Cozy Christmas Movies with a Sense of Place

I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I used to be one of those anti-Hallmark people—too gushy, too cheesy, too predictable and too annoying. But, now I’ve embraced my middle-ageism and as there starts to be a real chill in the air, I make some hot chocolate, pull out my soft red blanket, and my evenings start to fill with coziness.

I do need a mix, though—it can’t all be small town Christmas tree farm magic—so I’ve pulled together a list of holiday movies that gives some variety in genre (though there are a lot of romances), but they are all cozy Christmas movies with a sense of place. They help you feel how New York comes alive during the holiday season or how cozy England can really be when the snow falls on your charming cottage. Or even what it feels like to hide out in Belgium during the Christmas season. (#IYKYK) Think of these as Christmas movies for travel lovers.

The list of festive movies is sorted by location (United States, Europe, and Other/Global), so you not only have a variety in genre, but also a variety in location.

So if you enjoy holiday films with a strong setting, grab your gluhwein and settle in for a cozy Christmas season. (And why not enjoy a good book, too…be sure to check out my list of Holiday Books with a Sense of Place, too.)

Cozy U.S. Christmas Movies That Celebrate Place (4)

A vintage illustration of Maureen O’Hara and John Payne smiling at each other on a golden yellow background with bold red text. The film is a timeless Christmas classic centered around Macy’s in New York City, giving it a deeply nostalgic and place-based holiday feel.

Miracle on 34th Street

Release Date: 1947 and 1994
Rating: N/A
Genre: Family, Comedy/Drama
Location(s) Featured: New York City, New York, United States

Now this one truly is a Christmas classic and both the original version (1947) and the remake (1994) are worth watching. It’s the story of a serious department store’s events coordinator who hires a man calling himself Kris Kringle to play Santa Claus. And when the man insists that he is actually Santa Claus, there is a trial before a judge to determine his sanity…and if there really is a Santa Claus. The 1947 version won several awards and American Film Institute even has it ninth on its list of “most inspiring films” of all time. The 1994 version is slightly more serious with more discussion on religion, but both are worth watching for New York City holiday vibes.

Steve Martin and John Candy sit side-by-side in winter coats, with contrasting expressions—one exasperated, one cheerful. Though technically a Thanksgiving film, its wintry setting and chaotic travel scenes across the American Midwest contribute to a cozy, journey-focused sense of place.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Release Year: 1987
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
Location(s) Featured: Road Trip from New York City, New York to Chicago, Illinois

Yes, this one is technically a Thanksgiving movie, but since I want this list to be more than just Christmas movies and it’s another classic movie about travel, I feel I should include it. Steve Martin plays Neal, an uptight and stressed marketing executive who is trying to get home to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving dinner with his family. When his flight is diverted, he is forced into traveling with Del, a good-hearted but over-the-top shower curtain ring salesman, played by John Candy. Of course, travel is anything but easy, so the movie becomes a story of misadventures and hijinks as the two slowly make their way across the country.

Note from Jen: This is one of my “must watch” movies every year. It’s still funny almost forty years later (yikes!) and it’s heart-warming. (My Dad and I also had our own Planes, Trains, and Automobiles moment when we stood in line at the rental car agency for over an hour the day before Thanksgiving!)

Kevin holds a newspaper with a shocked expression in front of the towering Empire State Building, while the two burglars peek from behind. The movie turns New York City into a mischievous and magical playground that delivers a strong sense of place during the holidays.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Release Date: 1992
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Family
Location(s) Featured: New York City, New York, United States

This is the second movie in the famed Home Alone series. In this iteration, Kevin’s family doesn’t forget him at home…instead, Kevin is separated from his family in the airport and ends up on his own about to spend Christmas in New York City. As we know, Kevin is pretty good at taking care of himself and even manages to enjoy many New York City sights when he realizes his old nemeses, the Wet/Sticky Bandits (played so memorably by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), are also in New York planning another Christmas robbery. Both Home Alone movies (sorry, I don’t really count the third one) are always good for a laugh (with an attempt at a little bit of Christmas love thrown in, too).

Note from Jen: The first Home Alone is what starts holiday-movie-watching-season for me. I watch it right around Thanksgiving, but it’s this second one that has a true sense of place.

John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale lean into each other in a warmly lit city scene with soft snowfall and golden lights. Set largely in New York at Christmastime, the film exudes a cozy, romantic holiday vibe rooted in familiar city spots.

Serendipity

Release Year: 2001
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance
Location(s) Featured: New York City, New York, United States

Serendipity stars John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale as strangers who meet on Christmas Eve. Although there is definitely a connection between the two and they spend hours together in New York City, Sara is a big believer in “signs” and destiny and leaves their relationship up to fate. Ten years later, fate finally steps in and brings the two back together. This probably isn’t really considered a holiday movie, but it’s loosely tied to the holidays/winter, has a great sense of New York City magic, and what’s the point of having a movie website if you can’t feature some of your favorites?

