Stream these holiday rom-coms for a cozy night in
Stream these holiday rom-coms for a cozy night in
These movies capture the magic of the season and the joy of falling in love. What’s better??
With the holidays here, it’s the feel-good season. And there’s nothing that makes me feel better than a great rom-com. These movies are like a hug for your soul, blending the magic of the season with the always-satisfying ending of true love. So, in that spirit, here’s a list of the top 7 holiday romantic comedy movies you can stream right now. With a mix of classics that never get old, and a few newer additions breaking the mold, one thing’s for sure: they will deliver all the feels this holiday season.
Top 7 Holiday Romantic Comedy Movies on Streaming Right Now
No. 7: ‘Love Hard’ (2021) | Netflix
Coming in at No. 7 is “Love Hard”—a holiday rom-com with a modern twist on online dating. The film stars Nina Dobrev as Natalie, a hopeless romantic who travels across the country to surprise her online crush, only to discover she’s been catfished by a well-meaning but socially awkward guy named Josh (Jimmy O. Yang). Desperate to save face, Josh offers to set her up with the man whose photos he used—if she agrees to pose as his girlfriend for Christmas. My wife and I loved this movie when it came out. It’s funny, and fresh, and features great chemistry between Dobrev and Yang. Check it out.
Love Hard
An LA girl, unlucky in love, falls for an East Coast guy on a dating app and decides to surprise him for Christmas, only to discover that she’s been catfished. But the object of her affection actually lives in the same town, and the guy who duped her offers to set them up if she pretends to be his own girlfriend for the holidays.
No. 6: ‘While You Were Sleeping’ (1995) | Paramount+
Next on the list is the romantic comedy “While You Were Sleeping.” The story follows Lucy (Sandra Bullock), a lonely Chicago transit worker forced to work on Christmas who saves her longtime crush, Peter, from an oncoming train. Mistaken as Peter’s fiancée while he lies in a coma, Lucy finds herself welcomed into his warm, eccentric family during the Christmas season. As the charade continues, she begins to fall for Peter’s lovely brother, Jack (Bill Pullman). Released in 1995, the film was a box office hit, racking up over $182 million worldwide on a modest $17 million budget. Plus, “While You Were Sleeping” solidified Sandra Bullock as a leading lady (still is!) and remains a great holiday rom-com to this day.
While You Were Sleeping
A transit worker pulls commuter Peter off railway tracks after he’s mugged, but—while he’s in a coma—his family mistakenly thinks she’s Peter’s fiancée, and she doesn’t correct them. Things get more complicated when she falls for his brother, who’s not quite sure that she’s who she claims to be.
No. 5: ‘Happiest Season’ (2020) | Hulu
At No. 5 on the list is “Happiest Season,” bringing fresh representation to the rom-com genre. The story follows Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis), a loving couple spending Christmas with Harper’s conservative family. Abby plans to propose, but her plans are derailed when Harper reveals she hasn’t come out to her parents yet. As Abby navigates a whirlwind of secrets, uncomfortable family dynamics, and holiday traditions, the film explores themes of love, acceptance, and identity. “Happiest Season” had me on the verge of tears when all was said and done, so it was no surprise that it became a streaming hit with standout performances from Stewart, Davis, and a hilarious supporting cast including Dan Levy and Aubrey Plaza.
Happiest Season
A young woman’s plans to propose to her girlfriend while at her family’s annual holiday party are upended when she discovers her partner hasn’t yet come out to her conservative parents.
No. 4: ‘Four Christmases (2008) | Max
Now the classics begin to rear their holiday heads. “Four Christmases” follows Vince Vaughn (in perfect form) and Reese Witherspoon as Brad and Kate, a couple who go to extreme lengths to avoid spending Christmas with their families. When a canceled flight forces them to stay in town, they find themselves juggling visits to all four of their divorced parents’ homes in one day. Each stop uncovers hilariously awkward secrets, testing their relationship in the process. Released in 2008, “Four Christmases” pulled in over $163 million worldwide on an $80 million budget. A star-studded supporting cast that includes Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, and Jon Favreau doesn’t hurt either, making this one a must-watch for anyone who’s ever dreaded the holidays with family.
Four Christmases
Brad and Kate have made something of an art form out of avoiding their families during the holidays, but this year their foolproof plan is about go bust — big time. Stuck at the city airport after all departing flights are canceled, the couple is embarrassed to see their ruse exposed to the world by an overzealous television reporter. Now, Brad and Kate are left with precious little choice other than to swallow their pride and suffer the rounds.
No. 3: ‘The Family Stone’ (2005) | Peacock
I generally like more comedy than dramedy for my holiday rom-coms, but I really loved “The Family Stone” when I watched it for the first time about a year ago. It delivers lots of heart, humor, and just the right amount of dysfunction. The film follows Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), a buttoned-up career woman who spends Christmas with her boyfriend Everett’s (Dermot Mulroney) free-spirited family. Things quickly unravel as her uptight nature clashes with the bohemian Stone clan, led by Sybil (Diane Keaton) and her hilarious, chaotic kids.
“The Family Stone” has a who’s who ensemble cast, including Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson, and Craig T. Nelson, alongside Parker and Keaton. The film grossed $93 million worldwide on an $18 million budget, making it a massive hit and a staple of the season. If you haven’t watched it, definitely check it out.
The Family Stone
An uptight, conservative businesswoman accompanies her boyfriend to his eccentric and outgoing family’s annual Christmas celebration and finds that she’s a fish out of water in their free-spirited way of life.
No. 2: ‘Love Actually’ (2003) | Hulu
Coming in at No. 2 is “Love Actually,” the quintessential holiday rom-com that gracefully weaves together interconnected love stories set in London during the holidays. Directed by Richard Curtis, the film explores love in all its forms—from unrequited crushes and new romances to long-term relationships tested by time and circumstance. With a sprawling ensemble cast, it features unforgettable performances by Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, and more.
On a budget of $40 million, “Love Actually” was a smash hit, pulling in more than six times that with a $246 million worldwide haul. It did this despite mixed reviews at the time and has since become a holiday staple. Critics, am I right?
Love Actually
Eight London couples try to deal with their relationships in different ways. Their tryst with love makes them discover how complicated relationships can be.
No. 1: ‘The Holiday’ (2006) | Prime Video
For me, there’s no better holiday romantic comedy than “The Holiday.” This 2006 gem, directed by the incomparable Nancy Meyers, tells the story of two women, Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz), who swap homes for Christmas to escape their respective heartbreaks. Iris lands in sunny Los Angeles, while Amanda finds herself in a delightful English cottage, and both stumble into unexpected romances—Amanda with a charming widower (Jude Law) and Iris with a lovable composer (Jack Black). The film is a masterclass in feel-good storytelling, blending humor, romance, and gorgeous holiday settings that are as swoon-worthy as the cast.
With a production budget of $85 million, “The Holiday” pulled in over $205 million worldwide. Meyers’s signature style—lush visuals, sharp dialogue, and characters that feel like old friends—makes it a favorite year after year. It checks every box for holiday escapism, and that’s why it claims the No. 1 spot on my list. Happy holidays!
The Holiday
Two women, one from the United States and one from the United Kingdom, swap homes at Christmas time after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance with a local man but realizes that the imminent return home may end the relationship.