Shubhabrata DuttaWhen it comes to the quality content of family programs, the best place is Hallmark. The channel is best known for creating movies and series that are family-friendly and are based on themes of celebration, love, and family. Then there are also Christmas and holiday movies that people like to tune in to Hallmark for. One question that keeps coming up is whether Netflix has Hallmark films in its repository. The answer, unfortunately, is no.
But worry not! There are a ton of Hallmark-like holiday movies on Netflix. From cute romances to family adventures, there is something in every genre for everyone’s tastes. Netflix has a vast library of some of the best feel-good holiday movies around, serving the choicest feel-good holiday movies that you can enjoy all year round on the streaming platform.
23. Pee-wee’s Big Holiday (2016)
Directed by John Lee, ‘Pee-wee’s Big Holiday’ sends Paul Reubens’ iconic character Pee-wee Herman to New York, thanks to actor Joe Manganiello, who invites Pee-wee to his birthday party. This trip is supposed to be the first holiday of Pee-Wee’s life and one away from his hometown of Fairville. His experiences and exploits in New York are what make this movie entertaining to watch, especially during the holidays. It is the third and final standalone installment of the Pee-wee Herman film trilogy, the other two being ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’ (1985) and ‘Big Top Pee-wee’ (1988). You can watch the film here.
22. The Holiday Calendar (2018)
‘The Holiday Calendar’ is a romantic comedy film helmed by Bradley Walsh. The screenplay penned by Amyn Kaderali brings to life this festive tale. Abby Sutton, played by the radiant Kat Graham, is a photographer who gets a seemingly ordinary Advent calendar from her grandfather. However, as days go by, the items from the calendar eerily mirror events in her life. Among the chaos is her friend Josh, portrayed by Quincy Brown, who has returned from his globetrotting photography journey. As the days inch closer to Christmas, Abby’s relationships evolve in magical ways, especially with the handsome doctor Ty Walker (Ethan Peck) and her ever-supportive grandfather (Ron Cephas Jones). Delving into themes of fate, love, and the magic of the holiday season, ‘The Holiday Calendar’ undoubtedly earns its place on the list for its heartwarming story and charismatic cast. You can watch the movie here.
21. Falling Inn Love (2019)
‘Falling Inn Love‘ is a romantic comedy film directed by Roger Kumble. The narrative of this film, penned by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy, is a journey from the busy streets of San Francisco to the picturesque New Zealand countryside. When Gabriela Diaz, played by the charismatic Christina Milian, unexpectedly wins an Inn, she discovers that the prize is not quite as idyllic as it seemed. The neglected inn comes with its own set of challenges, including a stubborn goat, a dubious Land Rover, and Jake Taylor, the town’s restoration expert, brought to life by Adam Demos. Gabriela’s initial spats with Jake evolve into a partnership filled with chemistry.
As they navigate their feelings and the inn’s future, the town’s community plays a pivotal role, including Dean (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman) and the scheming Charlotte (Anna Jullienne). The film touches on themes of rediscovery, love, and community bonds, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate tales of love found in unexpected places. You may watch the film here.
20. Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (2020)
Directed by Debbie Allen, ‘Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square’ is a Christmas musical starring Dolly Parton, Christine Baranski, Treat Williams, and Jenifer Lewis. It shows a woman named Regina Fuller, who is bent on selling her small town of Fullerville to a mall developer. As she goes about distributing eviction notices, the citizens of the town can’t stop worrying about their homes and future. This is when an angel (Dolly Parton) descends in Fullerville to make the Scroogeian Regina understand how what she is doing isn’t right and reminds her of what the town meant to her when she was just a kid. Selling Furville will be to sell her childhood. Does Regina want that? To find out, you can stream ‘Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square’ right here.
19. When We First Met (2018)
‘When We First Met’ is a blend of comedy, romance, and fantasy under the direction of Ari Sandel. The narrative penned by John Whittington centers on Noah Ashby (Adam DeVine), who discovers a mystical photo booth that transports him back in time. Determined to rewrite history, he repeatedly revisits the day he first met Avery Martin (Alexandra Daddario), trying to transform their friendship into a romantic relationship. Each attempt creates a ripple effect, altering his present in unexpected ways. The film’s ensemble also features Shelley Hennig, Andrew Bachelor, and Robbie Amell. Exploring themes of fate, love, and choices, this film is a charming exploration of the age-old question: “What if?” making it a delightful addition for rom-com enthusiasts. You can check out the film here.
