The countdown to Christmas is officially underway and we’re feeling way too excited about it. We’ve been itching to watch our favourite festive films since the summertime but managed to hold off until after Halloween.
Now that December is here, we’ll happily tune into Love Actually, The Holiday, Home Alone and Elf every single evening.
Christmas movies never fail to make us smile so we’ll be watching as many as possible this winter.
Movies like The Grinch and Miracle on 34th Street always make us feel better and science has even found evidence to prove that watching Christmas movies is actually good for you.
Researchers have found that Christmas movies release feel-good hormones. They told DoYouRemember, “It does create that neurological shift that can produce happiness. I think anything that takes us out of our normal habituation, the normal day in, day out ,signals our senses, and then our senses measure if it’s pleasing or not. Christmas decorating will spike dopamine, a feel-good hormones.”
Christmas movies can also help lower stress and reduce anxiety levels, which is ideal as we approach one of the most hectic times of the year.
Watch Hugh Grant shimmy around 10 Downing Street or cry over It’s a Wonderful Life with your nearest and dearest this winter. After all, science says it’s good for your health.
If anyone needs us we’ll be watching The Muppet Christmas Carol for the foreseeable future.
I’ve gathered up a list of the best (and cheesiest) Christmas movies on Netflix to keep you entertained this weekend.
If you’re staying in this weekend then why not tune into one of these festive films? Or have a Christmas movie day. Scientists have discovered that watching Christmas movies is actually good for your health so the more the merrier, right?
Let It Snow
Let It Snow is coming-of-age movie set in a small town during Christmas time. What more could we ask for? Starring Kiernan Shipka and Joan Cusack, Let It Snow is an easy-watch that’ll warm your heart and remind you of the true meaning of Christmas.
The Knight Before Christmas
Vanessa Hudgens has become the queen of cheesy Christmas movies. This adorable rom-com follows the story of a science teacher who falls for a 14th Century knight, who is somehow teleported to modern-day Ohio. Extremely far-fetched but we just can’t get enough of it.
Christmas Wedding Planner
When Gossip Girl royalty Lily Van Der Woodsen (aka Kelly Rutherford) is in a Christmas movie then you must watch it. This rom-com follows a Christmas wedding planner as her world is turned upside down when a dreamy private investigator tries to ruin one of her biggest jobs.
Christmas Inheritance
If you loved A Christmas Prince and The Princess Switch then this is the movie for you. Socialite Ellen must prove to her father that she is worthy of inheriting his company. To prove she is serious, she visits his small hometown to learn about the importance of hard work and helping others.
Holiday in the Wild
Rob Lowe and Kristin Davies star in this feel-good festive movies that’ll warm even the Grinch’s heart. Holiday in the Wild follows Kate as she embarks on a solo second honeymoon in South Africa. The trip helps her find purpose and maybe even true love?
A Christmas Prince
The greatest Christmas movie Netflix has released. This gem has swiftly become a massive hit and how could it not? Christmas comes early for an aspiring young journalist when she's sent abroad to get the scoop on a dashing prince who's poised to be king.
There is one scene in Love Actually that never fails to make us cry until there are no tears left. You know the one- where Emma Thompson’s character Karen breaks down when she discovers her husband has bought a necklace for another woman.
The gut-wrenching scene is a classic, everyone remembers just how touching Emma’s performance was as she sobbed, alone in her room to that Joni Mitchell CD.
Emma is one of the most talented actresses around, but her talent wasn’t the only thing that helped make the scene feel so real.
The Last Christmasstar admitted that her own personal heartache helped influence her performance.
During a fundraiser for the Tricycle Theatre in London, she shared, "That scene where my character is standing by the bed crying is so well known because it’s something everyone’s been through.”
She went on to explain that the breakdown of her relationship with fellow actor Kenneth Branagh helped her with the devastating scene.
Branagh cheated on Emma with Helena Bonham Carter whilst filming Marry Shelley’s Frankenstein in 1994, which resulted in her suffering from clinical depression.
The Stranger Than Fiction star told the Telegraph that she really felt for her character Karen, because she knew that situation all too well, “I’ve had so much bloody practice at crying in a bedroom, then having to go out and be cheerful, gathering up the pieces of my heart and putting them in a drawer.”
