AtaraxiaIt’s mid-December, and not watching Christmas movies would be a crime! So grab your screens, preferably with a good cup of hot chocolate, and get ready for a Christmas movie marathon like never before. The best part? They’re all available on Netflix. No need to spend eight hours searching the internet for a film; just one click on the red-and-black platform, and you’re all set. Happy watching!
The Grinch
Let’s ease into the holiday spirit with this first Christmas movie, my personal favorite: The Grinch. Whether you’re young or old, with family or by yourself, this is a must-watch. While the animated version is our favorite, you can also enjoy the live-action version, which is equally iconic. The story? Hopefully, you know it, but for those at the back of the class, here’s a hint: a grumpy character who despises Christmas because he’s always been alone, a little girl who believes no one should be left out during Christmas, and an overwhelming love for the holiday. Welcome to Whoville.
Love Hard
Starring Nina Dobrev, Darren Barnet, and Jimmy O. Yang, Love Hard follows Natalie, who’s been single for ages and is desperately searching for love. After a series of disastrous dates, she meets a handsome guy on a dating app. Though far apart, their connection grows through texts. With Christmas approaching and on a whim, Natalie decides to surprise Josh by visiting his hometown. But here’s the twist: Josh, who’s also perpetually single, had used a picture of someone else—his friend Tag—as his profile photo. When Natalie shows up unannounced, Josh scrambles to keep her away from the real Tag and prevent both her and his family from discovering the truth. A tricky mission awaits!
Holidate
This 2020 Christmas romcom stars Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey as Sloane and Jackson. Both are single, approaching their thirties, and dread the holidays because their families constantly judge their single status. When they meet, they strike a deal: they’ll be each other’s “fake date” for the holidays. No strings attached, just a pact to make family gatherings bearable. But as they say, “the heart wants what it wants,” especially during Christmas. Their plan to stay strictly platonic doesn’t go as expected, and avoiding falling for each other becomes more challenging than anticipated.
The Holiday Calendar
Abby, a talented but struggling photographer, receives an Advent calendar from her grandfather as the holidays approach. Initially dismissing it as an ordinary gift, she starts to notice something magical about it. Each time she opens a window, something connected to that day’s symbol happens in her life. Taking it to heart, Abby makes decisions accordingly, but the calendar has even bigger plans for her. Each door she opens might just give her life the missing piece she’s been looking for. Released in 2018 and starring Kat Graham as Abby, The Holiday Calendar joins Holidate as a romcom not to be missed each year.
The Princess Switch
When a princess and a baker cross paths by chance, it’s a shock—they look exactly alike! Tired of their respective lives, they decide to switch places. For the baker, it’s a chance to experience royal life, while for the princess, it’s a rare break from her royal duties. But things get complicated as each woman forms deep connections with people while pretending to be the other. What started as a fun exchange becomes tricky when neither wants to return to their original life, and going back might be more painful than they imagined.
Now you have our top five picks for a Christmas movie marathon. If you’re in the mood for more, check out two bonus articles with additional films we loved that didn’t make this list :
NETFLIX’S “OPERATION CHRISTMAS DROP” : A CELEBRATION OF HUMANITY AND HOLIDAY SPIRIT
“OUR LITTLE SECRET” : THE NEW CHRISTMAS COMEDY YOU CAN’T MISS ON NETFLIX
