Top 20 movie plots that end with Christmas

Love Hard (2021) | Image Source: Netflix
Love Hard (2021) | Image Source: Netflix

Christmas movies are perfect during the holiday season because they show the magic of love, family, and redemption. Whether filled with laughter, romance, or life-changing moments, Christmas films touch hearts and bring wonder. This collection of 20 Christmas movie plots promises that each story ends with a happy resolution, leaving viewers feeling rejuvenated with holiday cheer. These films describe the season as it binds people together and will never grow old, warming every viewer's heart every year.

1) The Merry Gentlemen (2008)

The Merry Gentlemen (2008) | Image Source: Samuel Goldwyn Films
The Merry Gentlemen (2008) | Image Source: Samuel Goldwyn Films

This is the poignant drama of Kate, who has just left an abusive relationship, and Frank, a depressed hitman who seeks redemption. And their unlikely bond is developed during the Christmas season, leading to a quietly emotional Christmas Eve finale. The movie is directed by and stars Michael Keaton, with themes of forgiveness, hope, and the possibility of second chances. With Kelly Macdonald giving a heartwarming performance as Kate, The Merry Gentlemen is a refreshing and low-key holiday story that would be an interesting addition to the Christmas cinema.

2. Love Actually (2003)

Love Actually (2003) | Image Source: Universal Pictures
Love Actually (2003) | Image Source: Universal Pictures

Love Actually is an ensemble heartwarming movie that unravels love amid complications through a collection of different interwoven stories. The film depicts characters who are facing all sorts of challenges within their relationships because Christmas is close. In the story, there will be joy and heartbreak since it shows moments when someone discovers new romance and those who experience unrequited love. As Christmas approaches, people make those life-changing decisions. The film ends in a celebration of love, and the finale at Heathrow Airport is memorable, showing that no matter what happens in life.

3. Happiest Season (2020)

Happiest Season (2020) | Image Source: TriStar Pictures
Happiest Season (2020) | Image Source: TriStar Pictures

Starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis, this modern holiday rom-com follows Abby meeting her girlfriend Harper's conservative family at Christmas. Abby doesn't know that Harper hasn't come out, so there are plenty of awkward and emotional moments along the way. It all culminates on Christmas Day when it's all about acceptance, love, and reconciliation for the family. This movie has a fantastic cast and a progressive narrative with elements of humor and heart. Its fresh take on holiday storytelling and heartfelt performances make it a standout addition to Christmas cinema.

4. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

A Charlie Brown Christmas | Image Source: United Feature Syndicate
A Charlie Brown Christmas | Image Source: United Feature Syndicate

In A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown is struggling with commercialism and the pressure of having a meaningful Christmas. He's ridiculed, having attempted to direct the school Christmas play and settling for a small, scrawny tree. But it is at this moment that his friends come together to decorate the tree and remind him of what Christmas is all about: love, togetherness, and compassion. It ends with the Peanuts gang in the warm and joyous Christmas celebration and depicts the season's simplicity and magic.

5. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) | Image Source: Paramount Pictures
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) | Image Source: Paramount Pictures

This is the most tender classic where an angel brings George Bailey, a man in desperate despair, face-to-face with how much his life has truly meant to others. With an emotional end in which the film unfolds like magic on Christmas Eve, George finally realizes how important his contributions have been to the lives of those around him. Surrounded by loved ones, the town rallies behind him in a touching show of support, bringing the film to a joyous and festive conclusion. It's a Wonderful Life remains a timeless holiday favorite, emphasizing family, kindness, the true essence of Christmas.

6. The Best Man Holiday (2013)

The Best Man Holiday (2013) | Image Source: Universal Pictures
The Best Man Holiday (2013) | Image Source: Universal Pictures

The Best Man Holiday brings old college friends together during Christmas. As much as their lives may have gone different ways, it's always a time to reflect and reconnect. It goes through the themes of love, forgiveness, and family. Tensions build, and secrets are revealed. It will all come together when they have to confront their pasts. It will finally give a warm message of healing and understanding in the end. The Christmas setting is just perfect for such emotional resolutions when characters rediscover the importance of their relationships and the true gift of the season, that is, family, biological, or chosen.

