10 Best Christmas Movies Like The Merry Gentlemen

Netflix’s steamy Christmas romance movie, The Merry Gentlemen, is already turning heads with its Magic Mike-inspired Christmas-themed male revue. The movie brings together romance and dancing with more heartfelt scenes of characters spending the holidays with their family. Even The Merry Gentlemen‘s cast itself boasts several recognizable faces that will draw fans in, including the former teen star Chad Michael Murray as the reluctant dancer-turned-love interest.

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While critics’ reviews of the movie are lackluster, audiences are enjoying the dance sequences and the romance between main characters Ashley and Luke. The Merry Gentlemen perfectly combines more adult scenes and themes with the heartfelt Christmas spirit that appears in many holiday rom-coms, creating something unique. The Merry Gentlemen is the most recent addition to Netflix’s Christmas movie lineup, an impressively large catalog of holiday films that all seem to reference each other. This means that audiences can always find a perfect follow-up movie.

10 A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)

Funny But With A Bit Of Edge

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A Bad Moms Christmas RComedy

A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS follows our three under-appreciated and over-burdened women as they rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for moms: Christmas. And if creating a more perfect holiday for their families wasn’t hard enough, they have to do all of that while hosting and entertaining their own mothers. By the end of the journey, our moms will redefine how to make the holidays special for all and discover a closer relationship with their mothers.

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*Availability in US Director Scott Moore , Jon Lucas Writers Jon Lucas , Scott Moore Cast Cheryl Hines , Christine Baranski , Kathryn Hahn , Oona Laurence , Wanda Sykes , Susan Sarandon , Justin Hartley , Kristen Bell , Mila Kunis , Jay Hernandez , Peter Gallagher Release Date November 1, 2017

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A Bad Moms Christmas is a sequel to 2016’s Bad Moms that combines the first movie’s irreverent humor with a Christmas setting and more family troubles. Plot-wise, A Bad Moms Christmas is pretty different to The Merry Gentlemen, but its more adult tone makes the two a perfect fit. The former packs in lots of fun, but it also still leaves room for the titular Bad Moms and their own moms to reconcile for Christmas.

Though the characters within
A Bad Moms Christmas
are not very similar to Ashley and her family in
The Merry Gentlemen
, nor is it a romance, the two pair well together for a perfect girls’ night double feature.

Despite A Bad Moms Christmas receiving negative reviews, it was fairly successful at the box office. The movie’s humor is never subtle but entertaining nonetheless, and the addition of their mothers brought another layer to the friendship dynamics in the first movie. Though the characters within A Bad Moms Christmas are not very similar to Ashley and her family in The Merry Gentlemen, nor is it a romance, the two pair well together for a perfect girls’ night double feature.

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9 Bad Santa (2003)

A Raunchy Christmas Comedy With Heart

Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly and Bernie Mac in Bad Santa movie poster

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Bad Santa RComedyCrimeDocumentary

Bad Santa revolves around Willie T. Stokes and Marcus Skidmore, professional thieves who disguise themselves as a mall Santa Claus and his elf during the holiday season with the plan to rob them at the end of the shopping season. Their latest job becomes complicated when Willie, already struggling from alcoholism, sex addiction and frequently swearing, begins forming an odd friendship with dimwitted Thurman Merman, dating local bartender Sue and coming under the watchful eye of the latest target mall’s head of security, Gin Slagel.

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*Availability in US Director Terry Zwigoff Writers Glenn Ficarra , John Requa Cast Billy Bob Thornton , Tony Cox , Brett Kelly , Lauren Graham , Lauren Tom , Bernie Mac Release Date November 26, 2003 Runtime 1h32m Sequel(s) Bad Santa 2 Expand

Bad Santa‘s 78% Rotten Tomatoes score and positive audience response proves that adult Christmas movies, when done right, can be the perfect holiday treat. Billy Bob Thornton stars as Willie Soke, a mall Santa and thief. Willie is unreliable throughout the movie but good at heart, befriending a boy named Thurman and attempting to get him the Christmas present he desires. Bad Santa is a fun and entertaining dark comedy that will switch up audience’s favorite Christmas movies.

