10 Movies to Watch If You Love The Holiday
- Joao Nsita
- Nov 13, 2025
- 18 min read
This is the time of year when we instinctively begin to turn inward, to seek out warmth, comfort, and the soul-deep satisfaction of a truly great story. And in the vast, magical world of cinema, there is a specific, sacred category of film that we all crave: the "comfort movie."
At the absolute top of that list, reigning in a cozy, snow-dusted, English cottage, is Nancy Meyers' 2006 masterpiece, The Holiday. It is more than just a movie; it is a feeling. It is the feeling of a fresh start, of healing from heartbreak, of discovering your own strength, and of finding the most unexpected love in the most beautiful, aspirational setting. On social media platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, the #NancyMeyersAesthetic is a dominant and enduring trend, a global celebration of her signature style: the "quiet luxury" knitwear, the stunning, dream-like kitchens, and the sense of affluent, grown-up comfort.
This is your definitive, in-depth guide to the essential viewing for anyone who loves The Holiday. We have curated a list of ten of the most beloved and binge-worthy films that will give you that exact same, magical feeling.
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10. Your Place or Mine (2023)
The Vibe: A modern, slick, and star-powered "house-swap" rom-com that is a direct, spiritual descendant of The Holiday.
The Deeper Meaning: At its core, this film is a story about two best friends who have been in a long-distance, platonic "work-wife" relationship for twenty years. They are comfortable, they are co-dependent, and they are both completely stuck in a rut. The house-swap is the catalyst that forces them to step outside of their comfort zones and to finally see what has been right in front of them all along. It is a story about taking a chance, about the security of a deep friendship, and about the realization that the person who knows you best might just be the person you need most.
Why It's a Perfect Match: This is the most literal and direct parallel to The Holiday on this list. It is built on the exact same premise: two people, one in sunny L.A. (Ashton Kutcher) and one in moody, bookish New York (Reese Witherspoon), swap homes for a week and find unexpected paths to love and self-discovery. While it may not have the same cozy, "Nancy Meyers" visual charm, it is a fun, light, and incredibly easy-to-watch exploration of the "what if" that is perfect for a lazy afternoon.
Iconic Comfort Moment: The film's heart lies in the montage sequences where Debbie (Witherspoon) and Peter (Kutcher) explore each other's lives by snooping through their swapped homes. Peter's discovery of Debbie's secret, unpublished romance novel is a particularly charming moment that reveals her hidden dreams. It’s a perfect example of how living in someone else’s space can lead to a deeper understanding of who they are, a key to any strong bond, which we explore in 8 Signs of a Healthy Relationship.
What Makes It a Top Binge: The film is a pure, unadulterated, star-powered "popcorn movie." The chemistry between Witherspoon and Kutcher, who are both seasoned veterans of the genre, is easy and believable. It is a modern, and very relatable, story about the challenges of balancing a career, of single parenthood, and of finding love in your 40s. For a deep dive into the film's modern take on the rom-com, the official Netflix Tudum site is a fantastic resource.
Where to Find: Stream Your Place or Mine on Netflix.
9. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
The Vibe: The ultimate, "run away from your life and find yourself" fantasy. This is a film that is so full of breathtaking scenery and delicious-looking food that you can almost feel the Italian sunshine on your face.
The Deeper Meaning: This film is a powerful and beautiful testament to the idea of a "fresh start." It is a story about a woman who, in the wake of a devastating betrayal, makes a bold, terrifying, and completely life-changing decision to choose herself. It is a film that understands that the journey to healing is not a straight line, and that the greatest love story of your life might not be with a person, but with a place, with a community, and with your own, resilient, and newly-discovered self.
