The best holiday season movies
A holiday movie doesn’t always require a holiday theme to revolve around, sometimes its just a good cozy movie to watch this time of year. These are my favorites to enjoy by the fire with a glass of wine.
Pieces of April (2003)
Categories: Emotional drama
Hulu
Why I love this movie
As far as I’m concerned, this is the only true Thanksgiving movie. However that’s not what makes it good. It’s the funny and sad story a young girl, Katie Holmes, who’s had a rocky indolence’s and strained relationship with her mother, Patricia Clarkson, hosting Thanksgiving dinner in her small NYC apartment. It’s hilarious to see take on such a task with the resources she has, and painful at points as her family dynamics surface. But ultimately it’s wonderfully relatable story and I laugh out loud every year I watch.
Happiest season (2020)
Categories: Dark comedy
Hulu
Why I love this movie
I love this fresh take on the old tale of returning home for the holidays to a dysfunctional family. Kristen Stewart plays Mackenzie Davis’ girlfriend traveling home with her for the first time, only to realize Mackenzie has not informed her family that she is a lesbian or that Kristen is girl friend. It might seem slightly silly but there are some sweet themes beautiful holiday scenery.
The Family Stone (2005)
Categories: Dark comedy
Hulu
Why I love this movie
I appreciate a movie that can portray the darkness that comes from this time of year for many, rather being all cheer and romance hi-jinks. Family stone portrays a seemingly perfect family for who they truly are through a beautiful and telling story.
Love actually (2003)
Categories: Romance/comedy/drama
Rent Prime
Why I love this movie
It may be a cliché but I can’t leave Love Actually out of this list. It is the coziest of holiday movies, funny, sad, and sweet, all in one. All I can say is if you haven’t seen it, you must!
Just friends (2005)
Categories: Dark comedy
Rent Prime
Why I love this movie
A fun throwback, this movie has always made me laugh and I love it as an unconventional holiday movie. The casting is phenomenal, Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris in what I consider to be their funniest roles. Ryan returns home for the holidays to attempt to woo his childhood crush and encounters obstacles set by his own family, his client, and old rivals.
About a Boy (2002)
Categories: Dark comedy
Hulu, Prime, STARZ
Why I love this movie
I’ll admit it, its not a holiday movie necessarily but they do have Christmas in About a Boy and most of it takes place in winter. I believe About a Boy to be one of the wittiest movies to come out of the early 2000’s, if you like Love Actually- you’ll appreciate the humor.