Note from Jen: Full disclosure that this is one of my favorite movies and I often turn to it–at any time of the year–when feeling the need for some reassurance that life will be okay.

Snowy Streets & Festive Charm: Holiday Films Set in Europe (12)

An illustrated vintage poster featuring Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart looking dreamily at each other with a snowy piano storefront in the background. Set in a Budapest gift shop during the holidays, this classic romance radiates cozy charm and place-based nostalgia.

The Shop Around the Corner

Release Date: 1940
Rating: N/A
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Location(s) Featured: Budapest, Hungary

Two gift-shop clerks who bicker by day are unknowingly falling for each other as anonymous pen pals by night. Set at Christmastime, the film glows with window displays, snowfall, and the fragile hope of being understood. Director Ernst Lubitsch’s legendary “touch” keeps the comedy delicate and the emotions honest. Admittedly, it was filmed on studio sets and not actually in Budapest, but you still feel the city outside the shop doors—trams, apartments, and a neighborhood that notices everything.

Note from Jen: Think of this as the inspiration for movies like You’ve Got Mail…with a holiday touch and set in Budapest.

Harry and key Hogwarts characters are featured against a moonlit, snowy backdrop with the castle and flying owls in the distance. Though not a traditional Christmas movie, its wintry magic and iconic setting give it a timeless sense of place that fits the cozy Christmas mood.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Release Year: 2001
Rating: PG
Genre: Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Location(s) Featured: England, United Kingdom

This isn’t exactly a holiday movie, but I first watched it during Thanksgiving and the holiday at Hogwarts scenes have everything one would want at Christmas: knitted jumpers, feasts under floating candles, and castle turrets dusted in snow. I’m sure you know the story: an orphan named Harry Potter discovers he’s a part of a whole world of wizards and wands with new friends and old enemies. The British locations—London stations, Scottish landscapes, Oxbridge interiors—help make the movie one to remember.

Note from Jen: While the first one isn’t actually my favorite of the series (that goes to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), it is my second favorite and the one I turn to the most for that cozy comforting feeling. All those Harry Potter filming locations are also really popular tourist destinations for book lovers.

A red ribbon divides a collage of close-up shots of the ensemble cast smiling and exchanging gifts, styled like a wrapped Christmas present. The London setting and interconnected stories create a cozy, heartfelt vibe with a strong sense of holiday place.

Love, Actually

Release Date: 2003
Rating: R
Genre: Romance
Location(s) Featured: London, England, United Kingdom and moments in Wisconsin, United States and Portugal

Ten interwoven stories trace love’s messy map (mostly) through London in December: there are airport hellos, cue-card confessions, office crushes, and a primary school pageant with big feelings. The film is uneven and it’s meant to be that way—some threads are full of love and joy and others feel sad and sorry, but that’s what real life (and real love is like).

Note from Jen: I know some people find this movie problematic and looking at it 20 years later…maybe. But it’s a story that shows how love comes in all different forms and isn’t always what we thought it would be. It’s another one of my favorites.

Joyeux Noël

Release Year: 2005
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, War & Military, Historical, Romance
Location(s) Featured: Western Front including France, Belgium, and Germany

Joyeux Noel is based on the fascinating true story of the Christmas truce of 1914 when unofficial ceasefires occurred around the front lines of World War I and French, German, and British soldiers all exchanged seasonal greetings, shared food, and even sang some Christmas songs. The movie focuses on soldiers from all three countries and how they experienced the war–and the holidays. This is a war movie, so be prepared for some tragedy and sadness, but it is also a story of resilience, optimism, and how we can all get along…at least once in a while…especially around the holidays.

The Holiday

Release Date: 2006
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Location(s) Featured: Los Angeles, California, United States and London, England, United Kingdom

With an incredible cast, a funny but meaningful storyline, and a hint of travel, this is one of my favorite movies this time of year. Cameron Diaz plays a movie trailer producer in Los Angeles who breaks up with her boyfriend just before the holidays after she discovers his cheating. Kate Winslet plays a newspaper writer in London who, just before the holidays, discovers the man she thought was her boyfriend is now engaged to someone else. Both need to get away so they agree to switch houses for two weeks. While they both have some adjusting to do in their “new home”, fortunately they both have kind and attractive men (Jude Law and Jack Black) to help them.

Note from Jen: This is another one of my holiday traditions—The Holiday, some bubbly wine and my holiday cards. The movie inspired Jen, from SoloTravelingJen, to take a solo travel trip to the Cotswolds herself! (Find out more in my list of Travel Books and Movies Recommended by Travel Bloggers.)