This affair ruined their marriage, with Emma admitting, “I had my heart very badly broken by Ken. So I knew what it was like to find the necklace that wasn’t meant for me.”
Luckily, Emma eventually found her true love with her Sense and Sensibility co-star Greg Wise in 1995. “Greg saved me. He picked up the pieces and put them together again,” she told BBC Radio Four.
Home Alone has got to be one of our favourite Christmas movies, so it’s safe to say we were pretty surprised to hear that Disney were planning a reboot.
The festive film is perfect so why fix what’s not broken?
We have to admit we’re on the fence about this film, but the cast announcement may have twisted our arm a little.
Disney just revealed that Rob Delaney, Ellie Kemper and rising star Archie Yates will take on the main roles in the reboot.
The new Home Alone won’t follow the original storyline.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film will see Rob Delaney and Ellie Kemper’s characters go to war with a child (Yates) who has stolen a priceless heirloom.
Dan Mazer, director of Dirty Grandpa, will direct the new Christmas flick and SNL’s Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell have written the script.
The reimagined Home Alone certainly won’t beat the classic 1990 movie, but we’re feeling pretty intrigued about it after this casting news.
The Macaulay Culkin classic was first released in 1990 and has remained one of the most-watched Christmas movies since it’s original release.
The movie will be available on Disney+, which will be available in the UK and Ireland in March 2020.
Christmas movies are good for the soul. There’s nothing we love more than curling up by the fire and watching Love Actually.
There are so many Christmas movies that hold a special place in our hearts. It’s a Wonderful Life reminds us of family. The Holiday helped us believe in true love again. And Elf always makes us feel instantly merry.
Trying to choose a favourite isn’t easy, but the public has spoken and the top Christmas movie of all time has been revealed.
Home Alone has claimed the top spot and we have to admit we’re not one bit surprised.
The classic Christmas movie is a firm favourite and never fails to make us laugh and yearn for our family at Christmas.
The family favourite was revealed as the best Christmas movie in a study by online marketplace Music Magpie.
Home Alone really does have the full package. It’s funny and heartwarming. Teaches you about the true meaning of Christmas and gave us some of the most hilarious one liners ever.
Christmas is getting closer and we are so ready to curl up by the fire and watch all of our favourite Christmas movies. We’re talking Love Actually, Home Alone, The Holiday and of course, the Netflix original that stole our hearts with its cheesy storylines, magical castle and adorable love story.
We just can’t get enough of the royals so when Netflix release A Christmas Prince a few years ago we were instantly addicted.
They are now releasing the THIRD movie in the franchise and we honestly couldn’t be happier about it.
The third installment of the festive film follows Amber and Richard as they prepare to have their first child together.
Amber has to try and mend a broken treaty, help find a stolen artefact before her baby is born.
Check out the full trailer below:
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby premieres December 5 and involves a broken treaty, a stolen artifact, and Amber trying to fix both before her baby is born. pic.twitter.com/7CdGQ4HNhq
Home Alone in Concert is coming to Ireland for the very first time, with dates at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar on November 30, The Convention Centre, Dublin on December 1 and The INEC, Killarney on December 2. A true holiday favourite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams' charming and delightful score performed live to picture by The Orchestra of Ireland.
Tickets priced from €28 (additional charges may apply) are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
Home Alone in Concert is set to be the must-see Christmas event for 2019, with over 100 performers on stage as it is shown on the big screen accompanied by full live orchestra and choir. Having previously packed out the esteemed Royal Albert Hall in London, tickets are selling fast so don’t delay.
Speaking of Home Alone in Concert Composer John Williams said: “Ever since Home Alone appeared, it has held a unique place in the affections of a very broad public. Director Chris Columbus brought a uniquely fresh and innocent approach to this delightful story, and the film has deservedly become a perennial at Holiday time.
“I took great pleasure in composing the score for the film, and I am especially delighted that the magnificent Orchestra of Ireland has agreed to perform the music in this very special live presentation of the movie," he shared.
“I know I speak for everyone connected with the making of the film in saying that we are greatly honoured by this event… and I hope that the audience will experience the renewal of joy that the film brings with it, each and every year.”
Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy who's accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves. Hilarious and heart-warming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the entire family and comes to Ireland for the first time this Christmas.
Tickets for Home Alone in Concert Live at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar on November 30, The Convention Centre, Dublin on December 1 and The INEC, Killarney on December 2 are priced at €59.50 (additional charges may apply) are on sale via Ticketmaster.
