The Top 6 Heart-Warming Christmas Movies

The Top 6 Heart-Warming Christmas Movies

Ah there’s nothing like a good old classic romcom at Christmas to warm the cockles and tug on the heartstrings.

But just what is it that draws us back to these movies time and time again? Ah, that would be that little sprinkle of festive movie magic, the perfectly packaged romantic storylines that get neatly tied up with a happy-ever-after bows on top.

So, snuggle up by the fireside with a hot date or a hot chocolate as award winning dating site Lovestruck.com pick the top 5 perfect festive classics to get warm the heart…

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1. The Holiday

Hands up who’s seen this over 20 times? Us too. Unlucky in love Iris (Kate Winslet) & Amanda (Cameron Diaz) impulsively house swap in an attempt to avoid their cheating ex’s just before Christmas. Iris meets Miles while Cam gets a late night…er, visit from Iris’ brother Graham (Jude Law) Nuff said.

Both couples grow close but how will they sustain a long-term relationship between the UK & LA once they return home? Will Amanda actually cry over Graham?

Obviously we know the answers by now but that still doesn’t stop us watching it again and again. Yup. This film boasts the winning festive formula: love, gorgeous locations, ‘meet cutes’ a healthy dollop of Christmas cheer and major Cameron Diaz wardrobe envy.

Love lesson: Be impulsive. Magical things happen at Christmas so don’t be afraid to do something out of the ordinary…

2. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

OK, it’s not overly cheery or romantic but it’s heartwarming to the core. Family man James Stuart (George) has given up his dreams to help others but finding himself in a terrible financial predicament, he decides to end his life by throwing himself from a bridge one snowy Christmas Eve.

Luckily, Guardian Angel (Clarence) appears who then shows George all the lives he has touched over the years. George begs Clarence for another chance, which he is granted and George skips joyously home to a now fretful family.

But the bit that gets us every time (no no, it’s something in our eye) is when he discovers the people from his neighbourhood have rallied round and collected more money than the money he lost and owed. Wonderful.

Love lesson: No matter how hard life gets, never give up, someone always loves you.

3. Bridget Jones

What’s not to love the world’s most famous single that shares the same insecurities as the rest of us as she hilariously charts the trials and tribulations of her unlucky love life.

In this fun-filled film, we find ourselves fancying both of the male leads, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and Daniel (Hugh Grant) and we share Bridgets’ dilemma. But (sigh) we know in our heart of hearts that Daniel is cheating love rat material and that Mark Darcy offers the secure happy ending she deserves.

And Bridget, we love how you run out into the snow in your knickers and trainers to tell him so. Awww.

Love lesson: Bad boys are not ‘happy ending’ material. Always pick a Darcy.

4. Love Actually

Possibly one of the best Christmas romcoms of all time with an awesome cast, Love Actually follows the beguiling intertwining of 9 very different London relationships in the frantic lead up to Christmas.

Each story links in some way with it’s very different couples. From school kids to secretaries, Prime Minister’s to jewellery salesmen, this film proves that no matter what we do or who we are, we all have love (and the emotional rollercoaster ride that comes with it) in common.

The blunt and hilarious Bill Nighy plays the aging rock ‘n’ roll legend who releases the film’s rather dreadful soundtrack, ‘Love is all around.’ Brilliant. Actually.

Love Lesson: Love is all around..?

5. The Grinch

Huh? Yup, sorry, but we just love the Jim Carey version of this film.

The tiny-hearted, Christmas-stealing, grumpy Grinch is intent on having a thoroughly miserable time (bear with us) and so wants everyone else to suffer with him until the sweetest little girl like, ever, helps grow him a bigger heart.

Some singles are like The Grinch, especially around Christmas when they are surrounded by loved up, smug couples kissing beneath the mistletoe.

But see, this Grinchy attitude won’t get you dated or loved up for that matter. You have to

grow a heart, be lovable, exude positive happy vibes and then? ‘Help me, I’m feeling!’ Someone will fall in love with you…

Love lesson: Don’t be a love Grinch. Happy people have better luck.

6. Serendipity (2001)

People often forget about this one but we love a bit of serendipity otherwise known as ‘fortunate happenstance’.

It’s a pair of gloves that lead Kate Beckinsdale and John Cusack to meet by chance – Christmas gift buying in Bloomingdales.

They then a second chance meeting over a lost scarf. It’s pretty much love at first sight but Kate believes in destiny (and really short skirts) and they part without exchanging numbers, heading back to their partners and homes.

10 years pass and 3000 miles separate them, oh, and they both now have fiancés so how oh how will they ever get together? Because like magic, love knows no distance, it always finds a way…

Love lesson: Love will find a way and what’s meant to be is meant to be (but our practical hearts advise you to always take their number, just in case…)

Want to find out if you’re truly meant to be? Click here to take our quick (and shockingly accurate) “Are You Meant To Be Together” Quiz right now and find out if you’re *really* meant to be together forever…

Take The Quiz: Are You Meant To Be?

In summary…

The Top 6 Heartwarming Christmas Movies

  1. The Holiday
  2. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
  3. Bridget Jones
  4. Love Actually
  5. The Grinch
  6. Serendipity (2001)

heartwarming christmas movies

What’s your all-time favourite romantic move at Christmas? Tell us @Lovestruck!

Lovestruck.com is a multi-award winning dating site that lets you date singles that live, work or are simply waiting nearby!

42 comments… add one
  • Wanda Cano January 22, 2016, 7:32 am

    Thank you for the list, I have only seen one of these so it looks like we have another few to get to !

