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Best Christmas Movies Ever

1965’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ Photo: CBS.

Christmas is finally here again, which means it’s time to watch lots and lots of holiday movies including classics like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life‘, ‘Elf‘, and of course, ‘Die Hard‘!
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While there are many great theatrical and made-for-TV movies to choose from this holiday season, Moviefone has assembled a collection of fun, unique and beloved Christmas classics to make sure you add to your annual holiday watchlist, including a few that were just released this year.

Let’s begin and Merry Christmas!

Related Article: Michelle Pfeiffer and Felicity Jones Talk Holiday Comedy ‘Oh. What. Fun.’

35. ‘Tinsel Town‘ (2025)

(L to R) Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson in ‘Tinsel Town’. Photo: Brainstorm Media.

A washed-up Hollywood action hero (Kiefer Sutherland) is tricked into starring in a small English town’s chaotic Christmas pantomime, where a straight-talking dance instructor and his estranged daughter just might help him rediscover the magic of the season.
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34. ‘Silent Night‘ (2023)

Joel Kinnaman as Godlock in ‘Silent Night’. Photo Credit: Carlos Latapi.

From legendary director John Woo and the producer of ‘John Wick‘ comes this gritty revenge tale of a tormented father (Joel Kinnaman) who witnesses his young son die when caught in a gang’s crossfire on Christmas Eve. While recovering from a wound that costs him his voice, he makes vengeance his life’s mission and embarks on a punishing training regimen in order to avenge his son’s death. Full of Woo’s signature style, Silent Night redefines the action genre with visceral, thrill-a-minute storytelling.
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33. ‘Spirited‘ (2022)

(L to R) Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in ‘Spirited,’ premiering November 18, 2022 on Apple TV+.

In ‘Spirited,’ Will Ferrell plays Christmas Present, who is considering retirement after the holidays but chooses to haunt Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds), an arrogant public relations executive who is completely aware of Charles Dickens’ famous story and that Present is trying to teach him about the true meaning of Christmas. The result is a fun twist on ‘A Christmas Carol,’ with fantastic musical numbers created by ‘La La Land’s Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
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32. ‘The Polar Express‘ (2004)

2004’s ‘The Polar Express.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

No matter where you come down on the “creepy or cute” debate over this film’s CGI characters, Robert Zemeckis’ first animated holiday film has a surprisingly tender and important message for audiences of all ages as a young boy goes on an odyssey to prove that he can hold onto his Christmas spirit in the face of too many reasons not to believe.
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31. ‘The Night Before‘ (2015)

(L to R) Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in ‘The Night Before.’ Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

As quite possibly the only Jewish-themed Christmas movie (at least on this list), Jonathan Levine’s story of three friends (Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie) searching for the ultimate Christmas party offers tons of laughs but also some surprisingly mature messages, all anchored by an unexpectedly delightful turn by Michael Shannon as the trio’s would-be guardian angel.
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30. ‘Merv‘ (2025)

(L to R) Zooey Deschanel and Gus in ‘Merv’. Photo Credit: Wilson Webb/Prime Video. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox) are forced into the world’s most awkward co-parenting arrangement. Hoping to shake Merv out of his funk, Russ takes him to Florida for a much-needed getaway-only for Anna to show up unexpectedly. As Merv slowly gets his groove back, turns out fixing their dog’s broken heart may lead to a few sparks of their own.
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29. ‘Trading Places‘ (1983)

Dan Aykroyd as Louis Winthorpe III in ‘Trading Places.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

A snobbish investor (Dan Aykroyd) and a wily street con-artist (Eddie Murphy) find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.
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28. ‘Oh. What. Fun.‘ (2025)

Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘Oh. What. Fun.’ Photo: Prime Video.

Claire Clauster (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the glue that holds her chaotic, lovable family together at the holidays. But this year, after planning a special outing for them, they make a crucial mistake and leave her home alone. Fed up and feeling under appreciated, she sets off on an impromptu adventure of her own. As her family scrambles to find her, Claire discovers the unexpected magic of a Christmas gone off-script.
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27. ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas‘ (2000)

(Left) Jim Carrey as the Grinch in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

This Ron Howard directed live-action remake of the beloved 1966 animated Dr. Seuss TV movie stars Jim Carrey in the title role and was an instant Christmas classic when it was released in 2000.
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26. ‘The Santa Clause‘ (1994)

Tim Allen as Scott Calvin / Santa Claus in ‘The Santa Clause.’ Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

Tim Allen’s 1990s hot streak continued with this story of a man who inadvertently inherits the mantle of Santa Claus and must adjust – and adjust his wardrobe – to accommodate the demands of one of the world’s most important jobs.
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25. ‘Die Hard 2‘ (1990)

Bruce Willis as John McClane in ‘Die Hard 2.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Off-duty cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) is gripped with a feeling of déjà vu when, on a snowy Christmas Eve in the nation’s capital, terrorists seize a major international airport, holding thousands of holiday travelers hostage. Renegade military commandos led by a murderous rogue officer plot to rescue a drug lord from justice and are prepared for every contingency except one: McClane’s smart-mouthed heroics.
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24. ‘Arthur Christmas‘ (2011)

2011’s ‘Arthur Christmas.’ Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

If the movies teach us anything it’s that Santa has a lot of family members – but this might be the first time he not only has kids, but a father of his own. In this delightful animated film, Santa’s son and old, OLD Saint Nick team up to deliver a lost gift to a young girl in time for Christmas.
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23. ‘Lethal Weapon‘ (1987)

(L to R) Danny Glover and Mel Gibson in ‘Lethal Weapon’. Photo: Warner Bros.

You may not remember, but ‘Lethal Weapon’ is totally a Christmas movie as it takes place over the holiday. On the eve of retirement, veteran LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) is assigned a new partner, Vietnam veteran Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), a recent widower with suicidal tendencies. After initially bumping heads, the two come together to solve a homicide, bring down a group of heroin smugglers, and rescue Murtaugh’s family.
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22. ‘Bad Santa‘ (2003)

Billy Bob Thornton as Willie T. Soke in ‘Bad Santa.’ Photo: Miramax Films.

Terry Zwigoff’s midnight-black comedy offers a rejoinder to the notion that Christmas stories must be cheerful and bright, as alcoholic safe-cracker Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) eats and drinks his way through the holiday season, holing up in the house of an outcast kid name Thurman who think he’s the real article as his partner Marcus tries to keep him in check (and sober enough to complete their annual Christmas Eve heist).
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21. ‘That Christmas‘ (2024)

‘That Christmas’. Photo: Netflix.

