The seven festive films to watch every night in the lead up to Xmas day

published 18 December 2020

Because is there anything better than a Christmas film?

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With Christmas just seven days away what better way to gear ourselves up for the best day of the year than to have a festive film lined up for each evening. A daily movie to enjoy, snuggled up with maybe a glass of mulled wine and a cosy blanket - I’m picturing Cameron Diaz in The Holiday, I hope you’re on the same page. After the year we’ve had I reckon we need some predictably happy storylines and some slightly cheesy holiday cheer to welcome in the holiday season. Let's get stuck in then!

1. Happiest Season

Happiest Season is the latest hit from Kristen Stewart and tells the story of a woman planning to propose to her girlfriend, with a lot of comedic and heart-warming moments along the way. As one of the few LGBTQ+ Christmas films around, this highly anticipated film is original and all the fun we need over the holidays. With the soundtrack getting a lot of attention too, featuring Anne-Marie, Sia and Bebe Rexha, it’s a certified all round hit this year.

2. The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again

This next offering is going to split us down the middle I fear. However, let me pre-empt that by saying that in my book part of the Christmas fun is getting to feel like a child again, so what better combination than the girl we grew up watching on TV, Vanessa Hudgens, and a little Christmas sparkle in the form of The Princess Switch. There’s nothing wrong with feeling like your 14-year-old self again, in fact I encourage it, and this is the perfect film to make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. If that wasn't enough for you, it’s back this year with its sequel. Don’t hold your breath for the most creative title, The Princess Switch 2, Switched Again, is worth a little watch with your presents wrapped and the fairy lights sparkling.

3. Last Christmas

She’s one of the nation’s sweethearts and to make her even more lovable, Emilia Clarke has gifted us her own Christmas film, alongside Crazy Rich Asian’s Henry Golding. Last Christmas has a dreamy cast and also counts can-do-no-wrong Emma Thompson as co-writer. With a heavier side to perhaps a lot of the Christmas rom-coms, this one stands out as being different, making it possibly an audience divider - give it a watch and see which camp you sit in.

4. Holidate

Holidate appeared on Netflix in late October, so it seems like lots of people got on board with it early in the season. But if you haven’t seen it yet, I would highly recommend it as one of the must-watch movies as we count down to the big day. If you hadn’t already noticed I’m big into rom-coms and this one really provides both the romance and the comedy. Starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey, these two agree to be each other’s platonic dates for the holiday season. But will it end as platonic as it started...? I don’t think it takes a genius to work this one out.

5. Jingle Jangle

The highly anticipated Jingle Jangle burst onto Netflix in November, telling the story of a toymaker and his young granddaughter. With John Legend and Harvey Mason Jr behind the soundtrack it’s standing out for more reasons than just the film itself. Featuring music from Usher, Kiana Ledé and Ricky Martin it’s got all the feel-good that Christmas requires and more.

6. Little Women

Throw another log on the fire. The remake of Little Women was released last year and this timeless classic gives us just as much joy as the original. Perhaps not an obvious Christmas film, it still provides the perfect festive feeling and warm hug we need in December. I know it sounds like a film you should watch because you read the book at school, but with a cast including Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, James Norton, and Meryl Streep (to name just a few), this film you should definitely be added to your list.

7. Christmas on The Square

And finally, if a Dolly, I mean jolly, Christmas is what you’re after then look no further than this film. Not only has Dolly Parton released a new Christmas album, but she's also got a Christmas film out at the same time. Talk about making the rest of us feel unproductive! Christmas on The Square stars Christine Barnaski, of Mamma Mia and Cruel Intentions fame, as the holiday scrooge, with Parton playing a Christmas angel. If you’re looking for an escape from your ‘9 to 5’ (see what I did there), then whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, this might be Santa bringing you just what you’ve been wishing for.

For more of Mollie's film recommendations, check out her holiday movie marathon.

Mollie King rose to fame as one-fifth of the multi-platinum selling girl band, The Saturdays. The last few years have seen her become a Radio 1 DJ, present across flagship TV shows and a campaign in Parliament.

During her time in The Saturdays, the group sold over five million records worldwide, achieving 13 Top 10 singles and five Top 10 albums. The band also embarked on four nationwide tours and had three primetime TV series, including Chasing the Saturdays for E! which aired in over 40 countries.

In 2018, Mollie turned her hand to presenting and after guest presenting for several weeks on Matt Edmondson’s Radio 1 show, she was offered a permanent role at the station. The duo began hosting the Matt & Mollie Weekend Breakfast show and 2021 moved their new afternoon slot. Mollie also presents her own Friday morning show Best New Pop, sharing music from her most loved genre. After only six months into her role at Radio 1, Mollie won the silver award for ‘Best New Presenter’ at the 2018 ARIA Radio Academy Awards.

In addition to Radio, Mollie has also guest presented This Morning several times, including a month-long stint in the summer of 2018. She’s covered the entertainment slot on Lorraine, and guest presented on Blue Peter. In 2019, Mollie hosted The Greatest Dancer podcast for the BBC. She also presented the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards, alongside Greg James and Maya Jama, which aired on BBC2. Mollie also took part in the 15th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, making it all the way to the semi-finals.

Away from her TV and Radio work Mollie writes a weekly column for Marie Claire magazine, ‘Mollie’s Feel Good Feed’ and has worked with numerous brands including Estée Lauder, L’Oreal, Amazon, GHD and Aspinal of London.

Mollie is a proud ambassador for the Dyslexia Association, a learning disorder she was diagnosed with as a child. Mollie is very passionate about campaigning for early diagnostic tests in schools, as well as funding to support children through education with Dyslexia and spoke about this in Parliament in 2019.

Mollie is also a Born Free anti-captivity ambassador, has worked closely with the charity Mothers2Mothers and traveled to Ghana in 2014 with REDD charity to help raise awareness and funds for HIV.