A Hallmark Holiday: The Beginner’s Guide to Netflix Rom-Coms
Picture this: you’re curled up on the couch, wearing fuzzy Christmas pajamas, with a cup of hot cocoa in your hand.
There is only one thing you need to complete this cozy holiday picture—a good Hallmark movie.
You know, the classic modern-day, boy-meets-girl fairytale. Usually, the girl is a baker, or an heir to a small farm, or a disillusioned big-city careerwoman. The guy is a dreamy lumberjack, country music star, or hot widower with cute kids. The storyline is predictable every time, but no one’s mad about it because it always ends with a happily ever after.
These days, popular streaming services like Netlifx offer a host of their own Christmas rom-coms. Here is my guide on a selection of Netflix’s cheesy Hallmark masterpieces for your next holiday-themed girls night in.
A Christmas Catch
A young female cop falls in love with the criminal she’s supposed to be tailing. This one fully embodies cheesy, with its fair share of cringe-worthy flirting and awkward moments. However, it does boast a variation on the classic rom-com with its dash of action and plot twists. Look to this one for a funny, feel-good, so-bad-it’s-good movie.
The Princess Switch
This Netflix original starring Vanessa Hudgens has all the makings of being a star player on the team of Christmas rom-coms. Featuring the storyline of the classic prince and pauper switcharoo pioneered by Dickens, the movie is sweet, but with a few thrills thrown in here and there. However, this film didn’t fully impress me, probably due to its lack of originality. I would recommend it, but I would go with others on the list first.
A Christmas Prince
This one is a very G-rated, sweet story involving a young, pretty journalist and a dashing prince from a faraway land. Sounds like the perfect rom-com setup. This movie is altogether worth watching. It’s predictable, yes, but only mildly cringeworthy. It also features several other endearing subplots that go a little deeper than just the main romance. If you are a looking for a feel-good, romantic family-friendly flick, look no further.
Christmas with a Prince
No, this is not a repeat entry, the names are just practically the same. But while the names might be similar, the storylines are very different. A beautiful pediatrician ends up treating a handsome prince who got injured in a skiing accident. Of course, he is an angel with the kids and the stubborn doctor starts falling for him. There is a bit of a twist towards the end and love hangs in jeopardy. A clean, heartfelt rom-com, this movie is a solid choice for that girls’ night flick. Not the best I’ve ever seen, but a solid member of the cheesy holiday film collection.
The Holiday Calendar
While most Hallmark movies aren’t exactly realistic, this one really isn’t. It involves a magical advent calendar that tells the future and intertwines with a young photographer’s love life. Will Abby choose the dashing man who she meets when his Christmas tree falls off his car? Or will she finally fall for her longtime best friend? The ending ties everything together nicely, but for me, the addition of magic made the cheesiness of the movie almost too much to bear.
Holiday in the Wild
Featuring Rob Lowe and Kristin Davis, the movie begins with a woman who announces to her husband that she has booked a second honeymoon for them, only for him to announce to her that he doesn’t love her anymore, pack his bags, and leave. She decides to still go on the trip to Zambia and meets a dashing pilot who shares her love for wounded elephants. They flirt as only 30/40 year olds can despite the fact that he has a Zambian girlfriend. While most Hallmark movies are predictable, this one was especially so, putting it pretty low on my list of choice rom-coms.
Christmas in the Smokies
This one features a classic country romance: a girl trying to save her parent’s farm and the return of an old flame who is now a dashing country music star. Personally, I enjoyed this one and would watch it again. It was lighthearted and enjoyable yet also touched on some deeper themes and experiences—which made the romance a bit more exciting. Just make sure you’re ready for some quintessential country accents and culture.
If you’re browsing Netflix and are overwhelmed by the amount of Christmas rom-coms, pop that popcorn, heat up that hot cocoa, and let this article be a starting place to help you sort through the options and find the perfect fit for your movie night.
Sincerely, Hannah
Photography: Hannah B.