It’s an unforgettable Christmas for the townsfolk of Wellington-on-Sea when the worst snowstorm in history alters everyone’s plans — including Santa’s.
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20. ‘Miracle on 34th Street‘ (1947)

1947’s ‘Miracle on 34th Street.’ Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

The best holiday stories are those that remind you what it was like to be a kid – or at least that there’s some magic in the world – and this one is no exception: when a man dressed as Santa Claus and claiming to be him gets institutionalized, a young lawyer sets out to prove that he’s the real thing.
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19. ‘Gremlins‘ (1984)

1984’s ‘Gremlins.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

Joe Dante created this mischievous romp about a mysterious little creature and the trouble caused when his owner (Zach Galligan) fails to obey the very simple and strict rules for taking care of him. Featuring a cavalcade of manic, menacing, oddball creatures and plenty of Dante’s own impish creativity, it’s a highly unconventional holiday film that has earned its place in the canon.
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18. ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas!‘ (1966)

1966’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ Photo: MGM Animation/Visual Arts.

At 26 minutes and using only hand-drawn animation, this television special might lack some of the pizazz of the live-action and computer-animated versions that followed. But its adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s book gets all of the details the most right, and features the immortal Boris Karloff as narrator, lending the character’s journey from crank to Christmas superfan a theatrical elegance that’s never been matched.
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17. ‘A Christmas Story‘ (1983)

Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker in 1983’s ‘A Christmas Story.’ Photo: MGM/UA Entertainment Co.

Bob Clark’s adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash” skillfully pays tribute to a bygone era of childhood fantasy and hilariously exposes the simple truth that it never really existed. Peter Billingsley is so good as the kid who wants nothing as much as a Red Ryder BB gun and will engage in any and all subterfuge to obtain one – and protect it even after his parents’ worst fears come true.
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16. ‘Candy Cane Lane‘ (2023)

Eddie Murphy as Chris Carver in ‘Candy Cane Lane.’ Photo: Claudette Barius. © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC.

A man (Eddie Murphy) is determined to win the neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. After making a pact with an elf (Jillian Bell) to help him win, the elf casts a spell bringing the 12 days of Christmas to life and unexpectedly bringing chaos to town.
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15. ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special‘ (2022)

Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord in Marvel Studio’s ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.’

Written and directed by ‘Guardians of the Galaxy‘ James Gunn, the movie follows Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) as they set out to give Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) the best Christmas ever, after discovering that Yondu (Michael Rooker) ruined the holiday for him as a child. So, the two Guardians travel to Earth to kidnap Peter’s childhood hero, the ‘Footloose’ actor Kevin Bacon (playing himself), as the ultimate gift for Peter.
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14. ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas‘ (1965)

1965’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ Photo: CBS.

This would make the list on the strength of Vince Guaraldi’s music alone, but this animated special qualifies as Charles Schulz’ magnum opus, as his beleaguered title character tries to find the true meaning of Christmas in a landscape marred by rampant commercialism.
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13. ‘The Holiday‘ (2006)

(L to R) Cameron Diaz and Jude Law in ‘The Holiday’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

Two women, one from the United States (Cameron Diaz) and one from the United Kingdom (Kate Winslet), swap homes at Christmas time after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance with a local man but realizes that the imminent return home may end the relationship.
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12. ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas‘ (1993)

1993’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’ Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

Tim Burton combines the best of two holidays with this stop-motion animated film about Jack Skellington (Danny Elfman), an authority on all things Halloween who decides to turn his macabre creativity loose on Santa’s favorite day of the year.
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11. ‘Violent Night‘ (2022)

(L to R) Alexis Louder, and David Harbour in ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.

Asking the age old question: “What would Santa Clause do if he was in ‘Die Hard?’” ‘Violent Night’ stars David Harbour as Father Christmas, who has lost faith in mankind. While delivering gifts to a wealthy family on Christmas Eve, he discovers a group of criminals have taken the family hostage, and its up to Santa to save the day and rescue a little girl and her family, who teaches him that some people still believe in Christmas miracles.
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10. ‘Elf‘ (2003)

(Right) Will Ferrell in ‘Elf.’ Photo: New Line Cinema.

Jon Favreau’s comedic chops balance perfectly with Will Ferrell’s wholesome, silly enthusiasm in this endlessly entertaining story of a human raised at the North Pole who treks to civilization and reconnect with his father, a cynical workaholic book publisher played to perfection by James Caan.
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9. ‘Home Alone‘ (1990)

Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister in ‘Home Alone.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

John Hughes transitioned into decidedly more family-friendly territory with this script about a kid who gets left behind while the rest of his family heads out for their Christmas vacation. Macaulay Culkin became a star overnight as the precocious preteen who fends off burglars and holiday loneliness in Chris Columbus’ monster hit film.
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8. ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation‘ (1989)

Chevy Chase in 1989’s ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo come clashing back together as Clark Griswold and his loving, long-suffering wife Ellen, this time trying to survive the holiday season that much like every other Clark family gathering seems destined for disaster.
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7. ‘Scrooged‘ (1988)

Bill Murray as Frank Cross in ‘Scrooged.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

There have been a lot of great versions of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ but Bill Murray makes his version of Scrooge one of the wildest, this time a television executive who loses his way in a cutthroat industry and gets visited by three ghosts unafraid to beat him (literally) into a Christmas morning epiphany.
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6. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life‘ (1946)

(Center) James Stewart as George Bailey in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ Photo: RKO Radio Pictures.

Frank Capra’s 1946 film initially achieved ubiquitousness by virtue of endless syndicated showings on television, but it became a classic on the strength of its story – a portrait of sacrifice and generosity – as well as a performance by Jimmy Stewart that utilized both his fragile desperation and scrappy determination.
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5. ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang‘ (2005)

(L to R) Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

A petty thief (Robert Downey Jr.) posing as an actor is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl (Michelle Monaghan) and a detective (Val Kilmer) who’s been training him for his upcoming role.
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4. ‘The Holdovers‘ (2023)

(L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of FOCUS FEATURES / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, ‘The Holdovers’ follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).
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3. ‘Love Actually‘ (2003)

(L to R) Emma Thompson as Karen and Alan Rickman as Harry in ‘Love Actually.’ Photo: United International Pictures.

Richard Curtis’ enchanting tapestry of relationships in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas continues to inspire debates about exactly how healthy the behavior some of its cast of characters are, but that’s sort of the point of the movie itself: what we all want, what we’re pursuing, and at what cost all connects through love, even if in some cases that means the fractured relationship between a husband (Alan Rickman) and wife (Emma Thompson), and others, the recognition of a soul mate in a long-suffering tour manager (Gregor Fisher) and his unpredictable rock-star client (Bill Nighy).
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2. ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol‘ (1992)

1992’s ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol.’ Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

This “Christmas Carol” adaptation has largely been reduced by the internet to a meme of its Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) dancing along with one of Jim Henson’s human-sized puppets, but the film remains one of the most magical – and emotional – versions of the story ever told, thanks to a Bob Cratchit, played by Kermit the Frog, who irresistibly embodies the everyman everyone loves.
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1. ‘Die Hard‘ (1988)

Bruce Willis as John McClane in ‘Die Hard.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Before John McClane became a superhero and Bruce Willis descended into super-stardom, his performance in this iconic original installment oozed with everyman charm as the New York cop loses his shoes, battles a skyscraper full of terrorists, and tries to make peace with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia).
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December 24, 2025
Best Liam Neeson Movies of All Time Ranked

Liam Neeson plays Frank in ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Actor Liam Neeson has appeared in some of the most popular franchises ever made!

