Top 10 Most Romantic Moments in Christmas Movies
#10: “La-La (Means I Love You)” “The Family Man” (2000)
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“The Family Man” is essentially “It’s a Wonderful Life” with a slight twist. Nicolas Cage plays Jack, a man who experiences what his life would have been like if he stayed with his girlfriend instead of becoming a hotshot bachelor. In one scene, Jack finds a tape titled “Jack Singing” and watches himself sing The Delfonics’ “La La Means I Love You” to his now-wife on her birthday. It serves as a major turning point in the story and Jack’s character, as made evident by Nicolas Cage’s touching and teary-eyed look of longing and sudden realization. A lot of people like to meme Nicolas Cage, but he can be a fantastic actor. He says so much with just his eyes, and that is certainly not easy.
#9: Chris Admits the Truth “Just Friends” (2005)
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“Just Friends” is a cute little Christmas movie that follows Ryan Reynolds’ Chris Brander, a successful music producer who returns to his hometown and reconciles with his high school crush Jamie. He tries to impress her with fancy cars and a carefree, cool guy attitude before dropping the façade and admitting that he loves her. It’s a heartwarming scene, beautifully scored to Rogue Wave’s Eyes and featuring an equal parts hilarious and adorable performance from Reynolds. It’s an endearing declaration of love, and really, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
#8: Jack & Sally Under the Moon “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
It’s frankly amazing what director Henry Selick and his incredible team managed to do with stop motion animation. Not only was the film a gorgeous visual delight, but it also contained a deeply personal story at its core that was emotionally enacted by puppets. The end of the movie is particularly poignant, as Jack and Sally declare their love through song in front of the massive moon. It’s an iconic film image, and it’s an unexpectedly romantic way to end what was otherwise a pretty creepy and dark movie! Ah, the power of movie magic!
#7: First Date “Elf” (2003)
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“Elf” is easily one of the most delightful Christmas movies ever. After all, what can possibly be better than Christmas in New York City!? In this adorable montage set to Frank Sinatra, Buddy takes Jovie around the city to drink crappy diner coffee, spin through revolving doors, and look at Christmas trees. Jovie in turn takes Buddy skating and see the massive Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. It perfectly captures that kinda awkward feeling of first dates, and it gracefully represents their characters. Buddy is naïve but kind-hearted, and Jovie loves his innocent personality and childish sense of wonder. It gives you that warm fuzzy feeling that only Christmas (and love) can give.
#6: George Returns “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)
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This is often thought to be the greatest Christmas movie ever made, and while that may be debatable, it certainly has a fantastic ending. After famously deciding that he wants to live again, George realizes that he is back in the original timeline and rushes home in a gleeful sprint to see his family (and happily welcome his arrest). The scene where George hugs his children and kisses his wife is easily one of the most moving sequences in movie history, and George’s sheer exuberance is marvellously portrayed by the iconic James Stewart. This movie is definitely a product of its post-war time, but the emotions and warmth it exhibits will remain timeless.
#5: Jack Falls for Lucy “While You Were Sleeping” (1995)
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Sometimes, what may bring us closer together can be found flailing around in the ice. OK, maybe not, but it certainly worked for Lucy and Jack! Jack seems to finally fall for Lucy when walking her home and getting caught on some particularly slippery ice. Maybe it was the physical contact, maybe it was the romantic Christmas lights, but either way, something changed within him that day. Or night. It’s a picturesque sequence, complete with glowing Christmas lights, glistening snow, and luscious music scoring the whole adorable ordeal. Christmas really is the most romantic time of the year, even if the ice makes you fall on your butt from time to time.
#4: “Gee, I Wish I Was Back in the Army” “White Christmas” (1954)
It’s amazing what a simple glance can do to rouse the emotions in a viewer. In this climactic sequence, Rosemary Clooney’s Betty returns to Pine Tree and surprises Bing Crosby’s Bob on stage. As Betty enters from the sidelines, she glances at Bob to gauge his reaction and smiles slyly when she sees Bob dropping his pose and following her around the stage. It’s a magnificently subdued moment but is passionately romantic in its subtlety. The two actors are able to convey their characters’ nerves, surprise, satisfaction, and reconciliation without speaking a word, and it remains one of the most rousing moments found in a Christmas movie.
#3: The First Kiss “Serendipity” (2001)
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After an entire movie of chasing each other through San Francisco and New York City, soulmates Jonathan and Sara finally meet at the end of the film. It all starts when Jonathan finds Sara’s jacket at the Central Park ice rink, and when they finally meet, he can only stand in admiration as Sara makes her way across the ice. The way the sequence is filmed is magical, complete with a beautiful wide shot of John Cusack standing in the middle of the rink, Kate Beckinsale’s slow walk, and the music of Nick Drake blocking out all the natural sounds. It’s like something straight out of a magical Christmas dream.
#2: Jamie & Aurélia “Love Actually” (2003)
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“Love Actually” is one of the quintessential Christmas movies and is full of touching, romantic moments, like when Sam runs (illegally) through the airport to catch Joanna. But perhaps the most romantic scene is when Jamie travels to France to declare his love to Aurelia. It all starts with a rousing march towards the restaurant and culminates in an impassioned speech spoken in broken Portuguese. As if the moment couldn’t be any more perfect, Aurelia responds to Jamie’s declaration of love and proposal in broken English, signifying that they had both learned each other’s language in order to communicate. It’s the kind of sentimental and somewhat cheesy moment that draws us to romantic comedies in the first place, and it’s enough to make your heart melt. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Marriage “Four Christmases” (2008) A Christmas Proposal “A Christmas Prince” (2017) Clark & Ellen Share a Moment “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation” (1989) Holly McClane “Die Hard” (1988) Bob Chases Betty “White Christmas” (1954)
#1: Amanda Returns to Graham “The Holiday” (2006)
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The perfect “character has a change of heart and rushes back” trope can be found in “The Holiday” when Amanda leaves Graham to return home. Realizing that she can’t be without Graham, Amanda decides to run back to the cottage to be with him. It’s a well-filmed scene, complete with Cameron Diaz’s pitch-perfect acting and Hans Zimmer’s radiant music scoring her dramatic run back to the cottage. Also, let’s just address that Graham was crying over Amanda’s departure! It’s a fantastic little touch that adds weight, pathos, and adorability to the moment and helps it become the most romantic scene in Christmas movie history.
