During most of the year, I’d consider myself to be a tough movie critic. Trust me, I don’t mean to be a film snob—the truth is, I’m just a tired person. A movie has to be pretty good to keep my attention, or else I’ll inevitably “rest my eyes” and fall into a deep, accidental slumber. If a film is mundane, predictable, or boasts some bad acting, sleep will always take precedence.
Now, that being said, I’m not sure what it is about the holiday season, but when it comes to clichés and foreseen plots in cheesy holiday movies, all of my previously true statements fly out the window. Give me mediocre acting! Give me happy endings! I need a “will they/won’t they” storyline where they most definitely “will!” It’s the kind of nostalgia that I live for—a surefire way to launch myself into the holiday spirit. If you, too, find yourself welcoming all of the cheesy holiday movies, grab your favorite mug, fill it with hot cocoa, and snuggle up. These 30 cheesy films are sure to get you in your holiday feels.
1. A Merry Little Ex-Mas
Netflix simply refuses to let me survive the holidays without sprinkling a little merry chaos into my streaming queue. And this new 2025 film, starring our beloved it-girl Alicia Silverstone, delivers it in the best ways. The plot follows Kate Holden, a mom hoping for one final “normal” Christmas with her kids and soon-to-be ex-husband Everett (Oliver Hudson) before they get divorced. That is, until her ex shows up arm-in-arm with his new girlfriend. The fallout is amazingly awkward, but so entertaining. A hilarious holiday movie that pairs happily with that hot cocoa and your favorite holiday throw.
2. Something From Tiffany’s
If there is ever a time for romantic fateful encounters, it’s the holiday season, people. Hand me a peppermint mocha and put Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” on loop, and I will be a sucker for a Christmas destiny plot like this one. Starring Zoey Deutch, Shay Mitchell, Ray Nicolson, and more, Something From Tiffany’s follows a woman whose life is turned upside down when she gets an engagement ring that was supposed to be for someone else—leading her to the person she is actually meant to be with (FATE). While there are a lot of bad holiday movies out there, this one is a gem worth watching.
3. My Secret Santa
Another holiday love letter from Netflix, this new 2025 release is full of festive magic to bless your screen. For the most part, it delivers exactly what it promises in the trailer: Sparkling holiday scenes, a generous dose of cheese that keeps you hooked, and a plot that… mostly works. Is it a “good” movie? Not really. Is it fun? Absolutely! Which is why we are here, of course. Because in the world of perfectly cheesy holiday movies, I just want something to make me laugh between all the holiday fluff, and this Mrs. Doubtfire–esque twist does just that.
4. Nutcrackers
When bachelor-bro Mike (Ben Stiller) is yanked out of his big-city life and dropped into a farm in Ohio to take care of his recently orphaned nephews, Mike’s life becomes… a challenge, to say the least. In true holiday movie fashion, this dramedy is super predictable. But because holiday dinners with my family are not, settling into someone else’s predictable plot-line feels like a welcome change of pace this time of year. Nutcrackers will definitely tug on those heartstrings, and Stiller’s performance is very entertaining!
5. She’s Making a List
If you only speak in Hallmark movies this time of year, grab your favorite seasonal drink and those cozy pajama sets, because our holiday movie queen, Lacey Chabert, is back with a brand-new Hallmark release this year! If you’re team Hot Frosty and The Christmas Waltz, this one’s absolutely for you. The story follows one of Santa’s helpers (Chabert), who unexpectedly falls for the father of an 11-year-old girl she’s been tasked with deeming naughty or nice. The story is very sweet, and it’s a great holiday romance if you want to sprinkle some magic in your December season.
6. Christmas With the Kranks
This classic is a feast of holiday delights. In this world, Christmas lights are blinding in the best ways, and Frosty becomes more anxiety-inducing than a cute decor idea. The story follows a couple who decide to play Grinch and skip Christmas to go on a cruise—but not if their holiday-obsessed neighbors have anything to say about it. The entire thing feels delightfully unhinged, but it’s the one holiday movie my family happily rewatches every year. It somehow never gets old and always drags me straight into the season, whether I’m ready for it or not.
7. Single All The Way
In my opinion, Single All The Way is one of the most underrated holiday rom-coms out there. This is what I’ve always dreamed of—a holiday rom-com with Jennifer Coolidge playing an audacious side character. Desperate to avoid his family’s judgment about being single, Peter persuades his best friend Nick to pose as his boyfriend on a trip home for the holidays. When he arrives, his mom tries to set him up with a hunk in his hometown—but Peter soon realizes that the right person may have been there all along.
8. Noelle
When Santa’s son panics about taking over the family business, he suddenly vanishes. Leaving his sister Noelle (Anna Kendrick) to step up, and of course (because every holiday movie needs some dire circumstance where it could be canceled) SAVE CHRISTMAS! It’s got some super sweet themes wrapped in elf costumes and funny reindeer logistics. And as someone who’s secretly been in love with Bill Hader since her teens, his performance is super enjoyable and hilarious.