Why It's a Perfect Match: This is the exact same, powerful, and deeply relatable setup as Amanda Woods's storyline in The Holiday. A successful, San Francisco writer (Diane Lane) discovers that her husband is cheating on her. After a devastating divorce, she is completely lost. On a whim, she takes a trip to Italy and impulsively buys a dilapidated, 300-year-old villa in the heart of Tuscany. The film follows her journey as she, quite literally, rebuilds her home and, in doing so, rebuilds her life, all while finding a new, "found family" in the quirky, local characters.
Iconic Comfort Moment: The scene where Frances (Lane), after months of hard, lonely renovation, finally hosts a beautiful, al fresco dinner for her new, eclectic group of friends in her restored courtyard is a moment of pure, triumphant joy. It’s a beautiful visual representation of her new, rebuilt life, full of warmth, community, and connection.
What Makes It a Top Binge: This is pure, unadulterated, and incredibly satisfying aspirational escapism. The scenery of the Amalfi Coast and the Tuscan countryside is a character in itself. It is a film that will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will make you want to immediately book a one-way ticket to Italy. For a deep dive into the real-life locations that inspired the film, Condé Nast Traveler has a fantastic guide. This is the ultimate story of healing and starting over, a theme we explore in Transform Your Life: The Ultimate Guide to Self-Healing, Fulfillment, Happiness, and Self-Care.
Where to Find: Stream Under the Tuscan Sun on Disney+.
8. Last Christmas (2019)
The Vibe: A charming, quirky, and surprisingly emotional London-set Christmas rom-com with a killer, all-George-Michael soundtrack and a jaw-dropping plot twist.
The Deeper Meaning: At its heart, this is a story about a young woman who is, quite literally, suffering from a broken heart. It is a film about cynicism, about grief, and about the immense difficulty of learning to live, and to love, again after a life-altering trauma. It is a story about the messy, complicated, and often very funny journey of learning to "look up" and to see the magic that is all around you, even in the darkest of times.
Why It's a Perfect Match: Last Christmas perfectly captures the "Iris Simpkins" side of The Holiday. It is a story about a woman (the brilliant Emilia Clarke) who is at her absolute, rock bottom. She is a cynical, chaotic mess, working a dead-end job as an "elf" in a year-round Christmas shop, and is effectively homeless. Her life is changed by the arrival of a handsome, charming, and endlessly optimistic man who is determined to help her heal. The magical, festive, London-at-Christmas setting is pure, unadulterated, cozy magic.
Iconic Comfort Moment: The film's massive, third-act plot twist is a brave, and genuinely shocking, moment that completely re-frames the entire story and has been the subject of intense and passionate debate among fans ever since its release. It is a moment that transforms the film from a simple rom-com into something much more poignant and memorable. For more on the incredible legacy of George Michael, his official website is a great resource. This is a key part of building a successful, professional life, a theme we explore in Things to Give Up for Personal Growth and Success.
Where to Find: Stream Last Christmas on Disney+.
7. Notting Hill (1999)
The Vibe: The iconic, transatlantic "ordinary person meets superstar" romance, full of a deep, abiding, and quintessentially British charm and wit.
The Deeper Meaning: This film is a classic, fairytale romance for the modern age. It is a story about the vast, and seemingly impossible, gulf between two very different worlds, and the simple, profound, and deeply human connection that is powerful enough to bridge it. It is a story about the power of friendship, about the cruelty of fame, and about the simple, profound truth that, in the end, we are all "just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."
Why It's a Perfect Match: This is the original "L.A. movie star meets a charming, bumbling Brit" love story. It is, in many ways, the direct, spiritual predecessor to the Amanda and Graham (Jude Law) storyline in The Holiday. The film follows a famous, and very beautiful, American movie star (Julia Roberts) who, by chance, wanders into a small, independent, travel bookshop in Notting Hill, and finds an unexpected, and very complicated, love with its charming, and very ordinary, owner (Hugh Grant).
Iconic Comfort Moment: The legendary dinner party scene with William's (Grant) eccentric and lovable group of friends is a masterclass in witty, ensemble comedy. It’s a beautiful and hilarious portrait of a "found family," and the moment where Anna (Roberts) defends her last brownie is pure, relatable gold. This is the kind of supportive, funny friendship we all crave, a theme we explore in Creativity in Relationships- The Secret to Building a Stronger Bond.
