The day after Thanksgiving brings leftovers crowding the fridge and extensive Black Friday shopping sprees—but most importantly, it marks the beginning of the Christmas season. As temperatures drop and festive decorations go up, I love the cozy feeling of a winter night in. With a cup of hot cocoa and a fluffy blanket, I’m all set for the night. But no winter night is complete without the perfect Christmas movie! That’s why I’ve compiled this list of my must-watch Christmas movie recommendations for this season: a mix of old-time classics and newer releases.Â
- Christmas with the Kranks
Nora Krank (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Luther Krank (Tim Allen) decide to ditch their usual Christmas traditions in favor of a Caribbean cruise when it looks like their daughter, Blair Krank (Julie Gonzalo) isn’t coming home for Christmas. This decision causes quite the uproar with their neighbors and comes with unexpected social repercussions. Can the Kranks handle it? This comedy with an iconic duo as the Kranks is sure to be a funny watch.
- Four Christmases
Brad McVie (Vince Vaughn) and Kate Kinkaid (Reese Witherspoon) prefer exotic gateways to Christmas family reunions, but when their flight is cancelled because of weather problems, they’re forced to change up their plans. The movie follows the couple trekking to all four of their parents’ houses; each visit tests the couple’s relationship in different ways. Will the relationship survive? This romantic comedy is sure to have you rooting for Brad and Kate to make it through dysfunctional family dynamics and embarrassing flashbacks.Â
- Serendipity
After a chance meeting in Bloomingdale’s, Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) and Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) feel an unexplainable draw to each other. Sara wholeheartedly believes in fate and the “little signals” of life, so she leaves behind a series of tests to see if she and Jonathan are truly meant to be together. Their paths continue to narrowly miss each other, and it’ll have you wondering whether they’ll eventually intersect and end up together.Â
- Something from Tiffany’sÂ
A mixup with an engagement ring and a set of earrings at Tiffany & Co. leads to an unexpected journey for two couples in New York City. Rachel Meyer (Zoey Deutch), who mistakenly opened an engagement ring from her boyfriend Gary (Ray Nicholson) that wasn’t meant for her, ends up finding her perfect ending. This romance movie has such a satisfying ending that has you cheering for Rachel.Â
- Holidate
Sloane Benson (Emma Roberts) and Jackson Pieretti (Luke Bracey) meet on Christmas and agree to be each other’s platonic plus-ones to holiday events throughout the year to placate their friends and family. The movie follows the duo throughout the year as platonic feelings turn into a little more…
This list is sure to get you into the festive mood. With a good mix of comedy and romance, these light-hearted picks are perfect to watch with friends and family!