Top 10 Christmas Movies to Watch on Netflix + Giveaway!

I think this holiday season will go down as the one during which I have binge watched the most Christmas movies - and I am not ashamed to admit it! Thank you, Netflix, for sucking me into your festive motion picture vortex. I thought it would be fun to put together a list of my top Netflix movie picks in the Christmas category, because your girl has done her research and is ready to share her findings... I mean recommendations!

1. The Holiday (2006) - Romantic Comedy
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black

Two women, one based in Los Angeles and the other just outside of London, decide to do a home exchange over the holidays to escape their own misery after facing unforeseen heartbreak right before Christmas. Little do they know that the people they will meet at their home away from home will change their lives forever! This year was actually my first time watching The Holiday after wanting to see it for years (thank you, Netflix Canada, for finally adding it to your movie lineup!), and it has quickly become one of my favourite movies! Expect to laugh, cry and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

2. Angel of Christmas (2015) - Romantic Comedy
Starring Jennifer Finnigan, Jonathan Scarfe and Holly Robinson Peete

A newspaper staffer wanting to prove her worth as a writer is given the opportunity to cover an original Christmas story - the only problem is that she hasn't had much of a Holiday spirit since her ex-boyfriend dumped her on Christmas Day a few years back. When she is reminded by her parents that the Christmas Angel ornament that was passed down to her has a history of miraculously bringing lovers together, she finally has her story, and while trying to uncover the mystery behind the hand-carved wooden family heirloom, might just have a chance at love herself through encounters that may not just be by coincidence. I first came across this Hallmark movie last year, and had to watch it again, it's that good!

3. Elf (2003) - Fantasy Comedy
Starring Will Ferrell, Zoey Deschanel, James Caan and Bob Newhart

When Buddy the Elf finds out that he was not born in the North Pole and is actually a human, he decides to make his way to New York City to meet his biological father Walter Hobbs, despite being warned by Santa that Walter is on the naughty list. While trying to spread Christmas cheer, he is mistaken for department store staff and becomes instantly smitten with Jovie, a not-so-cheery employee. Bonding with his father is no easy feet, as he is kind of a grinch too. When Santa's sleigh malfunctions and crashes in the Big Apple due to lack of Christmas spirit, Buddy steps in and with the help of Jovie saves Christmas, and finally forms a bond with his long-lost father. It's a must-watch, new age classic. P.S. I swear the Santa Announcement scene ("Saaantaaaaa") never gets old - I crack up every. single. time!

4. Christmas Belle (2013) - Romantic Drama
Starring Haylie Duff, Nicholas Gonzalez, C. Thomas Howell and Mark Famiglietti

Isabella (Belle) and her father are business partners, and the latter demands she head on a business trip right before Christmas to catalog a wine estate owner's (Hunter) inherited collection before it gets auctioned off, as he is planning to travel the world once his property has sold. During her stay at the estate, she quickly falls in love with the widower's dog and the place itself, but when she crosses a line, she angers Hunter and decides to leave after the way he reacted. Hunter comes after her to apologize for his rage of furry, and after returning to the estate to finish the work she started, she starts to develop feelings for him after getting to know him better - but a long-time suitor and her bossy father come into the picture, and she must stand up for herself and go after what her heart truly desires. This movie will pull at your heartstrings, and is on the list of movies I need to rewatch every holiday season.

5. Noel (2004) - Christmas Drama
Starring Susan Sarandon, Penelope Cruz, Paul Walker, Alan Arkin, Marcus Thomas and Robin Williams

This story takes place on Christmas Eve, when a group of strangers cross paths, each one going through struggles of their own. From a single woman caring for her hospital bed-ridden mother and a mysterious next door patient, to an engaged couple dealing with jealousy in their relationship, to a widowed man who peculiarly revives the memory of his late wife each Christmas, and finally to a young man who wants to recreate his most favourite, happy Christmas memory in the most unusual of ways, this is not your typical feel good, cheery holiday movie, but it really gets you thinking and is full of twists and turns you did not see coming. I watched it for the first time last month, and have already rewatched it two times since!