18. Operation Christmas Drop (2020)
Directed by Martin Wood, ‘Operation Christmas Drop’ stars Alexander Ludwig and Kat Graham. A feel-good Christmas rom-com based on a noble cause, it shows Air Force Captain Andrew Jantz stationed at a US Air Force base in Guam, a base that has been sentenced to closure. For a prior investigation, congressional assistant Erica has come down to the base from Washington, D.C. However, upon finding out how Andrew and his comrades airlift goods and distribute them among those living in the Micronesian islands every Christmas, she is conflicted between her orders and her feelings. What will her decision be? To find that out, you can stream the film here.
17. Good Sam (2019)
A drama film directed by Kate Melville, ‘Good Sam‘ is a Netflix adaptation of Dete Meserve’s book. In the bustling streets of NYC, Kate Bradley, a TV reporter, stumbles upon a string of mysterious $100,000 donations to unrelated recipients. As she delves deeper into the enigma of the good-hearted donor, Kate’s journey entwines with deceit and unexpected revelations. With Tiya Sircar portraying Kate Bradley, Chad Connell as Eric Hayes and Marco Grazzini as Jack Hansen, the movie delves into the complexities of human nature. Intersecting themes of altruism, ambition, and deception, this drama holds a mirror to society, which you can watch here.
16. Always Be My Maybe (2019)
‘Always Be My Maybe‘ is an American romantic comedy film directed by Nahnatchka Khan. Crafted by writers Ali Wong, Randall Park, and Michael Golamco, the film revisits childhood friends Sasha and Marcus. An awkward teenage romance drives them apart, but fate, years later, throws them back together. Despite the sparks, Sasha’s celebrity chef life and Marcus’s local musician’s life clash. Starring Randall Park and Ali Wong, with memorable roles from James Saito, Daniel Dae Kim, and Keanu Reeves, it’s a tale of rediscovery, cultural roots, and past love. This rom-com is a delightful blend of humor and emotion, showcasing love’s resilience amidst life’s complexities. You may watch ‘Always Be My Maybe’ here.
15. Falling for Christmas (2022)
‘Falling for Christmas‘ is a heartwarming Christmas romantic comedy directed by the debutant Janeen Damian. The script is penned by the duo of Jeff Bonnett and Ron Oliver. The narrative revolves around a spoilt heiress, Sierra Belmont (Lindsay Lohan), whose life takes a drastic turn following a skiing accident, leading to memory loss. Rescued by Jake Russell, a lodge owner, she finds solace at his Northstar Lodge during the festive season. The ensemble cast comprises Lindsay Lohan in her much-anticipated return, along with Chord Overstreet, George Young, Jack Wagner, and Olivia Perez in pivotal roles. You can stream the film here.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Utah, the film chronicles Sierra’s journey of self-discovery and newfound love amidst holiday festivities. Personal struggles, a change of identity, and a rediscovery of past connections intertwine to create a tale full of warmth and holiday spirit. The soundtrack, featuring Lindsay Lohan and Chord Overstreet, enhances the festive mood, making it a memorable addition to Christmas movie collections. You can stream the movie here.
14. Set it Up (2018)
‘Set it Up’ is an American rom-com film directed by Claire Scanlon. The plot, penned by Katie Silberman, unfolds in the bustling New York City. Harper Moore (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie Young (Glen Powell) are two overburdened assistants who, in a bid to get some reprieve from their demanding bosses, devise a plan to make them fall for each other. Harper and Charlie find themselves in unexpected comedic and romantic situations as their plan evolves. The cast boasts names like Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, and Pete Davidson. Delving into modern relationships and workplace dynamics, this film offers a fresh take on urban love, making it a must-watch for those seeking a blend of laughter and romance. You can stream it here.
13. A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
Delving into the realm of Christmas fantasies, ‘A Boy Called Christmas’ is a British fantasy film directed by Gil Kenan, inspired by Matt Haig’s 2015 book. Set on Christmas Eve, the story is narrated by Aunt Ruth to three grieving children, recounting the adventurous tale of 13-year-old Nikolas. Journeying through the forests in search of the mythical Elfhelm, young Nikolas, accompanied by his talking mouse Miika and reindeer Blitzen, faces trials and tribulations.
The strong cast, including Henry Lawfull as Nikolas, Michiel Huisman, Maggie Smith, Kristen Wiig, and Toby Jones, breathes life into this enchanting tale. Navigating through dark forests, confronting the elusive elves, and unveiling secrets of his lineage, Nikolas’ journey symbolizes hope and the true essence of the festive season. The tale beautifully converges with the present day, revealing the mystic identity of the narrator and reinforcing the belief in the magic of Christmas. You can watch the movie here.
