November movies: with these films you'll get through the month

Friday, November 7

Lethal Weapon (1987) (Amazon Prime and APPLE TV)

I can hear you thinking: “This isn't a Christmas movie, is it?” No, in theory, this isn't a ‘Christmas special’, but a big but: it deals with the dark and depressing side of the holidays, Christmas is mentioned, a Christmas tree gets shot at, and the movie ends with a Christmas dinner. So yes, the discussion is over: this is a Christmas movie. This good-cop-bad-cop film is about Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). The two completely different cops must work together to take down a gang of drug smugglers. Due to their, uh, different approach, they constantly find themselves in hilariously crazy situations. Do they become friends? Secretly, yes.

Saturday, November 8

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005) (Disney+ and APPLE TV)

Mmm… Technically, this isn't a Christmas movie either, but with those snow queens and magic. Santa even brings gifts at the end of the film, so this one is approved. A bit of fantasy can be useful in these dark days. A game of hide and seek in a large mansion turns out very differently for the Pevensie children. They enter a magical wardrobe and suddenly fall into the world of Narnia. This land is not a Willy Wonka fantasy, but a place that has been plunged into an eternal ice age by the White Witch. Where once dwarfs, animals, centaurs, and giants lived peacefully together, now war reigns. After this news, Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter can't just leave. They must help. And they do so with the help of Aslan the lion. Do you think this is a silly children's fairy tale? Then you're mistaken.

Sunday, November 9

A Bad Moms Christmas (2017) (APPLE TV)

A lot of swearing, chaos, too funny scenes, and drunken arguments? Hell yes. I'm in the mood for that. We don't see fresh meat, but familiar faces in A Bad Moms Christmas: we already met Carla, Amy, Kiki, Isis, and Sandy before. In Bad Moms, we saw how these mothers try to get through life exhausted. This didn't go smoothly, just like in this film. Now the undervalued and overburdened women must survive the Christmas season. This time they welcome the ultimate enemy: their own mothers. Oh my god.

Monday, November 10

Love Actually (2003) (Prime Video and APPLE TV)

Are we in the holiday season without watching Love Actually? Nope. This classic is a must-watch for me. Time and time again. From the cute love story between Jamie (Colin Firth) and Aurelia (Lúcia Moniz) to a widower (Liam Neeson) who does everything to make his son Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) happy. Even if that means they travel to the airport together so Sam can run after the girl of his dreams. I really love it. Hugh Grant, who hopelessly falls for his assistant Nathalie (Martine McCutcheon) and dances down the stairs. And we haven't even talked about Mark (Andrew Lincoln), who is secretly in love with his best friend's wife, and Sarah (Laura Linney), who is interested in a romance with sweet Karl (Rodrigo Santoro). Oh – and Emma Thompson of course as Karen, who is stuck in a rut of a marriage with Alan Rickman aka Harry. Does that sound like a mouthful? Maybe. Well, sorry, but all those storylines too. There are so many not to mention. And that's exactly what makes this movie so enjoyable.

Tuesday, November 11

The Family Stone (2005) (Disney+, Prime Video and APPLE TV)

This isn't a Nancy Meyer film, but it could very well be. Have you seen that house? You'd want to live there. The Family Stone is family nostalgia in a film. Those dinners where everyone talks over each other, laughing on the floor, and yes: also arguing. It's chaotic, Christmasy, and absolutely perfect for watching on a night on the couch. And well… Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, and Sarah Jessica Parker in one film together? You don't say no to that. In the film, we follow Meredith Morton (Sarah), who is invited by her boyfriend Everett Stone to meet the family. That quirky house is very eccentric, and they aren't warm towards the newcomer. Only after an unexpected guest, a lot of alcohol, and two surprising romances does the cool, serious Meredith seem to thaw and steal the heart of the family.

Wednesday, November 12

The Princess Switch (2018) (Netflix)

No, we're not watching Barbie the Princess and the Pauper. In this Netflix film, Vanessa Hudgens plays two roles: baker Stacy from Chicago and Lady Margaret Delacourt, the Duchess of Montenaro. When the two accidentally meet, they realize they look just like twins. (Hello The Parent Trap.) Margaret and Stacy are both fed up with their lives. They decide to switch places for two days. This way, Stacy is back in time for the big baking competition and Margaret for her wedding to the prince of Belgravia. This well-thought-out plan goes wrong, of course, when feelings come into play.