What Makes It a Top Binge: Notting Hill is a masterpiece of the rom-com genre, from the brilliant mind of Richard Curtis. The script is razor-sharp, the ensemble cast of quirky, lovable friends is legendary, and the central romance is the stuff of fairytale legend. It is a perfect, comforting, and deeply satisfying classic. For a deep dive into the film's iconic, Notting Hill filming locations, Time Out London has a fantastic guide.
Where to Find: You can rent or buy Notting Hill on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
6. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
The Vibe: The ultimate 90s comfort rom-com about fate, destiny, and the magical, and often very strange, ways that two people can be destined for each other (even if they've never met).
The Deeper Meaning: This film is a beautiful, and deeply moving, exploration of grief and of the courage it takes to open your heart to love again. It is a story that is steeped in a deep, and almost magical, sense of "what if," a testament to the idea that the universe has a plan for us, and that the person we are meant to be with is out there, somewhere, waiting for us. It is a film that is not about a relationship, but about the promise of one.
Why It's a Perfect Match: Sleepless in Seattle has the same, cozy, holiday-anchored feeling as The Holiday. The story begins on Christmas Eve, with a young boy who calls into a national radio show to find a new wife for his grieving, widower father. It is a story about two, lonely, and disconnected people (Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan), separated by a country, who are both healing from their pasts and who are on a collision course with destiny. The film's gentle, hopeful, and deeply romantic tone is a perfect match for the spirit of The Holiday.
Iconic Comfort Moment: The entire, parallel-montage scene where Sam (Hanks) and Annie (Ryan) both watch the classic film An Affair to Remember is a work of genius. It’s a beautiful, and very funny, sequence that connects our two, separated heroes through a shared, cultural touchstone, a powerful and romantic "invisible string" that ties them together.
What Makes It a Top Binge: This is, quite simply, one of the most beloved and most perfect romantic comedies ever made. The chemistry between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is so powerful, and so iconic, that they don't even have to be in the same room for 99% of the movie. It is a perfect, sentimental, and deeply romantic film that beautifully captures a sense of longing and hope. It is a film that truly endures, a theme we explore in 10 Habits of Couples Who Stay Deeply in Love for a Lifetime.
Where to Find: Stream Sleepless in Seattle on NOW (with a Sky Cinema membership).
5. It's Complicated (2009)
The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated, and incredibly luxurious "Nancy Meyers Aesthetic." This is a sophisticated, funny, and deeply relatable story about love, about divorce, and about the beautiful, chaotic messiness of a "second act" in life.
The Deeper Meaning: This film is a brilliant, and very funny, exploration of the idea that the past is never truly in the past. It is a story about a woman who, a decade after her divorce, has finally built a beautiful, successful, and independent life for herself, only to find it completely, and hilariously, upended by the unexpected return of her ex-husband. It is a film that is a mature, and very honest, look at the enduring, and often very complicated, bonds of a long-term relationship. This is a key part of building a life together, a theme central to Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Married.
Why It's a Perfect Match: This is The Holiday in a different season. It is written and directed by the undisputed queen of the genre, Nancy Meyers. It stars a beloved, A-list cast (Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin). It features one of the most beautiful, aspirational, and lusted-after kitchens in all of cinematic history. And it is a story about a smart, successful, and slightly neurotic woman, finding her way through a new, and very complicated, love triangle.
Iconic Comfort Moment: The scene where Jane (Streep) and Adam (Steve Martin) get high together before her son's college graduation party is a moment of pure, unexpected, and laugh-out-loud comedic genius. It’s a beautiful, and very human, moment of two, grown-up people letting their guard down and just being silly.