Neeson’s resume includes films in such popular franchises as ‘Star Wars‘, ‘The Dark Knight‘ Trilogy, ‘The Chronicles of Narnia‘, ‘Men in Black‘, ‘Clash of the Titans‘, ‘Anchorman‘, ‘Lego‘ and his own popular action series, ‘Taken‘.

The actor is now adding another popular franchise to that list with his role as Lt. Franks Drebin Jr. in ‘The Naked Gun‘, which opens in theaters on August 1st.

In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the top 25 movies of Liam Neeson’s long and impressive career, including his latest.

Let’s begin!

25. ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West‘ (2014)

(L to R) Liam Neeson, Seth MacFarlane and Charlize Theron in ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

As a cowardly farmer (Seth MacFarlane) begins to fall for the mysterious new woman (Charlize Theron) in town, he must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband (Neeson), a notorious gun-slinger, announces his arrival.
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24. ‘Men in Black: International‘ (2019)

The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest, most global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization.
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23. ‘Clash of the Titans‘ (2010)

Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Neeson) and unleash hell on earth. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, Perseus and his warriors will only survive if Perseus accepts his power as a god, defies fate and creates his own destiny.
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22. ‘The Dead Pool‘ (1988)

Dirty Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) returns for his final film adventure. Together with his partner Al Quan (Evan C. Kim), he must investigate the systematic murder of actors and musicians. By the time Harry learns that the murders are a part of a sick game to predict the deaths of celebrities before they happen, it may be too late…
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21. ‘Kingdom of Heaven‘ (2005)

After his wife dies, a blacksmith named Balian (Orlando Bloom) is thrust into royalty, political intrigue and bloody holy wars during the Crusades.
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20. ‘The Commuter‘ (2018)

(L to R) Vera Farmiga and Liam Neeson in ‘The Commuter’. Photo: Lionsgate.

A businessman (Neeson), on his daily commute home, gets unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy that threatens not only his life but the lives of those around him.
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19. ‘A Walk Among the Tombstones‘ (2014)

Private investigator Matthew Scudder (Neeson) is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife.
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18. ‘Taken 2‘ (2012)

In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills (Neeson) and his wife (Famke Janssen) are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter (Maggie Grace).
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17. ‘Run All Night‘ (2015)

Brooklyn mobster and prolific hit man Jimmy Conlon (Neeson) has seen better days. Longtime best friend of a mob boss (Ed Harris), Jimmy is haunted by the sins of his past—as well as a dogged police detective (Vincent D’Onofrio) who’s been one step behind Jimmy for 30 years. But when Jimmy’s estranged son (Joel Kinnaman) becomes a target, Jimmy must make a choice between the crime family he chose and the real family he abandoned long ago. Now, with nowhere safe to turn, Jimmy has just one night to figure out exactly where his loyalties lie and to see if he can finally make things right.
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16. ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues‘ (2013)

With the 70s behind him, San Diego’s top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to take New York’s first 24-hour news channel by storm.
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15. ‘Non-Stop‘ (2014)

Liam Neeson in ‘Non-Stop’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Bill Marks (Neeson) is a Federal Air Marshall for whom every day is the same until this one. On this plane ride, he starts receiving text messages from someone claiming to be on the flight and threatening to kill passengers. In a race against the clock, he must identify and stop the killer to save everyone on board.
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14. ‘Taken 3‘ (2015)

Ex-government operative Bryan Mills (Neeson) finds his life is shattered when he’s falsely accused of a murder that hits close to home. As he’s pursued by a savvy police inspector (Forest Whitaker), Mills employs his particular set of skills to track the real killer and exact his unique brand of justice.
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13. ‘Gangs of New York‘ (2002)

In early 1860s New York, Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) is released from prison and returns to the Five Points, seeking revenge against his father’s killer, William Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), a powerful anti-immigrant gang leader. He knows that revenge can only be attained by infiltrating Cutting’s inner circle. Vallon’s journey becomes a fight for personal survival and to find a place for the Irish people.
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12. ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe‘ (2005)

Siblings Lucy (Georgie Henley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell) and Peter (William Moseley) step through a magical wardrobe and find the land of Narnia. There, they discover a charming, once peaceful kingdom that has been plunged into eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis (Tilda Swinton). Aided by the wise and magnificent lion, Aslan (Neeson), the children lead Narnia into a spectacular, climactic battle to be free of the Witch’s glacial powers forever.
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11. ‘The Grey‘ (2012)

Following a grueling five-week shift at an Alaskan oil refinery, workers led by sharpshooter John Ottway (Neeson) are flying home for a much-needed vacation. But a brutal storm causes their plane to crash in the frozen wilderness, and only eight men, including Ottway, survive. As they trek southward toward civilization and safety, Ottway and his companions must battle mortal injuries, the icy elements, and a pack of hungry wolves.
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10. ‘The A-Team‘ (2010)

(L to R) Liam Neeson, Sharlto Copley, Quinton Jackson and Bradley Cooper in ‘The A-Team’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

A man who loves when a plan comes together, Col. Hannibal Smith (Neeson) leads a close-knit team of elite operatives and Iraq War veterans. Framed for a crime they didn’t commit, Smith and his men, Capt. H.M. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock (Sharlto Copley), Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus (Quinton “Rampage” Jackson), and Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck (Bradley Cooper), break out and go rogue, using their special talents to clear their names and find the perpetrator. Hot on their trail is Capt. Charissa Sosa (Jessica Biel), who was once involved with a member of Smith’s team and has sworn to capture them, no matter what it takes.
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9. ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace‘ (1999)

Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.
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8. ‘Excalibur‘ (1981)

A surreal adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory’s “Le Morte d’Arthur” chronicling Arthur Pendragon’s (Nigel Terry) conception, his rise to the throne, the search by his Knights of the Round Table for the Holy Grail, and ultimately, his death.
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7. ‘The Lego Movie‘ (2014)

An ordinary Lego mini-figure (Chris Pratt), mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil Lego tyrant (Will Ferrell) from conquering the universe.
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6. ‘Darkman‘ (1990)

Dr. Peyton Westlake (Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when his laboratory is destroyed by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with a former love (Frances McDormand).
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5. ‘The Naked Gun‘ (2025)

(L to R) Eddie Yu plays Detective Park, Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. and Paul Walter Hauser plays Ed Hocken Jr. in ‘The Naked Gun’ from Paramount Pictures.

