Honestly, every time I sit down to write a selection like this, I think: “Damn, did I forget that one film, without which the holiday just isn’t a holiday?” But this time, I’ve truly done my best. There are comedies, romance, and even a bit of drama here, but all of them are imbued with one thing: the spirit of wonder that we so love to feel during the New Year. Some of them I rewatch every year, some I discovered recently. But each one is worth your time and attention. Turn on the garlands, prepare your cocoa or mulled wine, and let’s go.
1. Love Actually (2003)
- Director: Richard Curtis
- Starring: Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
- Runtime: 2 hours 15 mins
- IMDb: 7.6/10
- Author’s Rating: 9.5/10
Brief Description: Oh, this is simply my personal “must-have” for December! The film isn’t about one story, but a whole bouquet of destinies intertwined in London just before Christmas. Here you have a prime minister who falls for his staff member, an old rock star trying to get back to the top of the charts, and a writer looking for inspiration… In short, it’s about how love actually is all around us. And not just romantic love. It’s like a warm sweater you want to wrap yourself in.
The Scene That Blows Your Mind: The cue card scene! When the guy silently declares his love to his best friend’s wife, standing at the doorstep with placards. Man, how can you watch that without tearing up? It’s pure emotion! Though, as a man, I do judge him a little, but how beautifully done!
Author’s Comment: I adore it, honestly. Because it’s not perfect, just like life. It shows all the shades—joy, pain, and awkwardness. And the music… the music is just cosmic. Richard Curtis is a genius of such heartfelt stories. It’s worth watching if you want to feel that the New Year is a chance to change something.
2. The Holiday (2006)
- Director: Nancy Meyers
- Starring: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Runtime: 2 hours 18 mins
- IMDb: 6.9/10
- Author’s Rating: 8.8/10
Brief Description: Just imagine: you’re tired of your life (it happens, right?), and you decide to radically change your surroundings. Two women, one from Los Angeles, the other from the English countryside, swap homes for Christmas. And, of course, they find not only new decor but new love. What I like most is how it’s done: sunny California against a snowy, cozy English cottage. Well, I would definitely choose the cottage! What about you?
The Scene That Blows Your Mind: Jude Law in glasses. That’s it! Just kidding. But seriously, the moment when Kate Winslet’s character finds a friend in an old screenwriter. It’s about how sometimes, to find yourself, you just need to change your environment. And, yes, Jack Black is wonderful in it! Unexpected, right?
Author’s Comment: This is the perfect film for an evening when you want to believe in a fairy tale, but one that isn’t too sweet. It has a certain warmth and sincerity. Plus, the cast is simply a holiday in itself! Kate Winslet is, as always, magnificent. Advice: watch it wrapped in a blanket.
3. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
- Director: Andrew Adamson
- Starring: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Tilda Swinton
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Family
- Runtime: 2 hours 23 mins
- IMDb: 6.9/10
- Author’s Rating: 8.2/10
Brief Description: I know, I know, it’s not exactly a “New Year’s” movie, but Narnia is in eternal winter! This story is about four children who, through an old wardrobe, enter the magical land of Narnia, ruled by the evil White Witch, where it is always winter but never Christmas. It’s epic, it’s about the fight between good and evil, and most importantly, it’s about believing in a miracle. Personally, when I watched it for the first time, I genuinely believed I might walk into my closet and Narnia would be there too. It didn’t work out, but I tried!
The Scene That Blows Your Mind: The appearance of Aslan! This majestic lion, his voice, his might. And also—the moment when the ice finally breaks in Narnia. That’s symbolic, man! Just like the fact that after the longest and coldest winter, spring and warmth always return.
Author’s Comment: This is a film worth watching with children, or simply when you’re tired of adult life and want to feel like a child again. Tilda Swinton as the Witch is simply fire—so cold and sinister. It gives hope, and that is the most important thing during the holidays.
4. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
- Director: Jon Turteltaub
- Starring: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Runtime: 1 hour 43 mins
- IMDb: 6.8/10
- Author’s Rating: 8.5/10
Brief Description: This is simply the gold standard of Christmas romantic comedy from the ’90s! Sandra Bullock’s character, Lucy, works as a subway token collector. She saves a man from a train (her sort of knight in shining armor!) and at the hospital, she is mistakenly taken for his fiancée. His entire extended family is convinced that she is their future relative. And, of course, during this time, she falls in love with his brother. Sounds like chaos? Yes! But what a sweet and cozy chaos it is.
The Scene That Blows Your Mind: The moment Lucy spends Christmas with the family—a real, noisy family. She never had anything like it, and you can see how much she enjoys it. It proves that the holidays are about family, even if it’s not yours. And also, I’d want a family like that too!
