5 Holiday Movies To Avoid If You’re Single This Year

The holiday season can be a difficult time for singles (that’s putting it lightly), and it’s tempting to curl up on the couch and watch a feel-good holiday movie to take your mind off things. But not all holiday movies are created equal, and some can actually make you feel worse if you’re single. Here are five holiday movies to avoid if you are single this holiday season.

“Love, Actually” (2003)

This romantic comedy follows the lives of several couples as they navigate the ups and downs of love during the holiday season. While the movie has its moments, it’s ultimately a downer for singles, as it’s full of happy couples and heartwarming romantic gestures. In other words, it’s two hours of watching people fall in love while you’re alone on your couch with a tub of ice cream.

“The Holiday” (2006)

This romantic comedy follows two women (played by Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet) who swap homes for the holidays and end up falling in love with the men they meet. The movie is full of cliches and predictable moments, making it a poor choice for singles who are feeling down. In other words, it’s like watching a romance novel come to life, except you’re not part of the story.

“The Family Stone” (2005)

This holiday family drama follows a tight-knit family as they gather for the holidays and try to accept the new girlfriend (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) of the family’s prodigal son. While the movie has its moments, it’s ultimately a downer for singles, as it’s full of couples and families celebrating the holiday season together. In other words, it’s like watching a Hallmark movie, except it’s not as cheesy and it has a slightly better cast.

“New Year’s Eve” (2011)

This romantic comedy follows a group of people as they navigate their way through the chaos of New Year’s Eve in New York City. The movie is full of contrived plotlines and over-the-top performances, making it a poor choice for singles who are feeling down. In other words, it’s like watching the world’s most crowded New Year’s Eve party, except you’re not invited.

“The Holiday Calendar” (2018)

This holiday romantic drama follows a struggling photographer who receives a magical advent calendar that predicts her future. The movie is full of cliches and predictable moments, making it a poor choice for singles who are feeling down. In other words, it’s like watching a Christmas movie and a fortune teller movie combined, except the fortune teller is a magical advent calendar and the happy couples are the only ones who get to hear the predictions.

Look, if you are completely fine and dandy in your singledom, watch all these movies on repeat until you can recite the dialogue verbatim—more power to you. But if you feel that spoon from the said carton of ice cream you’re eating could somehow get Impaled in your eye to stop you from crying… I would highly recommend against these movies. I would go so far to say “burn them,” but with streaming services these days and their suggested viewing, it’s like they know exactly where to dig the knife in deeper. 

Look, play it safe—snuggle up and watch Annabel or paint dry, and remember to be careful with what you watch. (Or don’t, I’m not your mother.)

Happy Holidays!