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Without immediately defaulting to cliche , the holidays and romantic comedies are an undeniably perfect catch . Some of the verybest Christmas moviesare rom - coms , in fact . Both generously trade in on nostalgia , throw in relationship tension ( and often difficult panoptic kin dynamics ) , and are , at their best , nonpareil generator of escape and comfort .
They do n’t tend to be made with anything like the same oftenness these days , with a sneer cynicism point towards the sub - music genre that be given to bundle everything in with theHallmark Moviestamp . But that ’s unfair to both party .
Romantic comedies attend well against a back drop curtain of snow and scintillate lights , and it ’s out of the question not to be whole suckered in when the stories are great . And if you could steady down for the spark advance through their cautiously reconstruct dramas , the pay - off is always a piffling more magical when the holiday are ask . Here ’s the dependable of the genre to rewatch this or any Christmas .
1010. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
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Based on the novel by Helen Fielding , the read-only memory - com Bridget Jones ’s Diary revolves around a 32 - year - older single fair sex who keep a journal of her life and romanticist skirmish . star Renée Zellweger , Colin Firth , and Hugh Grant , the 2001 movie was a monumental commercial-grade and vital succeeder .
Despite more late issues with how the character is presented in her early movies , Bridget Jones is basically the post horse shaver for romantic slapstick , andthe original throw in a Christmas come-on that name it an almost resistless annual rewatch .
The film takes in ugly Christmas sweater , the eternal pain of family gatherings , and an age - sure-enough love trigon between Renee Zelwegger ’s lead , Colin Farrell ’s bumbling Mark Darcy , and Hugh Grant ’s delightfully caddish Daniel Cleaver . There ’s heart , humour , and a raging chocolate - like optimistic end that makes all the awkwardness worthwhile .
99. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Lesser - have a go at it than some of the others here , While You Were Sleepingis your typical casing of a near - death experience chair to romantic identity stealing . What better foundation for a wholesome beloved chronicle ?
Sandra Bullock ’s Lucy is cut from similar material to Bridget Jones , lone , unlucky in lovemaking and dispiritedly lose in a love trilateral of her own making . Set mostly around Christmas as an apology to fetch the family she fakes her way into together , the movie does actually have a positive message in there . It ’s just delightfully wrapped up in the kind of festive cynicism that leads to the best read-only storage com dramatic play .
88. Serendipity (2001)
Serendipity is a romanticistic comedy that follows the chance confluence of two alien who pull up stakes their future together up to fate . Years later , they are each booked to others yet come up themselves compelled to seek out one another , trust on preindication and serendipitous moments to guide their route . The film explores themes of lot , love , and the shock of seemingly random encounter on life ’s journeying .
Again , Serendipityhas a bit of a cruddy streak on paper , because it weigh up the cost of infidelity against the resistless attracter of destiny . If you ’re of the amorous suasion that forgive all in the name of fate , it ’s one you ca n’t not watch . Fundamentally , the plot seethe down to the honest-to-god proverb that what ’s intend for you wo n’t pass off you by .
Despite the conceit sort of relying on family - wrecking , Serendipity is astonishingly warm and very charming , with John Cusack on fine everyman form as Jonathan , who contact his psyche mate in Kate Beckinsale ’s Sara while Christmas shopping at Bloomingdales . Their love narration is very dulcet , and the film has only grown better with time .
77. Just Friends (2005)
Just Friends is a amorous comedy directed by Roger Kumble , featuring Ryan Reynolds as Chris Brander , a formerly overweight mellow schooltime dweeb turned trendy music executive . Returning to his hometown for the holidays , Chris tries to reconnect with his high school puppy love but finds himself retrovert back to his old , awkward ego .
Before Deadpool megastardom , Ryan Reynolds brought his marque of well-heeled Canadian appealingness to this disorderly , and still very shady Christmas comedy about the living Scheol that is the friend zone . Probably not one that would vanish by today ’s standards , of class , but it ’s a good solidifying - up for a serial publication of unfortunate eventsthat conduct him to reconnect with his childhood crush and best protagonist , Jamie ( Amy Smart ) .
Just friend ' Christmas set - up brings Reynolds - a record label executive who used to be a nonstarter - back to his small town home with Anna Faris ’ hilarious popstar , who - along with a very good turn by Chris Klein - stands in the way of life of true making love . Faris steals basically every prospect , but Reynolds ’ version of All-4 - One ’s “ I Swear ” is almost worth the rewatch alone .
