Films That Feel Like December

The festive season is well and truly upon us, the temperatures have dropped, and all I want is to be swaddled in a blanket on the couch watching a cozy film. There’s a certain energy about December that I can’t quite put into words, but it makes me want to lean into my homebody tendencies. Given that December is the month where I reach my peak for TV-streaming-hours, I thought I’d share some of my favourite films to watch this time of year (both Christmassy and non-Christmassy alike).

First and foremost, Little Women (2019)! A film I’ve loved since it came out in 2019, it’s truly the perfect cozy and comforting watch for this time of year. It’s no secret that I love a period drama, but something about this one just feels so well-suited to the festive season (those Christmas scenes just warm my heart). And honestly, the outfit and interior inspiration is so good in this film.

Next up, Harry Potter (all of them really but particularly Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone). I didn’t grow up reading or watching Harry Potter (blame that on the Catholic school system), but have fallen in love with the series as an adult. It could be because my boyfriend first showed me all of the films around Christmastime, but something about them just feels cozy and subtly festive (although I’ve seen some debate over whether they are an autumnal series or a Christmas one). The first film is my personal favourite but I do love to do a full rewatch throughout the month of December.

An obvious one for certain, but The Holiday is always on my December watchlist. I think I’ve watched this film at least once per year since I was about 14. It’s my comfort Christmas movie (but honestly I’ve been known to watch it throughout the year), and it’s no secret I have a penchant for the English countryside. Add in some Nancy Meyers set design, a good serving of cottagecore vibes, and young Jude Law — what more could one ask for?

Next is a nostalgic one, but The Santa Clause has a sweet hometown connection. It’s an excellent film in its own right, and one that has spawned countless spin-offs, but made all the more special by the fact that my hometown of Oakville, Ontario served as the city of Lakeside, Illinois in the film. The downtown strip of my hometown is one of my absolute favourite places, and it features so prominently at the beginning of the film. To see it how it was in 1994, before I was even born, just feels super special.

A wildcard film that has little to nothing to do with Christmas, Notting Hill is a classic comfort watch that I always find myself coming back to this time of year. Perhaps it’s the streetscapes of London, which always make me think of the Christmas lights over Regent Street, or the family dinner scene that somehow just feels like it belongs in a ’90s Christmas movie, but something about it just feels cozy.

Lastly, slightly off topic, but I love Gilmore Girls this time of year. While it may be universally considered an autumnal watch, I think Gilmore Girls do a Christmas episode better than just about any show. Christmas just seems to seamlessly fit into the arc of rest of the season, rather than being an unrelated and overly festive interlude. My personal favourite episodes to watch this time of year are S1E10, S2E10, and S3E10 — basically if it opens with a shot of the gazebo covered in pristine, untouched snow, you know it’s going to be a good one. Cozy, festive goodness!

And since this year is shaping up to be an outstanding one for new movies, I am seriously looking forward to seeing The Holdouts and Wonka in theatres! Two very different films, but both festive in their own way.

I hope you’re all enjoying the festive period thus far with plenty of time for your favourite films. If you were looking for ideas, I hope this post helped, and I’d love to hear your favourites in the comments!

Shoes c/o Sézane; dress from Dôen; coat from Nothing Written (old season); bag from APC