As December draws near, a familiar festive ritual begins for millions across the UK: the search for the perfect Christmas films to stream. While classic titles like Home Alone and Elf are perennial favourites, Netflix's vast library holds some lesser-known treasures that promise to deliver serious Christmas cheer.
Sorting through the streamer's extensive selection of family-friendly flicks and emotional romcoms can be daunting. To save you time, we have curated three 'heartwarming' movies receiving glowing recommendations from viewers, ensuring your holiday watchlist is filled with quality entertainment.
The Noel Diary: A Tear-Jerking Romantic Journey
First on the list is the 2022 romantic drama, The Noel Diary. This hidden gem stars Justin Hartley, best known for his role in This Is Us. He portrays Jake Turner, a best-selling author who is forced to return to his hometown following his mother's death.
While settling her estate, Jake stumbles upon an old diary that could reveal long-buried secrets connected to his own past and that of a local woman named Rachel, played by Barrett Doss. The pair team up to investigate, a mission that sparks an unexpected connection and forces them to confront their histories.
The film clearly resonated deeply with audiences. One fan on Rotten Tomatoes confessed the movie had them 'sobbing', praising it as a 'wholesome, sweet love story'. They particularly highlighted the 'incredible chemistry' between the lead characters, noting they could 'feel the love through the screen'.
Holidate: A Festive Romcom with a Twist
For those seeking a lighter, funnier festive romance, Holidate from 2020 is an excellent choice. The film is fronted by Emma Roberts, who plays Sloane, a woman in her late twenties tired of facing the holidays alone.
Her fortunes appear to change when she meets a charming Australian stranger, Jackson, portrayed by Luke Bracey, who shares her predicament. They strike a pragmatic deal: be each other's 'holidate' for every festive occasion throughout the year. However, their platonic arrangement quickly becomes complicated as real feelings begin to emerge.
Despite a lukewarm critical reception of 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film was a hit with many Netflix subscribers. One viewer championed it as a 'classic romcom at its finest', revealing that they and their husband were 'laughing hysterically'. Their verdict was a firm 'Highly recommend watching with your spouse or girlfriends'.
That Christmas: A Magical Animated Adventure
If your taste leans towards animated features, That Christmas is the perfect film for a family movie night. This project boasts an impressive British pedigree, being written by the renowned Richard Curtis, the mind behind Love Actually and Bridget Jones's Diary.
Adapted from Curtis's own beloved children's short stories, the film weaves together a series of interconnected tales set in a small town. The community's carefully laid Christmas plans, including Santa's own, are thrown into chaos by a disastrous snowstorm.
The animation is brought to life by an all-star British voice cast, including Brian Cox, Jodie Whittaker, and Bill Nighy, with direction from famed animation artist Simon Otto. With a strong 74% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it has been dubbed 'unmissable' on social media. Another fan review described it as 'surprisingly funny yet heart-warming', praising its perfect runtime and the way it retains its 'Christmas magic'.
All three of these heartwarming films are available to stream now on Netflix, ready to bring some extra sparkle to your festive season.