Thursday, November 13

Trading Places (1983) (Prime Video and APPLE TV)

An oldie, but definitely a goldie. And it takes place during Christmas. Top, right? Randolph and Mortimer Duke are two extremely wealthy seniors who get into a discussion. Could they successfully turn a homeless man into a successful person and a rich boy into a criminal? They decide to make this ridiculous bet. The poor Murphy (Eddie Murphy) is chosen to enter the stock market instead of the rich kid Louis Winthrope (Dan Aykroyd), whose life is made hell.

Friday, November 14

The Holidate (2020) (Netflix)

A modern romcom that's really good? You don't hear that much anymore. But this one, this is a keeper. Sloane (Emma Roberts, not Emma Thompson) is done being the only single one in her family, especially when her brother proposes to his girlfriend at Christmas. On the other side of town, Australian Jackson is spending the holidays with a woman he's also fed up with. When Sloane and Jackson accidentally meet while returning Christmas gifts, they start talking. They make a deal: they will be each other's fake partners for the holidays for a year. That can't go well, of course.

Saturday, November 15

Little Woman (2019) (Netflix)

In this adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's book, we meet sisters Amy, Jo, Beth, and Meg. When their father has to fight in the Civil War, the women at home suddenly become responsible for themselves. Something that didn't happen often in the 19th century. On the brink of poverty, they must do something to get through this time: marry or make a career. Jo wants to become a writer, Meg is getting married, Amy is going to Paris to paint, and Beth doesn't know yet. This coming-of-age film is the emotional rollercoaster you want to see during these months.

Sunday, November 16

The Grinch (2000) (Prime Video, SkyShowTime and APPLE TV)

Almost everyone knows one: a Grinch. Someone who hates Christmas. Well, not everyone loves the holidays as much as you do. That concept comes from the book by Dr. Seuss and the (almost) similarly named film. As a true Christmas hater, the Grinch (Jim Carrey) has only one goal: to ruin Christmas. The biggest celebration of Whoville, the village where the creatures called ‘Who's’ live, is threatened. Due to a traumatic event in his past (you won't find any spoilers here, though), he wants to steal Christmas from the other Who's at all costs. All for revenge. Little Cindy Lou doesn't believe that the Grinch is really that bad. She goes on an investigation while he continues with his plan.

Monday, November 17

Bridget Jones Diary (2001) (Netflix, Prime Video and APPLE TV)

Finally. My favorite. Colin Firth and Hugh Grant in a hilarious romcom? With British humor? Crikey, sign me up. Thirty-something Bridget (Renée Zellweger) is still single. She has a terrible crush on her boss Daniel, and that just can't happen. It's time for a change: she buys a diary to write down all her wishes and goals. Her life spirals out of control when she starts a relationship with (yes, really) Daniel. At the same time, she meets the super boring Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Are you in the mood for a lot of swearing, relatable awkward scenes, and a good fight between the two hottest Brits? Then you have to watch this.

Tuesday, November 18

The Holiday (2006) (Disney+, SkyShowtime, Prime Video and APPLE TV)

I say about every movie that it's my favorite, but The Holiday remains high on my list. With that old cottage in the middle of the Cotswolds. The stone walls, the beautiful rugs, that comfy chair, and just yes, that whole picturesque interior: I would love to stay there. You can see the small-town vibe in every taxi ride. And that scene where Jude Law still sees Amanda in the pub? Yes, then you just melt, right? I'm talking too much again. You just want to know (if you've been living under a rock) what the movie is about. Amanda (Cameron Diaz), a film trailer maker from LA, wants to escape her life after breaking up with yet another guy. On the other side of the world, Iris wants the same: to escape after discovering that her great love is engaged to another woman. The two meet on a house exchange website and decide to swap homes for two weeks. They get to know each other and the people involved. Prepare for a big dose of love, laughter, and a little tear.

