Holiday Movie Guide
By: Andy Huizar
Holiday films seem to have more of an impact than ever this year as they have become a way for individuals to escape the not-so-normal reality we live in today. Each year, more diverse storylines are being brought to screens all over the world which is proof that times are changing. This year alone, we have seen at least two groundbreaking films released that feature same-sex couples "Happiest Season" and "The Christmas House". Nonetheless, they both have received positive reviews which show that audiences want to continue seeing more inclusivity in movies.
It’s been an odd time for the film industry in recent months as movie theaters remain closed throughout the United States because of the coronavirus pandemic. This leaves people solely dependent on streaming services such as Hulu and Netflix to watch the latest blockbuster hits.
That being said, for those in the mood for a hot cocoa and popcorn session, check out the holiday-oriented movie guide down below:
"Holidate"
Starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey, this romantic holiday film focuses on two single strangers who decide to be each other’s date solely for the holidays. Everything is going as planned until feelings begin to arise.
"Happiest Season"
This romantic comedy which stars Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis tackles a young woman who plans on proposing to her girlfriend at her family’s holiday party. The thing is, her girlfriend hasn’t come out to her conservative family causing friction in their relationship.
"The Holiday"
Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and Iris (Kate Winslet), both dumped and depressed, decide to swap homes for the holidays after being fed up of being single and alone. Amanda finds herself in a homey English cottage while Iris waltzes herself into Amanda’s Beverly Hills mansion. Sooner than later, both women bump into local lads to make their holiday vacays worthwhile.
"Blackbird"
Susan Sarandon plays Lily, a woman suffering with ALS who plans on ending her long battle with the disease. Before doing so, she and her husband Paul plan a weekend filled with holiday tradition to enjoy one last Christmas with her daughters. This causes unresolved issues to resurface between Lily and her daughters.
"The Christmas House"
Sharon Lawrence and Treat Williams play a couple who invite their two grown sons home for the holidays. They plan on recreating a past family holiday tradition by decorating their house inside and out before selling it. This is Hallmark Channel’s first film to feature a same-sex couple.
"The Family Stone"
Sarah Jessica Parker plays Meredith Morton, a conservative businesswoman who joins her boyfriend Everett (Dermot Mulroney) to his family’s Christmas celebration. She soon realizes that she could not be any more different from their eccentric ways, which causes tension between her and Everett’s mother.
For those wanting to check out these films, here's where one can find them:
"The Happiest Season" - Hulu
"Holidate" - Netflix
"The Holiday" - Amazon Prime or Vudu
"Blackbird" - Amazon Prime
"The Christmas House" - The Hallmark Channel
"The Family Stone" - HBO Max or Amazon Prime
Happy watching!