As Christmas draws near, Netflix subscribers will be scouring the platform’s catalogue for festive favourites to enjoy.
Whilst classics such as Home Alone and Elf feature on most people’s December viewing lists, there are several lesser-known treasures worth discovering this season.
However, with the streaming service offering everything from emotional romantic comedies to films suitable for all ages, finding the truly worthwhile ones can prove challenging.
Below, we’ve compiled three ‘heart-warming’ films to watch this year, including a ‘magical’ family picture written by Love Actually and Bridget Jones scribe Richard Curtis, reports the Mirror.
An overlooked treasure featuring This Is Us star Justin Hartley, The Noel Diary centres on bestselling novelist Jake Turner (Hartley), who travels back to his childhood home after his mother passes away.
Whilst attempting to sort out her estate, he uncovers a diary that could reveal secrets about his and local resident Rachel’s (Barrett Doss) history. The pair team up to “confront their pasts and discover a future that’s totally unexpected”.
Their quest inevitably creates a bond between them, which audiences completely adored.
Writing on Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer commented: “I watched this movie, and it had me sobbing-it was such a wholesome, sweet love story. I truly enjoyed it so much. The chemistry between the characters was incredible; I could feel the love through the screen.”
Another option for romance enthusiasts, Holidate stars American Horror Story actress Emma Roberts. She portrays Sloane, a woman approaching 30 who’s tired of spending the holidays alone.
She appears to discover the ideal arrangement after encountering an Australian stranger, Jackson (portrayed by Luke Bracey), who faces the same predicament. The duo agree to serve as each other’s companions throughout the year, though genuine emotions soon develop.
Whilst critics gave the film a disappointing 45% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, numerous Netflix subscribers praised it as a ‘classic romcom’.
“I thought this movie was a classic romcom at its finest,” enthused one viewer, continuing, “My husband and I were laughing hysterically. Highly recommend watching with your spouse or girlfriends.”
For those who prefer animated features, That Christmas might be precisely what you need.
Penned by Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis, alongside Peter Souter and Andrew Dawson, it draws from Curtis’ cherished children’s tales.
Audiences experience multiple interconnected storylines from a village confronting a catastrophic blizzard at Christmas, which ruins everybody’s arrangements – including Santa’s.
Stars Brian Cox, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy all provide voices for the principal characters, with renowned animation director Simon Otto helming the production.
Achieving a strong 74% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, That Christmas has been described as ‘unmissable’ by social media users. One cinema enthusiast praised the production, commenting: “Surprisingly funny yet heart-warming. I think the runtime of the film is perfect and the little jokes fit right in without losing the ‘Christmas magic.'”
All films listed in this article are available to stream on Netflix.