Queen Latifah appears twice—once in a modest coat with luggage, and again in a glamorous red gown with fabric flowing behind her. Set in a luxurious European hotel at Christmastime, this feel-good movie blends transformation with a cozy holiday atmosphere rooted in place.

Last Holiday

Release Year: 2006
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Location(s) Featured: Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

The great Queen Latifah (I’ve always been a fan) plays Georgia Byrd, a salesperson at a department store who secretly dreams of becoming a chef. After a visit to a doctor, Georgia is unexpectedly diagnosed with a neurological disorder and not given much time to live…so she decides it’s time to live the life she’s always wanted. She quits her job and heads to a spa town in the Czech Republic where she enjoys some self-care, learns to snowboard, and eats all the amazing food she wants. I won’t give away any more of the plot, but know that it’s just a feel-good movie (secretly about the power of travel and going for your dreams).

Note from Jen: Yup, this is another one of my favorites and a movie I watch year-round when I need a positive pick-me-up, even though it is also a “holiday movie.”

Colin Farrell holds a gun while standing in front of the medieval skyline of Bruges, with two other men in black coats behind him. Despite its dark humor, the film captures the quiet beauty of Bruges in winter, giving it an unexpectedly cozy Christmas setting.

In Bruges

Release Date: 2008
Rating: R
Genre: Dark Comedy, Crime/Mystery
Location(s) Featured: Bruges, Belgium

While it might be a bit of a stretch to call In Bruges a Christmas movie (anyone want to discuss Die Hard?), it is a movie that takes place during the holidays and you certainly can’t deny it’s a great travel movie. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson play two hitmen who need to lay low after a botched job and find themselves killing time (pun kind of intended) in the city of Bruges, Belgium. It’s definitely a dark comedy, but it’s highly recommended if you’re traveling to Bruges anytime soon or if you’re looking for an “alternative” holiday movie.

A couple stands arm in arm by a decorated Christmas tree with ancient Roman ruins lit behind them, under a twilight sky. This Hallmark movie blends cozy holiday magic with the unique charm of Rome’s landmarks.

Christmas in Rome

Release Year: 2019
Rating: N/A
Genre: Romance
Location(s) Featured: Rome, Italy

Oliver is a businessman from New York looking to finalize a deal to purchase a high-end Italian ceramics company…but the owner insists that he must first discover the “heart and soul of Rome” before completing the deal, so Oliver hires a beautiful American tour guide to show him around just before Christmas. Fountains, espresso bars, artisan workshops, nativity scenes, and piazzas strung with lights seem to be just what the couple need. It isn’t a particularly heavy plot, but it’s sweet and perfect if you’re dreaming of Italy at Christmas.

A smiling couple stands in front of twinkling Vienna city lights and a holiday market, dressed in green and red. The cozy vibe and European backdrop deliver a strong sense of place perfect for Christmas romance.

Christmas in Vienna

Release Date: 2020
Rating: N/A
Genre: Romance
Location(s) Featured: Vienna, Austria

A violinist who thinks it might be time to change careers finds herself in Vienna, where waltzes, markets, and candlelit interiors remind her what music really means. Of course, it helps that she meets a handsome European while she’s there. There isn’t much to the plot, but the shots of Vienna are gorgeous.

Note from Jen: Believe it or not, there are actually TWO Christmas movies called Christmas in Vienna, but if you only have time for one, I’d pick this one.

Lacey Chabert and Stuart Townsend stand in front of an Irish castle decorated for the holidays, with snow-covered evergreens and red accents framing the scene. A romantic Christmas film grounded in the beauty of the Irish countryside.

Christmas at Castle Hart

Release Year: 2021
Rating: N/A
Genre: Romance
Location(s) Featured: Ireland

After being mistaken for an elite event planner, Brooke Bennett (played by Hallmark queen Lacey Chabert) finds herself planning a castle’s holiday gala—complete with puddings, plaid, villagers with opinions, and a handsome local. The Irish countryside does its quiet magic—stone walls, beautiful green hedges and even some fancy Irish dancing. Yes, it’s predictable, but isn’t that all Hallmark Christmas movies?

Note from Jen: As an event planner myself, I took special interest in this one..again, I wouldn’t call it realistic, but it is still enjoyable.

Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes stand in front of a castle draped in Christmas lights, wearing matching red tartan outfits. The festive Scottish setting gives this cozy Christmas movie a strong sense of place and holiday charm.