12. Christmas Inheritance (2017)
An adorable Christmas comedy-drama movie, ‘Christmas Inheritance’ follows Ellen, a spoilt heiress who is sent to the small town of Snow Falls by her father to deliver a special Christmas letter to her Uncle Zeke. With this, her father aims to teach her the importance of hard work and self-reliance and maintain the yearly tradition with Zeke. Ellen hides her true identity and is warmly received by the townsfolk. Soon, she finds herself getting attracted to Jake, the manager of Zeke’s guest house, but their equation gets jeopardized when her fiancé Gray arrives.
Moreover, Jake gets upset after finding out who Ellen truly is and refuses to speak with her. Thus, she takes it upon herself to raise funds for the community Christmas Eve celebration. In doing so, she proves her capabilities to her father and Jake and finds a new direction in life. ‘Christmas Inheritance’ highlights the festive spirit and how it is possible to find love in the most unexpected places, thus making it one of the best holiday movies. You may watch it here.
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11. Klaus (2019)
While this list is about Hallmark movies, we have incorporated this animated feature due to its happiness quotient, which is also what Hallmark films necessarily contain. This Academy-award-nominated flick by Sergio Pablos follows a lazy, underperforming postman, Jesper Johansen (voiced by Jason Schwartzman), who is stationed at the recluse northern town of Smeerensburg, the unhappiest town on Earth. There, he comes across Klaus (Santa Claus, voiced by Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons), who has retired.
However, Jesper convinces Klaus to donate his old manufactured toys, which he will deliver for free. While the kids seem to love the toys and are sending letters asking for them, the elders think this is the duo’s way of brainwashing Smeerensburg and decide to take necessary steps to stop them. Will they be able to? Or will Jesper and Klaus finally be able to bring Smeerensburg out of its apparently perpetual sadness? ‘Klaus’ is a beautiful holiday flick perfect for people of all ages. You can watch it here.
10. A Castle for Christmas (2021)
‘A Castle for Christmas‘ is a delightful Christmas romantic comedy movie that focuses on Sophie, a successful American author who suddenly finds herself entangled in a scandal about her latest book. To escape the chaos, she travels to Scotland during the holidays to visit her roots and goes to the Dun Dunbar castle, where her father worked as a groundskeeper.
Sophie gets attracted to the castle and decides to buy it but is challenged by Myles, the grumpy duke who owns it. After some hilarious attempts at one-upping each other, Myles and Sophie fall in love with each other. However, their conflict over the castle’s ownership puts a strain on their newfound bliss. The picturesque Scottish castle, dreamy romance, and beautiful Christmas visuals make the movie the perfect holiday treat. Feel free to check out the movie here.
9. Holiday in the Wild (2019)
A slightly unconventional addition to the holiday movies list, ‘Holiday in the Wild‘ is a touching romantic comedy movie. It revolves around Kate, who goes on a solo trip to Zambia after separating from her husband. There, she meets a charming pilot named Derek, and together, they embark on a wild adventure to help preserve a sanctuary that rescues elephants. They spend Christmas together and gradually begin falling for each other.
Despite various hurdles, Kate finds a new sense of purpose at the sanctuary and decides to stay with Derek and help the voiceless creatures. The movie brings out the true meaning of Christmas — to be humane and use one’s capabilities to uplift those in need. Even though it doesn’t have the usual snow and decorations of Christmas like other festive romances, it is an equally heartwarming love story. You can check out the film here.
8. Let It Snow (2019)
Based on the eponymous novel, ‘Let It Snow‘ is a Christmas romantic comedy movie. It follows a group of high schoolers who come together on Christmas Eve after a snowstorm hits their town. The sudden turn of events forces them to evaluate their sexuality, friendships, career choices, and relationships. The decisions they make on that fateful day change their lives for better and for worse. The movie deals with the dilemmas faced by young adults and their aspirations and hopes of finding love. However, the snow and the backdrop of Christmas Eve play a pivotal role in highlighting the bittersweet experience of adolescence. You can watch ‘Let It Snow’ here.
7. Holidate (2020)
‘Holidate‘ is a romantic comedy movie that centers around the loneliness felt by single people during the holidays and how commercialized festivals have become in the present age. It follows Sloane, who is judged by her family for being single after breaking up with her ex, and Jackson, whose date dumps him on Christmas. To avoid people’s retorts and get some company, they decide to be each other’s dates during the holidays without any commitment.
However, Jackson and Sloane’s platonic arrangement soon gets complicated when genuine feelings start creeping up between them. Now, they must decide between facing their fear of emotional attachment or losing each other. The quirkiness of the protagonists and the realistic portrayal of the societal pressure during the festivals on relationships make ‘Holidate’ stand out among the holiday movies. You may watch it here if you want.