7. The Night of the Hunter (1955)

The Night of the Hunter (1955) | Image Source: United Artists
The Night of the Hunter (1955) | Image Source: United Artists

The Night of the Hunter is a film that is not normally associated with Christmas. However, it has a very menacing Christmas Eve setting as evil preacher Harry Powell stalks two young children, looking to kill them for their father's hidden treasure. It's an atmosphere full of great, macabre tension, yet it is a film exploring good and evil in this seemingly innocent holiday season. Christmas bells toll through the entire novel, creating a haunting juxtaposition between warmth and the holiday season with dark intentions by the antagonist.

8. Love Hard (2021)

Love Hard (2021) | Image Source: Netflix
Love Hard (2021) | Image Source: Netflix

In this movie, Natalie, played by Nina Dobrev, embarks on a cross-country journey to surprise her online crush. She finds that she's been catfished by Josh (Jimmy O. Yang). This starts out as a comedy mishap and blossoms into an unexpected romance. The ending on Christmas Eve delivers a heartwarming twist for Natalie as she learns to embrace imperfections and find genuine love. With sharp humor, a modern premise, and festive charm, Love Hard is a new and fun holiday rom-com.

9. The Family Stone (2005)

The Family Stone (2005) | Image Source: 20th Century Fox
The Family Stone (2005) | Image Source: 20th Century Fox

In a dysfunctional family gathering for Christmas, where tensions are running high from the family members to his new girlfriend, Meredith, the film The Family Stone explores themes of acceptance, love, and family. And in the bittersweet, heartwarming Christmas ending, the family comes together after an emotional roller coaster. This leaves viewers reflecting that holidays bring out both good and evil in people; however, love and understanding are sure to win. Thus, it forms the perfect holiday watch.

10. Single All the Way (2021)

Single All the Way (2021) | Image Source: Netflix
Single All the Way (2021) | Image Source: Netflix

In Single All the Way, Peter forces his dearest friend, Nick, to pretend to be his boyfriend during Christmas and to pretend love for his intrusive relatives in order to get rid of all the mess. A mere ruse becomes a loving journey as he finds self, love, and family in this relationship. Christmas background sets to make Peter see that his true love is, in fact, right in front of his face. The movie closes happily with a Christmas festivity wherein Peter and Nick will outwardly express their feelings toward each other amidst family, friends, and Christmas trees.

11. Falling for Christmas (2022)

Falling for Christmas (2022) | Image Source: Netflix
Falling for Christmas (2022) | Image Source: Netflix

Falling for Christmas is a beautiful film in which a self-obsessed spoiled heiress endorses her life with amnesia and then wakes up to find out where she is staying with some chivalrous lodge owner, only to discover that her way of life and priorities must have changed for her living. The film's holiday season is the perfect fit for this transformation. The last scenes depict her finally embracing her new life along with the lodge owner, displaying the happiness of a new beginning while finding love during the holiday.

12. The Holiday (2006)

The Holiday (2006) | Image Source: Columbia Pictures
The Holiday (2006) | Image Source: Columbia Pictures

In The Holiday, two women, Iris and Amanda, switch homes for the holidays to escape complicated love lives. Set against the English countryside, picture-perfect setting, and glamorous Los Angeles area, this film underlines new beginnings and love. The final holiday is wrapped with love as Christmas arrives when each woman finds her love, hence embracing their true self. The film ends with a cheerful note, telling the world that holidays bring surprise, joy, love, and a new start to anyone who wants to change.

13. Klaus (2019)

Klaus (2019) | Image Source: Netflix
Klaus (2019) | Image Source: Netflix

Klaus imagines the origin of Santa Claus with warm storytelling and marvelous animation. It tells the story of an egocentric postman and a misanthropic toymaker who make a fighting town into a place of festivity. The movie concludes with a joyful end because the town comes to adopt Christmas practices, representing hope and kindness. The end, where Klaus disappears into legend, perfectly ties the movie to the holiday spirit. This award-winning masterpiece is one of the most innovative and touching Christmas movies of recent times.