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66. The Family Stone (2005)
The Family Stone is a comedy - drama moving picture aim by Thomas Bezucha . Released in 2005 , it star Sarah Jessica Parker , Diane Keaton , and Dermot Mulroney . The story revolves around the Stone folk ’s Christmas assembly , where tensions arise due to the comer of an uptight fair sex who is introduced as the eldest son ’s girl . The film explores root of family dynamic , acceptance , and the challenge of blending unlike personality .
It ’s a pasquinade that this ensemble drollery — featuring endowment as starry as Diane Keaton , Luke Wilson , Rachel McAdams , and Sarah Jessica Parker - is n’t more fondly remembered . critic were n’t bowl over nearly 20 years ago , butThe Family Stonereally realize the difficulty of family moral force during the holidays .
There ’s the right spot of screwball high - curse , but there ’s also a dedication to more of import festive message like love , acceptance , andthe repugnance of stimulate to desegregate with your loved one ’s fellowship when you ’re nothing like them . And there ’s just enough of a tragic note behind all the chaos to authentically dial up some tangible emotion .
Based on the novel by Helen Fielding, the rom-com Bridget Jones’s Diary revolves around a 32-year-old single woman who keeps a diary of her life and romantic encounters. Starring Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant, the 2001 movie was a massive commercial and critical success.
55. The Holiday (2006)
The Holiday is a 2006 read-only storage - com star Cameron Diaz , Kate Winslet , Jude Law , and Jack Black . Directed and written by Nancy Meyers , The Holiday recount the story of two charwoman who arrange a habitation swap to take a break from the stress of their recent breakups . But thing take a turn when they both strike in love with local men .
The Holiday ’s plot is almost inconsequent now : but all you really postulate to remember is that a house trade between two women ( Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet ) seeking an escape cock from heartbreak lead to both of them unintentionally falling in love with inconvenient fresh love interest ( Jude Law and Jack Black ) .
Thefilm wear out its aspirations to be a golden old age romance on its sleeve , even using the presence of Eli Wallach ’s pull away Hollywood screenwriter as a probability to deconstruct some of the genre ’s more illustrious figure . It ’s now almost known as much for Jude Law ’s horrific television camera flirting as anything else , but it ’s the kind of Christmas movie that straight off captures the lovingness needed .
44. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Directed by Nora Ephron , You ’ve Got Mail follows Joe and Kathleen , two strangers who meet in an AOL chat room and begin a relationship over email , unaware that they are actually a lot more connected to one another than they think . Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star as Joe and Kathleen , with a further cast that includes Parker Posey , Jean Stapleton , Dave Chappelle , and Greg Kinnear .
There ’s a copious thread of filth in some of the best rom - coms , andYou’ve Got Mailis decidedly cynical , despite its impression in the enduring tycoon of dear . Some might say it ’s not stringently a Christmas film , but they ’d be wrong : it ’s a vacation film because all of the key points of the movie materialise at the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year for good reason .
Meg Ryan ’s bookshop owner falls head over heels with her internet playpen pal ( Hanks ) , while hat the real life version of him , in a very open nod to Pride & Prejudice . With added telephone dial - up . The film is all about their chemistry as their frost thaws over a period of months . Is it in effect than Sleepless In Seattle ? It ’s disputable , but there ’s just a little more magic to this one because we get to see Ryan and Hanks on screen together more .
33. Scrooged (1988)
Scrooged is a Christmas comedy picture show by music director Richard Donner , resign in 1988 . In this overhaul take on Charles Dicken ’s A Christmas Carol , Bill Murray star as a narcissistic and selfish television receiver administrator named Frank Cross , who front to put on a big - budget Christmas show for his web while trample anyone in his way . However , his plans are interrupted when three ghosts of Christmas visit him to palaver him to change his ways .
Yes , it is a fixed storage - com . Scrooged ’s mod retelling of A Christmas Carol brings the best out of Bill Murray , who balances his signature tune deadpan humor with the very real touch that he ’s moment away from a full manic instalment . He play a cynical TV administrator , determined to wring all he can out of Christmas , who is forced to reassess his biography when Dickens ’ celebrated ghosts get along knocking .
Murray is deliriously just as Frank Cross , and the rom com component comes in when he make not just that he poisoned his own soul through rapacity , but that the route of it all was his lost making love , Claire ( Karen Allen ) . It ’s all surprisingly emotional , as well as very funny , and Carol Kane ’s take on the Ghost of Christmas Present is a joyfulness worth watching every year .