In the same way that a Christmas-themed male dance show may sound like an unusual part of a Christmas movie at first, rooting for Willie’s version of Santa seems strange. But both The Merry Gentlemen and Bad Santa work. Bad Santa less similarities to The Merry Gentlemen than others, but their mature tones go well together, and, like most Christmas movies, the main characters are kind-hearted, even if they have strange ideas for solving their Christmas problems.

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8 Falling For Christmas (2022)

For Viewers Looking For More Sweet Holiday Romance

Falling For Christmas Movie Poster

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ScreenRant logo 5/10 Falling for Christmas TV-PGComedyHolidayRomance

Falling For Christmas is a romantic comedy Christmas-themed film starring Lindsay Lohan as Sierra Belmont, a spoiled heiress, and Chord Overstreet as Jake, a kind-hearted lodge-keeper. When Sierra heads on holiday to a lodge and gets in a skiing accident, she somehow gets selective amnesia. She can’t remember her name or background, but her personality remains intact. Despite this, the lodge keeper, Jake, does his best to care for her as the two begin to fall for one another while she tries to regain her memories.

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*Availability in US Director Janeen Damian Writers Jeff Bonnett , Ron Oliver Cast Lindsay Lohan , Chord Overstreet , George Young , Jack Wagner , Olivia Perez , Alejandra Flores Release Date November 10, 2022 Studio(s) Netflix Runtime 93 minutes Expand

Falling for Christmas is a match made in heaven for The Merry Gentlemen fans who like their holiday romantic comedies a little lighter and cheesier. Where The Merry Gentlemen has the added twist of its semi-scandalous performances, Falling for Christmas is pure sweetness and something that fans of Hallmark Christmas movies will certainly enjoy. Falling for Christmas is the ideal dose of romantic fun that sees Lohan’s memory-wiped Sierra getting to know B&B owner Jake over the holidays.

While the movie only garnered average reviews, Falling for Christmas is among the best performances in Lindsay Lohan’s career, and a revitalizing one at that. The movie takes the best parts of Ashley and Luke’s dynamic in The Merry Gentlemen and expands on them, making something magical.

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7 Love Hard (2021)

A Quirky And Modern Holiday Love Story

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ScreenRant logo 8/10 10/10 Love Hard pg-13RomanceComedy

Love Hard is a holiday romantic comedy that follows the hopelessly romantic but eternally single LA journalist Natalie who begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel when she begins a long-distance relationship with a man on the east coast. Deciding to take the jump, Natalie flies to her crush for the holidays, only to learn that she’s been catfished by Tag’s childhood friend, who is equally unlucky in love, Josh. What follows is a story of two lovelorn fools who may find what they’re looking for in each other.

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*Availability in US Director Hernán Jiménez Writers Rebecca Ewing , Danny Mackey Cast Mikaela Hoover , Harry Shum Jr. , Nina Dobrev , Heather McMahan , James Saito , Jimmy O. Yang , Darren Barnet Release Date November 5, 2021 Runtime 105 minutes

Like Ashley in The Merry Gentlemen, Love Hard‘s Natalie is perennially single. However, unlike Ashley, Natalie is looking for love on a dating app where she meets the perfect man for her: Josh. Love Hard turns the classic romantic comedy on its head when Natalie flies to meet Josh only to realize that she has been catfished by a man who looks nothing like the pictures she saw online. Funny and charming chaos ensues.

Imagery from The Merry Gentlemen. Related Where Was The Merry Gentlemen Filmed? Chad Michael Murray Christmas Movie’s Filming Locations Explained

With a few key locations, The Merry Gentlemen creates a cozy and familiar setting perfect for lovers of a small-town Christmas romance.

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Though Love Hard still relies on many of the classic tropes from Christmas-themed romantic comedies, it is infused with a modern approach to dating and love, just like The Merry Gentlemen. Fans of The Merry Gentlemen who enjoy Ashley’s personality and goals will appreciate Nina Dobrev’s Natalie because both are very independent and career-driven women who ultimately take the time to find love.

6 Holidate (2020)

For A Similar Dynamic Between Romantic Leads

holidate poster

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7/10 Holidate TV-MAComedyDramaRomance

Holidate is a Netflix original rom-com starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey. Roberts and Bracey play Sloane and Jackson, two single adults who agree to be each other’s platonic dates for all of the year’s biggest holidays. But things get complicated when they actually start to have feelings for each other.