9. The Mistle-Tones
If cheesy musical numbers are your love language, The Mistle-Tones definitely deserves a spot on your watchlist. While it is not the best movie out there, it’s just plain fun this time of year. So, if you don’t need a cohesive plot and are just here for the nostalgia and holiday vibes, this is the perfect kind of movie to throw on when you’re wrapping gifts or baking cookies with the girls. The story follows Holly, who gets cut from her mom’s holiday singing group and decides to form her own rival crew—the Mistle-Tones. Think Pitch Perfect meets a Mean Girls holiday drama.
10. A Castle for Christmas
A castle for Christmas in this economy is a diabolical thought, but it’s a fun idea in a fictional world that features Cary Elwes and Brooke Shields. The movie follows a writer (classic holiday trope fuel) who journeys to Scotland to escape public backlash from her recent book. During her stay, she falls in love with a castle that she grew up hearing stories about—but must face off with the grumpy Duke who owns it. It’s full of escapist scenes, chunky coats, and cozy romances that make avoiding Q4 deadlines feel enjoyable.
11. Christmas with the Campbells
Getting dumped right before the holidays is tough. But spending the holidays with your ex’s family anyway? It doesn’t get worse than that. Jesse’s ex is away for the holidays, but his family is adamant that she still spend Christmas with them. Things, of course, get messy when her ex makes a surprise return for the holidays, but the result is hilarious. Ever since The Hunting Wives and The Beast In Me, I’ve been craving more and more Brittany Snow performances—and seeing her dressed to the nines in holiday cheese is so perfect.
12. Hot Frosty
I wish I was kidding when I explained the premise of this holiday rom-com, but alas… a sexy Frosty the Snowman comes to life. A young widow’s magic scarf brings this dashing snowman to life, and what follows is a whirlwind of rediscovering romance, laughter, and holiday cheer before he melts away. I’m obsessed with seeing Lacey Chabert in a popular, campy rom-com once again.
13. Meet Me Next Christmas
Christmastime, Pentatonix, and a wild goose chase through New York? I’m sold. On a quest to meet the man of her dreams, a hopeless romantic (Christina Milian) races across New York City to find a ticket to a sold-out Pentatonix Christmas concert. In the process, she meets a handsome stranger, experiences some crazy hijinks, and eventually realizes what a holiday romance truly looks like.
14. The Spirit of Christmas
Nothing feels more festive than a sexy ghost haunting you for the holidays. The Spirit of Christmas follows lawyer Kate, who—just 12 days before Christmas—is trying to close the sale of a historic inn. But in doing so, she discovers Daniel, the super handsome ghost of a man who died a century ago. And he needs Kate’s help to solve the mystery of his annual holiday haunting. Naturally, sparks fly between them. Which, of course, gets complicated, seeing that he’s basically air, but it’s a spicy plot that’s easy to fall in love with.
15. The 5-Year Christmas Party
Ahh, a good ‘ole case of right person, wrong time. Told over the course of five years, two recent college grads find themselves drawn together year after year while working for a catering company that specializes in holiday parties. This is the kind of silly-yet-romantic cheesy holiday movie that you’ll want to watch year after year.
16. The Merry Gentlemen
I’ll admit it—I really only watched this one to see Chad Michael Murray dancing with his shirt off. To save her parents’ small-town nightclub, a Broadway dancer stages an all-male, Christmas-themed revue and meets a guy with all the right moves. Torn between the success of the show and her life away from her small hometown, Ashley will eventually have to choose between the limelight and love—much like any cheesy holiday movie.
17. The Christmas Charade
An action-packed Christmas movie is not the usual rom-com, but don’t knock it till you try it. Whitney, a cautious librarian raised by home security experts, finds herself in a real-life adventure when a blind date mix-up leads her into an undercover FBI operation. Forced to pose as the girlfriend of Special Agent Josh, she helps him track down an art thief targeting the Heart of Christmas necklace at a Christmas Eve charity ball. As the stakes rise, Whitney must embrace her inner action hero to save the day—and her family—just in time for Christmas.
18. The Noel Diary
For how feel-good The Noel Diary is, it also digs into some surprisingly challenging themes around grief and loss—ones that hit especially hard during the holidays. So if you love a cheesy holiday film but could also use a good cry, this is your watch. It’s technically a romantic comedy, but it’s woven with a little drama that will make you feel all the feels. The story follows a best-selling author who returns home at Christmas to settle his mother’s estate, where he discovers a diary filled with family secrets from the past. Queue the tears, Netflix.
19. Holidate
If there’s one thing that Sloane and Jackson have in common, it’s their hatred for the holiday season. After a chance meeting and bonding over the shared experience of dodging holiday relationship pressures, they form a pact to be each other’s holiday plus ones. It’s simple, fun, and easy—but just how long can they keep it up? This one is perfectly raw and downright hilarious.
20. Holiday Rush
This Netflix holiday film will give you all of the feels. Meet Rush Williams, a widowed father of four and radio DJ who unexpectedly loses his job right before the holidays. He and his family subsequently have to forfeit a life of luxury, return to their previous home, and pull together to build back up over the holiday season. It’s a story about overcoming obstacles, leaning on your loved ones, and remembering that it’s not what you have but who you have that counts.