14. Four Christmases (2008)

Four Christmases (2008) | Image Source: New Line Cinema
Four Christmases (2008) | Image Source: New Line Cinema

The story of Four Christmases tells the tale of a couple that has to visit all four of their divorced parents' houses on Christmas Day. It becomes an interesting mix of awkward and hilarious encounters as they move through family dynamics to realize what truly matters in their relationship. The ending of the film will bring warmth to the conclusion where the couple decides to have their holiday traditions, in this case, embracing Christmas in a manner that would show the love between them and, in turn, a new family.

15. Something From Tiffany's (2022)

Something From Tiffany's (2022) | Image Source: Prime Video
Something From Tiffany's (2022) | Image Source: Prime Video

In Something From Tiffany's, she comes across Rachel, who had received the wrong engagement ring from Tiffany's. Unfolded from there is a series of unexpected events that alter her life. The movie is set during Christmas, entwining romance, destiny, and second chances for life. Rachel's world turns upside down, bringing her love to the unlikeliest places. The holiday backdrop gives the movie themes of transformation and destiny, ending in a happy Christmas finale where love and a Christmas proposal lead to a happily-ever-after, reminding viewers that the holidays are a time for surprises and new beginnings.

16. About a Boy (2002)

About a Boy (2002) | Image Source: Universal Pictures
About a Boy (2002) | Image Source: Universal Pictures

In About a Boy, the holiday season changes the life of Will, a cynical, wealthy bachelor. He meets an unlikely ally in the shape of a troubled young boy named Marcus. Will's indifference toward the holidays changes as he becomes involved in Marcus's life. This Christmas-themed movie focuses on loneliness, connection, and personal growth. At the film's end, Will finally learns about family and love. The Christmas scenes give the ending warmth as Will feels part of the family, with Marcus at the center of his life.

17, A Christmas Prince (2017)

A Christmas Prince (2017) | Image Source: Netflix
A Christmas Prince (2017) | Image Source: Netflix

Amber, a budding journalist, goes to the small kingdom of Aldovia on a story about a playboy prince named Richard. As a tutor, she's brought into the royal Christmas celebration and finds a mystery: Prince Richard is poised to inherit the throne, but he has personal and political challenges. It comes across to Amber that he is actually good-hearted beneath his royalty. With the time that she spends with him and the developing romance together with Christmas magic, the heart-warming ending sees the entire kingdom coming together to host a joyful Christmas, so Amber becomes the most indispensable part of Richard's life.

18. Carol (2015)

Carol (2015) | Image Source: The Weinstein Company
Carol (2015) | Image Source: The Weinstein Company

Set in the 1950s, Carol is an exquisite romance between photographer Therese and elegant but deeply troubled Carol. Their coincidence in a department store explodes into a deep love forbidden by their society. As their love blossoms amidst societal forces and personal constraints, they face a turning point toward Christmas. A modern holiday classic film with lush visual beauty, incredible performances, and a powerful ending, this film throws light on all the complexities and intricacies associated with the words "love" and "sacrifice."

19. Jingle All the Way (1996)

Jingle All the Way (1996) | Image Source: 20th Century Fox
Jingle All the Way (1996) | Image Source: 20th Century Fox

In Jingle All the Way, two fathers compete to get their son's hottest toy for the year. This leads them to experience a series of hilarious and chaotic events that finally reach their climax on Christmas Eve, both coming together to realize spending time with their families is way more important than the perfect gift. The movie then ends on a joyful, festive Christmas morning, where the real message lies in love, family, and the holiday spirit.

20. The Santa Clause (1994)

The Santa Clause (1994) | Image Source: Walt Disney Picture
The Santa Clause (1994) | Image Source: Walt Disney Picture

It was just Scott Calvin who accidentally turns into Santa Claus. But life takes an interesting turn in this funny yet heartfelt film. From trials to skepticism, Scott embraces his new role, restoring the magic of Christmas. It is at its joyful climax when he delivers presents and gets closer to his son again. This warm and funny The Santa Clause movie shows the holiday spirit in all its glory. Its ending ties perfectly to Christmas with themes of belief, family, and generosity.

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Edited by Anshika Jain