What Makes It a Top Binge: It's Complicated is a "grown-up" romantic comedy at its absolute best. It is a film that treats the complex, and often very messy, emotional lives of its older characters with a huge amount of intelligence, of warmth, and of wit. Meryl Streep's performance as the successful, bakery-owning Jane Adler is a true lifestyle fantasy. For a deep dive into the world of the "Nancy Meyers Aesthetic," the official Architectural Digest website has a fantastic breakdown.
Where to Find: Stream It's Complicated on NOW (with a Sky Cinema membership).
4. Something's Gotta Give (2003)
The Vibe: The other absolute, undisputed, and un-touchable pinnacle of the "Nancy Meyers Aesthetic." This is a sharp, witty, and deeply romantic film about two stubborn, successful, and "set in their ways" people who find love, much to their own surprise, later in life.
The Deeper Meaning: This film is a powerful and beautiful subversion of the classic, "May-December" romance trope. It is a story about a lifelong playboy who, for the first time in his life, finds himself falling for a woman who is, in his own, chauvinistic words, "age-appropriate." It is a film that is a brilliant, and very funny, exploration of the vulnerabilities of aging, of the fear of intimacy, and of the profound, and often very unexpected, joy of finding a true, intellectual, and emotional equal.
Why It's a Perfect Match: This is the essence of what people mean when they say they love The Holiday. It is a film that is defined by its stunning, aspirational, and incredibly cozy, Hamptons beach house setting. It is a film that features a classic, "forced proximity" setup, as two, very different, people are forced to live together after an unexpected medical emergency. And it is a film that is a sophisticated, and deeply, profoundly romantic, exploration of a grown-up love story.
Iconic Comfort Moment: The entire sequence of Erica (Diane Keaton) alone in her beautiful house, writing her new play and working through her heartbreak, is a powerful and deeply relatable portrait of a woman healing. The final, iconic, reunion scene in a snowy Paris is a pure, unadulterated, and deeply earned romantic payoff. This is a key part of creating a great party, a theme we explore in How to Be a Good Host.
What Makes It a Top Binge: This is, quite simply, one of the greatest and most intelligent romantic comedies of all time. The script is razor-sharp, the performances from Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton are legendary, and the love story is both deeply, profoundly romantic and surprisingly modern. It is a film that is a perfect, and endlessly re-watchable, comfort watch. For a deep dive into the film's iconic Hamptons beach house, House Beautiful has a fantastic article.
Where to Find: You can rent or buy Something's Gotta Give on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
3. About Time (2013)
The Vibe: A quirky, charming, and profoundly moving British dramedy that feels like a warm, tear-soaked hug.
The Deeper Meaning: At its heart, this film is a beautiful, and surprisingly simple, meditation on the extraordinary, magical beauty of an ordinary life. It is a film that uses its high-concept, sci-fi premise not for action or for adventure, but for a profound, and deeply moving, exploration of the simple, everyday moments that make a life truly wonderful. It is a story that is not just about a romance, but is also one of the most beautiful, and most heartbreaking, portrayals of a father-son relationship in modern cinema.
Why It's a Perfect Match: About Time perfectly captures the exact same, cozy, upper-middle-class, "British-countryside-meets-charming-London" vibe as Iris's side of the story in The Holiday. The film is overflowing with a unique, quirky, and quintessentially British charm. The central romance, between the bumbling, and deeply lovable, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) and the charming, and slightly insecure, Mary (Rachel McAdams) is incredibly sweet. But it is the film's deep, and abiding, sense of warmth, of family, and of a profound, and very gentle, wisdom that makes it a true, kindred spirit to The Holiday.
Iconic Comfort Moment: The film's final, central message—Tim's father's "secret formula" for happiness—is one of the most beautiful, profound, and life-changing moments in modern cinema. It is a simple but incredibly powerful philosophy: to live every day as if you've deliberately come back to it, to find the joy in the ordinary. This is a key part of building a lasting connection, a theme explored in 10 Ways to Bullet-Proof Your Marriage.