We know it’s only July but we have to admit we’re already excited for Christmas. It is the most wonderful time of the year after all. In honour of the Christmas in July trend, Lea Michele has made a major announcement about an upcoming festive project.
Fans of A Christmas Prince, Love Actually, The Holiday and every other Christmas rom-com are going to love Lea's Christmas movie Same Time, Next Christmas.
Same Time, Next Christmas will air in December 2019 and we are so ready for all the festive cheesiness this movie will bring to our screens.
Lea has landed the lead role of Olivia Henderson, a young woman who meets her childhood love during a festive family trip in Hawaii.
Olivia and her childhood sweetheart reunite at the same resort after time and distance kept them apart for years, but can their love survive the circumstances forcing them apart?
Speaking of her new role, Lea gushed, “I’ve been so excited to share this news! It’s going to be a very Merry Christmas with this amazing movie AND my Christmas album!”
We have to say we can’t wait to watch Lea in Same Time, Next Christmas. We’ll have to be patient as the film won’t be released for another five months, but at least every single episode of Glee is on Netflix now.
If anyone needs us we’ll be binge-watching Glee and singing along to Don’t Stop Believin’.
Christmas is just around the corner and we are so ready to relax and unwind. We are planning on doing nothing but eating Pringles, turkey sambos and chocolate Santa's for the foreseeable future.
One of the best things about Christmas is being able to lounge around in your pyjamas and watch movies all day. It is honestly all we want to do this year.
We’ve conjured up a list of the best movies on over the holidays and you just can’t miss these classic flicks this year.
Christmas Eve: There are many timeless classics on December 24 that will make for the perfect festive movie night for you and the gang.
RTÉ Two, 12:25 pm- E.T
RTÉ One, 3:35 pm- Miracle on 34th Street
BBC One, 5 pm- Mary Poppins
Virgin Media 3, 8:15 pm- Dirty Dancing
Christmas Day: For those of you taking it easy and staying home on Christmas Day, you’re in for a real treat. Some of the all time greatest Christmas movies will be on December 25 and they’re bound to make your day feel extra magical.
RTÉ One, 8:20 am- Enchanted
RTÉ Two, 10:25 am- Finding Nemo
RTÉ One, 2: 55 pm- Home Alone
Virgin Media One, 4:05 pm- The Wizard of Oz
RTÉ One, 4.30 pm- The Jungle Book
RTÉ One, 6: 35 pm- Arthur Christmas
Sky One, 6: 45 pm- The Greatest Showman
E4, 9:15 pm- The Devil Wears Prada
Virgin Media One, 9:15 pm- Bridget Jones’s Diary
RTÉ One, 11:10 pm- Love Actually
St. Stephen’s’ Day:
A day of turkey sandwiches, napping and chocolate. Unwind with these brilliant films all from the comfort of your sofa.
BBC Two, 2:30 pm- Saving Mr Banks
RTÉ One, 3:55 pm- Cinderella
RTÉ One, 6: 25 pm- Zootropolis
Virgin Media One, 9 pm- The Commitments
December 30:
RTÉ Two, 1:25 pm- 13 Going on 30
BBC One, 2:25 pm- Cinderella
Channel 4, 5: 40 pm- Paddington
New Year’s Eve:
If you’re not in the mood to go out on the town and simply want to ring in the new year at home then there are plenty of movies on to keep you entertained.
Now that we’ve waved goodbye to Halloween we can finally start getting excited about the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is approaching and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it.
It is the jolliest time of year and I’m ready to embrace the festive cheer.
One of Dublin’s best cinemas is hosting a Christmas season and I will be spending most of December there with a giant bucket of popcorn and a never-ending list of Christmas movies to watch.
The Lighthouse Cinema Dublin revealed their Naughty or Nice season today and they’ll be showing a heap of classic flicks over the holiday period.
Get ready to watch your most beloved Christmas movies on the big screen because they’re showing everything from Elf to Die Hard.
You can watch Hugh Grant shimmy around in Love Actually or shudder at Donald Trump’s cameo in Home Alone 2.
This year’s Naughty or Nice season is extra special because the Lighthouse Cinema has teamed up with Sing Along Social for The Muppet Christmas Carol Singalong
They’ll be hosting a screening of the classic family film followed by a festive sing-song and perhaps some dancing if you’re feeling uber jolly.
