10 Christmas Rom-Coms To Keep You Warm This Holiday Season

When it comes to Christmas classics, movies like Wonderful Life and Home Alone have a separate fanbase. As endlessly rewatchable as these films are, nothing quite compares to the good ol’ holiday rom-com. We’re talking about chance encounters in the streets, characters pretending to date each other so their families stop bothering them about relationships (they ultimately fall in love), so on and so forth. On Christmas 2024, we’re looking at some of the best holiday rom-coms that make for a satisfying watch.

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

A charming holiday classic from the ‘90s, You’ve Got Mail features Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan and their palpable chemistry. The film revolves around the owner of an independent bookstore and an executive of a corporate chain of bookstores. Sparks fly via email as they have an anonymous virtual exchange. While the film isn’t an out-and-out Christmas movie, it’s set in a snow-clad New York and has the right ambience.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

‘Tis the season of Meg Ryan. Another Christmas rom-com featuring the actress has the perfect backdrop, great dialogues and memorable scenes. The plot follows Bill Crystal’s Harry and Ryan’s Sally as their paths cross after college. They eventually fall in love when they meet 10 years later at a bookstore. This film can be watched all the way up to New Year’s Eve making it a versatile pick.

Serendipity (2001)

If you love a good meet-cute, you’re going to love Serendipity. The film starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale follows two people who step out to buy the same pair of gloves during the holidays. Their chance encounter at the Bloomingdale’s ends with them leaving their next meeting to fate. Of course, years later, destiny does its job and they find their way to each other. It’s a sweet and light rom-com that lets you romanticise holiday errands. What’s not to love?

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

Nothing makes journaling and being lost in your 30s look as good as Bridget Jones’s Diary. Starring Colin Firth, Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant, the film starts and ends with the Christmas holidays. It is a modern reimagining of Pride and Prejudice with Bridget playing Elizabeth Bennet in modern-day London. It’s messy, funny and mostly full of swoon-worthy moments that will warm your heart. There’s a reason why this is one of the most re-watched holiday films of all time.

Love Actually (2003)

Love Actually might just be the ultimate Christmas rom-com. The film is a compilation of ten love stories that range from the heartwarming friendship between a musician and his manager to a best man in love with his friend’s bride. It has something for everyone, especially if that something is cheesy declarations of love for you. Despite its clunky storytelling, Love Actually remains one of the most irresistible holiday films. The star-studded cast includes Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Emma Thompson and more.

The Holiday (2006)

The Holiday is a near-perfect Christmas rom-com. Characters swapping lives – check, charming winter cottage – check, unexpectedly heartwarming friendship with a supporting character – double check. The film revolves around two women, Kate Winslet’s Iris and Cameron Diaz’s Amanda who swap homes for the holidays to escape their problems. Iris moves into Amanda’s LA mansion where she meets Jack Black’s Miles. Meanwhile, Amanda moves to Iris’ English cottage where she meets Jude Law’s dreamy Graham. The two find love in unexpected ways and their lives are intertwined in the most wholesome way possible.

Last Christmas (2019)

In this romantic comedy, Emilia Clarke’s Kate, who works as an elf in a Christmas store in London struggles with personal issues, including a strained relationship with her mother. Things change when she meets Henry Golding’s Tom, a handsome and mysterious man who helps her rediscover her purpose during the joyous season. While Kate begins to make better life choices, a twist in the tale reveals Tom’s true nature. Without giving away any spoilers, let’s just say there is a message about love and second chances here.

Happiest Season (2020)

Going home for Christmas is a major holiday movie trope. But this LGBTQ+ love story puts a fun spin on it. The plot revolves around Mackenzie Davis’ Harper who takes her girlfriend, Kristen Stewart’s Abby home for the holidays to her conservative family. That’s when Abby realises Harper hasn’t come out to her family yet. Between the lead pair’s chemistry and a standout performance by Dan Levy, the film is a funny, sincere rom-com that has ample holiday spirit.

Single All the Way (2021)

Getting a fake boyfriend home is perhaps the best rom-com sub-genre. Single All The Way, another LGBTQ+ love story delivers on the promise it makes in its logline. The film sees Michael Urie’s Peter who brings his best friend, Philemon Chambers’ Nick as his boyfriend. However, his mother has other plans as she sets him up with a hot spin instructor. A major highlight of the film is a music sequence set to Britney Spears’ My Only Wish (This Year) and a cameo featuring Jennifer Coolidge. Prepare to get moving and be moved if this is your pick from this list.

Love Hard (2021)

Love Hard gets points right off the bat for acknowledging that Die Hard is very much a Christmas movie. The romantic comedy follows Nina Dobrev’s Natalie, a woman who falls for a charming guy, Jimmy O. Yang’s Josh., after they click on a dating app. When she surprises him at his home for Christmas, she finds out that Josh isn’t quite who he portrayed himself to be. Turns out, he’s been using photos of his handsome friend, Darren Barnet’s Tag. She basically got catfished. Josh and Natalie then team up to help her win over Tag’s heart. Of course, things get complicated. Come for the funny catfish drama, stay for the unexpectedly good woke version of Baby It’s Cold Outside, performed by the excellent leads.On Christmas, we’re revisiting some of the best holiday rom-coms Continue reading …Read More