Wednesday, November 19

Falling For Christmas (2022) (Netflix)

Lindsay Lohan is back, baby, and if there's one thing she's doing well now, it's Christmas movies. We're going back to Lindsay's comeback: Falling For Christmas. The spoiled, arrogant hotel heiress Sierra Belmont (Lindsay) has been appointed the new ‘vice president of atmosphere’ at her father's luxury ski resort. Not wanting to disappoint him, she decides to go up the mountain with her boyfriend Beauregard (Jack Wagner) for some social media promotion. When he goes down on one knee at the top of the mountain, a strong gust of wind blows Sierra off the mountain. She is found by Jake (Chord Overstreet), whom she had met earlier at the resort. He takes her to the hospital, but Sierra? She doesn't remember who she is. Jake lets her stay at his B&B until she regains her memory. You can probably guess how the movie goes, right?

Thursday, November 20

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (HBO MAX)

Secretly, very secretly, this is not a Christmas movie. Merlin's beard, you're right. But this is definitely a real November movie. This time of year, you want nostalgia, and what could be more nostalgic than the very first Harry Potter film? Immersing yourself in Diagon Alley, taking your first steps as a wizard, and celebrating Christmas with Harry and Ron. That's a real autumn and winter thing for many people. It is for me too. This one never misses my movie nights. At least once a year, I watch this one revolving around Harry Potter. The eleven-year-old boy (Daniel Radcliffe) discovers after a childhood of neglect that he is a wizard. And not only that: he finds out that his parents did not die in a car accident, but were murdered by a dark wizard. We discover together with Harry what the wizarding world and his first year at Hogwarts look like.

Friday, November 21

Gremlins (1984) (Amazon Prime and HBO MAX)

A darker funny movie then. In this horror-comedy, we start with Randall Peltzer who buys a small creature for his son. The seller, Mr. Ming, refuses to sell the Mogwai (which is Chinese for ‘evil spirit’), even when Randall offers $200. The seller's grandson doesn't understand this and sells the Mogwai anyway. Before he buys the creature, a few rules are explained to him: it cannot be exposed to bright light, must not get wet, and can never be fed after midnight. When his son Billy breaks one of these rules with the Mogwai, now named Gizmo, all hell breaks loose. The cute little creatures turn into demons if you don't follow the rules.

Saturday, November 22

Meet me Next Christmas (2024) (Netflix)

Look closely through the bad Hallmark Christmas movies, because this one is a real gem. Layla (Christina Milian) heads to New York to spend Christmas with her boyfriend. When all flights are canceled, she meets fellow traveler James (Kofi Siriboe). They click immediately. Unfortunately for Layla, who has a boyfriend, James makes her a proposal: if she is still single next Christmas Eve, they will meet in New York at the Pentatonix concert. They don't exchange any information and let fate decide. A year later, Layla is single and hasn't managed to get a ticket for the concert. And so begins the search for James.

Sunday, November 23

Serendipity (2001) (Pathé Thuis)

New York seems to be the stage for Christmas, because just like in Home Alone 2 and Meet Me Next Christmas, we go to the Big Apple. This actually has a somewhat similar story. In Bloomingdale's, New Yorker Jonathan and Brit Sara meet when they both want to buy the same pair of gloves. After a small argument, he treats her to coffee — the start of a day that feels like pure magic. Both are actually already in relationships (oops), but it seems like the universe brings them together. When Sara's phone number disappears in a gust of wind, she sees it as a sign: maybe this isn't meant to be. Instead of exchanging numbers, they let fate decide. She writes her name in a second-hand book, he writes his on a five-dollar bill. “If we are truly meant to be,” she says, “we will find each other again.” Seven years later, on the eve of their weddings, they try one last time.

Monday, November 24

Our Little Secret (2024) (Netflix)

There she is again: Lindsay Lohan. After the success of Falling For Christmas, she starred again last year in (guess what) a Christmas movie. In Our Little Secret, she is Avery, who moves to London for her dream job. That dream has a downside: leaving her boyfriend Logan (Ian Harding) behind. He proposed to her, but it was in vain. Ten years later, Avery is back in America with her new boyfriend Cameron (Jon Rudnitsky). She travels to his hometown to meet his family. Here it turns out that Cameron's sister also has a new boyfriend: Logan. In a panic, they decide that no one from their past should know.