Only one man has the particular set of skills…to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Neeson) follows in his father’s footsteps in ‘The Naked Gun’, directed by Akiva Schaffer and from producer Seth MacFarlane. Joining the case are cast Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, and Danny Huston.
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4. ‘Batman Begins‘ (2005)

Driven by tragedy, billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) dedicates his life to uncovering and defeating the corruption that plagues his home, Gotham City. Unable to work within the system, he instead creates a new identity, a symbol of fear for the criminal underworld – The Batman.
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3. ‘Love Actually‘ (2003)

Eight very different couples deal with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.
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2. ‘Schindler’s List‘ (1994)

The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler (Neeson) saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.
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1. ‘Taken‘ (2009)

Liam Neeson in ‘Taken’. Photo: EuropaCorp Distribution.

Bryan Mills (Neeson), a former government operative, is trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter Kim (Maggie Grace). After reluctantly agreeing with his ex-wife (Famke Janssen) to let Kim go to Paris on vacation with a friend, his worst nightmare comes true. While on the phone with his daughter shortly after she arrives in Paris, she and her friend are abducted by a gang of human traffickers. Working against the clock, Bryan relies on his extensive training and skills to track down the ruthless gang that abducted her and launch a one-man war to rescue his daughter.
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August 11, 2025
‘That Christmas’ Interview: Richard Curtis and Simon Otto
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Premiering on Netflix December 4th is the new animated holiday movie ‘That Christmas’, which was written by ‘Love Actually’ director Richard Curtis, based on his own book, ‘That Christmas and Other Stories’. Directed by Simon Otto, the film features the voices of Brian Cox (‘Succession’), Fiona Shaw (‘Star Wars: Andor’), Jodie Whittaker (‘Doctor Who’), and Bill Nighy (‘Living’).

Related Article: Director Bobby Farrelly and Producer Peter Farrelly Talk ‘Dear Santa’

‘That Christmas’. Photo: Netflix.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with writer Richard Curtis and director Simon Otto about their work on ‘That Christmas’, adapting Curtis’ novel, Otto’s directorial debut, what he learned from working with Curtis, the challenges of making a Christmas movie, their favorite characters, and why they are excited to have audiences watch the film.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.

Netflix’s ‘That Christmas’ writer Richard Curtis.

Moviefone: To begin with, Richard, can you talk about how ‘That Christmas’ came to be?

Richard Curtis: Well, I’ve got four kids, so I’ve read them 500 children’s books 500 times and eventually I thought I’d write one myself. So, I wrote one and then two years later had another idea. I wrote three books and then a producer friend of mine just said, “I think these might make a lovely film.” I was so delighted at the opportunity to make an animated film. It’s something I’d always wanted to do, but kind of never thought I would. So, it’s been a real Christmas present to me to get the movie made.

MF: Simon, this is your directorial debut, can you talk about why you wanted to make a Christmas movie for your first film?

Simon Otto: I mean, it’s always a bit happenstance in the way this works. I had really wanted to direct a feature after doing some television episodes. I’ve been talking to this company called Locksmith Animation who did ‘Ron’s Gone Wrong’ during this time, and they wanted me to be head of animation on one of their projects. I said, “Really, my next step is directing, and I’d love to see if there’s something that can happen there.” So, I was working on multiple projects, and they came back to me with this children’s book called ‘The Empty Stocking’, which they thought would make a lovely Christmas special. I thought, “Yeah, that sounds interesting. Let me have a look.” Very quickly we realized there was a second book and a third book on its way and that Richard Curtis was interested in maybe writing the screenplay. Then for me it was like, “Okay, yes, where can I sign? Where do I need to go?” In this early period, we very quickly realized that instead of doing Christmas specials, to intertwine them into one giant cinematic kind of Christmas movie, and that pitch was very easy to take around town. Netflix was immediately interested.

‘That Christmas’. Photo: Netflix.

MF: Simon, what was it like working with a filmmaker like Richard Curtis on this project?

SO: It was so many things, and first and foremost, it was like a free film school for me to be collaborating with somebody with so much experience. But in talking with him, it was the same thing. To him it was a discovery of a completely new way of developing story, script and animation because the timeline is so different. So usually, he would write the screenplay with a producer and then find the director and then make the film. We developed this story based on his books as we were developing the visuals and the storyboards, and they were writing the script alongside our development work. So, I was able to collaborate with him on it over the first year and a half. For me, it was such a tremendous privilege to be doing this. What makes it really interesting for me was that from the get-go, not only was it going to be a movie written by one of my favorite screenwriters, but it was also an unusual type of story for animation because in animation, generally you have a single hero journey against the villain in a fantastical world. This is a multi-threaded storyline with multiple protagonists, no villains, about these three charming children’s books that told quite small moments, and we had a chance to make it big and bring the power of animation to it and make it sweeping and cinematic. What I love about Richard’s writing is, besides a sense of wish fulfillment and a real great study of characters and caricaturing real life, is that he has a way of making small moments feel big. I love that about his films, and I thought that there was something unique that we as animators could bring to that storytelling.

MF: How important was it to you to make this a family film and not just a movie for kids?

RC: Well, it’s funny. I think I’ve always been quite a sort of age democrat. When I meet people who are six and seven, I don’t think they’re stupid. In fact, I often assume they’re smarter than me. So, I think it didn’t occur to me that you would write a story and try and oversimplify emotions for kids. I feel as though if you’ve got an interesting story to tell, they will probably enjoy it as much as an adult would. So, I tried to make something that would make, as it were, my daughter and me both happy. As all the filmmakers didn’t think we’re making something for kids. They thought they’re making something as it were for us and us when we were kids.

‘That Christmas’. Photo: Netflix.

MF: Simon, how important was it to you to really make a film for the whole family?

SO: I’ve always felt that I’ve loved animation ever since I was a kid, and by love, I mean I started drawing and copying drawings of the old Disney movies and really loved the world and loved the fact that this could come to life and become something real. So, the idea that you caricature the world as it is and try and be authentic and realistic about it so it’s grounded, that was important to us that we felt like it’s a place you could go visit, these are characters that you know, and these are characters that you recognize from your own life. So very early on, we very quickly agreed that we’re not making a cartoony movie that had cartoony ideas where things could happen that wouldn’t happen in the real world, with the exception of course of Santa and the reindeer, and who’s to say they’re not real? But the idea that we really wanted to believe in this world, and therefore our approach to it was all about the things that we see in our own lives and what amuses us and the idea that our movie is essentially a story where the mess up of our parents, that feels relatable to us as parents: looking away and your toddler is gone or driving into bad weather and not turning around. Some of the mistakes that the parents make are completely relatable and believable mistakes, but it’s the kids that suffer the consequences. But in our world, they’re creative kids and find a way to come around. So, telling stories that are inherently familiar and truthful but sort of combining them and trying to find funny ways to tell them is how we went about it. We never really thought about it as an animated movie, really. I mean we did. Of course, I did for sure, but in terms of writing, we didn’t.

