6 new and classic Christmas rom-coms that are perfect for a holiday movie night

Every year, come holiday season, streaming platforms become abuzz with everyone's favourite kind-of-tacky-but-oh-so-cute genre of cinema—the Christmas romantic comedies. Hallmark, Netflix, Hulu, and more all release their annual holiday movies that usually comprise clichéd plotlines, a picturesque snow-covered location, a few kisses under the mistletoe—thrown in for good measure, and of course, plenty of romance! Ahead, discover some of our Christmas favourites best enjoyed with hot chocolate and Christmas cookies! 

The Holiday

No Christmas rom-com comes close to this absolute classic. Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) are both reeling with heartbreak in their own way, when they come across a home exchange website that presents them with a brief respite from their troubles. So, Amanda moves into Iris’ charming little cottage in the English countryside where she promptly falls in love with Iris’ brother (Jude Law from this era is swoon-worthy!), while Iris finds joy, love, and inspiration of her own in sunny Los Angeles. 

Dash & Lily

Based on the YA novel Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares, the series follows a grumpy, cynical Dash who’s the embodiment of Grinch, and sunny, optimistic Lily who loves Christmas, and their own little holiday romance that starts with a red notebook of dares in a bookstore in New York. It leads them to multiple locations in the city as they discover more details about each other, and in the process, themselves. NYC during the holiday season is as stunning as it can get, and if you needed any more convincing, there’s a Jonas Brothers cameo in it too!

The Princess Switch

The first movie in a series of three, this one has Vanessa Hudgens in a double role, and features the perfect mix of romance, royalty, and the holiday spirit to make for a fun watch. Stacy, a baker in Chicago reluctantly agrees to participate in a baking competition in Belgravia, on the insistence of her assistant Kevin. There, she bumps into newly-engaged princess Margeret, who looks just like her. Both of them hatch a plan to switch places for two days, a decision that changes both their lives forever. 

Let It Snow

Following the lives of several high school seniors in a snowed-in small town in Illinois, Let It Snow makes for a refreshing watch for your holiday movie marathon. On Christmas Eve, Julie bumps into rising pop star Stuart Bale on a train, and despite a shaky start, they quickly bond afterwards. Elsewhere, Dorrie faces hiccups in her friendship with Addie while at the same time coming to terms with her relationship. Tobin, has a crush on his best friend Angie, who he ends up confessing his love to at their friend’s Keon’s Christmas party. We love a multiple-stories-in-one moment!

Falling for Christmas

The storyline is as cliché as it gets but that is the beauty of Christmas movies. Lindsay Lohan’s character Sierra is an heiress who has a freak skiing accident just minutes after she’s engaged, making her lose her memory. As luck would have it, she finds herself in the care of a (really good-looking) widowed lodge owner and his daughter. And so begins a whirlwind romance set against the white magical landscape of Aspen. 

Happiest Season 

In this coming-of-age holiday romantic comedy, lesbian couple Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis) who’ve been dating for over a year go to the latter’s lavish family home for Christmas, where Abby hopes to propose to Harper. She’s in for a surprise when she realises that Harper hasn’t come out to her parents yet, and what ensues is roller coaster of family drama, acceptance, and coming to terms with one’s identity. A definite must watch!