A Castle for Christmas

Release Date: 2021
Rating: N/A
Genre: Romance
Location(s) Featured: Scotland

Brooke Shields plays a bestselling author looking for a retreat after she majorly disappoints her fans in the US. She finds herself in Dunbar, Scotland (where her father is from), where she is mostly welcome and she’s able to find the escape she’s looking for…especially when she sees the stunning castle that’s for sale. Unfortunately, the castle’s owner is a bit grumpy and wants to make sure Sophie knows the castle isn’t what she thought it would be. But a Christmas party at the castle may bring the castle back to life…

Note from Jen: I almost included A Merry Scottish Christmas (another holiday movie set in Scotland) on this list, but Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes put this one over the top for a Scotland movie rep.

A man and woman in winter coats stand smiling in front of a glowing aurora and snowy mountains, holding a map and compass. A Hallmark movie highlighting a wintry adventure that ties into the sense of place in cozy Christmas movies.

The Christmas Quest

Release Year: 2024
Rating: N/A
Genre: Romance, Adventure
Location(s) Featured: Iceland

Yes, this is another movie starring Lacey Chabert and yes, it’s a holiday romance, but this one is slightly different than the others on this list: it’s a little more adventurous and historic as an archaeologist and an expert in Norse languages (who also happen to be exes) are sent to Iceland to search for the legendary treasure of the Yule Lads. There are others looking for the treasure, too, so there’s a bit of an exciting race.

Note from Jen: The Yule Lads are a real part of Icelandic folklore (I have a great tree ornament of one from my visit to Iceland), so this movie comes with a bit of a lesson in it.

Global Getaways: Unexpected Christmas Movie Settings (3)

A young boy stands in the snow before a massive black train glowing with steam and headlights, with snow falling around him under a night sky. A magical and nostalgic image evoking a cozy Christmas journey to the North Pole.

The Polar Express

Release Year: 2004
Rating: G
Genre: Family, Animation, Fantasy
Location(s) Featured: Train travel from Grand Rapids Michigan, United States to the North Pole

This beautiful film is probably already on your list of holiday must-watch movies. It’s an animated/live action film (I admit, that’s not my favorite) with a magical story about a skeptical boy boarding a mysterious train bound for the North Pole on Christmas Eve. He makes friends along the way, including the Conductor (voiced by Tom Hanks) who teach him about believing in magic, taking care of others, and self-discovery.

Note from Jen: The movie is based on a book by Chris Van Allsburg which is also a highly recommended holiday tradition.

A prince in formal royal uniform and a woman in a blue gown stand beside each other on palace steps decorated with holiday lights. The fictional kingdom of Aldovia adds a fairytale setting to this cozy Christmas movie full of royal charm.

A Christmas Prince

Release Date: 2017
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Location(s) Featured: Aldovia (not a real place, but filming took place in Romania)

A Christmas Prince is the first in a pretty cheesy trilogy of Christmas movies on Netflix. Amber Moore is an American journalist covering Prince Richard, a prince set to take on the throne of Aldovia upon his father’s death. Richard has a reputation as irresponsible and many suspect he may abdicate the throne. Hoping for her big journalistic break, Amber sneaks into the palace and is mistaken for the young Princess’s new tutor…and she does not correct them. What follows is a series of events that brings Amber and the Prince together while also combating a cousin who doesn’t want Richard to become King.

Note from Jen: While I don’t mean to give away the ending, you can probably guess for yourself with the next two movies in the series: A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby. They’re all predictable, but sweet, and good choices for a family holiday film.

Rob Lowe and Kristin Davis smile warmly in safari jackets with an African landscape, elephants, and a jeep tour below. A Christmas romance set in Zambia that offers a cozy holiday twist with a unique, heartwarming sense of place.

Holiday in the Wild

Release Year: 2019
Rating: N/A
Genre: Comedy/Drama, Romance
Location(s) Featured: Zambia

This movie is a little less well-known than many of those listed above, but it is a good movie to watch if you are interested in movies set in Zambia (I don’t think there really are many of those in English) and you’re looking for a feel-good alternative to your typical holiday movie. In this one, Kristin Davis plays a veterinarian forced to go alone on her dream trip/second honeymoon to Africa when her husband decides he’s no longer in love with her. While rediscovering herself (and her love for animals at an elephant sanctuary), she also meets a bush pilot played by Rob Lowe.

Note from Jen: This movie has some flaws, but it is another feel-good movie–this one set against the beautiful African scenery.

Time to Cozy Up With a Christmas Movie

Whether you’re drawn to the snowy charm of Bruges, the romantic glow of Vienna, or the bustling holiday energy of NYC, these movies are more than festive—they’re invitations to experience the world from your couch.

Pick one (or five), make yourself a cozy drink, and let the setting transport you. And if you’re building a holiday watchlist, don’t forget to explore my companion post: Holiday Books with a Sense of Place for the perfect seasonal reads.

Many of the movies with magical winter locations on this list are available to stream or purchase—just click on the links in this post and you can watch them tonight.

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