Holiday Movies/Shows to Stream this Holiday Season
Ok so it’s now the “most wonderful time of the year” and we all know that that’s just code for “watch ALL the Christmas movies and eat cookies guilt-free”. I’ve found that, after this very tumultuous year, relaxing with a feel-good movie and your favourite snacks is a great way to wind down this month, especially with the weather now getting colder and the skies getting darker so much earlier than we’d like.
I’ve streamed a lot of good Christmas movies this year, most of them some old favourites (hello, you can’t go wrong with Home Alone ok?) but there are a few newer movies/shows that came out in the last two years that are really good and don’t really get the recognition they deserve. So here’s my recommendation on what you should watch this month for all those cosy Chirstmas feels:
Last Christmas (2019)
Following our main heroine Kate, a magnet for bad decisions and disaster, during the holidays. Kate is working as an elf at a year-round Christmas store (as if that wouldn’t get tiring) while her stardom dreams are put on hold. After she meets the mysterious Tom, her life will never be the same.
Ok this one came out for all of our streaming pleasure AFTER Christmas time last year so I think a lot of us missed this one but it features Emilia Clarke (that’s right, The Mother of Dragons is now doing Christmas films) and Henry Golding (from Crazy Rich Asians). There’s a handful of other well-known names including Emma Thompson but it’s not just the amazing cast that brings this film to life. The Christmas vibes, the angst, the romance, it all mixes into the perfect Christmas story to get lost in.
Where to stream it: Crave
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
The Grinch, a grumpy Christmas-hater who lives just outside of Whoville and loathes the Christmas cheer, conspires to steal Christmas and destroy everyone's holiday spirit.
What more can I say than that this was a masterful remake of everyone’s favourite classic. A little more updated to vibe with the 21st-century kids, Grinch has some amazing technology that makes his “robbing the whole town in one" night a bit more believable… or as believable as it could be for a Dr. Seuss story. This is probably the one Grinch I felt the most sympathy for. The original one is kind of creepy until the very very end, and the Jim Carrey one is hilarious but doesn’t focus very much on the Grinch’s actual loneliness and isolation. This remake had a spotlight on how very sad and lonely the Grinch was, how he regretted his self-isolation, and it makes the moment his heart grows so much more elating. Not only does this movie make this well-beloved character more relatable than ever, but we also get to see the afterwards. After his heart grows, how hard it is to fit in and how scary it is to make that change and open yourself up to other people. I loved it. It was extremely heart-warming.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Dash & Lily - Netflix Original Series
A cynical, Christmas-hating teenager named Dash finds an interesting notebook in his favourite bookstore. A challenge laid out by what sounds like his dream girl, a bookworm named Lily. Throughout the holiday season Dash and Lily write challenges back and forth through this little red notebook, slowly getting to know one another and, of course, falling in love.
This one is a series of 8 episodes, not a movie but it was so addictive and the episodes short and sweet that it’s definitely doable to watch this in one evening. It was one of the cutest teen love stories I’ve ever seen. What speaks to us bookworms better than a romance started in a bookshop and continued on through written word? While the focus is the love story, Dash and Lily slowly bring out the best in each other, inspiring confidence and risk-taking and helping one another find themselves during their teen years living in New York City.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey - Netflix Original Movie
In a make-believe town there is a legendary toymaker named Jeronicus Jangle who’s belief and magic make his toys the best in the world. But when his future and his dreams are stolen right from under him, his life takes a nose-dive. It isn’t until his genius granddaughter comes to visit for Christmas that the old magic within him awakens again.
This movie is a musical and that’s apparently my new jam because I loved the songs. It was extremely cheesy but absolutely perfect if you love that holiday cheese. There was a lot of fake math/physics that made me laugh out loud (not in the good way) but other than that it was a super cute movie about family, forgiveness, and magic. Also some major WALL-E vibes.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Noelle (2019)
Noelle Kringle, the daughter of Santa Claus, has spent her entire life standing in her brothers' shadow, supporting him as he’s learnt how to take over the family business, all along knowing that she’s more suited to the role than he ever was. When her brother goes missing after feeling too pressured by his new role, Noelle must find him in order to save Christmas.
This one was surprisingly good. I thought I’d hate it but I gave it a shot because I love Anna Kendrick and it ended up being a pretty great story. Not only was it based around the Kringle family and the “rules” of succession which was extremely interesting, it was also a great story on finding yourself, following your dreams, and defeating the patriarchy. Just because Noelle is a girl doesn’t mean she’s not fit to be Santa. I watched it a few times last year and it’s become one of my yearly tradition movies.
Where to stream it: Disney +
Of course I have a ton of other Christmas favourites but I wanted to focus on some of the newer ones I discovered lately that are all available to stream. If you have any newer Christmas recommendations comment below!