MF: Richard, which character was the most fun to write?

RC: Do you know, it’s funny you say fun? In the book about the little boy called ‘Snow Day,’ we just sort of had a slightly sad little boy, and when we made the movie, we made him a latchkey kid with a mom who’s a nurse, who must work too hard in the local community. We had the story about his dad who lets them both down. So, I think for me, in the journey from book to screen, making that character saying, if a kid is a bit lonely and shy, what’s the three-dimensional story about how they got there? I think we found that very satisfying.

‘That Christmas’. Photo: Netflix.

MF: Simon, do you have a favorite character in this movie other than Santa Clause?

SO: I think I’m really connected with Little Danny, and the reason for that is of course, because who doesn’t understand and identify with a kid who’s left alone at Christmas? But I took my family from LA to London to make this film, and I had to take my twelve-year-old kid out of his school and stick him into an international school in London where he was the outsider, he didn’t quite have any friends. He was sad that he had to leave his life behind in LA. Seeing the journey from outsider to having friends and really loving it was close to me, and there’s a lot of tiny little things in the film that I feel close to. Then of course, we had to decide on who plays the villain as father, which you can’t really hear, but if you know it, you hear it. But the dad, when he calls to tell Danny that he’s not going to make it, that’s me. It’s my voice. So, I had to play the villain of the story, which is not really a villain at all, of course.

MF: Richard, what are you most excited for people to see with this movie?

RC: Well, I put all my work into it, but in every film the wonderful things are the things I don’t do. So, it’s just the detail in the little faces. There are things that animation can do where a child’s face can have four emotions, joy, worry, excitement, nervousness, all in a second. So, the thing I’m most excited is by people being able to, as it were, admire the art and enjoy the depth of some of the characters and their beautifully animated faces.

‘That Christmas’. Photo: Netflix.

MF: Finally, Simon, what are you most excited for audiences to see with this movie?

SO: I really love what our production design and character design state in terms of authenticity. I feel like it’s rare that in a movie you feel like this is based on something real and something that you could go visit. Our production designer, Justin Hutchinson-Chatburn, came from live action. He’s done both animation and live action, but he paid so much attention to the set dressing of the world, so every room of every kid tells a quite intricate story about the characters. Because it’s a multi-threaded storyline, which is unusual in animation, the fact that you can pretty much quickly understand who these characters are. Danny just recently moved into his house, so the house is not decorated. Paint swabs are still up, but it’s only his room that’s decorated because that’s the nucleus of what the mother cares about. Then Simon/Charlie stories, they have this divided bedroom. One’s naughty, the other one’s nice. One’s nice and clean, the other one’s chaotic with lots of other things. Bernadette’s world is a world of chaos and rainbows and colorful and reinvention, and I just love the authentic place and the world. I’m quite proud of that.

Interviews conducted by Krisily Fernstrom
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What is the plot of ‘That Christmas’?

‘That Christmas’ follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, and Santa Claus (Brian Cox) making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!

Who is in the voice cast of ‘That Christmas’?
- Brian Cox as Santa Claus
- Fiona Shaw as Miss Trapper
- Jodie Whittaker as Mrs. Williams
- Bill Nighy as Lighthouse Bill
- Lolly Adefope as Mrs. McNutt
- Alex Macqueen as Mr. Forrest
- Katherine Parkinson as Mrs. Forrest
- Sindhu Vee as Mrs. Mulji
‘That Christmas’. Photo: Netflix.

Other Christmas Movies:
- ‘Trading Places‘ (1983)
- ‘Gremlins‘ (1984)
- ‘Lethal Weapon‘ (1987)
- ‘Scrooged‘ (1988)
- ‘Die Hard‘ (1988)
- ‘Home Alone‘ (1990)
- ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol ‘(1992)
- ‘The Santa Clause‘ (1994)
- ‘Jingle All the Way‘ (1996)
- ‘Elf‘ (2003)
- ‘Bad Santa‘ (2003)
- ‘Love Actually‘ (2003)
- ‘Christmas with the Kranks‘ (2004)
- ‘Surviving Christmas‘ (2004)
- ‘Deck the Halls‘ (2006)
- ‘Fred Claus‘ (2007)
- ‘Four Christmases‘ (2008)
- ‘Arthur Christmas‘ (2011)
- ‘Krampus‘ (2015)
- ‘The Night Before‘ (2015)
- ‘The Christmas Chronicles‘ (2018)
- ‘Violent Night‘ (2022)
- ‘Spirited‘ (2022)
- ‘Candy Cane Lane‘ (2023)
- ‘Silent Night‘ (2023)
- ‘Dear Santa‘ (2024)
Buy Richard Curtis Movies On Amazon
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December 5, 2024
Best Feel Good Movies to Make you Happy

20th Century Fox

Ever have a bad day at work and just wanted to go home and watch a movie to help you forget about your problems?

Those are called “Feel Good Movies” and everyone has their favorite film that makes them happy.

So, if you are looking for a movie to put you in a better mood, here is a list of some fun films that will be sure to put a smile on your face.

Let’s begin!

13. Senior Year (2022)

The story follows a cheerleader (Rebel Wilson) who wakes up after a 20-year coma and returns to high school to try to regain her status and claim the prom queen crown that eluded her.
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12. The Holiday (2006)

Two women, one from the United States (Cameron Diaz) and one from the United Kingdom (Kate Winslet), swap homes at Christmastime after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance with a local man but realizes that the imminent return home may end the relationship.
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11. Love Actually (2003)

‘Love Actually’ follows the lives of eight very different couples dealing with their love lives, in various loosely and interrelated tales, all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England. The cast includes Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kiera Knightley, Colin Firth, Billy Nighy, Laura Linney, and Liam Neeson.
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10. Pitch Perfect (2012)

College student Beca (Anna Kendrick) knows she does not want to be part of a clique, but that’s exactly where she finds herself after arriving at her new school. Thrust in among mean gals, nice gals and just plain weird gals, Beca finds that the only thing they have in common is how well they sing together.

