Holiday Films That Warm Our Winter
As the holiday season approaches, our team gathered to share the films that bring comfort, nostalgia, and joy this time of year. From timeless classics to family traditions, these selections invite you to embrace the warmth of stories that have stayed with us through the years.
The Family Stone (2005)
Director: Thomas Bezucha
This heartfelt ensemble dramedy follows a family reunited for the holidays, with Diane Keaton leading a stellar cast including Craig T. Nelson, Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson, and a hilariously endearing Sarah Jessica Parker as the outsider shaking up long-held Christmas traditions. Blending sharp humour with tender emotion, it’s a perfect pick for anyone seeking a warm, classic holiday watch. (Watch on Disney+)
Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
Director: Vincente Minnelli
A technicolour Old Hollywood treasure starring Judy Garland as a young woman navigating love, life, and impending change on the eve of the 1904 World’s Fair. Featuring beloved songs like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, this beautifully crafted film is a moving companion to seasonal staples like It’s a Wonderful Life. (Rent on Amazon Prime)
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Directors: Brian Henson
A film to include each year that never fails to deliver on heart, humour and a touch of nostalgia. A sincere and engaging adaptation of Dickens classic, its script remains faithful to the book's original dialogue. While Michael Caine's insistence to play Scrooge as if "the muppets were real people and that he was acting in the Royal Shakespeare Company" contributes to its enduring place on the must watch list! (Watch on Disney+)
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Directors: Frank Capra
We watch this film every single year without fail. It’s a Wonderful Life delivers an enduring message of hope and purpose. A wonderful story highlighting the multitude of lives we touch through our mere existence, this film will move you, will inspire you, and remind you that "no man is a failure who has friends." A beloved classic. (Rent on Amazon Prime)
The Sound Of Music (1965)
Director: Robert Wise
Not traditionally a holiday film, yet it has become a Christmas Eve ritual. With Christopher Plummer at his most charismatic and the film’s sweeping musical storytelling, it brings timeless comfort for quiet winter nights once the kids have gone to bed. (Watch on Disney+)
The Holiday (2006)
Directors: Nancy Meyers
A cozy, heartwarming favourite that captures the magic of unexpected connection. Following two women who swap homes for Christmas to escape their stressful lives, the film blends gentle humour, charming performances, and an unmistakably warm holiday atmosphere. A perfect choice for anyone looking for comfort, romance, and a feel-good winter escape. (Watch on Crave)
About A Boy (2002)
Directors: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Not a traditional holiday pick, but its gentle humour and themes of connection, unexpected friendship, and winter coziness make it a wonderful seasonal rewatch. (Rent on Apple TV)
My Winnipeg (2007)
Director: Guy Maddin
Another pick that’s not exactly a holiday movie, but undeniably perfect for the long Canadian winter. Snowy, windy, surreal, and dreamlike. Guy Maddin’s hypnotic love-hate tribute to his hometown is the ideal watch for cold nights when the world outside feels just as strange and frozen. (Rent on Apple TV)
Do you even need more?
December Comfort Viewing Picks:
Instead of holiday titles, these comfort picks offer laughter, warmth, and balance. The perfect way to unwind as the year comes to a close.
My Cousin Vinny (Jonathan Lynn / Watch on Disney+), John Wick (Chad Stahelski / Watch on Crave), Crazy Stupid Love (Glenn Ficarra, John Requa / Watch on Netflix), Encanto (Jared Bush, Byron Howard / Watch on Disney+), and My Neighbor Totoro (Hayao Miyazaki / Watch on Netflix).
A mix of laughter, action, romance, animation, and gentle magic.