Tuesday, November 25

Die Hard 1 (1988) (Disney+, Prime Video and APPLE TV)

Yep. The debate is settled once and for all: Die Hard 1 is ab-so-lute-ly a Christmas movie. There are enough hints for that, right? Hans literally says it's Christmas. And John wrote “Ho ho ho” on the body of the dead terrorist. “The what?!” Okay, if you haven't seen this movie, I understand the confusion. Let me explain: New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) is about to divorce his wife. To talk to her, he goes to her office where a Christmas party is happening. While he waits for her to finish, terrorists suddenly take over the building. McClane slips away unnoticed so he can maybe do something to resolve this mess. Barefoot and armed only with his service revolver, he does everything he can to make it as annoying as possible for the terrorists. While playing the hero.

Wednesday, November 26

Home Alone 1 (1990) (Disney+, Prime Video and APPLE TV)

“I've been dreaming of a white Christmas,” yes. Same, Kevin. This is one of those movies you grow up with every year. Where you see a new detail with every rewatch that you didn't see before. It's watching a movie with your whole family on the couch while enjoying hot chocolate. And starting it extra early, because otherwise you wouldn't be allowed to finish it again. I can't imagine you've never heard of Home Alone in your life, but if you have chronic memory loss from a skiing accident... Then this is your reminder: the eight-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is unexpectedly home alone during the holidays when his parents forget to take him on vacation. He has the time of his life until two criminals decide to rob his house during Christmas. Kevin is going to put a stop to that.

Thursday, November 27

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) (Disney+, Prime Video and APPLE TV)

Kevin is back and this time he is going on vacation. The whole family is going to Florida to celebrate Christmas under the palm trees. At the airport, everyone is running around to catch their flight because, yes, they overslept again. In the chaos, ten-year-old Kevin loses sight of his family. He runs after a man wearing the same coat as his father. After a quick check (which didn't work), he takes a seat on the plane. Upon arrival, the little boy realizes that he is not in Florida, but in New York. Here he indulges himself with his father's credit card, but there is one downside: two very famous crooks have escaped from prison in the same city. They want revenge on the boy who got them arrested. But yes, Kevin has a plan for that.

Friday, November 28

Elf (2003) (Prime Video and Disney+)

If you don't watch this movie every Christmas, what are you doing? What? You've never seen it? Wow. Then you need a lesson: Buddy is adopted by Santa Claus as a baby. He takes him to the North Pole, where he grows up as a Christmas elf and the son of the Head Elf. The very human Buddy receives the harsh news that he is not a real elf. After that, the always enthusiastic – and childish – Buddy heads to America to find his father. Because he must love him, right? This movie is so hilarious and well-made at the same time. And I've actually had the ‘Baby It's Cold Outside‘ version from the movie with Zooey Deschanel stuck in my head for days, so that says a lot. So watch it.

Saturday, November 29

Lovehard (2021) (Netflix)

Nina Dobrev is not back as Elena, but as Natalie Bauer. She flies to the other side of the country to surprise her online great love. That's exciting, when you're going to see someone for the first time, right? Especially someone you know from a dating app. When it turns out that Josh Lin (Jimmy Ouyang) has catfished her, her world falls apart. She is now stuck with him and his family for Christmas. And guess what? Despite everything, the two still grow closer to each other.

Sunday, November 30 (Prime Video and APPLE TV)

Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

The cast of this movie already shows that this is a good one: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Dan Aykroyd? That's the recipe for an hour and a half of fun. Father Luther Krank (Tim Allen), mother Nora Krank (Jamie Lee Curtis), and daughter Blair Krank are a very ordinary family living on an ordinary street. But what the family is about to face is anything but ordinary. They want to skip Christmas and go on a cruise while their daughter spends Christmas abroad. When the neighbors find out that the Kranks are not participating in decorating their house and the street this year, a war breaks out. When Blair unexpectedly comes home, they have only 24 hours to get the house and themselves into the Christmas spirit. If you simply don't want to think and want to laugh, then you should put this on. Isn't this a good way to kick off December? I think so.

Well. With all these movies, you will definitely be in the Christmas mood in December. You have to do something to get that Christmas feeling when it's 15 degrees outside. Exactly yes. Turn down the heating, put on a cozy sweater, and boil some water. That tea and these movies will go down well.