She takes the women of the group out of their comfort zone of traditional arrangements and into a world of amazing harmonic combinations in a fight to the top of college music competitions. Also starring Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, and Brittany Snow.
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9. Jerry Maguire (1996)

Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) used to be a typical sports agent: willing to do just about anything he could to get the biggest possible contracts for his clients, plus a nice commission for himself. Then, one day, he suddenly has second thoughts about what he’s really doing. When he voices these doubts, he ends up losing his job and all of his clients, save Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), an egomaniacal football player.
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8. School of Rock (2003)

Fired from his band and hard up for cash, guitarist and vocalist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) finagles his way into a job as a fifth-grade substitute teacher at a private school, where he secretly begins teaching his students the finer points of rock ‘n’ roll. The school’s hard-nosed principal is rightly suspicious of Finn’s activities. But Finn’s roommate remains in the dark about what he’s doing.
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7. La La Land (2016)

Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail party gigs in dingy bars, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.
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6. Clueless (1995)

Shallow, rich and socially successful Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school’s pecking scale. Seeing herself as a matchmaker, Cher first coaxes two teachers into dating each other. Emboldened by her success, she decides to give hopelessly klutzy new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) a makeover. When Tai becomes more popular than she is, Cher realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother was right about how misguided she was — and falls for him.
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5. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

A timid magazine photo manager (Ben Stiller), who lives life vicariously through daydreams embarks on a true-life adventure when a negative goes missing. Also starring Kristen Wiig, Kathryn Hahn, Shirley MacLaine, and Sean Penn.
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4. Yes Man (2008)

Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) has stumbled across a way to shake free of post-divorce blues and a dead-end job: embrace life and say yes to everything. Also starring Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Rhys Darby, and Terence Stamp.
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3. Big (1988)

When a young boy (David Moscow and Tom Hanks) makes a wish at a carnival machine to be big—he wakes up the following morning to find that it has been granted and his body has grown older overnight. But he is still the same 13-year-old boy inside. Now he must learn how to cope with the unfamiliar world of grown-ups including getting a job and having his first romantic encounter with a woman (Elizabeth Perkins).
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2. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

After high school slacker Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) successfully fakes an illness in order to skip school for the day, he goes on a series of adventures throughout Chicago with his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) and best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck), all the while trying to outwit his wily school principal and fed-up sister.
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1. The Princess Bride (1987)

In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) and the dashing Westley (Cary Elwes) must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid a six-fingered swordsmen (Christopher Guest), a murderous prince (Chris Sarandon), a dangerous Sicilian (Wallace Shawn), a man searching for his father’s killer, (Mandy Patinkin) a giant (André Roussimoff), and rodents of unusual size. But even death can’t stop these true lovebirds from triumphing.
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May 30, 2022
Best Romantic Comedies of All Time

IFC Films

In the mood for a romance movie? We listed the best romantic comedies to watch to for you.

‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961)

Holly Golightly is an eccentric New York City playgirl determined to marry a Brazilian millionaire. But when young writer Paul Varjak moves into her apartment building, her past threatens to get in their way.
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‘Annie Hall’ (1977)

A Woody Allen classic. New York comedian Alvy Singer falls in love with the ditsy Annie Hall.
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‘Manhattan’ (1979)

Manhattan explores how the life of a middle-aged television writer dating a teenage girl is further complicated when he falls in love with his best friend’s mistress.
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‘Moonstruck’ (1987)

No sooner does Italian-American widow Loretta accept a marriage proposal from her doltish boyfriend, Johnny, than she finds herself falling for his younger brother, Ronny. She tries to resist, but Ronny lost his hand in an accident he blames on his brother, and has no scruples about aggressively pursuing her while Johnny is out of the country. As Loretta falls deeper in love, she comes to learn that she’s not the only one in her family with a secret romance.
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‘Bull Durham’ (1988)

Veteran catcher Crash Davis is brought to the minor league Durham Bulls to help their up and coming pitching prospect, “Nuke” Laloosh. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start and is further complicated when baseball groupie Annie Savoy sets her sights on the two men.
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‘Say Anything…’ (1989)

A noble underachiever and a beautiful valedictorian fall in love the summer before she goes off to college.
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‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ (1994)

Over the course of five social occasions, a committed bachelor must consider the notion that he may have discovered love.
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’10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999)

Buena Vista Pictures

Still one of the funniest, sweetest, and most quotable teen romcoms. We wish Heath Ledger were still here, singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You.”
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‘The Best Man’ (1999)

Universal

Writer Harper (Taye Diggs) has to decide who he really loves: girlfriend Robin (Sanaa Lathan) or old flame Jordan (Nia Long). And survive the fallout from writing about all his friend’s complicated love lives.
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‘Never Been Kissed’ (1999)

20th Century Fox

Drew Barrymore is Josie, who was a geeky unpopular teen, and is now a reporter who’s assigned to go undercover at a high school. She gets a crush on her English teacher (Michael Vartan) and, yes, by the end of the film, she does get her first kiss from him — in full view of the cheering students.
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‘Notting Hill’ (1999)

Universal

A chance encounter between an ordinary bloke (Hugh Grant) and a movie star (Julia Roberts) leads to an unexpected romance. The supporting cast is what really makes this film, especially Grant’s gross roommate (Rhys Ifans). And the scene where Grant bluffs his way (terribly) through a press junket when he drops in to see Julia on the wrong day at her hotel is pure movie magic.
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‘Bring It On’ (2000)

Universal Pictures

New cheer captain Torrance (Kirsten Dunst) has her hands full: Recruiting a new cheerleader, coming up with new (not stolen) routines, and making peace with a rival school. Is there time for the cute, mix-tape-making brother (Jesse Bradford) of new BFF Missy (Eliza Dushku)? Yes, yes there is.
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‘High Fidelity’ (2000)

Touchstone Pictures

John Cusack is a record store owner (yeah, OK, this movie is 19 years old) who is obsessed with making the perfect music mix. And winning back his ex-girlfriend, who trots out a series of rebound boyfriends in front of him. Eventually (after lots of great tunes and voiceover), he gets over his fear of commitment. They reunite to a surprisingly great cover version of “Let’s Get It On” by Jack Black.
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‘Meet the Parents’ (2000)

Universal

It’s an uphill battle when Teri Polo brings home fiancé Ben Stiller, who can’t go 60 seconds without embarrassing himself in front of her parents. And her perfect ex, Owen Wilson. This is still silly, sublime perfection.
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‘Miss Congeniality’ (2000)

Warner Brothers

“You think I’m sexy. You want to kiss me.” Another magical Hollywood makeover turns uncouth FBI agent Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) into a total hottie so she can go undercover at a pageant. Fellow agent Eric (Benjamin Bratt) can’t resist and we can’t blame him.
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‘Return to Me’ (2000)

MGM

In this vastly underrated romcom, grieving widower Bob (David Duchovny) meets Grace (Minnie Driver) and romance ensues. And then they both realize she, a heart transplant recipient, has his dead wife’s heart. The supporting cast is terrific, including Grace’s BFF, Bonnie Hunt (who also directed). The ending couldn’t be more romantic. Swoon.
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‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ (2001)

Miramax

In the first Bridget Jones movie, our favorite Brit romcom heroine is torn between upper-class snob Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and her cad of a boss (Hugh Grant). And then there’s the unfortunate incident with the Playboy bunny outfit.
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‘Kissing Jessica Stein’ (2001)

Fox Searchlight

Single Jessica Stein (Jennifer Westfeldt) finds the perfect-sounding mate in the personals: Except it’s a woman, not a man. She decides to roll the dice and begins a start-stop-go relationship with Helen (Heather Juergensen) in this funny, heartfelt indie.
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‘Legally Blonde’ (2001)