6. Single All the Way (2021)
‘Single All the Way‘ is a romantic comedy movie that follows Peter, a gay man who discovers that his boyfriend is married. In a desperate bid to avoid his family’s questions during the holidays, he convinces his best friend Nick to pose as his partner and accompany him home. Once there, Peter’s mother tries to set him up with her spinning instructor, James, whereas his father believes that Nick is the perfect match for him.
After several attempts from Peter’s family to bring him and Nick together, they both realize their feelings for each other. However, their budding romance is threatened by Peter’s fear of losing Nick’s friendship. What is sweeter than finding love with your own best friend amidst the holidays? ‘Single All the Way’ speaks exactly about that, along with its simple yet realistic portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters. You can stream the movie here.
5. The Knight Before Christmas (2019)
A cute Christmas comedy movie that explores the theme of time travel, ‘The Knight Before Christmas‘ is a much-loved holiday movie. It follows Cole, a medieval squire who gets transported from 1334 England to 2019 Ohio on a quest to earn knighthood before Christmas Eve. He lands at the Christmas Castle carnival, where he meets Brooke, a high-school teacher. Initially amused at his odd ways and attire, she assumes he has amnesia and lets him stay in her guest house.
Cole tries to fulfill his quest through acts of courage but finally attains his goal after falling in love with Brooke and kissing her. He returns to his time, but when he realizes his unhappiness, he comes back to be with Brooke in the present. The movie portrays a Christmas romance that transcends ages and is thus a perfect holiday treat. Moreover, the festive preparations shown in it give the feeling of Christmas being near. You can check out the movie here.
4. A California Christmas (2020)
‘A California Christmas‘ is a Christmas romantic drama movie that follows wealthy womanizer Joseph Van Aston, whose mother sends him to Petaluma before Christmas for a land deal in return for his lavish lifestyle. Callie is the strong-headed dairy farm owner whom he has to convince to purchase her land. He pretends to be a ranch hand and begins assisting her on the farm to get to know her better. Gradually, Callie and Joseph fall in love, and he learns a thing or two about living a life of honest, hard work.
However, the dark truth of Joseph’s purpose and Callie’s trauma begin looming over their growing closeness. How they navigate through these challenges and save their relationship is further depicted in the narrative. Though it is not a conventional Christmas movie, it does highlight the values of honesty and love that the festival represents. The love of the fans has resulted in a sequel that depicts Joseph and Callie’s journey to the wedding altar. You can watch ‘A California Christmas’ here.
3. The Princess Switch (2018)
An entertaining Christmas romantic comedy movie, ‘The Princess Switch’ is based on the concept of identical people. Chicago-based baker Stacy and Lady Margaret, the Duchess of Montenaro, bump into each other and realize that they look exactly like each other. Margaret wishes to escape royal duties and experience regular life, and thus, Stacy helps her by agreeing to swap places for a few days. While pretending to be the duchess, Stacy falls in love with Margaret’s fiancé, Prince Edward.
On the other hand, Margaret and Stacy’s best friend, Kevin, get attracted to each other. How the revelation of their ruses affects their relationships and lives forms the rest of the storyline. Even though it is not exactly about the holidays, the movie is set amidst the Christmas season and thus has become a fan favorite. In addition, there are two more movies in ‘The Princess Switch’ series that follow Stacy and Margaret on newer holiday adventures. You may watch it here.
2. A Christmas Prince (2017)
‘A Christmas Prince’ is a Christmas romantic comedy movie that follows New York journalist Amber on a trip to the foreign nation of Aldovia. There, she is assigned the task of covering a press conference held by Prince Richard, the soon-to-be heir of the country. Soon, she is mistaken to be Richard’s sister Emily’s tutor, but she decides to play along with the confusion to gain access to the prince.
Amber initially perceives Richard to be an arrogant playboy, but gradually, her opinions change, and they fall in love. Richard and Amber’s union is threatened by the secret of her identity and his scheming cousin Simon and ex-girlfriend Sophia. A dreamy tale of royal romance against the backdrop of a snowy Christmas, ‘A Christmas Prince’ tops the holiday movie chart. Its popularity has led to two more sequels, which chronicle Richard and Amber’s wedding and first baby. You can stream the movie here.
1. The Holiday (2006)
Starring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black, ‘The Holiday’ is a must-watch holiday drama directed by Nancy Meyers. It follows two ladies (strangers living in different countries) who, to cope with their heartbreaks, log into a house exchange website, meet each other online, and swap their houses during the holiday season. Iris Simpkins, from London, moves to Amanda Woods’ Hollywood mansion in LA, while Amanda moves to Iris’ cottage in Surrey. In totally different environments, both ladies get a second chance at love. Will it end merrily for them this time? You can watch ‘The Holiday’ here and find out.
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