The Holdovers: The Best Christmas Movie Of The 2020s So Far

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While many beloved Christmas movies continue to be popular each year – classics like Elf, Home Alone, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and It’s a Wonderful Life are frequently rewatched to spark holiday cheer – 2023’s The Holdovers is arguably the best Christmas film of the 2020s so far.

I’ve been trying to find some new Christmas movies to love on streaming, and it’s not always easy! But I’ve definitely found a few gems from the last few years. If you’re looking for something fun, I really enjoyed Happiest Season from 2020. And if you like musicals, Spirited (2022) is great. But honestly, the most surprisingly awesome one was Violent Night from 2022 – David Harbour plays Santa Claus, and he’s basically taking down a bunch of bad guys! It’s wild, but in the best way.

While many Christmas movies come and go, The Holdovers stands out as the best one of the last ten years and has the potential to become a timeless holiday tradition. It’s been widely praised by both critics and viewers, and it captures the heartwarming spirit and meaningful themes that make classic Christmas movies so beloved.

The Holdovers Is An Award-Winning Film That Embodies The Holiday Spirit

Alexander Payne’s film, The Holdovers, features Paul Giamatti as a curmudgeonly teacher at a New England boarding school. He’s stuck supervising the few students who can’t go home for the holidays, and during this time, he develops unexpected connections with a troubled but talented student and a cook mourning the loss of her son.

The movie received five Academy Award nominations in 2024, including nods for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and acting performances by Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Randolph won the award for Best Supporting Actress. Critics loved the film, giving it a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

While a great movie doesn’t need awards, The Holdovers truly deserves the recognition it’s receiving. Both Randolph and Giamatti give outstanding performances, playing characters who are initially stubborn and unlikeable, but gradually become more endearing.

Dominic Sessa delivers a standout performance as a realistically flawed, yet smart, young man. The characters all have their imperfections, but as they start to connect and share with one another, their motivations become clear. What begins as a lonely holiday for each of them ultimately blossoms into a powerful connection that drives the story.

The film captures the warm, festive spirit people expect from holiday movies. It’s full of classic Christmas visuals, like snow-covered scenes, and has a charming, vintage style. Though it includes some touching and serious scenes, the humor keeps the overall tone light and heartwarming, rather than sad.

The film’s ending beautifully ties everything together when Paul Hunham, played by Giamatti, risks his career to help Sessa’s character. This act completes Hunham’s personal journey and captures the heartwarming feeling of the holidays. It’s a touching display of generosity that leaves the audience with a hopeful, though slightly sad, feeling.

While The Holdovers isn’t a typical cheerful holiday movie, it’s ideal for viewers seeking something deeper. With outstanding acting, clever writing, and a great mix of humor and heart, it stands out as the best Christmas film of the last few years.

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2025-12-13 18:10