The 11 Best Holiday Movies Over the Last 20 Years
When you think holiday movies, old standbys like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street" might come to mind. Don't count out the more modern additions to the Christmas canon -- the past two decades have been more than capable of churning out current classics. As "Love Actually" and "Elf" turn 15, here are some of the best holiday movies to come out of the last 20 years.
'The Night Before' (2015)
Decking the halls has never been so fun thanks to Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie as a trio of high school buddies who follow a wild celebratory tradition every Christmas Eve. Michael Shannon's hilariously mysterious drug-dealing angel doesn't hurt either.
'The Holiday' (2006)
Nancy Meyers does a lot of things right -- enviable scenery, adorable meet-cute romances, and lives audiences are just generally jealous of. "The Holiday" is all of that and it's a Christmas movie, which makes it all the more delightful.
'The Family Man' (2000)
Once upon a time, millennium-era Nic Cage played a hot shot Wall Street exec who gets a Scrooge-like look at the simple life he could have had. Ah, pre-"Mandy" Nicolas Cage...
'Love Actually' (2003)
Love, actually, is all around an ensemble of endearing characters in this rom-com classic about intersecting British lives over Christmas. Some of their actions are questionable, but we've dealt with it for this long and its still considered a classic... Happy Christmas, everyone!
'Bridget Jones's Diary' (2001)
Yes, this is a Christmas movie and not just your typical rom-com because there's an epic snowy scene, ugly Christmas sweaters (or jumpers, if we're being authentic), and the timeline is anchored around the holiday.
'Elf' (2003)
Buddy the Elf is synonymous with Christmas cheer and if you don't watch this movie every year then you might be a ninny muggins.
'The Best Man Holiday' (2013)
The long-awaited sequel to the 1999's beloved rom-dramedy "The Best Man" is full of heart, humor, emotion, and a fantastic ensemble cast.
'Bad Santa' (2003)
Christmas movies with an edge are hard to come by. This is the ultimate naughty list member of the bunch.
'Arthur Christmas' (2011)
Did you know Santa had a son? Neither did we, and it turns out his Christmas-saving story is adorably magical, especially considering its told via stunning 3D animation.
'The Christmas Prince' (2017)
Netflix's 2017 unexpected gem of a holiday rom-com contained all the right cliches and the perfect amount of cozy predictability. A reporter becomes an unlikely princess? I'm ready for the sequel.
'The Family Stone' (2005)
I don't particularly love or even like anyone in this film, yet something about it screams must-watch every holiday season. I don't know if it's Rachel McAdams' snarky 'tude, Sarah Jessica Parker dropping that strata, or its general uneasy vibe that makes it a (reluctant) joy to behold.
