‘Tis the season to be merry, and what better way to usher in the Christmas cheer than by immersing ourselves in the enchanting world of holiday films on Netflix? As the winter winds chill the air, these heartwarming tales invite us to rediscover the joy and magic that define the spirit of the season.
Our journey begins with The Holiday, a classic romantic comedy that transports you into the lives of Amanda and Iris, who are seeking solace from heartache. The solution? Swapping homes during the holiday season, of course! The quaint English cottage and the bustling streets of Los Angeles serve as the backdrop for a story that is like warm cocoa in a mug. Love Actually, which also makes it to our list, is another classic Christmas favourite from the early 2000s, albeit with several storylines that just haven’t aged so well.
No list of Christmas films can be complete without the green and grumpy inhabitant of Whoville, the Grinch. He takes the spotlight in Ron Howard’s adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Jim Carrey’s iconic portrayal brings to life the transformative journey from holiday-hating recluse to a symbol of festive redemption.
You can venture into a different cultural celebration with Feast of the Seven Fishes. The film invites us to a Pennsylvania Christmas Eve steeped in Italian-American tradition. Against the tapestry of a grand seafood feast, the film delicately weaves together themes of family, love, and the richness of cultural heritage.
For those seeking animated enchantment, Klaus provides a fresh take on the origin of Santa Claus. The film introduces us to a postman who befriends a reclusive toymaker on a distant island, their collaboration sparking the joy of gift-giving in a town overshadowed by gloom. A Boy Called Christmas whisks us away on a fantastical journey, unravelling yet another origin story of Santa Claus. Based on the bestselling novel, the film captures the wonder and joy of Christmas through the eyes of a young boy on a quest to the magical North Pole.
And if you want more animated wonders, then tune into Robin Robin, a stop-motion animated short that tells the heartwarming tale of a bird raised by mice. Its endearing characters and charming animation create a magical experience that resonates with the spirit of Christmas.
In Happiest Season, a modern romantic comedy, love takes centre stage as a woman plans to propose to her girlfriend during a family Christmas celebration. For another contemporary story about the holidays, you can watch Let It Snow. Based on the collaborative novel by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle, a group of teenagers navigate love and friendship on a snowy Christmas Eve in a snowy small town.
Finally, though not traditionally a Christmas film, the magical world of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone has become synonymous with the holiday season. This one triumphs Die Hard (which ardent fans will argue is a Christmas film) because you can watch it on Halloween, you can watch it on Christmas, you can watch it whenever you feel like it! Hogwarts comes alive with festive decorations on Harry’s first Christmas at Hogwarts (before all the Voldemort slaying happens). This is nostalgic and magical.
Top 10 Christmas films to watch on Netflix this holiday season:
- The Holiday (2006)
- Feast of the Seven Fishes (2018)
- Love Actually (2003)
- Klaus (2019)
- Let It Snow (2019)
- Robin Robin (2021)
- Happiest Season (2020)
- A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
![THE HOLIDAY [2006] - Official Trailer (HD)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wk9caHO3pW0/hqdefault.jpg)