Best Romantic Christmas Movies
Christmas romance movies that fall into a sub-genre of romantic films are quite cherished and loved by moviegoers; but it seems that these flicks are quite hard to find these days. However, if you are looking for some to watch this holiday season and having difficulty finding the right one, then you may want to check the list that we have compiled especially for those of you who love Christmas movies with romantic stories. This list comprises of some of the classic as well as new ones that can add some extra passion and entertainment to this wonderful and joyous occasion.
The collection below is our top picks, and we hope that you will share your favorites as well.
Its A Wonderful Life
Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
Directed By Frank Capra
Year 1946
Overview: The ultimate holiday classic! No Christmas movie list is complete without this genuine, inspiring picture. What would the world be like if you weren’t a part of it? Follow George Bailey as he finds out.
The Holiday
Starring Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Cameron Diaz, and Jude Law
Directed By Nancy Meyers
Year 2006
Overview: Two women, unlucky in love, hoping to escape their problems over the Christmas holiday, meet over a house-swapping website and decide to switch houses for the holiday. Love, laughter and touching moments follow in this enjoyable romantic holiday comedy.
The Family Stone
Starring Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson and Sarah Jessica Parker
Directed By Thomas Bezucha
Year 2005
Overview: What happens when you decide to bring home your girlfriend to Christmas with the family and propose to her? If the family is anything like the Stone Family, drama, comedy and awkward moments will ensue. A huge ensemble cast makes this romance movie both poignant and playful.
Holiday Inn
Starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds
Directed By Mark Sandrich
Year 1942
Overview: Take the traditional dilemma of two guys in love with the same girl, set it in the weeks before Christmas, at an Inn that is only open on major holidays, and you have the recipe for the enduring Christmas classis, “Holiday Inn”. Filled with beautiful dance numbers by Fred Astaire and the music of Irving Berlin and its hard to go wrong.
Love Actually
Starring Hugh Grant, Kiera Knightly, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson
Directed By Richard Curtis
Year 2003
Overview: The story begins five weeks before Christmas and follows the lives of ten different couples or individuals through the events of their lives and romantic misadventures up until Christmas Day. Both comedic and serious, one of the best romantic comedies, Love Actually depicts many different types of love: romantic love, familial love and friendship love.
White Christmas
Starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye
Directed By Michael Curtiz
Year 1954
Overview: A delightful romantic comedy about two performing duos that travel to a snowy Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show. Full of delightful songs by Irving Berlin and sung by the pleasing voices of Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney.
Miracle on 34th Street
Starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood
Directed By George Seaton
Year 1947
Overview: Another one of the most enduring Christmas classics, which can still touch our hearts today! What if the Santa Claus at Macy’s wasn’t an actor, but the real thing? “Miracle on 34th Street” tells the story of those who believe in the impossible and the magic of Christmas.
The Bishop’s Wife
Starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven
Directed By Henry Koster
Year 1947
Overview: The story of a sophisticated angel who comes to Earth to answer the prayers of a young bishop who is desperately trying to establish a new cathedral. What the angel never expected was to fall in love with the bishop’s lovely wife! A funny and heartfelt romantic comedy set in the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve.
Christmas in Connecticut
Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan
Directed By Peter Godfrey
Year 1945
Overview: What happens when a popular journalist who writes a cooking column and pretends to be the ultimate homemaker, is forced to have her magazine publisher and a famous war hero over to her farm for a traditional Christmas dinner? Comedic scenarios ensue, in this light, holiday romantic comedy.
“The Holiday” Movie Trailer
Beyond Christmas
Released: May 10th, 1940
Starring: C. Aubrey Smith, Harry Carey, Alex Melesh and Charles Winninger
Directed By: A. Edward Sutherland
Holiday Affair
Released: December 24th, 1949
Starring: Janet Leigh, Robert Mitchum, Gordon Gebert and Wendell Corey
Directed By: Don Hartman
All I Want For Christmas
Released: November 8th, 1991
Starring: Jamey Sheridan, Harley Jane Kozak, Kevin Nealon and Thora Birch
Directed By: Robert Lieberman
Home For the Holidays
Released: November 3rd, 1995
Starring: Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Charles Durning and Anne Bancroft
Directed By: Jodie Foster
A Boyfriend for Christmas
Released: 2004 (TV Movie)
Starring: Patrick Muldoon, Kelli Williams, Shannon Wilcox and Charles Durning
Directed By: Kevin Connor
Surviving Christmas
Released: October 22nd, 2004
Starring: Christina Applegate, Ben Affleck, Catherine O’Hara and James Gandolfini
Directed By: Mike Mitchell
The Christmas Blessing
Released: 2005 (TV Movie)
Starring: Rebecca Gayheart, Neil Patrick Harris, Hugh Thompson and Angus T. Jones
Directed By: Karen Arthur
Christmas in the Clouds
Released: December 2nd, 2005
Starring: Sam Vlahos, Timothy Vahle, M. Emmet Walsh and Mariana Tosca
Directed By: Kate Montgomery
All She Wants For Christmas
Released: 2006 (TV Movie)
Starring: Monica Keena, Steve Bacic, Tobias Mehler and Ali Liebert
Directed By: Ron Oliver
The Christmas Card
Released: 2006 (TV Movie)
Starring: John Newton, Alice Evans, Peter Jason and Edward Asner
Directed By: Stephen Bridgewater
This Christmas
Released: November 21st, 2007
Starring: Columbus Short, Regina King, Loretta Devine and Idris Elba
Directed By: Preston A. Whitmore II
The Perfect Holiday
Released: December 12th, 2007
Starring: Gabrielle Union, Faizon Love, Morris Chestnut and Queen Latifah
Directed By: Lance Rivera
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Released: 2008 (TV Movie)
Starring: Henry Winkler, Brooke Burns, Woody Jeffreys and Warren Christie
Directed By: Michael Scott
Four Christmases
Released: November 26th, 2008
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall and Mary Steenburgen
Directed By: Seth Gordon
Nothing Like the Holidays
Released: December 12th, 2008
Starring: Alfred Molina, John Leguizamo, Elizabeth Peña and Debra Messing
Directed By: Alfredo De Villa
A Nanny for Christmas
Released: 2010
Starring: Dean Cain, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Cynthia Gibb and Richard Ruccolo
Directed By: Michael Feifer
Lovely, Still
Released: September 10th, 2010 (Limited Release in USA)
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Martin Landau, Elizabeth Banks and Adam Scott
Directed By: Nicholas Fackler
Christmas Lodge
Released: 2011 (TV Movie)
Starring: Michelle Creber, Peter Benson, Rukiya Bernard and Erin Karpluk
Directed By: Terry Ingram
Hope you enjoy the list. Please tell us what are your favorite romantic Christmas movies, and what you like about them; and we will be happy to add them to the above compilation.