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*Availability in US Director John Whitesell Writers Tiffany Paulsen Cast Emma Roberts , Frances Fisher , Kristin Chenoweth , Andrew Bachelor , Luke Bracey , Jessica Capshaw Release Date October 27, 2020 Runtime 104minutes

The Merry Gentlemen‘s Ashley and Luke are initially skeptical of each other, but grow closer as the film progresses. Holidate, starring Emma Roberts as Sloane and Luke Bracey as Jackson features a similar dynamic. While at a family Christmas party, Sloane is berated by her family for never bringing home a date, leading her aunt to suggest a holidate: someone who can be a fake date for holiday events. When Sloane meets Jackson by chance, the two become each other’s holidates throughout the year, leading to laughs and, later, romantic tension.

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Though Holidate received mixed reviews from critics due to including more mature content than many holiday rom-coms, it is an undeniably fun watch. The characters Sloane and Jackson are funny and have believable chemistry as they get into various trouble throughout the year. Like The Merry Gentlemen, Holidate also takes a more adult approach to the genre, so while this might not be the right movie for younger audiences, it is perfect for adults who want a little bit more edge in their holiday movies.

5 Single All The Way (2021)

Slow Burn Friends To Lovers

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ScreenRant logo 8/10 Single All The Way TV-PGRomanceComedy

Single All The Way is a 2021 romantic comedy directed by Michael Mayer. The film centers around Peter (Michael Urie), who persuades his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to accompany him home for the holidays to avoid judgment from his family for being single. The storyline evolves as family dynamics and personal relationships come into play, highlighting themes of love and acceptance.

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*Availability in US Director Michael Mayer Writers Chad Hodge Cast Michael Urie , Philemon Chambers , Luke Macfarlane , Jennifer Coolidge , Kathy Najimy Release Date December 2, 2021 Runtime 99 Minutes

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Netflix’s 2021 Christmas rom-com Single All the Way is a new take on the well-known and loved fake dating trope. Single All the Way follows Peter as he journeys home to his family’s house for Christmas accompanied by his best friend Nick. Fearing judgment from his family, Peter convinces Nick to pretend to be dating, but Peter’s mother still insists on setting him up on a blind date. However, similar to Ashley and Luke’s slow realization of their feelings in The Merry Gentlemen, Peter and Nick gradually begin to see what was in front of them all along.

Characters from Red One and An Almost Christmas Story are edited onto a red background. Related 10 Exciting New Christmas Movies Releasing In 2024

The year is coming to an end, but there are still plenty of fun Christmas-themed movies coming out to get into the holiday spirit.

Single All the Way received praise from critics over its depiction of a gay couple in a rom-com scenario typically reserved for straight characters and for the performances of the cast. It was also one of the most popular movies to air on Netflix and entered the top 10 charts in 42 countries (via Netflix). Single All the Way features a similar comforting tone to The Merry Gentlemen and creates a relationship that viewers can’t help but root for. Single All the Way also features performances by Kathy Najimy and Jennifer Coolidge, who can always be relied on to provide some good laughs.

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4 Meet Me Next Christmas (2024)

Romance and Christmas Music

Meet Me Next Christmas - Poster

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ScreenRant logo 5/10 9/10 Meet Me Next Christmas HolidayRomance

A woman, driven by romance, frantically searches New York City for a way into a sold-out Pentatonix Christmas show, believing it may help her meet her ideal partner.

Director Rusty Cundieff Writers Molly Haldeman , Camilla Rubis Cast christina milian , Devale Ellis , Kofi Siriboe , Kalen Allen , Mitch Grassi , Scott Hoying , Kirstin Maldonado , Kevin Olusola , Matthew Sallee , Priyanka Release Date November 6, 2024 Runtime 105 Minutes

For audiences who loved the music and dancing in The Merry Gentlemen, Meet Me Next Christmas is a great musical follow-up. Meet Me Next Christmas centers on Layla as she attempts to find a Pentatonix concert ticket on Christmas Eve with the help of a concierge named Teddy. The two scour New York City, causing trouble and having fun along the way, and Pentatonix themselves make appearances throughout the movie. The lighthearted tone and casual humor of Meet Me Next Christmas are similar to those of The Merry Gentlemen, and the musical performance adds a little something special.

