27 Most Romantic Christmas Movies to Watch Under the Mistletoe 2020
When it comes to romantic Christmas movies, the sappier the better, am I right?
No trope is too cheesy to watch on Christmas Day. Bring on the romantic comedy starring an overstressed big-city dweller who gets stuck in their rural hometown and rediscovers the spirit of the season—and falls in love with his or her high school sweetheart/soulmate in the process. Or perhaps you'd prefer a fictional country where royals fall in love with regular Americans, à la Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? Not to fear, that's basically become its own subgenre of romantic holiday movies on Netflix with the A Christmas Prince trilogy and The Princess Switch, starring Vanessa Hudgens.
So celebrate the season by cozying up with these 27 romantic Christmas movies including classics like Bing Crosby's White Christmas and the made-for-TV originals that now define the holiday season—all conveniently available to stream from your couch. Grab your hot chocolate and cue all the holiday feels with these Christmas romance movies!
It's been a stressful year, but at least you can count on Hollywood to come through with the holiday cheer. After all, what's more relaxing than watching an overworked woman fall in love with a Christmas-tree farmer? So decompress with All the Jingle Ladies, our guide to the best holiday movies.
1. Love Actually (2003)
Love it or hate it, how could we not include a movie called Love Actually in a list of the most romantic Christmas movies? Impossible. Perhaps the most beloved holiday romantic movie of all time, this British film stars Kiera Knightley, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, and more in intersecting storylines all showing different aspects of love at Christmas.
Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video
2. White Christmas (1954)
Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Judy Haynes, and Danny Kaye star in White Christmas, the OG Christmas romantic comedy. In it, two war buddies fall in love with two sisters and have to make Christmas miracles happen while performing some amazing song-and-dance numbers along the way. This movie is a class rewatch for families, and frankly, it never gets old. If for some reason you've never watched the 1954 film, be sure to rectify that in 2020.
Available to stream on Netflix
3. Let It Snow (2019)
There's a reason people refer to this Netflix original—which stars Kiernan Shipka and is based on the book by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson—as Love Actually for teens. It's a romantic delight that tells multiple stories of young love over the course of a day in a charming small town in the Midwest.
Available to stream on Netflix
4. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
The plot of this romantic comedy is truly insane, but that doesn't mean it's not endlessly charming. Sandra Bullock stars as Lucy, a lonely transit worker who saves the life of handsome commuter (Peter Gallagher) on Christmas Day. When she's mistaken as his fiancé, she goes with it…and then, oops, falls in love with his brother (Bill Pullman).
Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video
5, 6 & 7. A Christmas Prince (2017), A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (2018), A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (2019)
Take a trip to the fictional land of Aldovia with Amber, an American journalist and blogger, as she falls in love with a prince—and draws more than a few comparisons to Meghan Markle. Unlike the Duchess of Sussex, however, Queen Amber gets to keep her blog. The latest installment brings a royal baby, and a new mystery, into the mix.
Available to stream on Netflix
8. Happiest Season (2020)
When Harper (Mackenzie Davis) invites her girlfriend Abby (Kristen Stewart) to come home with her for Christmas, it seems like the happy couple is on the way to a major milestone. One wrinkle: Harper hasn't come out yet to her family…so Abby has to pretend to be just a roommate. Complications—and a very sweet romantic comedy—ensue.
9. The Knight Before Christmas (2019)
A teacher (Vanessa Hudgens) has basically given up on love, until an actual medieval knight appears and the sparks fly. Even with the time travel of it all, we bet you'll find yourself swept up in the romance. And if you're wondering how everyone is okay with a man claiming to be a knight from 1334, the meet-cute happens when Hudgens's character, Brooke, hits Sir Cole with her car, so everyone just thinks he's concussed and confused. Sure!
Available to stream on Netflix
10. The Holiday Calendar (2018)
When a struggling photographer—played by Vampire Diaries star Kat Graham—inherits a magical Advent calendar from her grandfather, all sorts of interesting things start happening in her love life. Because of course they do! This is a holiday romantic comedy on Netflix, after all. But which guy will she choose?
Available to stream on Netflix
11. Last Christmas (2019)
We love holiday rom-coms, as you can tell, and this film directed by Paul Feig and cowritten by Emma Thompson is a great one. Inspired by the George Michael song “Last Christmas,” Emilia Clarke stars as a disillusioned young woman who meets a mysterious hunky dude played by Henry Golding. Their chemistry alone is worth the watch.
