Ranker FilmList RulesRomantic comedies where Christmas or the Christmas season is an important part of the story, no Hallmark movies
The Christmas season is a practically perfect setting for a romantic comedy. There are quirky families to meet, hopeful Christmas wishes, tropes galore, and traditions to uphold. The best romantic Christmas movies find a way to wrap it all together with a bow and a smile.
We're not looking at Hallmark Christmas movies, which are a spectacular genre all on their own. These are holiday rom-coms that either had a traditional theatrical release or premiered on a movie streaming service. There are romantic comedies where Christmas itself isn't the primary focus, like Sleepless in Seattle, Desk Set, and About a Boy. Other films are centered around Christmas, like Love Actually and The Holiday. How the Christmas holiday is woven into the story may vary, but one thing remains consistent - love is the reason for the season.
This list of the best Christmas rom-coms has everything from the 1938 Love Finds Andy Hardy, but if we've forgotten a good romantic Christmas movie that was made by someone other than Hallmark, be sure to add it! Which of these romantic comedies are the best Christmas romances?
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13956Love Actually
Keira Knightley, Elisha CuthbertReleased: 2003
Directed by: Richard Curtis
2
9023White Christmas
Bing Crosby, Danny KayeReleased: 1954
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
3
7619Christmas in Connecticut
Barbara Stanwyck, Sydney GreenstreetReleased: 1945
Directed by: Peter Godfrey
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7621The Shop Around the Corner
James Stewart, Frank MorganReleased: 1940
Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch
5
8629Sleepless in Seattle
Tom Hanks, Meg RyanReleased: 1993
Directed by: Nora Ephron
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7420The Preacher's Wife
Denzel Washington, Whitney HoustonReleased: 1996
Directed by: Penny Marshall
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8126Scrooged
Bill Murray, Robert MitchumReleased: 1988
Directed by: Richard Donner
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8932Last Holiday
Queen Latifah, LL Cool JReleased: 2006
Directed by: Wayne Wang
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6917The Bishop's Wife
Cary Grant, David NivenReleased: 1947
Directed by: Henry Koster
10
6413The Perfect Holiday
Queen Latifah, Gabrielle UnionReleased: 2007
Directed by: Lance Rivera
11
6818Last Christmas
Emilia Clarke, Henry GoldingReleased: 2019
Directed by: Paul Feig
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6214Bundle of Joy
Debbie Reynolds, Eddie FisherReleased: 1956
Directed by: Norman Taurog
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6415The Best Man Holiday
Nia Long, Terrence HowardReleased: 2013
Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee
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6516Bell, Book and Candle
James Stewart, Kim NovakReleased: 1958
Directed by: Richard Quine
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6215Desk Set
Katharine Hepburn, Spencer TracyReleased: 1957
Directed by: Walter Lang
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6215Christmas in July
Dick Powell, William DemarestReleased: 1940
Directed by: Preston Sturges
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6215Fitzwilly
Dick Van Dyke, Barbara FeldonReleased: 1967
Directed by: Delbert Mann
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6215Remember the Night
Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurrayReleased: 1940
Directed by: Mitchell Leisen
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6215Susan Slept Here
Debbie Reynolds, Anne FrancisReleased: 1954
Directed by: Frank Tashlin
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7022Holiday Affair
Robert Mitchum, Janet LeighReleased: 1949
Directed by: Don Hartman
21
6316Bachelor Mother
Ginger Rogers, David NivenReleased: 1939
Directed by: Garson Kanin
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5913All I Want for Christmas
Lauren Bacall, Leslie NielsenReleased: 1991
Directed by: Ron Lieberman
23
6116A Christmas Prince
Rose McIver, Ben LambReleased: 2017
Directed by: Alex Zamm
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6116Love Finds Andy Hardy
Judy Garland, Mickey RooneyReleased: 1938
Directed by: George B. Seitz
25
5111Almost Christmas
Kimberly Elise, Mo'NiqueReleased: 2016
Directed by: David E. Talbert
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