Sometimes it’s fun to see how many holiday movies you can watch in December. Will they be classics, new holiday movies, or a mix of both? That’s up to you. You also don’t have to watch a single holiday movie if they’re not your thing.
This month, I have a collection of holiday and non-holiday offerings. There are some excellent new programs on networks and streaming platforms, plus some entertaining movies.
Streaming information is subject to change at any time. Enjoy!
Nobody Wants This – Kristen Bell and Adam Brody star in this comedy about an agnostic woman with a podcast about sex and dating who meets and falls in love with a Rabbi. Can they make it work despite their differences and their meddling families? Great supporting cast and terrific writing. I’m anxiously awaiting Season 2. Available on Netflix
A Man on the Inside - Ted Danson shines as a recent widower trying to move on and reconnect with his daughter after the death of his wife from Alzheimer’s. Charles (Danson), a former engineering professor, closes himself off to the world after his wife’ death. His daughter challenges him to make an effort to reconnect with the world. He chooses to answer an ad placed by a private investigator for a senior with technological competency. Charles passes the interview and is assigned to be a mole in a senior care facility experiencing thefts of resident’s belongings. He meets a colorful assortment of residents and forms some emotional connections with the residents. It’s smart, funny, and heart wrenching at times. Danson’s acting abilities are highlighted by clever writing and a talented supporting cast. Available on Netflix
High Potential – Kaitlyn Olson stars as Morgan, a single mom of three, is exceptionally intelligent, but has trouble interacting with others. While working as a cleaner at a local police station to support her family, she notices a mistake on the timeline of a police evidence board and corrects it. To keep from being fired and arrested for tampering with evidence, Morgan proves her theory by solving the case. She’s hired as a police consultant and assigned to work with Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata). Available on ABC
Father Figures – Twin brothers Kyle (Owen Wilson) and Peter (Ed Helms) discover their mother has been lying about the identity of their father who may still be alive. The brothers who seem to have nothing in common join forces to find their father. Their quest leads them to many potential fathers including a football legend and a criminal. They learn more about their mom than any child should know and reestablish their brotherly connection before finding out the truth. Available on Netflix
An American Pickle – Seth Rogan stars as Ben and Herschel Greenbaum. This movies explores Jewish family love and traditions across generations with humor and sincerity. Great for the holidays or any time.
A Serious Man – Larry Gopnick (Michael Stuhlbarg) is a physics professor during the 1960’s at a university. His perfectly ordered life begins to unravel when his wife (Sari Lennick) leaves him, his jobless brother (Richard Kind) moves in, and someone is trying to sabotage his chances for tenure. Larry consults three different rabbis to solve his dilemma, but will he take their advice? Available to watch on HBO, Max, Amazon Channel, or Criterion Channel.
Our Little Secret – Avery (Lindsay Lohan) and Logan (Ian Harding) were childhood sweethearts who parted badly when Avery accepted a job overseas after college. Fast forward ten years - they have both moved on and are spending the holidays meeting their significant-others’ families. The only problem is it’s the same family. Avery’s boyfriend is Logan’s girlfriend’s brother. They make a disastrous decision to pretend to be strangers and hilarity ensues. Kristin Chenoweth is the perfect Momzilla they must fool. Available on Netflix.
It's A Wonderful Life – George Bailey (James Stewart) struggles to believe his life matters. He gets to see what life without him would be like for the people he loves. We’ve all seen it, but it still has a message everyone needs to hear. Available for free on Xumo Play, PLEX, Amazon Prime Video, or Freevee; Available with a premium subscription to Sling TV; Rent on Google Play Movies & TV, Apple Tv, Fandango at Home; Also on TV on Bravo and E!
Die Hard – So much more than an Action movie! In my house this movie is a holiday staple. New York City policeman John McClane saves the day when he arrives at his estranged wife’s Christmas party to discover her building has been taken over by terrorists. YIPPY KI YAY! Available free with cable TV on TNT and TBS; Available to stream with a subscription or premium Subscription to Hulu, Peacock, AMC+, Amazon Prime Video, Philo, YouTube, Disney+, Sling TV, YouTube TV; Available to rent on Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home
Love Actually – You either love or hate this movie, but it has a strong cult following for the holidays. Starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, and an incredible supporting cast, it’s the holidays in England. Available to stream with a subscription to Amazon Prime, or to rent on Google Play, Apple TV, and YouTube