What Makes It a Top Binge: This is a film that will make you laugh out loud and then, five minutes later, have you sobbing uncontrollably. The time-travel premise is a work of genius, and the film's final, central message is a simple but incredibly powerful and life-changing philosophy. For a deep dive into the film's beautiful philosophy, the official Vulture website has a fantastic interview with its creator, Richard Curtis.
Where to Find: Stream About Time on NOW (with a Sky Cinema membership) and Sky Go.
2. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
The Vibe: The ultimate, quintessential, cozy winter rom-com. This is a "found family" story that is so full of warmth, so full of charm, and so full of a deep, and deeply comforting, spirit that it is, quite simply, a cinematic fireplace.
The Deeper Meaning: This film is a beautiful and powerful exploration of the deep, human yearning for connection and for belonging. It is a story about a young woman who is so profoundly, and so achingly, lonely that she has created a fantasy life for herself. It is a film that understands that the greatest love story is not always the one that is the most passionate or the most dramatic, but is the one that is the most kind, the most supportive, and the one that feels the most like coming home.
Why It's a Perfect Match: This film is the Iris Simpkins storyline, amplified to perfection. It features a lonely, single woman (a magnificent Sandra Bullock) who is yearning for connection. It is set during a magical, snowy, Chicago Christmas. It features a brilliant, "forced proximity" scenario where, through a case of mistaken identity, she is welcomed into the loud, chaotic, and deeply loving, "found family" of her dreams. And it has a central romance that is a perfect, slow-burn, "friends-to-lovers" dynamic with the one, and only, person (Bill Pullman) who sees her for who she truly is.
Iconic Comfort Moment: The scene where Lucy (Bullock) and the entire Callaghan family are all squeezed into the living room, opening Christmas presents, is a moment of pure, chaotic, and incredibly heartwarming joy. It is a perfect, and very real, portrait of a big, messy, and deeply loving family. For more on the joy of a cozy home, you can check out our guide to 12 Cozy Winter Living Room Refresh Ideas.
What Makes It a Top Binge: This is, quite simply, one of the most perfect, most re-watchable, and most deeply, profoundly, comforting romantic comedies ever made. Sandra Bullock is at her absolute, most charming "girl-next-door" best, and the supporting cast of the Callaghan family is an absolute, scene-stealing delight.
Where to Find: Stream While You Were Sleeping on Disney+.
1. Love Actually (2003)
Why It's at the Top: While The Holiday is a perfect, cozy duet, Love Actually is the grand, festive, London-based symphony. It is the other undisputed, reigning, and untouchable king of the modern Christmas rom-com. It is a film that has the exact same, magical, and multi-faceted DNA: a sprawling, A-list ensemble cast, a series of interconnected storylines, a perfect, and often very funny, blend of high-comedy and heartbreaking drama, and an iconic, snow-dusted, British setting. If you love The Holiday for its festive, ensemble, "love in London" feel, this is its perfect, and most essential, companion.
The Vibe: The ultimate, sprawling, and unapologetically romantic British Christmas classic. It's a funny, chaotic, and heartwarming exploration of love in all its messy, complicated, and beautiful glory.
What Makes It a Masterpiece: This film, from the brilliant mind of Richard Curtis, is a true cultural phenomenon, a film that has become a non-negotiable part of the Christmas tradition for millions. The cast is an absolute, jaw-dropping "who's who" of British acting talent, from Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson to Alan Rickman and Keira Knightley. The script is a masterpiece of writing, a perfect blend of laugh-out-loud comedy and genuine, often heartbreaking, emotion. And the film is a beautiful, glittering love letter to London at its most magical and festive. For a deep dive into the film's enduring, and often very debated, legacy, The Ringer has some fantastic articles.