21. Genie
Starring comedy icon Melissa McCarthy, Genie follows a deeply frazzled Bernard (Paapa Essiedu) who feels like his life is crumbling around him. But when he fatefully discovers an antique jewelry box that houses trapped genie Flora (McCarthy), she might be the one to save his holiday season. The movie leans into a lot of classic feel-good clichés, but this time of year, I simply love it. Genie is simple, yes, but it’s sweet, and exactly the kind of cozy comfort watch to throw on while decorating gingerbread houses.
22. The Holiday Calendar
I don’t know about you, but with all the stress of the holiday season, I could definitely use a little magic in my life, and this Christmas romantic comedy is here to help. When Abby, a talented but struggling photographer, inherits an advent calendar from her grandmother, her bad luck begins to change. Soon, she finds that the calendar seems to predict the future and might just be pointing her in the direction of love. It’s a refreshing take on holiday cheer and, of course, serves up a love triangle that’ll keep you on your toes.
23. Christmas Catch
I think this is the closest mix of true crime and holiday that I ever want to get. In this holiday film, an undercover cop goes on a sting date with a suspected diamond thief. After getting to know him, she develops feelings and the suspicion that he’s being framed for a crime he didn’t commit. It’s quirky, it’s feel-good, and it should be at the top of your holiday watchlist.
24. Christmas Inheritance
If you’re someone who goes crazy for Hallmark holiday movies, this Netflix film was made just for you (a gift from Santa himself). Ellen Langford, a head-in-the-clouds socialite, is in the process of being primed to take over her father’s company. But after a messy holiday appearance, her father requests that she visit his hometown to explore the roots of the company. There’s humor, there’s romance, drama, and even an unexpected snowstorm—what more could a cheesy holiday movie lover ask for?
25. Best. Christmas. Ever!
Disclaimer: This is one of those more heartwarming, “awwwww” worthy movies than a true cheesy Christmas film. Every year around the holidays, Jackie sends out a “Christmas newsletter” to her friends and family—and each year, Charlotte, her ex-best friend, resents the rosy picture that Jackie paints of her life. When a twist of fate lands Charlotte on Jackie’s doorstep for Christmas, she tries to prove that her friend’s life is not perfect.
26. The Knight Before Christmas
With other adoring rom-coms like The Princess Switch, Vanessa Hudgens has quite the resume of holiday movies to bless our screens. In this holiday adventure, Hudgens plays Brooke, a science teacher who doesn’t believe in love. She befriends medieval knight Sir Cole, who was transported to present-day Ohio by a sorceress, and the two work together to help him return home (but not without finding love along the way, of course).
27. Christmas Crush
PSA: If you’re going to make a Christmas wish this year, be specific. When Addie makes a wish for her neighbor to fall in love with her, it comes true—but not in the way she expects. Enter Pete, a guy from her past and her brand-spankin’ new next-door neighbor, who seems to be under a Christmas spell, head-over-heels in love with her. During the film, Addie attempts to make him fall out of love so she can keep her eyes on her OG prospect.
28. A Christmas Prince
A Christmas cliché, above-average acting, and a bit of wanderlust? Sign me up. A young, aspiring journalist gets the opportunity of a lifetime and is assigned to get the tea on a scandalous prince poised to be king. To her surprise, Christmas comes early, as she learns that he’s more than meets the eye. If you like what you watch, you’re in luck because there are two more in the series. Enter A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby.
29. Operation Christmas Drop
Speaking of wanderlust, let’s take a trip to Guam, shall we? In this film, a by-the-book congressional aide is sent to investigate a tropical military base known for using military cargo planes to drop gifts and supplies to remote islands on Christmas. She goes with the intention of finding a reason to shut it down, but Andrew (an easy-on-the-eyes Air Force captain) works to convince her otherwise.
30. 12 Dates of Christmas
Imagine being forced to relive the same painfully awkward Christmas Eve date—over and over again until you get it right. This is Kate’s unfortunate reality, but the bright side is that it’s super entertaining for me to watch. The festive time-loop chaos is a premise I’m more than happy to indulge in for the sake of holiday fun. It may flash you back in time to your own date disasters, but if you love a good rom-com with a supernatural twist, and just enough cringe to keep things entertaining, this one is an easy seasonal watch.
Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Managing Editor
Ashley has been writing and creating content for The Everygirl since 2019. As Branded Content Managing Editor, she serves as a bridge between our sponsors and our editorial, social, and sales teams. Ashley works on our sales team to vet sponsors that are aligned with our brand values and readers’ interests and she works with team members to ideate, oversee, and bring editorial and social assets to life. As a writer, Ashley has covered a plethora of topics for our site, with her most notable articles being her beloved Trader Joe’s reviews and Netflix roundups.
Madigan Will, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Madigan writes and edits content for every topic under the digital media sun. As the oldest of four siblings, she enjoys utilizing her big sister persona to connect and inspire readers—helping them discover new ways to maximize their everyday.