MGM

Elle Woods, the most unlikely feminist icon, gets into Harvard Law to follow her douche-y ex. She ends up fighting justice on all fronts, teaching women the almighty “bend and snap,” and lines up a far better bf in Luke Wilson.
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‘The Princess Diaries’ (2001)

Buena Vista Pictures

Mia (Anne Hathaway) finds out she’s a princess and gets a fab makeover — and ends up with the cute, guitar-playing guy (real musician Robert Schwartzman, lead singer of Rooney). Of course, by the second film there’s another guy in the picture. We also love the relationship between Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews) and her bodyguard (Hector Elizondo).
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‘Amélie’ (2001)

UGC Fox Distribution

In this dreamily, gorgeous French film, imaginative Amélie (Audrey Tatou) sees the world in the most fanciful way. She finds her soulmate in Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz), who likes to collect abandoned photo booth pictures. It only gets more whimsical from there.
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‘About a Boy’ (2002)

Universal Pictures

In this very funny film based on the Nick Hornby novel, single guy Hugh Grant pretends to be a single dad to attract single moms… all goes well until new gf Rachel Weisz learns his “son” (Nicholas Hoult) isn’t his son at all. Fortunately, all is put right when he makes a complete fool of himself to save Hoult from the same fate.
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‘Bend It Like Beckham’ (2002)

Twentieth Century Fox

Still one of our go-to romcoms. Jess (Parminder Nagra) just wants to play football like her hero David Beckham, but her traditional family disapproves. One incentive to keep playing, the handsome coach (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers in a rare good-guy role).
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‘Brown Sugar’ (2002)

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan are childhood friends who share a love of hip-hop — and, they eventually admit — each other. The soundtrack (and the music cameos) are on fire.
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‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ (2002)

IFC Films

It’s the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time for a reason. The timeless story of how once-mousy Toula (Nia Vardalos) meets and marries Ian (John Corbett) is all the funnier thanks to her hilarious family.
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‘Something’s Gotta Give’ (2003)

Columbia Pictures

In one of the most complicated of romcom relationships, Diane Keaton starts dating Jack Nicholson, who was first dating her daughter! Why she ends up choosing the unfaithful old fart over hot young doctor Keanu Reeves, we’ll never know. Keaton received her fourth Best Actress Oscar nomination for the film.
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‘Love Actually’ (2003)

Universal Pictures

What’s your favorite storyline in Richard Curtis’s Christmas-set smorgasbord? We’re fond of author Jamie (Colin Firth) proposing to housekeeper Aurélia (Lúcia Moniz) in terrible Portuguese. And, of course, Prime Minister Hugh Grant falling for the tea girl (Martine McCutcheon). Not so much into the stalking of Keira Knightley. (Sorry, Andrew Lincoln.)
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’13 Going on 30′ (2004)

Columbia Pictures

Jennifer Garner does “Big” in this charming romcom in which she avoids becoming a Mean Girl and ends up with the right guy after all (Mark Ruffalo). Oh and nobody cuts a rug to “Thriller” quite like her.
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‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’ (2005)

Universal

Geeky 40-year-old virgin Andy (Steve Carell) manages to woo Trish (Catherine Keener)… until she starts thinking his oddness means he’s a serial killer! Features one of the most epic grand gesture third-act scenes set to ’80s rockers Asia’s “Heat of the Moment.” And of course, the “Kelly Clarkson!” waxing scene.
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‘The Holiday’ (2006)

Columbia Pictures

Two unlucky-in-love women, an American (Cameron Diaz) and a Brit (Kate Winslet), swap houses for the holidays and (of course) find romance. Romcom queen Nancy Meyers wrote and directed.
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‘Enchanted’ (2007)

Disney

Amy Adams is perfection as Giselle, an animated princess who finds herself in gritty, real-life NYC. Luckily, there’s a flesh-and-blood Prince Charming Patrick Dempsey), who can’t help falling for her. Favorite bit: Giselle summoning the birds — and rats and roaches — of the city to help her clean his apartment.
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‘Knocked Up’ (2007)

For fun loving party animal Ben Stone, the last thing he ever expected was for his one night stand to show up on his doorstep eight weeks later to tell him she’s pregnant.
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‘Juno’ (2007)

Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child.
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‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ (2008)

Universal Pictures

Running into your ex and her new rock star boyfriend on vacation? Awkward! Conveniently for Peter (Jason Segel), hotel concierge Rachel (Mila Kunis) is into guys on the rebound.
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‘Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day’ (2008)

Focus Features

While we do care about aspiring actress Amy Adam’s many loves in this period comedy, we are far more invested in down-on-her-luck governess Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) finally hooking up with well-heeled Joe (Ciarán Hinds) after several missed opportunities.
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‘The Proposal’ (2009)

Touchstone Pictures

It’s a bumpy ride to love for obnoxious boss Margaret (Sandra Bullock) and her beleaguered assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds). He agrees to act as her fiancé so she won’t be deported (she’s Canadian). Has that not ever led to true love in the movies?
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‘500 Days of Summer’ (2009)

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Hopeless romantic Joseph Gordon-Levitt reflects on what went wrong with ex Zooey Deschanel in this wonderfully offbeat indie.
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‘Just Wright’ (2010)

Fox Searchlight Pictures

A reminder that Rebel Wilson is not the first plus-size star to do a romcom. And that in this story that has physical therapist Queen Latifah working with injured b-ball star Common, we are so rooting for him to get wise to gold-digger Paula Patton and get with the Queen instead.
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‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’ (2011)

Warner Bros.

Emma Stone falls for Ryan Gosling and his not-Photoshopped abs in this very funny film with almost as many romantic storylines as “Love, Actually.”
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‘Bridesmaids’ (2011)

Annie’s life is a mess. But when she finds out her lifetime best friend is engaged, she simply must serve as Lillian’s maid of honor. Though lovelorn and broke, Annie bluffs her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals. With one chance to get it perfect, she’ll show Lillian and her bridesmaids just how far you’ll go for someone you love.
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‘Silver Linings Playbook’ (2012)

After spending eight months in a mental institution, a former teacher moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife.
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‘Pitch Perfect’ (2012)

Universal

When Beca (Anna Kendrick) sings Jesse (Skylar Astin)’s favorite song, “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” that’s the key to cementing their romance. And winning the singing competition, of course.
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‘About Time’ (2013)

Universal Pictures

Richard Curtis directs this tale of time-traveling Tim (Domhnall Gleeson), who gets endless retakes to woo the girl of his dreams (Rachel McAdams). Have your tissues ready for this one: It’s as heartbreaking as it is funny.
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‘Enough Said’ (2013)

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Sadly, this change-of-pace role for “Sopranos” star James Gandolfini was one of his last: He romances Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who inconveniently is good friends with his ex (Catherine Keener). Both leads and writer/director Nicole Holofcener racked up a number of awards nominations (deservedly so).
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‘The Spectacular Now’ (2013)

A24

Yay, a coming-of-age Shailene Woodley romance where no one dies! Reminiscent of ’80s classics like “Say Anything…,” this comedy-drama feels refreshingly real. She and Miles Teller won a Special Jury Award for Acting at the Sundance Film Fest.
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‘Sing Street’ (2016)

Lionsgate

Before she was Freddie Mercury’s muse in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Lucy Boynton was inspiring Cosmo (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) to form a band, just so she can be their videos. Set in ’80s Dublin, this mostly feel-good comedy from the director of “Once” is gold. Unhappily, the great original songs were overlooked at Oscar time.
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‘The Big Sick’ (2017)

Lionsgate

Comedian Kumail Nanjiani and real-life wife Emily Gordon wrote this Oscar-nominated film about how they met, broke up (he never even told his family about her!) and ultimately reunited. Kumail plays himself and Zoe Kazan plays Emily.
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‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018)

Warner Bros.

