THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – HOLIDAY IN THE WILD (2019)

 

After seeing off their son Luke (John Owen Lowe) to college Kate (Kristin Davis) surprises her husband with an African safari, however he trumps her surprise by telling her he’s leaving her.

However, after absorbing the initial shock, she decides to go to Africa on her own, where she meets Derek (Rob Lowe), who turns out to be the pilot flying her to the Safari Lodge.

But he is also involved with an elephant conservation, so instead of going on safari she spends her whole vacation with the Elephants putting her veterinary qualifications to good use.

Inevitably Kate and Derek bond over the welfare of the animals and fall in love.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – CHRISTMAS IN THE WILD (2019)

 

After seeing off their son Luke (John Owen Lowe) to college Kate (Kristin Davis) surprises her husband with an African safari, however he trumps her surprise by telling her he’s leaving her.

However, after absorbing the initial shock, she decides to go to Africa on her own, where she meets Derek (Rob Lowe), who turns out to be the pilot flying her to the Safari Lodge.

But he is also involved with an elephant conservation, so instead of going on safari she spends her whole vacation with the Elephants putting her veterinary qualifications to good use.

Inevitably Kate and Derek bond over the welfare of the animals and fall in love.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS (2020)

 

Wealthy charmer Joseph Van Aston (Josh Swickard) leads a playboy lifestyle until his CEO mother Amy (Julie Lancaster) demands that, in order for the company to acquire a Californian family farm to complete a business deal, her Casanova son seduces a hardworking farmer Callie (Lauren Swickard) and convince her to sell up, and if he doesn’t agree he would lose his lavish lifestyle.

He gets Leo (Ali Afshar) to drive him out into the country and when he arrives he is mistaken for a ranch hand who they had been expecting so accepts the job as a way of getting close to Callie.

But instead of seducing her he falls in love with her instead.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – A CASTLE FOR CHRISTMAS (2021)

 

Following a very bitter public divorce and an unexpected backlash from her fans after she killed off the hero of her successful book series, bestselling American author Sophie (Brooke Shields) journeys to Scotland to escape the furore.

On arrival she heads for the place of her grandfather’s birth and instantly falls in love with the place and the people she meets at the Hotel, Maisie (Andi Osho), Helen (Tina Gray), Rhona (Eilidh Loan) Angus (Stephen Oswald) and Lexi (Vanessa Grasse).

She also falls in love with the local Castle from where her grandfather was once denied entry and decides to buy it from the grumpy owner, a Scottish Duke named Myles (Cary Elwes), but he is reluctant to sell to a foreigner.

They settle on a compromise, although they constantly lock horns, but along the way they find something neither of them were looking for.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – CHRISTMAS WITH A VIEW (2018)

 

Failed big city restaurateur Clara Garrison (Kaitlyn Leeb) is now the manager at the Thunder Mountain Ski Resort and as Christmas approached the place was all abuzz when celebrity chef Shane Roarke (Scott Cavalheiro) is named the new head chef by owner Hugh Peters (Mark Ghanime).

Clara isn't as excited as her staff including her best friend Bonnie (Kristen Kurnik) and remains focused on doing her job but apart from work their paths constantly cross, in particular at a local Hotel run by Jackie and Frank Haven (Jess Walton and Patrick Duffy) and their shared passion for cooking brings them closer to a future together as their Christmas romance blossomed.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – MIDNIGHT AT THE MAGNOLIA (2020)

 

Family friends since childhood, Maggie (Natalie Hall) and Jack (Evan Williams), have a popular local radio show dispensing relationship advice and when they discover they have a chance at national syndication, their boss Deb (Alison Brooks) suggests to them that they should introduce their significant others to their families live on air during the New Year's Eve special.

In turn they suggest doing the show at The Magnolia, their fathers' local jazz club, which is struggling financially.

However, Maggie and Jack are both dumped before the big event, so in order to save the day Jack suggests they pretend to be a couple and surprise their listeners with the news during a midnight kiss on New Year's Eve.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER – HOLIDATE (2020)

 

Two strangers Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) meet at a Store return counter at the mall after a particularly difficult Christmas.

They both express their own misgivings about being single during the holidays, nightmare dates and meddling family, before making a pact to be each other's platonic plus-ones for New Year’s Eve.

Following that they agree to meet as a couple for every subsequent holiday throughout the year to make each event more tolerable.

However, despite their best efforts their relationship grows into something deeper.

 

There is a strong supporting cast, but the standout was Kristin Chenoweth as slutty Aunt Susan.