Holiday movies are here, reminding us that it’s time for the Christmas holidays. Americans rank watching holiday movies as one of their favorite traditions, above tree decorating and cookie baking. I like to check out the lists of "most popular" Christmas movies each year as an ersatz "needs" barometer. Much less scientific than the Belonging Barometer (Argo & Sheikh, 2023), the movies are, nevertheless, an indicator of what flavor of feel-good is most in demand. With reports of a loneliness epidemic in the aftermath of the pandemic, it’s not surprising that we rewatch our favorite movies to rekindle our sense of connection and holiday spirit.

People often turn to their favorite programs when feeling lonely. Just thinking about a favorite increases positive emotions, decreases stress, and increases the sense of social connection (Derrick et al., 2009). The holiday movie genre promises predictability and likeability, which contribute to their ability to reduce holiday stress.

What are the ingredients for a holiday movie that lightens loneliness and relieves stress? Nostalgia, a magical setting, holiday tropes, archetypes, clichés, appealing characters, and a conflict centered on the longing for love, family, and purpose, with themes of hope and redemption all combine to boost our moods. Positive emotions are restorative during stressful periods, enhancing coping resources such as finding benefits, reordering priorities, and ascribing positive meaning to ordinary experiences (Folkman, 2008).

Holiday movies tap into tradition and ritual, triggering nostalgia for “the good old days” when things seemed simpler, kinder, and slower.........

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