  • Sharon Schultz January 22, 2016, 7:21 am

    You are not going to go wrong with The Holiday that is for sure. When you want to go the full comedy route, Home Alone is certainly one to remember. I also like to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

  • Juanita Henrickson January 20, 2016, 2:25 pm

    These are good movies.

  • Maria Okeefe January 19, 2016, 6:37 pm

    Home Alone is tops for me. The others are a good part of the list as well.

  • Lois Garry January 18, 2016, 2:44 pm

    I remember thinking, “the what?” in reference to The Holiday, but it was a really good movie that seem to come out of nowhere.

  • Velma Harper January 15, 2016, 8:24 pm

    I also love Home Alone. Even though it is more comedy than family related, it does get the whole family laughing.

    • Leila Heald January 20, 2016, 3:40 pm

      LOVE that movie and I watch it all the time!

  • Christine King January 14, 2016, 9:04 pm

    when you have the time to watch movies that are this good during the holidays with your family, you are lucky. not many people have that chance.

    • Shiela Martin January 19, 2016, 6:44 pm

      Totally. I love each of these and keep them close to the DVD player at all times.

  • Joann Shorey January 13, 2016, 11:20 am

    I like that a couple new movies are released around Christmas time. It is such an easy thing to do with the entire family.

    • Etsuko Wright January 18, 2016, 2:54 pm

      Great list, I will have to check out a few of these that I did not see.

  • Leigh Alcocer January 12, 2016, 5:48 pm

    There are so many movies that can be added to this list!

  • Kelly Eusebio January 8, 2016, 1:26 pm

    The Grinch is an awesome movie. One of my favorites!

    • Dorothy Mendenhall January 11, 2016, 9:40 pm

      I loved that one too. I remember seeing it in the theater and even now, each time it is one I will watch it all the way through.

  • Mei Brown January 7, 2016, 10:25 pm

    I loved the Holiday. Even though the odds of that happening in real life are pretty slim, it was a pretty heart warming movie.

    • Aileen White January 13, 2016, 11:43 am

      It was an awesome movie a “feel good” movie in my book.

  • Angela McKinney January 6, 2016, 2:51 pm

    Even though Its A Wonderful Life is so old, I still watch the movie when I catch it on TV. Even if there is only 10 minutes left.

    • Carla Martinez January 12, 2016, 5:57 pm

      Yeah it is, but every single time it is on, I watch the entire thing.

  • Brenna Jenkins January 4, 2016, 9:27 pm

    This is a real good list, but I could never see the draw for Its A Wonderful Life. Maybe its a generational thing.

    • Ashley McBee January 8, 2016, 1:34 pm

      You will LOVE it.

  • Carrie Webster January 1, 2016, 10:22 am

    Great list. My mom always talks about movies like this around the holidays, but when never sit down long enough to watch one.

    • Joyce Lynch January 6, 2016, 3:20 pm

      Our family does the same. I always looked forward to that time of the year!

    • Peggy Heins January 7, 2016, 10:34 pm

      Our family is the same way, but it happens to always be the same movie. And that is Home Alone.

  • Trisha Ratcliff January 1, 2016, 10:07 am

    This is a very good list and you posted it just in time for the holidays with the family.

    • Michelle Pimentel January 5, 2016, 9:57 pm

      I thought the same thing. My parents wanted a good, family style movie and didn’t think SAW was one :) I used this list as a guide!

  • Arthur Hudson December 31, 2015, 8:46 am

    I have never seen Bridgete Jones. The others on the list I have seen and I think they are pretty good.

    • Ann Watkins January 11, 2016, 9:49 pm

      I agree. This is a good start to a movie list everyone should have.

  • Jerry Abdo December 30, 2015, 9:40 am

    Did you ever wonder how these movies can stand the test of time? Through all of these generations, they still are some of the best.

    • Judith Gonzalez January 4, 2016, 9:38 pm

      I wonder this. I think it would be the ability for the movie to relate to many different age groups, as well as generations over the years.

  • Concepcion Verdin December 30, 2015, 9:32 am

    I have never seen Its a Wonderful Life. Is it that good?

    • Mary Caudill January 14, 2016, 9:13 pm

      One of the best, most well known classics of all time. You tell me?

  • Helen Boudreau December 29, 2015, 8:27 am

    There are so many more that you can add to this list, but it is a great start!

  • Patricia Weller December 28, 2015, 1:02 pm

    Everyone loves a good holiday movie!

    • Susie Hodgin December 31, 2015, 8:56 am

      I know I do. Cuddling up on the couch with a loved one while it is snowing outside is always my fantasy.

  • Eva Taylor December 27, 2015, 9:37 am

    Great list. Movies that come around this time of the year are always so warm, loving and family related.

    • Cecelia Olsen January 5, 2016, 10:08 pm

      This is true, and then you always have that really bad comedy that was supposed to be a good family movie, but it always misses the mark.

  • Adam Phelps December 27, 2015, 9:13 am

    Some of the best holiday movies of my life!

    • Lynette Wilson December 28, 2015, 1:17 pm

      I know right? These are all great family movies, too. That is the best part!

  • Marguerite Kapoor December 26, 2015, 12:28 pm

    All of these are great movies. One of my all time favs would have to be Home Alone, however!

    • Judith Tipton December 29, 2015, 8:45 am

      Yes they are. I also LOVE Home Alone!

    • Susanna Richardson January 15, 2016, 8:34 pm

      Did you know that these movies have been posted on many other websites around the holidays? Just so you know.

  • Joan Bledsoe December 26, 2015, 12:13 pm

    I love The Holiday. It was such a warm, authentic movie. It really hit home for me.

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