Author’s Comment: An old, good, naive comedy. Sandra Bullock is at the peak of her charm here. The film is without vulgarity, with a very warm atmosphere of Chicago at Christmas. It is perfect if you just want to relax and watch nice people find their happiness. Highly recommend!
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- Director: Ron Howard
- Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor
- Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Family
- Runtime: 1 hour 44 mins
- IMDb: 6.2/10
- Author’s Rating: 9.0/10
Brief Description: Oh, well, you can’t go without this one! I don’t know how anyone can watch this film and not laugh, even though it’s about a cynic who hates Christmas. The Grinch, a green, hairy hermit living on a mountain, decides to steal the holiday from the residents of Whoville. Jim Carrey here is simply… it’s not acting, it’s a performance! He made this Grinch so alive, so emotional, that you laugh and sympathize with him at the same time. This film is about Christmas not being about presents, but about something much bigger.
The Scene That Blows Your Mind: The moment the Grinch stands on the mountain, all the gifts are stolen, yet the people of Whoville still sing! That was a real “boom” for me as a child. I realized that the spirit is inside. And also—when the Grinch’s heart grows! If my heart grew from mandarins, I’d be the size of a house by now.
Author’s Comment: This is a must-see for anyone who considers themselves a bit of a cynic. The film is bright, colorful, sometimes even a little odd, but it is so positively charged and reminds you of the true values that I include it every year. Watching Jim Carrey in this role is a separate kind of art.
6. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
- Director: Les Mayfield
- Starring: Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, Mara Wilson
- Genre: Fantasy, Family
- Runtime: 1 hour 54 mins
- IMDb: 6.6/10
- Author’s Rating: 7.9/10
Brief Description: This is a remake of a classic, but how charming it is! The story is about an old man who claims he is the real Santa Claus. And the whole intrigue is that he is so sincere that even adults start to doubt. And a little girl, raised by a pragmatic mother, faces the belief in a miracle for the first time. It’s about faith, hope, and how a miracle can happen even amidst the hustle and bustle of New York. And yes, Richard Attenborough, may he rest in peace, played Santa perfectly.
The Scene That Blows Your Mind: The court trial! When the lawyer tries to prove that Santa exists using… American money. Very unusual, but it’s a powerful moment that makes you think: where is the line between a fairy tale and reality?
Author’s Comment: I love it for its simplicity and warmth. It doesn’t try to be too clever or modern. It’s simply kind. This is a film for a family viewing when you want to feel that very “cozy” Christmas spirit. And the little girl, Mara Wilson, acts wonderfully.
7. Surviving Christmas (2004)
- Director: Mike Mitchell
- Starring: Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- Runtime: 1 hour 31 mins
- IMDb: 5.5/10
- Author’s Rating: 7.5/10
Brief Description: Okay, I know this film doesn’t have the highest rating, but it has something… special. Ben Affleck’s character, Drew, is so lonely that he decides to… hire a family to spend Christmas with them in his childhood home. That’s absurd, right? And, of course, nothing goes to plan. The real residents of the house, the Valco family, show up, and such chaos ensues that it’s impossible to watch without a smile. It’s about how we all sometimes try to “buy” happiness, but it’s found where you least expect it.
The Scene That Blows Your Mind: The moment Drew reads the Valco family the “script” of their “perfect Christmas.” It’s so funny and so sad at the same time. He genuinely wanted to create a fairy tale for himself but got real life instead.
Author’s Comment: This is a comedy with elements of dark humor. Affleck is very funny here in his bewilderment. The film is about how real relationships are messy, noisy, and imperfect. But that’s what makes them valuable. Give this film a chance, it deserves more than its IMDb rating.
8. Joyeux Noël (2005)
- Director: Christian Carion
- Starring: Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet
- Genre: War Drama, Historical
- Runtime: 1 hour 56 mins
- IMDb: 7.7/10
- Author’s Rating: 9.3/10
Brief Description: And here is a film to slightly dilute the comedies. This story is based on real events about the so-called “Christmas Truce” of 1914 during World War I. For a few hours, French, Scottish, and German soldiers emerged from their trenches, exchanged gifts, sang Christmas carols, and even played soccer. This is an incredibly powerful film about the human spirit, about how even in the darkest of times, light can be found. It’s not about war; it’s about peace that can overcome any conflict. When I watched it, I genuinely had a lump in my throat.
The Scene That Blows Your Mind: The moment the German opera singer leaves the trench and starts singing “Silent Night,” and everyone else supports him. That is simply goosebump-inducing. No words are needed here; the emotions say it all.
