10 Movies to Watch if You Like Love Actually

10 Movies Like Love Actually: Directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually is a timeless romantic comedy that never fails to tug at the heartstrings. Rife with a melange of heartwarming emotion, the multi-starrer film follows up the story of more than a dozen protagonists against the backdrop of Christmassy London. What sets Love Actually apart from other romantic comedies is its ability to tap into a deep well of nostalgia and emotion. First released in 2003, the film still continues to stay one of the best holiday-season movies of all time.

From the opening scene to the closing credits, the film weaves a web of interconnecting stories, each one exploring the many facets of love in all its messy and complicated glory. Whether it’s the unrequited love of the Prime Minister for his assistant, the bittersweet reunion of a father and son, or the heartbreaking loss of a spouse, Love Actually manages to capture the full spectrum of human emotion with its deft storytelling and stellar performances.

If, like me, you also keep going back to it every other weekend, here are ten movies to watch if you like Love Actually.

1. The Holiday (2006)

“The Holiday” is a romantic comedy film directed by Nancy Meyers that revolves around- Amanda (Cameron Diaz), who is a career-driven woman living in LA, and Iris (Kate Winslet), who is the victim of unrequited love living in Surrey. The two decide to exchange homes during the holiday season in order to escape the frustrations of life and get a new perspective.

Boasting a stellar cast that includes Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black, the film navigates the story of the protagonists as they find love, laughter, and everything in between. Both ‘Love Actually’ and ‘The Holiday’ explore the complexities of love in unique and compelling ways. They both rely on a stellar cast, gorgeous scenery, and the magical backdrop of Christmas to tell their stories. And towards the end, both of these will leave you teary eyes with a wide smile on your face.

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2. Crazy Stupid Love (2011)

“Crazy, Stupid, Love” is an American romantic comedy that inclines more towards the heart-wrenching romantic side rather than the comedy side. Again, it boasts of an ensemble of a stellar cast- Steve Carell as Cal – a middle-aged man going through a divorce, Ryan Gosling as Jacob- a womanizer who takes Cal under his wing to teach him how to attract women, Emma Stone as Hannah who falls for Jacob and more.

The movie explores love, loss, and self-discovery with a mix of humor and hard-hitting life facts. While the execution of ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’ may be different from ‘Love Actually,’ both films have similar themes of hope and happiness. They also follow multiple stories with an ensemble that is hard to miss, lives up to the expectations of the audience, and delivers memorable performances.

3. Valentine’s Day (2010)

‘Valentine’s Day’ is another classic rom-com that tells the stories of multiple individuals as they navigate through several emotions on the occasion of Valentine’s Day in LA in 2010. Jessica Alba, as Morley, woke up on 14th Feb to be proposed to by her live-in boyfriend Reed (Ashton Kutcher).

But very soon in the day, she figures that she doesn’t want to marry him. Julia Roberts, as Captain Kate, took a 14 hours flight to and fro to be with her favorite boy for just one day. Felicia (Taylor Swift) and Grace (Emma Roberts) are experiencing new teenage love for the first time. And so on and so forth.

Valentine’s Day builds on the idea of love as in teenage romance, friendships, relationships, family, and more. Aside from being similar in showcasing the multifarious story-lines parallel, both films preach that despite being as diverse as it can, love is always unadulterated and pure, and it always finds its way to your heart sooner or later.

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4. Notting Hill (1999)

Directed by Roger Michell and released in 1999, “Notting Hill” is one of the best romantic comedy films based in the beautiful backdrop of London. The movie stars Julia Roberts, and Hugh Grant in a classic “opposites attract” scenario where Grant plays a charming yet ordinary bookstore owner who finds himself unexpectedly falling for a Hollywood actress played by Roberts.

While the film may not break new ground in terms of its plot or structure, it makes up for it with its witty humor, memorable characters, and delightful performances. Notting Hill is charming and heartwarming in the same manner as ‘Love Actually’ and is sure to keep the audience hooked through and through, while the beautiful London scenery serves as a perfect backdrop for the blossoming love story.

