Holiday

14 Sweet, Sappy Holiday Movies We Can't Wait to Binge-Watch

We see you, 'A Christmas Prince.'

by: Katie Macdonald

November 30, 2018

14 Sweet, Sappy Holiday Movies We Can't Wait to Binge-Watch

Photo by Netflix

I’ve mentioned before how inviting friends over for a bottle of wine and a movie is one of my favorite ways to spend a Friday night. And as the holidays really kick into high gear—with cookie swaps and happy hours and office parties—nothing feels better, or more restorative, than a chill movie night at home dedicated to one of my favorite genres: Holiday Romance.

Yes, sometimes we watch thrillers or dramas, but for the next couple of weeks, I’m dedicating movie nights to all the super sentimental, totally cheesy flicks that make December the best time of the year. There are the classics, like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘White Christmas’, or fast favorites, like ‘The Holiday’ and ‘Just Friends’. Heck, I’m even queuing up made-for-TV specials, like last year’s sleeper hit, ‘A Christmas Prince’. Judge me if you want, but I'll be bingeing in bliss until 2019.

Ready to get in the holiday spirit? Here are 14 of my all-time sappy favorites:

Love Actually

Five-word takeaway: Airport security isn't that secure.

The Holiday

Five-word takeaway: Vacations really do fix everything.

The Family Man

Five-word takeaway: Careful what you wish for.

The Spirit of Christmas

Five-word takeaway: Cursed ghosts need love, too.

The Best Man Holiday

Five-word takeaway: College friend reunions get sloppy.

White Christmas

Five-word takeaway: Eat midnight sandwiches and buttermilk.

Elf

Five-word takeaway: Singing loud spreads Christmas cheer.

The Preacher’s Wife

Five-word takeaway: Angels are ridiculously good looking.

Serendipity

Five-word takeaway: Black cashmere gloves find mates.

A Christmas Prince

Five-word takeaway: Ignore all conflicts of interest.

A Christmas Prince: Royal Wedding

Five-word takeaway: Blogs are still a thing.

Hitched for the Holidays

Five-word takeaway: Fake holiday partners find love.

The Holiday Calendar

Five-word takeaway: Advent calendars hide amazing presents.

Just Friends

Five-word takeaway: "Friend-zones" aren't real, silly.

Shop the Story

Any romantic holiday movies I missed? Let me know in the comments section below!

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

362Heather
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Gammy
Diego Cisneros
Erin Alexander

Katie is a food writer and editor who loves cheesy puns and cheesy cheese.

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6 Comments

362Heather December 2, 2018

By the end of December, Hallmark movies feel the same just with a different slew of crappy acting. Each year, I always swear it's my last year wasting time on them. However, I love "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year". I watch it every year, but I can't be totally crazy... It's fairly rated 7.5 IMDb. PLUS, Henry Winkler makes an appearance! :)

https://www.google.com/search?q=most+wondeful.time.of+the+year+movie&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

Jen December 1, 2018

Last Holiday! Takeaway: Queen Latifah makes life better.

Oh, and Christmas in Connecticut.

Gammy December 1, 2018

Forgot about the 1947 "Miracle on 34th Street" with Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara and a young Natalie Wood. Five word takeaway: There really IS a Santa.

Diego C. November 30, 2018

Every December is the same, 30 days of Christmas to endulge the soul watching bad movies (with the exception of elf... and love actually) and enjoying a nice brew (alcoholic preferably) with loved ones. Great suggestions, can’t wait to see what you come up with next.

Gammy November 30, 2018

The bigger takeaway for "Love Actually" is, "Love actually IS all around". One of my 2 favorite holiday movies, the other... "White Christmas".

Erin A. November 30, 2018

I love everything about this. I can't wait to watch A Christmas Prince 17 times in a row this year.