Cheer up: Christmas is here! We’re bound to have a unique celebration given the health crisis this year, but we can still get in a festive, holiday spirit even if we’re celebrating at the comfort of our homes.
The best way is to watch Christmas movies with our families. Holiday flicks never fail to cheer us up: scenes shot in snow… actors in ugly Christmas sweaters waking up in cold December mornings with hot cocoa… Christmas instrumentals playing in the background. What else could be perfect? Fret not: we rounded up 10 holiday flicks you can watch on Netflix for the ultimate family movie marathon. And to completely set the yuletide mood, we’re also listing down snacks and treats you can enjoy while watching.
HOLIDATE
Starring: Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Kristin Chenoweth
What it’s about: Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) both hate the holidays. When they meet during one particularly bad Christmas, they make a pact to be each other’s “holidate” for every festive occasion throughout the next year. But as their year of absurd celebrations come to an end, will Sloane and Jackson finally find a reason to love the season they hate?
Perfect with: Miss B Lava Cakes, a decadent treat in three flavors (70% Cacao, Yin Yang, Uji Matcha) for this ‘holidate’ night with the family
THE PRINCESS SWITCH & THE PRINCESS SWITCH: SWITCHED AGAIN
Starring: Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Sam Palladio
What it’s about: Is High School Musical star Vanessa Anne Hudgens the new queen of Hollywood Christmas movies? For three years in a row, she starred in a string of heartfelt Christmas flicks. First, in the Netflix original movie ‘The Princess Switch’ (2018), where she plays Stacy De Novo and Lady Margaret Delacourt, Duchess of Montenaro, two identical-looking people who then decide to switch places. Inspired by Mark Twain’s novel ‘The Prince and the Pauper,’ the film holds an approval rating of 75% by trusted review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
It is followed by the sequel ‘The Princess Switch: Switched Again’ (2020), where Hudgens played a trio. This sequel also received positive reviews from critics.
Perfect with: Miss B Milk Drink, a soy-based milk drink with three different flavors you can switch while watching The Princess Switch
THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Starring: Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Josh Whitehouse
What it’s about: Another Vanessa Anne Hudgens-starrer, the film tells the story of a knight who travels from the 14th century and is sent into the future to fulfill his destiny. Here, he meets our heroine Brooke Winters (Hudgens). It holds a 70% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes, where they said: “While its plot borders on the absurd, The Knight Before Christmas is endearing and charming enough to make it a worthy addition to the holiday rom-com genre.”
Perfect with: Miss B Ensaymada Pudding, a cheesy new take on bread pudding for this cheesy-but-adorable movie
A CHRISTMAS PRINCE TRILOGY
Starring: Rose McIver, Ben Lamb
What it’s about: ‘A Christmas Prince’ (2017) may look very Hallmark Movie-ish, but this romantic-comedy about an aspiring young journalist meeting a dashing prince (poised to be king) has spawned two sequels (with its titles as spoilers): ‘A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding’ (2018) and ‘A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby.’ Do we need to say more?
Perfect with: Miss B Basque Burnt Cheesecake, with homemade ricotta and cream cheese for that fancy delight while watching this royal trilogy
CHRISTMAS CROSSFIRE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiZeMNPNrDw
Starring: Kostja Ullman, Alli Neumann
What it’s about: If you’re looking for a Christmas movie with a fresh, different take, this is it! Fresh off the Netflix studios is the original German film ‘Christmas Crossfire.’ Far from the usual sweet, cozy, and romantic plot, ‘Christmas Crossfire’ is a dark comedy with guns, murders, and a hell lot of misfortunes.
Perfect with: Miss B Thousand Gram Dirty Brownies, for this dirty movie night with your dad and brothers
THE HOLIDAY
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black
What it’s about: A holiday movie list isn’t complete without, well, The Holiday. Written, produced, and directed by Hollywood romcom legend Nancy Meyers, The Holiday stars Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz as Iris and Amanda, two women from opposite sides of the world, who arrange a home exchange to escape heartbreak during the holiday season. But when they meet Graham (Jude Law) and Miles (Jack Black), will they have a change of heart?
Perfect with: Miss B Cuatros Leche, a creamy vanilla-based cake with four different kinds of milk, for four of the characters you’ll meet in this film
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Starring: Jim Carey, Taylor Momsen
What it’s about: Based on Dr. Seuss’ 1957 book of the same name, this fantasy comedy film shows how the reclusive green Grinch decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville.
Perfect with: Miss B Infused Honey, with rich sweetness that won’t make you a Grinch this Christmas
KLAUS
Starring: Jason Schwartzmann, Rashida Jones
What it’s about: An alternate origin story of Santa Claus using a fictional 19th-century setting, where a postman stationed in an island town to the Far North befriends a reclusive toymaker
Perfect with: Miss B Shooky Bucket, toasty chocolate chip cookies you can leave for Santa Claus
DIE HARD
Starring: Bruce Willis
What it’s about: Surprise, surprise—no Home Alone here, but this Bruce Willis movie has been called one of the ‘best Christmas films’ since the film’s events take place on Christmas eve.
Perfect with: Miss B Special Pandesal, with caramel, fudge, chocolate, matcha, cheesy egg and ube cheese flavors
For the full list of treats you can enjoy with these holiday flicks, click here.
Words by Miguel Flores