There’s so much to choose from and something for every age from December 1, every day until December 23.
To see the full list of movies featuring in this year’s Naughty or Nice season at the Lighthouse Cinema click here.
Look, I know it is only September, but I can’t help but feel excited about Christmas. Is it too early? Maybe… Do I care? Nope.
I am already embracing the holiday spirit and this latest movie news has my heart feeling full and festive.
Game of Thrones star Emilia Clark and Crazy Rich Asians actor Henry Golding are set to star in a Christmas film together written by none other than Emma Thompson.
The Hollywood goddess is no stranger to festive films, having starred in Love Actually in 2003. Emma’s portrayal of the heartbroken Karen is by far one of her best performances *listens to Joni Mitchell and sobs*
The Pride and Prejudice actress has penned the screenplay for upcoming Christmas flick Last Christmas, with the help of Bryony Kimmings.
The writer revealed the movie is based on the popular Wham! hit Last Christmas. The late George Michael even gave the movie his blessing before his untimely passing on Christmas Day 2016.
Bridesmaids director Paul Feig will take over directing duties for the romantic comedy.
Lead actor Henry Golding couldn’t help but express his excitement about Last Christmas: “Finally I can start getting excited and share the news… @paulfeig and I will be back to business in London at the end of the year.”
It is believed filming will take place in London later this year, which unfortunately means it won’t be released in time for Christmas 2018.
I guess we’ll just have to stick with the classics for now. If anybody needs me I’ll be watching Home Alone for the 1000th time.
The office is closed, the fire is lit, there's a glass of wine with your name on it and a TV just waiting to be watched.
That's right, the Christmas holidays are just around the corner, and with that, it's about time we start planning how what we're going to watch during all those cosy evenings spent by the fire.
After all, it wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't watch an unholy amount of cheesy films, right?
Here's our top picks:
1. Elf
One of our all time favourites!
Nothing fills us with the joys of Christmas quite like a watching Buddy The Elf attempt to navigate the Big Apple and find his birth father, Walter Hobbs.
His child-like behaviour and joyous attitude may be a little over the top for the business types of NYC, but even the most cynical among us are no match for his Christmas spirit.
2. The Santa Clause
Growing up in 1990's Ireland, three things heralded the arrival of Christmas over all others – 1. The Late Late Toy Show (obviously), 2. Seeing the Coca-cola ad on TV for the first time, and 3. Staying up late to watch what is arguably Tim Allen's greatest performance on RTÉ.
Sure, the story starts off on a bit of grim note, but seeing Scott (aka the new Santa Clause) rise to the occasion for the sake of his son reminds us what Christmas is all about.
3. Love Actually
Is it just us, or is it hard to believe that Richard Curtis' festive masterpiece is 14-years-old?
Love Actually tells ten interweaving stories of love around Christmas time, and has cemented itself as a holiday tradition in many households across the country.
Cry, laugh and ask what love actually is with an all-star cast featuring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Kiera Knightley, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman, to name just a few.
4. The Holiday
A modern classic that is often overshadowed by other festive favourites.
Starring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black, this Yueltide romantic comedy tells the story of two women who embark on a house exchange after shortcomings in their love lives leave them yearning for change.
A tale full of love, loss and warm fuzzy feelings – everything we look for in a Christmas comedy.
5. Home Alone
No Christmas movie list would be complete without a visit to the McCallister's house.
Sure, child negligence doesn't exactly scream Christmas spirit, but Macaulay Culkin's charming performance makes this a must-watch ever single year.
Admit it, you pretty much know the script off by heart at this stage.
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton's fantastical animation is unique in that it can be enjoyed at Halloween and Christmas time alike.
And while most people generally wouldn't associate one with the other, The Nightmare Before Christmas manages to strike the perfect balance between light and dark.
A Christmas film even the biggest scrooges can get on board with – it's win win!
7. About A Boy
Not the most traditional of Christmas films, but hey, when the main character lives off the royalties of song called Santa's Super Sleigh, we're willing to make an exception.
The story follows the unlikely friendship between a wealthy bachelor and a bullied schoolboy as they gain a new appreciation for life and the importance of family.
And if that doesn't scream Christmas time, we don't know what does.