Iconic Comfort Moment: The opening and closing monologues at Heathrow Airport are a perfect, and profoundly moving, encapsulation of the film's entire, hopeful philosophy. But the most powerful, and most celebrated, emotional moment is the silent, heartbreaking scene where Emma Thompson's character retreats to her bedroom to cry to a Joni Mitchell song after discovering her husband's infidelity. It is a masterpiece of acting and a powerful, and very real, portrait of heartbreak. The film’s incredible soundtrack is a key to its success, a theme you can explore in our list of Top 10 Best Disney Soundtracks of All Time.
Where to Find: Stream Love Actually on Amazon Prime Video and NOW (with a Sky Cinema membership).
Conclusion
In the beautiful, complex, and often very demanding world of modern life, the "comfort movie" is more than just a simple escape; it is a vital and necessary ritual of self-care. The ten films on this list are a testament to the incredible, and enduring, power of a story that is designed to do one, simple, profound thing: make you feel good. They are a celebration of the "Nancy Meyers aesthetic," a world where the kitchens are always beautiful, the knitwear is always chunky, and the love stories are always smart, grown-up, and full of a deep, and deeply comforting, heart.
These are more than just movies; they are old friends, a collection of stories that we return to time and time again to be soothed, to be inspired, and to be reminded of the magic of a fresh start. So, the next time you are feeling a little bit lost, a little bit heartbroken, or just in need of a warm, cinematic hug, this list is your perfect, cozy prescription.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What defines a "comfort movie"? A comfort movie is a film you return to time and time again for its familiar, heartwarming, and emotionally soothing qualities. These films are often low-stakes, aesthetically pleasing, and feature characters you love, providing a sense of safety and nostalgia.
2. What is the "Nancy Meyers Aesthetic"? The "Nancy Meyers Aesthetic" is a popular social media trend that celebrates the signature style of writer-director Nancy Meyers. It is defined by its aspirational, "quiet luxury" interiors (especially large, all-white kitchens), its neutral, high-end, cozy fashion (think cashmere and linen), and its affluent, sophisticated, "grown-up" atmosphere.
3. Why do I love The Holiday so much? The Holiday is a perfect comfort film because it combines several powerful, feel-good elements: a magical Christmas setting, the aspirational "house swap" premise, two incredibly charming and contrasting locations, and two powerful, relatable stories of healing from heartbreak and finding new love.
4. Are there any other "house swap" movies like The Holiday? Yes! The most recent, and most direct, parallel is the 2023 Netflix film Your Place or Mine with Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher, which is number 10 on our list.
5. What is the best "healing from a breakup" movie on this list? Under the Tuscan Sun is the ultimate "healing from a breakup" movie. It's a beautiful and inspiring story of a woman who completely rebuilds her life from scratch after a devastating divorce.
6. I love the London and English countryside vibe from The Holiday. What else should I watch? Love Actually and Notting Hill are the definitive "London rom-coms." About Time also perfectly captures that charming, cozy, British-countryside-meets-London aesthetic.
7. What is the ultimate "cozy winter" movie on this list? Besides The Holiday and Love Actually, While You Were Sleeping is the quintessential cozy winter classic. The entire film is set in a snowy Chicago Christmas and is built around the warmth of a large, loving, "found family."
8. Why are Nancy Meyers's kitchens so famous? Her kitchens (in films like Something's Gotta Give and It's Complicated) are famous because they are the complete opposite of a purely functional, sterile space. They are massive, warm, and beautifully designed "living kitchens," with features like large islands, beautiful countertops, and aspirational, lived-in details that make them feel like the true heart of the home.
9. Where can I find the movies on this list? The streaming availability for these films often changes. This list includes their primary streaming homes in the UK as of late 2025. A service like JustWatch is a great tool for checking the most current streaming, rental, and purchase options in your region.
10. What's the best snack for watching these movies? To truly embrace the "Nancy Meyers" vibe, you can't go wrong with a glass of crisp, white wine and a beautiful, aspirational-looking bowl of popcorn. For a cozier, Holiday specific feel, a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows is a must.
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