8 New(er) Holiday Rom-Coms Worth Watching
For those who may have worn out their copies of classics like The Holiday or Love, Actually, we’ve pulled together a list of more recent additions to the holiday rom-com canon that are sure to satisfy this season.
Something From Tiffany’s (2022)
Rachel (Zoey Deutch) and her boyfriend Gary aren’t quite ready for the big commitment but are happy enough. Ethan (Kendrick Sampson) and Vanessa (Shay Mitchell) are the picture-perfect couple ready to make it official. When Gary and Ethan’s Tiffany gifts are accidentally swapped, chaos ensues. This is a cozy, comforting holiday watch that gives you exactly what you want! We don’t mean to pick favorites, but this one is worthy of a rewatch.
ExMas (2023)
When Graham’s (Robbie Amell) family has a hard time breaking up with his ex-fiance, Ali (Leighton Meester), they both compete to see who gets to stay and who has to go for Christmas. It’s a fun, fresh take on holiday traditions with enemies-to-lovers hijinks, and Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell are as endearing as ever.
Your Christmas or Mine (2022)
Hayley (Cora Kirk) and James (Asa Butterfield) are students in love, taking the train home for winter break. After parting ways, they each unknowingly decide to surprise the other by swapping trains but soon find themselves having also swapped Christmases. It’s quirky in a distinctly British, comedy-of-errors way, with a fun ensemble cast of characters that made us LOL. Oh, and there’s a sequel out now!
Happiest Season (2020)
When longtime couple Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis) spend the holidays with Harper’s conservative family, they must navigate the fact that she hasn’t come out to them yet. With a stellar cast and lots of heart, this queer rom-com is a festive and funny addition to the roster.
Love Hard (2021)
Natalie (Nina Dobrev), a journalist from LA, falls for an east coast guy on a dating app and decides to surprise him for the holidays, only to discover he’s a catfish (Jimmy O. Yang). A unique premise and a charming cast, Love Hard is easy watching while baking cookies or wrapping gifts this holiday season.
Holidate (2020)
Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) agree to be each other’s platonic plus-ones all year long, across every major holiday, catching real feelings along the way. Holidate is raunchy, self-aware, and carried by Roberts and Bracey’s amazing chemistry. Worth including in the canon, we say!
Single All The Way (2021)
Wanting to avoid his family’s judgment, Peter (Michael Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to come stay with him for Christmas and pretend they’re in a relationship. But when Peter’s mom sets him up with on a blind date with her hot trainer James (Luke Macfarlane), things get complicated. Single All The Way makes the yuletide gay, with equal parts silliness and sincerity.
Holiday in the Vineyards (2023)
Wealthy Carter Baldwin (Josh Swickard) goes on a covert mission to a local vineyard for his mother’s wine company, and meets a beautiful widow (Sol Rodriguez) struggling to keep it afloat. Holiday in the Vineyards is predictable, but manages to stand out as an above average holiday rom-com with charming leads and just the right amount of cheese. A nice pinot noir would pair well, we think!
What’s your recent holiday fave?