5. Four Christmases (2008)

Another one of the star-studded ensembles and also a perfect holiday special is ‘Four Christmases’ starring Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn in lead roles and supporting performances from Robert Duvall, Jon Voight, Mary Steenburgen, and Sissy Spacek.

Brad and Kate are a couple who are forced to visit all four of their divorced parents in a single day after a canceled flight derails their vacation plans. Along the way, they navigate awkward and dysfunctional family gatherings while reevaluating their relationship.

Boasting a mix of slapstick humor and satire, and some really good punchlines, the screenplay also manages to balance the film’s comedic elements with poignant and emotional moments that explore the complexities of family dynamics and the challenges of relationships.

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6. Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

This particular addition to this list might look a little odd, but we have added it here because the essence of the two films – Love Actually and Big Fat Greek Wedding, largely stay the same. Both of these are about a good ensemble of characters exploring the dynamics of relationships, love, and hope.

Written by Nia Vardalos and starring herself as the lead protagonist, the charming romantic comedy tells the story of Toula Portokalos, a young Greek-American woman who falls in love with a non-Greek man named Ian Miller.

Their romance is complicated by Toula’s overbearing and tradition-bound family, who insist on imposing their Greek culture and customs on her life. The film’s witty and insightful script explores the themes of cultural identity, family, and love, while also celebrating the beauty and richness of Greek culture.

7. The Proposal (2009)

One of the other all-time favorite films in the same genre is ‘The Proposal’ starring Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate, a high-powered New York book editor, and Ryan Reynolds as Andrew Paxton, her put-upon assistant. The film’s plot centers around Margaret’s attempt to avoid deportation to Canada by pretending to be engaged to Andrew, who agrees to the ruse in exchange for a long-sought-after promotion.

While the film’s plot may be formulaic and predictable, the film’s strength lies in its strong performances and witty script. The film explores themes of love, family, and identity, just like ‘Love Actually,’ while also providing a humorous and insightful look at the power dynamics in modern relationships.

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8. Happiest Season (2020)

Happiest Season is one of the most recent films that we have added to the list, not just because of its familiarity with the genre and essence of Love Actually, its beautiful holiday setting, or its idea of relationships, but also because it is a trailblazer for LGBTQ representation in mainstream cinema.

It follows the story of Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis), a couple who visit Harper’s conservative family for Christmas. The catch? Harper hasn’t come out to her family yet, and the couple has to navigate the family’s expectations and prejudices while keeping their relationship a secret.

Besides, the film’s screenplay is sharp and insightful, exploring themes of identity, acceptance, and family, the humor and heart are balanced perfectly, with plenty of laughs and poignant moments that tug at the heartstrings. In addition to that, Happiest Season’s nuanced and compassionate portrayal of same-sex relationships and the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals is a refreshing change from the stereotypes and caricatures that have dominated the genre in the past.

9. Holidate (2020)

As the name itself suggests, “Holidate” is a lighthearted romantic comedy that follows the story of Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey), two strangers who agree to be each other’s “holidate” – a platonic date for all major holidays to avoid the pressure of being single around family and friends. The narrative might be a little removed from the multifarious story-line of ‘Love Actually,’ but the spirit of love and the holiday season in ‘Holidate’ stays true to the character as in the former.

The film’s witty and charming script, written by Tiffany Paulsen, explores the themes of love, family, and societal expectations in a relatable and humorous way. All in all, ‘Holidate’ is a fun and enjoyable watch that offers a fresh take on the genre and is sure to leave the audience feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

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10. The Family Stone (2005)

Our last suggestion – The Family Stone is probably closest in spirit to ‘Love Actually.’ The film is a poignant and emotionally-charged drama that explores the complexities of family relationships during the holiday season. The film’s ensemble cast, which includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, and Rachel McAdams, delivers powerful performances that are both heartwarming and heart-wrenching.

The story follows the character of Meredith as she travels to meet her boyfriend’s family for the first time during the Christmas holiday. The family, however, is skeptical of her and her intentions, leading to a series of awkward and uncomfortable interactions that force Meredith to confront her own fears and insecurities. Set in a cozy and picturesque New England town, ‘The Family Stone’ is a powerful and thought-provoking film that offers a nuanced and realistic portrayal of family relationships during the holidays.