6. A Christmas Prince (2017) - Romantic Comedy
Starring Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Alice Krige and Honor Kneafsey

In this Netflix Original, an aspiring journalist takes on her most important assignment to date, covering the coronation of the soon-to-be-king in the fictional European country of Aldovia. When the Prince is a no-show at his own conference and media are told the meeting will not be rescheduled and are hence left without a story, she comes up with a clever plan to get closer to the royal family, and eventually with the Prince himself. But when she uncovers a secret that could jeopardize his royal highness' succession to the throne, she must choose between advancing her career and and a chance at true love. I kept hearing about this new release and I was pleasantly surprised and think it is definitely worthy of a watch.

7. A Holiday Engagement (2011) - Comedy
Starring Bonnie Somerville, Shelley Long, Jordan Bridges and Haylie Duff

When her career-driven fiance dumps her right before Thanksgiving, Hillary resorts to hiring a random guy on the street to play her pretend lover so as to not disappoint her mother when visiting over the holidays. Her family finds her pretend beau David to be quite the catch, and her mom can't help but be instantly smitten by him. Hillary quickly starts seeing him as more than just a stranger or even a friend, but when her ex-fiance tries to win her over again, she faces disappointing her mom and has to pick who she wants to spend the rest of her life with. This movie was a rewatch, and I forgot how much I actually enjoyed it!

8. Once Upon a Holiday (2015) - Romantic Comedy
Starring Briana Evigan, Paul Campbell and Greg Evigan

Princess of Montserrat Catherine is on royal duty in NYC a few days before Christmas, and feeling tied down by her demanding aunt who manages her everyday life, decides to make an escape, just for an hour, to reminisce about her time spent there as a young girl with her late mother. When her belongings are stolen while roaming the streets of the familiar city, a handsome stranger tries to come to her rescue, but stubborn Catherine says she does not need his help. A chance encounter brings them back together, and they must ward off a pesky news reporter who threatens to expose her disappearance, which has so far been kept hush hush, as well as a secret service that her aunt has hired to find her. Another royal-themed Christmas movie that is definitely worth a watch!

9. Christmas in the City (2013) - Christmas Drama
Starring Ashley Williams, Jon Prescott, Ashanti and Shanola Hampton

With her late father's candy shop facing foreclosure before Christmas, single mom Wendy makes her way to the big city and lands a seasonal job with the help of an old friend at a Wolman's department store in order to make some extra cash in hopes of saving her family's business. She becomes smitten with the store owner's nephew Tom who helps run the place, but with the board of directors hiring new manager Teanna to increase sales, some major restructuring and changes in the company ensue, which all but kill the Christmas spirit Wolman's has been known for. With the help of the store's ex-Santa (who is actually the real Santa who got laid off by Teanna), Wendy must make those around her believe in the true meaning of Christmas again and in the process might just find love too. This movie became an instant favourite ever since seeing it for the first time last year.

10. My Santa (2013) - Romantic Comedy
Starring - Samaire Armstrong, Matthew Lawrence, Julie Brown and Jim O'Heir

Single mom Jen is a humbug around the holidays ever since her ex-husband left her on Christmas Eve six years ago. When her neighbour and best friend Suzy suggests she bring her son to meet Santa (Chris) at the mall, she becomes upset when the big man promises her son a popular toy that is impossible to find. Little does she know that Santa mall Chris is actually the real Santa's son, ready to step in as Santa for the first time this year and on a mission to find a wife before the clock strikes midnight on December 25th. Add a potential suitor from her work place to the mix, Jen could be the one who saves Christmas, but she must first believe in the power of magic to do so. This movie is quite charming, a cute story for a cozy night in.

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And now for the giveaway!

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So there you have it - my top Christmas movie picks on Netflix! Any you haven't seen? Also, I'm curious to know what your all-time favourite holiday movie is, so feel free to chime in below in the comments!

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