12. Christmas in the Smokies (2015)
As a family fights to save their berry farm in the—you guessed it—Smoky Mountains, a woman's (Sarah Lancaster) famous country singer ex-boyfriend (Alan Powell) reenters the picture to complicate matters. We love to see it, and we can promise you that everything works out just fine. What kind of heartwarming holiday movie would it be if it didn't?
Available to stream on Netflix
13. The Best Man Holiday (2013)
Who wouldn't want to spend the holidays with Regina Hall, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, and more of your favorites? All star in this delightfully cheery sequel to the beloved 1999 comedy-drama The Best Man.
Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video
14. Christmas Inheritance (2017)
We will never tire of the old holiday trope of someone from the big city getting stuck in a small town, only to find an unexpected love. In this version, Ellen (Eliza Taylor) is an heiress who must deliver a letter to her father's former business partner before she can become CEO. Once stranded (and without cash), she has to work at the inn run by a very cute man named Jake (Jake Lacy). It's ridiculous and adorable.
Available to stream on Netflix
15. The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
Whitney Houston, Denzel Washington, and Courtney B. Vance lead this heartwarming Oscar-nominated movie about the pastor of a small church (Vance) and his wife (Houston) who receive a very unexpected visitor at Christmas.
Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video
16. Dear Santa (2011)
When a rich woman named Crystal (Amy Acker) finds a letter from a little girl to Santa asking for a mom, she decides to follow up—and, well, you can guess what happens when Crystal meets the charming child and her handsome dad. Fun fact: Jason Priestley of Beverly Hills, 90210 fame directed this holiday romp.
Available to watch on Hallmark Movies Now
17. A Holiday Engagement (2011)
We're always here for a character hiring a “fake boyfriend” for the holidays, only to have the relationship turn into something real. Hillary (Bonnie Somerville) gets dumped by her actual boyfriend right before Thanksgiving, but she's too embarrassed to head home solo for fear of her mother's (Shelley Long) criticism, so she enlists David (Jordan Bridges) to pretend to be her fiancé.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video
18. Holiday Rush (2019)
A widower (Romany Malco) is about to lose his job as a DJ just before the holidays, but he decides to try to buy a radio station to stay afloat—even though it means his kids will have to sacrifice at Christmas. Oh, and his business partner may or may not be the second love of his life. This Netflix original perfectly balances the cheese factor and real emotions, plus you get to see Lala Anthony make a memorable cameo.
Available to stream on Netflix
19 & 20. The Princess Switch (2018), The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again (2020)
When Stacy, a Chicago baker, travels to Belgravia for a baking competition show, she meets a duchess who looks like her and many shenanigans follow. Royalty, romance baked goods, Vanessa Hudgens, and a Parent Trap–esque swap make for a very fun holiday treat. Also, there's a sequel with even more high jinks!
Available to stream on Netflix
21. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
A classic for a reason: James Stewart is George Bailey, a man who's given up on his dreams and contemplates suicide on Christmas Eve. A guardian angel named Clarence intervenes and shows George how much he's impacted the lives of others.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video
22. Holiday in the Wild (2019)
After getting dumped by her husband, Kristen Davis takes a vacation alone only to meet a very handsome Rob Lowe. He drives her crazy at first, which of course means they're going to fall in love. This causes her to make some (very smart) changes to her Christmas plans. There's an elephant involved too.
Available to stream on Netflix
23. Carol (2015)
During the Christmas season, a young aspiring photographer (Rooney Mara) meets a glamorous woman (Cate Blanchett) going through a complicated divorce. You can guests the rest—but regardless, this beautiful romance is a journey worth watching.
Available to stream on Netflix
24. Miss Me This Christmas (2017)
A couple's divorce is set to become final on Christmas Day, which is unrealistic but just go with it. Anyway, Regina and Franklin must decide whether it's really over by visiting the Chesterton Hotel, where they were originally married. But the holiday spirit (and an eccentric millionaire) just might make them reconsider their relationship.
Available to stream on Netflix
25. The Holiday (2006)
Nancy Meyers directed this romantic comedy, so you know the homes are incredible. It's basically the whole plot: Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz star as two women in need of a break from their lives over Christmas—so they agree to swap places.
Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video
26. Santa Girl (2019)
Imagine being Santa's daughter—the pressure! In this movie Cassie Claus heads off to college in the “real world” before she is supposed to go back to the North Pole, marry Jack Frost, and take over the family business. Who wants to bet she meets a handsome guy at school who makes her want to change her plans?
Available to stream on Netflix
27. Last Holiday (2006)
Queen Latifah is told she has only weeks to live. So she quits her job and pours all of her life savings into her dream vacation. Does she fall in love? What do you think!
Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video
Originally Appeared on Glamour