Author’s Comment: This is probably one of the deepest films in this selection. It’s important; it shows that the holidays are not just about fun, but about humanity. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, and it is fully deserved. Watch it if you want something serious but very bright.
9. Bad Santa (2003)
- Director: Terry Zwigoff
- Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Lauren Graham
- Genre: Black Comedy
- Runtime: 1 hour 32 mins
- IMDb: 7.0/10
- Author’s Rating: 8.0/10
Brief Description: Okay, now back to the chaos! But adult chaos. The film is about Willie, an alcoholic, a thief, and, incidentally, a department store Santa Claus. Together with his elf sidekick, he robs these stores. This is an anti-Christmas film that, paradoxically, is very Christmasy. Because even in the darkest character, something bright can be found. And Willie finds it thanks to a strange but very sincere boy. It’s brutal, vulgar, but beneath all that is a very warm story of redemption.
The Scene That Blows Your Mind: Any scene where Willie interacts with the boy. Especially when he does something kind for him for the first time. It’s such a contrast between his external cynicism and inner kindness that it’s simply impossible not to smile. And, of course, his “philosophical” reflections on life.
Author’s Comment: This is for those who are tired of “sweet” films. Billy Bob Thornton is incredible in this role! But be warned: this is a black comedy; it has a lot of “spice.” But if you enjoy that kind of humor, you will have a blast. Perfect for laughing at all the Christmas clichés.
10. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
- Director: Sharon Maguire
- Starring: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Runtime: 1 hour 37 mins
- IMDb: 6.7/10
- Author’s Rating: 8.7/10
Brief Description: Again, not a classic “New Year’s” movie, but the action begins and ends during the holiday season, and the first film is simply a fireworks display of awkward Christmas situations. Bridget Jones is a 30-year-old, slightly clumsy but charming woman who decides to change her life by starting a diary. And then, of course, her love triangle between the sexy boss (Hugh Grant) and the stern but decent lawyer (Colin Firth). It’s so relatable! Who among us hasn’t started the new year with resolutions to “eat less” and “find the perfect partner”?
The Scene That Blows Your Mind: The Christmas party at the beginning, where Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) appears in that awful reindeer sweater! That is simply iconic! Or the fight between Grant and Firth in the restaurant—a truly masculine conversation!
Author’s Comment: I love it because Bridget is all of us. Insecure, with strange ideas, but sincere. The film gives the feeling that life is not perfect, but that’s okay, and true love will find you, even if you are sitting in pajamas and drinking wine. This is a great film to lift your spirits and feel that the new year is about new, even if clumsy, beginnings.
Summary: What unites this magical ten?
You see, all these films are united not only by a snowy landscape or the presence of Santa. They are united by sincerity and a belief in transformation. Each of them shows that the holidays are a time when you can start over with a clean slate, a time when the biggest miracles happen not with Santa Claus, but within us. There is humor, there is drama, but most importantly—there is no falseness. They give hope that even if you are lonely, like the Grinch, or forced to rent a family, like Drew, you will still find your happiness.
I hope you find something new to watch from this selection! And if not, at least you’ll remember why you love a particular film. The main thing is to enjoy the moment, because the magic of the New Year is fleeting, and these films can prolong it for you.
“Christmas is not bought or sold. It lives inside you, like all good feelings.” – Scrooge McDuck, “A Christmas Carol”. I chose this quote because it accurately conveys the essence. We often forget this in the rush for gifts and the hustle, but the real value is what we feel. Remember that!
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Which film from the selection is best to watch with children?
Definitely “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” or “Miracle on 34th Street.” They are the most family-friendly and do not contain adult humor. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will also work, but there’s a bit of Carrey’s antics that might be too intense for very young children.
Which film in this selection is the most “romantic”?
Perhaps it’s “Love Actually” or “The Holiday.” Both films are simply soaked in romance, but “Love Actually” shows it in various forms, while “The Holiday” is a classic, warm story about swapping lives and finding love.
Are there films in the selection that are not like other Christmas comedies?
Yes! “Joyeux Noël” is a war drama that breaks the mold, and “Bad Santa” is a black comedy that mocks many clichés. They add piquancy and depth to this festive selection.
Alright, friend, now it’s your turn! Watch these films, and don’t forget to share this selection with your friends. Let them find something new for the holiday viewing too! And what is your favorite holiday film from my list? Write in the comments, I’m curious!
Author — ReelPoint
Think… Watch… Feel.
Winter Movies: Top 10 Comedies, Dramas, and a Touch of Scandinavian Chill
Winter Movies: Top 10 Comedies, Dramas, and a Touch of Scandinavian Chill