Rachel (Constance Wu) is shocked to discover that her boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) belongs to an incredibly wealthy family. And his mother (Michelle Yeoh) is not a fan of hers. Challenge accepted!
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‘Juliet, Naked’ (2018)

Lionsgate

Annie (Rose Byrne) has been in a dead-end relationship with Duncan (Chris O’Dowd) for years. He’s obsessed with musician Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke), which, in a hilarious twist, leads to Annie hooking up with Duncan’s idol. Another Nick Hornby gem.
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‘Palm Springs’ (2020)

When carefree Nyles and reluctant maid of honor Sarah have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding, things get complicated when they find themselves unable to escape the venue, themselves, or each other.
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September 21, 2021
11 Movies That Will Make You Feel Christmas AF

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New Line

MGM/UA

Universal

20th Century Fox

Rankin/Bass

CBS

Buena Vista

Buena Vista

Rankin/Bass

Paramount

Paramount

December 4, 2018
The 11 Best Holiday Movies Over the Last 20 Years

New Line Cinema

Columbia

Universal

Universal

Universal

Universal

New Line Cinema

Universal

Dimension

Columbia

Netflix

20th Century Fox

November 5, 2018
Emma Thompson Reveals Real Heartbreak Inspired ‘Love Actually’ Crying Scene

Broken heart, actually. Emma Thompson has opened up about the real-life heartbreak that fueled her devastating crying scene in 2003’s “Love Actually.”

“That scene where my character is standing by the bed crying is so well known because it’s something everyone’s been through,” she told The Telegraph.

Thompson was referring to infidelity, which she experienced with ex-husband Kenneth Branagh, who cheated on her with Helena Bonham Carter in 1994.

In the movie, Emma Thompson’s character, Karen, discovers her husband (the late Alan Rickman) was cheating on her. After opening her own Christmas present, she realizes that a necklace she found in his coat is meant for another woman. So, she leaves the room and quietly sobs while listening to Joni Mitchell.

“I had my heart very badly broken by Ken,” Thompson said. “So I knew what it was like to find the necklace that wasn’t meant for me. Well, it wasn’t exactly that, but we’ve all been through it.”

Thompson and Branagh first met while making the 1987 BBC drama “Fortunes of War” and got married two years later. They starred together movies including “Dead Again” and “Much Ado About Nothing.” Then, Branagh began an affair with Bonham Carter on the set of “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.” They were together for five years.

Now, Thompson has been married to Greg Wise, who she met on “Sense and Sensibility,” for 15 years and has two children. Branagh married art director Lindsay Brunnock in 2003 as well. Bonham Carter had a longterm relationship with director Tim Burton, with whom she has two children.

“That is… all blood under the bridge,” Thompson said of holding a grudge against “the other woman.”

“You can’t hold on to anything like that. It’s pointless. I haven’t got the energy for it … Helena and I made our peace years and years ago … She’s a wonderful woman.”

February 28, 2018
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Giacomo Gianniotti Issued a ‘Love Actually’-Inspired Christmas Request

Aren’t we all suckers for “Love Actually” during the holidays? Giacomo Gianniotti (rightly) assumed so, and he used this to his advantage on Christmas Eve.

The “Grey’s Anatomy” star decided to borrow an idea from the movie — which is his Christmas favorite — to call attention to a special cause. Using poster board, he wrote out a message in support of the organization My Friend’s Place and shared it on his Instagram. In the four-part video, he gave background on MFP, which he described as “an incredible drop in resource centre for homeless youth in Los Angeles,” and informed fans that they’ll be hosting their third annual Tough Mudder in March in hopes of raising $30,000 for MFP’s 30th anniversary.

Gianniotti also encouraged fans to donate to the cause. As he pointed out, the holidays are the perfect time to “catch you at your weakest, and tug at the heart strings.” The use of “Love Actually” was an added stroke of genius. Watch below.

Hey Guys, Tough Mudder for @myfriendsplace 2018 is on! This March. If you feel it in your heart this holiday season, please go to www.crowdrise.com/greysanatomytoughmudder or click the link in my bio to donate. Happy holidays from my family to yours. Thanks for reading!

A post shared by Giacomo Gianniotti (@giacomo_gianniotti) on Dec 24, 2017 at 2:18pm PST

As far as “Love Actually” shout-outs and donation requests go, it’s hard to find fault with Gianniotti’s. In fact, to us, it was perfect.

December 27, 2017
A ‘Love Actually’ Star Will Greet You With a Hug at Heathrow Airport This Christmas

As the famous voiceover from Christmas flick “Love Actually” declares, love actually is all around us, particularly in the warm embraces of family and friends waiting to greet their loved ones at the airport. Now, fans of the flick hoping to recreate that magic in real life have the opportunity to do so — and just may get a hug from one of the film’s stars.

In a new marketing promotion timed to the busy holiday travel season, London’s Heathrow Airport is dispatching a group of volunteers to greet arriving passengers with a warm smile, a personalized sign, and a hug. And one of those volunteers just happens to be actress Martine McCutcheon, who played Hugh Grant’s love interest Natalie in the 2003 flick.

According to an official press release from Heathrow, the scene at the end of “Love Actually” when McCutcheon leaps into Grant’s arms was voted the nation’s favorite moment in the film. (We’re more partial to this one, but to each her own, we suppose.) And it holds special significance for the actress, too, hence her agreement to take part in this friendly bit of marketing.

“It was one of my all-time favourite scenes to film and even now I get so excited every time I’m at Heathrow – welcoming someone home is such a great feeling that never gets old!” McCutcheon said in a statement. “At Christmas, this is truer than ever. I love that Heathrow is giving everyone the chance to welcome home their loved one, through this amazing team of Volunteers who are spreading Christmas joy at the airport and bringing us all a bit closer together this Christmas.”

If you want to get in on the fun for yourself, make sure you send a message to the official Heathrow Twitter account — and fly into the airport by Saturday, December 23.

[via: Heathrow, h/t People]

December 21, 2017