in love at Christmastime. But it's not just TV networks that churn out romantic holiday movies. The genre has been a thing for decades.
Christmas movies can fit into a number of categories. There are comedies, family films, even holiday-themed horror movies. But the romance genre is probably the largest. Who doesn't want to fall in love while dressed in a sweater in a snowstorm? Or, better yet, snuggle up by the fire and watch people fall in love from the comfort of the couch.
For anyone looking for a dose of warm and fuzzy this holiday season, these 20 romantic films have it covered.
'The Holiday'
When Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet's characters trade houses for Christmas, the last thing on their mind is falling in love. But they both end up finding their soulmates while on the vacation of their lifetimes. The coziness of the winter season and director Nancy Meyers' beautiful sets just make the holiday romance that much more special.
'White Christmas'
The 1954 musical gave us some of the best renditions of Christmas songs that we still listen to today. And it didn't hurt that two best friends fell in love with two sisters while they traded romantic ballads and serious talks about hopes and dreams. It's an iconic film for so many reasons, and the love stories are a huge part of that.
'Love Actually'
The holiday classic follows several interconnecting love stories. While not all of them have happy endings, the message that "love actually is all around" seeps through. And it reminds us that sometimes love can be as simple as a father showing up for his son or a sister being there for a brother.
'Carol'
Although this period piece is set in a time when being openly gay was frowned upon, nothing could stop the two women in this film from falling for each other. It's a wistful story, because they can't really be themselves and date each other, but it's a reminder that true love persists even in the harshest of circumstances.
'The Best Man Holiday'
When a group of college friends get together 15 years later for the holidays, love is sure to reignite between old flames. This movie is both a fan favorite and a critical hit, with a 71% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 83% audience score. "The Best Man Holiday has something rare at its very center — genuine emotion," one MTV critic raved.
'Elf'
There are a couple of love stories in Elf, hidden between the jokes and funny gags. One is between Jovie and Buddy the Elf. The slightly cynical retail worker falls for Buddy and finally lets her guard down, embracing her passion for singing. The other is a platonic love story between a father and son when they finally reconnect after years apart. Both make this film so much more than just a basic comedy.
'The Family Man'
Nicholas Cage stars in this movie about a man who gets a serious wakeup call at Christmastime. He wakes up one morning in the life he could have had if he and his college sweetheart had never broken up. When he's finally awoken from this spell, he has to do everything in his power to win her back and make that dream life a reality.
'Last Christmas'
Fair warning, this movie will absolutely make anybody watching sob. But in between the tearful moments is a heartwarming love story between a guy and a down-on-her-luck woman who finally learns the true meaning of life. It's based on the popular Wham! Christmas song of the same name — which doesn't sound like it would be sad, but it is in the best way.
'The Princess Switch'
Vanessa Hudgens plays two characters in this Netflix movie — an American baker and a princess. When they meet, they decide to switch places for a little fun and end up falling in love in the most unexpected ways. The sequel just came out for 2020 and it introduces a third character played by Vanessa.
'The Shop Around the Corner'
This is such a romantic movie that the Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks rom-com You've Got Mail is based on the same story. The original stars Jimmy Stewart and uses a now-infamous romantic movie trope — people who hate each other who eventually fall in love. The movie has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is a Christmas classic.
'Last Holiday'
A medical mix-up causes Queen Latifah's character, Georgia, to mistakenly think she has a terminal illness. Determined to have the best last holiday ever, she cashes in her savings and jets off to Europe to live it up. And when her longtime crush learns of her (fake) diagnosis, he flies out to confess his feelings. But the real love story is about a woman who finally embraces living life to the fullest.
'The Christmas Setup'
This was Lifetime's first Christmas movie centered around a gay couple, and it was oh-so romantic. The lead characters were played by a real-life married couple, so their love for each other was so palpable on screen. It was about time that the TV holiday movie genre got a little more inclusive, and this was a great step in that direction.
'Snowglobe'
Christina Milian stars in this TV movie about a woman who loves Christmas but is annoyed that her chaotic family keeps messing up her perfect holiday. She soon gets the chance to see what a perfect Christmas looks like when she is magically transported inside a snow globe and meets a handsome snow shoveler.
'Holiday Inn'
Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire star in this film as Jim and Ted, who both fall for the third member of their musical trio, Lila. Jim leaves town when Lila picks Ted, and Jim soon falls for a new woman named Linda. But when a recently dumped Ted shows up at the inn Jim is staying at, Ted starts to fall for Linda, too. They just really have the same taste in women, huh?
'12 Dates of Christmas'
In this Groundhog Day-style film, Kate keeps repeating Christmas Eve. She falls more and more in love with her holiday blind date, Miles, each time. But when her clock runs out, she has to convince Miles to fall in love with her just like she's fallen for him. As a bonus, this movie stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar from Saved by the Bell.
'The Family Stone'
Sarah Jessica Parker's uptight character, Meredith, goes home with her boyfriend to meet his family for Christmas. Once there, she begins to fall for his free-spirited brother. But it's OK, because Meredith's boyfriend is also busy falling for her sister. All's fair in love and family, right?
'Happiest Season'
Kristen Stewart hopped into the holiday genre for this Hulu movie about a lesbian couple meeting one woman's family for the holiday. It's sort of a modern take on The Family Stone without the switching brothers storyline. And it stars Mary Steenburgen as the mother, who was also in Elf. She's basically Christmas movie royalty.
'Let It Snow'
This Netflix movie is kind of like a modern day Love Actually for the teen crowd. It follows interconnecting love stories when a group of high school students is snowed in during the holiday. The story became a hit when Netflix released it in 2019, and it has an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
'Holiday Engagement'
It wouldn't be a list of romantic Christmas films if there wasn't a Hallmark movie on the list. Holiday Engagement is one of the older movies from the channel, having premiered in 2011. It follows a woman who gets dumped right before Christmas. Desperate not to be alone for her family holiday celebrations, she hires an actor to play her date — and while pretending to be in love, they fall in love for real.
'It's a Wonderful Life'
Widely considered one of the best holiday films, It's a Wonderful Life landed on top of Rotten Tomatoes' highest-rated Christmas movies list in 2019. Not only is its message about embracing life powerful, but it contains such a sweet love story between Jimmy Stewart's character and his ever-doting wife, played by Donna Reed.
