Have a very merry rom-com Christmas with these streamers
Have a very merry rom-com Christmas with these streamers
Grab your eggnog and head under the mistletoe for a holiday kiss.
I’m a romantic at heart, and holiday romantic comedies are one of my favorite genres. I write them (with my wife), I watch them, and I love talking about them. From twinkling city lights to perfect snow falls, to the big kiss right before the credits roll, a great holiday rom-com captures the spirit of the season in a way no other genre can. So it begs the question: what’s the best streamer out there for watching Christmas rom-coms? Let me save you a (eggnog-induced) headache and tell you. I think the best streamer for holiday rom-coms is Hulu, and here’s why…
Everything you need to know about the best streamer for x-mas rom-com movies:
What classic holiday rom-com movies can you watch on Hulu?
One of the big reasons Hulu is my pick for the best streamer for Christmas rom-com movies is that it carries more of the classics of the genre I love than any other streamer. First, there’s “Four Christmases” starring the always-lovable Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon as Brad and Kate. When a canceled flight strands them in town, they’re forced to spend the holiday visiting all four of their divorced parents. Over the course of one chaotic (and hilarious) day, each visit reveals uncomfortable secrets that put their relationship to the ultimate test. With a supporting cast that features Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, and Jon Favreau, you can’t go wrong with this classic holiday rom-com.
Next, Hulu also carries “The Family Stone,” starring Sarah Jessica Parker as the buttoned-up career woman, Meredith Morton, who tries to spend a Christmas with her boyfriend Everett’s (Dermot Mulroney) free-spirited family. Things devolve into Christmas chaos – but fun chaos, as the bohemian Stone clan is as kind-hearted as they are free-spirited. Diane Keaton is excellent in this movie, along with fellow stars Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson, and Craig T. Nelson.
Finally, Hulu has what is consistently ranked one of the most-watched rom-com holiday movies: “Love Actually.” Set in London over Christmas (why are all the best rom-coms set in London? “Noting Hill,” “The Holiday,” “Bridget Jones Diary,” Four Weddings and a Funeral” – I digress), “Love Actually” weaves together no less than 10 interconnected holiday love stories. Director Richard Curtis explores love in all its forms - from one-sided crushes and new romances to long-term relationships tested by time and space.
What new holiday rom-coms does Hulu offer?
Hulu also offers some newer rom-com holiday movies that don’t have the “classic” stamp yet but are on their way. First, there’s “Happiest Season,” bringing a fresh twist to the genre. The story follows Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis) as a couple spending Christmas with Harper’s conservative family. Abby is planning to propose, but it gets totally derailed when Harper reveals she hasn’t come out to her parents yet. “Happiest Season” had me on the verge of tears because it’s ultimately a story of acceptance – both self-acceptance and acceptance from the people who matter most – family. Definitely check it out if you’re looking for a modern take on a classic tale.
One new rom-com movie dropping on Hulu on Friday, Dec. 13 I’m excited to see is “A Sudden Case of Christmas.” Danny DeVito, Andie MacDowell, and Lucy DeVito star in this comedy about an American couple who take their 10-year-old daughter on a trip to the stunning Italian Dolomites. The catch? They’re planning to break the news of their separation. But their daughter has a different plan - she convinces them to celebrate one last Christmas together… in the middle of August! So, if you’re looking to escape the winter wonderland for a gorgeous Europe summer for a few hours, don’t miss “A Sudden Case of Christmas.”
Speaking of Europe, if you’d prefer to escape to Ireland for your holiday, check out “The Christmas Break.” Starring Justin Long and India Mullen, this holiday charmer takes you on a journey to a quaint Irish town, where a married couple, Jack and Caroline Bradford, are spending Christmas with Caroline’s family. What starts as a cheerful holiday quickly turns into a whirlwind of family chaos, testing their patience, humor, and even their marriage. I spent a weekend in Dublin a few years ago (we had a friend who was a flight attendant and flew on her pass) and it was a trip I’ll never forget. “The Christmas Break” should tide me over until I have a chance to get back!
What other Christmas movies can you watch on Hulu?
Apart from these holiday rom-coms, Hulu offers a ton of classic Christmas movies you can check out too. There’s “Elf” – perhaps the greatest Christmas movie in the last 25 years. There’s Chevy Chase Christmas classic, “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.” Hulu carries the Tom Hanks holiday movie “The Polar Express,” which is consistently one of the most popular movies each holiday season. And for fans of both talking snowmen and Michael Keaton, there’s “Jack Frost.”
Here are all the popular holiday rom-coms and Christmas movies available on Hulu:
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Die Hard
July 15, 1988NYPD cop John McClane’s plan to reconcile with his estranged wife is thrown for a serious loop when, minutes after he arrives at her office, the entire building is overtaken by a group of terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking McClane sets out to single-handedly rescue the hostages and bring the bad guys down.
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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
November 30, 1989It’s Christmastime, and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration. But things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen, and their two kids. Clark’s continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going, knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon.
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Jack Frost
November 15, 1998A father, who can’t keep his promises, dies in a car accident. One year later, he returns as a snowman, who has the final chance to put things right with his son before he is gone forever.
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Elf
October 9, 2003When young Buddy falls into Santa’s gift sack on Christmas Eve, he’s transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa’s helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can’t shake the nagging feeling that he doesn’t belong. Buddy (Will Ferrell) vows to visit Manhattan and find his real dad, a workaholic publisher (James Caan).
If you love this holiday treat, check out Netflix’s “Movies That Made Us” to learn more about the making of this modern classic.
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Love Actually
September 7, 2003Eight London couples try to deal with their relationships in different ways. Their tryst with love makes them discover how complicated relationships can be.
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Christmas with the Kranks
November 24, 2004When their only daughter Blair leaves the family nest, Luther and Nora Krank decide to book an island cruise to beat the yuletide blues and just skip the holidays. But their decision to boycott tradition has the whole neighborhood in an uproar, and when Blair calls on Christmas Eve to announce a surprise visit with her new fiancée, the Kranks have just twelve hours to perform a miracle and pull themselves and their neighbors together to throw the best celebration ever!
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The Polar Express
November 10, 2004When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
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The Family Stone
December 15, 2005An 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.
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Deck the Halls
November 22, 2006Determined to unseat Steve Finch’s reign as the town’s holiday season king, Buddy Hall plasters his house with so many decorative lights that it’ll be visible from space! When their wives bond, and their kids follow suit, the two men only escalate their rivalry - and their decorating.
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Fred Claus
November 9, 2007Fred Claus and Santa Claus have been estranged brothers for many years. Now Fred must reconcile his differences with his brother whom he believes overshadows him. When an efficiency expert assesses the workings at the North Pole and threatens to shut Santa down, Fred must help his brother to save Christmas.
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Four Christmases
November 26, 2008Brad 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.
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Happiest Season
November 26, 2020A 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.
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The Christmas Break
December 15, 2023A married couple travel from Chicago to spend Christmas with the wife’s family in a small town in Ireland. This is a holiday which will test their patience—and their marriage.
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A Sudden Case of Christmas
November 8, 2024An American couple bring their 10 year old daughter, Claire, to her grandfather Lawrence’s hotel in The Dolomites, Italy. They usually come for Christmas but this year it’s August. The fact is they are breaking up, and once Claire realizes there’s not going to be a family Christmas this year, she insists on everyone making it out for Christmas in August. Claire, in collusion with her grandfather, plan activities that are designed to re-unite her parents.
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