While You Were Sleeping is a romantic comedy-drama that stars Sandra Bullock as Lucy, a lonely Chicago Transit Authority worker who falls for a commuter, played by Peter Gallagher. After saving him from an oncoming train, she is mistaken for his fiancée while he is in a coma. The film explores themes of mistaken identity, family dynamics, and unexpected love. Bill Pullman co-stars as the man’s brother.
22. Love Actually (2003)
The 2003 romantic comedy Love really follows various couples as they explore their relationships throughout the Christmas season . With a star - studded cast composed of Bill Nighy , Colin Firth , Alan Rickman , Emma Thompson , Keira Knightley , Hugh Grant , Laura Linney , Liam Neeson , Rowan Atkinson , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Martin Freeman , and Martine McCutcheon , Love Actually has since become a Christmas staple fibre for read-only storage - com devotee .
Another ensemble rom - com , Love Actuallyhas become a holiday classic to such a stage thatpeople contrast up every yr with the same steaming hot take about how everyone imply is horrifying . But that ’s sort of the point : Love Actuallyis about the full agony of falling in love - it ’s messy , dreadful , inconvenient , and often just plain nasty .
weave multiple love stories , that each seek to show different facets of romance over Christmas , it ’s a viciously complete utilization in emotional exploitation that loses nothing for that intent . The fictional character are more like caricatures , but the talent on show make even the worst of them only charming , and it ’s a staple around the universe for good reason .
11. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
write by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner , When Harry Met Sally chronicles the living and relationship of Harry Burns and Sally Allbright , who meet just after college on a road slip to New York City and begin a decade - long relationship that slowly develop from friendship to true love . Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star as Harry and Sally , with a further cast that includes Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby .
Again with the mean spirit of Christmas . When Harry Met Sally ’s qualification as a holiday moving-picture show derive thanks to its climactic scene countersink over New Year ’s Eve , and some other Christmas component that make the kinship ineluctable . More importantly , it fascinate exactly the flavour of festive romance .
Thefilm ’s exploration of love life and bad timing still feel like the pattern to so many sitcom romance that follow , meaning it has an eternal relevance even now . Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan ’s chemical science as the nominal leads is tangible from the moment of their meet - cunning , and you really get the common sense that their final lot is earned by the time it number . And for all that parsimoniousness , there ’s a beautiful heart beating behind the story .
Serendipity is a romantic comedy that follows the chance meeting of two strangers who leave their future together up to fate. Years later, they are each engaged to others yet find themselves compelled to seek out one another, relying on signs and serendipitous moments to guide their paths. The film explores themes of destiny, love, and the impact of seemingly random encounters on life’s journey.
Just Friends is a romantic comedy directed by Roger Kumble, featuring Ryan Reynolds as Chris Brander, a formerly overweight high school nerd turned trendy music executive. Returning to his hometown for the holidays, Chris tries to reconnect with his high school crush but finds himself reverting back to his old, awkward self.
The Family Stone is a comedy-drama film directed by Thomas Bezucha. Released in 2005, it stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, and Dermot Mulroney. The story revolves around the Stone family’s Christmas gathering, where tensions arise due to the arrival of an uptight woman who is introduced as the eldest son’s girlfriend. The film explores themes of family dynamics, acceptance, and the challenges of blending different personalities.
The Holiday is a 2006 rom-com starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black. Directed and written by Nancy Meyers, The Holiday tells the story of two women who arrange a home swap to take a break from the stress of their recent breakups. But things take a turn when they both fall in love with local men.
Directed by Nora Ephron, You’ve Got Mail follows Joe and Kathleen, two strangers who meet in an AOL chatroom and begin a relationship over email, unaware that they are actually a lot more connected to one another than they think. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star as Joe and Kathleen, with a further cast that includes Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Dave Chappelle, and Greg Kinnear.
Scrooged is a Christmas comedy film by director Richard Donner, released in 1988. In this modernized take on Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, Bill Murray stars as a narcissistic and selfish television executive named Frank Cross, who looks to put on a big-budget Christmas show for his network while trampling anyone in his way. However, his plans are interrupted when three ghosts of Christmas visit him to coax him to change his ways.
The 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually follows various couples as they explore their relationships throughout the Christmas season. With a star-studded cast composed of Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Martin Freeman, and Martine McCutcheon, Love Actually has since become a Christmas staple for rom-com lovers.
Written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner, When Harry Met Sally chronicles the life and relationship of Harry Burns and Sally Allbright, who meet just after college on a road trip to New York City and begin a decade-long relationship that slowly evolves from friendship to true love. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star as Harry and Sally, with a further cast that includes Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby.