Pentatonix play funny and mocking versions of themselves as they follow along with Layla’s search on social media, making their own guesses at which love interest she will end up with and adding a self-referential layer to the movie.

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Meet Me Next Christmas is one of Netflix’s most recent Christmas additions, and has already made an impact. The movie is currently sitting at 69% on Rotten Tomatoes with audiences enjoying the chemistry between the leads and the guest appearance by Pentatonix. Like The Merry Gentlemen, Meet Me Next Christmas is a fun watch that will keep audiences waiting for the next dance or musical scene.

3 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

A Christmas Classic That’s A Little More Grown-Up

Christmas vacation

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ScreenRant logo 8/10 10/10 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation PG-13 ComedyHoliday

The third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, father of the Griswold family whose intentions to have a good Christmas with his family face several setbacks. Between his arguing parents, the uncooperative decorations, and the unexpected arrival of some unwanted distant relatives, Clark’s dreams for a wonderful Christmas seem to be fading, forcing him to take some comedically drastic measures.

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*Availability in US Director Jeremiah S. Chechik Writers John Hughes Cast Chevy Chase , Beverly D’Angelo , Randy Quaid , Juliette Lewis , Johnny Galecki , John Randolph , Diane Ladd , E.G. Marshall , Miriam Flynn Release Date December 1, 1989 Runtime 97 minutes Franchise(s) National Lampoon’s Vacation Expand

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a holiday comedy classic that goes well on any list, but when paired with The Merry Gentlemen, the two are the perfect double feature for the comedy fan who wants something family centered but not strictly family friendly. The Merry Gentlemen‘s Ashley is trying to help out her family when their money gets tight, and, in his own way, so is Christmas Vacation‘s Clark Griswold. The two movies are silly and entertaining throughout, and the family dynamics are reminiscent of things that could happen at anyone’s home, though very over-dramatized.

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Over the years since its 1989 release, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has become a classic Christmas comedy, but it was even financially successful and popular right off the bat. The movie holds a solid 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it continues to be one of the most watched holiday films each season. Overall, Christmas Vacation is a must-watch for any fans of The Merry Gentlemen.

2 Happiest Season (2020)

Happiest Season Deals With Themes Of Identity And Family

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ScreenRant logo 8/10 Happiest Season PG-13RomanceComedy

Directed by Clea DuVall, Happiest Season follows Abby Holland and Harper Caldwell, a lesbian couple in New York City whose relationship is tested when they spend Christmas with Harper’s family. Wary of coming out to her conservative parents, Harper forces a very out Abby back into the closet for the visit, leading to both hilarious and disastrous consequences. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Dan Levy, Alison Brie, Victor Garber, Mary Steenburgen, and Aubrey Plaza.

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*Availability in US Director Clea DuVall Writers Clea DuVall , Mary Holland Cast Victor Garber , Mackenzie Davis , Dan Levy , Mary Holland , Aubrey Plaza , Kristen Stewart , Alison Brie , Mary Steenburgen Release Date November 26, 2020 Runtime 102minutes

Hulu’s Christmas movie Happiest Season explores the themes of family relationships and finding one’s own identity. Happiest Season centers on Abby and Harper, who plan to go home to Harper’s parent’s house for Christmas though she has not come out as a lesbian to her family. Throughout the movie, Harper struggles to be open with her family about her relationship, leading to her almost losing Abby during the movie’s climax. The main cast members give great performances throughout the film and the characters are very realistic, giving the movie a familiar quality.

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Happiest Season was a critical success upon its release and currently holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 82%. The movie was also awarded the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film for its portrayal of realistic LGBTQ+ characters in 2021. While Happiest Season is a little more serious than The Merry Gentlemen, it truly is a heartwarming movie that is worthy of a watch. Both movies celebrate the value of families and communities coming together and finding happiness during the holidays.

1 Hot Frosty (2024)

Netflix’s Recent Movie Is A Perfect Watch After The Merry Gentlemen

Hot Frosty - Poster

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ScreenRant logo 5/10 9/10 Hot Frosty PGRomanceComedyHoliday

Hot Frosty is a heartwarming holiday film where a young widow’s magic scarf brings a charming snowman to life. Together, they embark on a journey filled with romance and laughter, as she rediscovers joy and holiday spirit with his help before he melts away.

Director Jerry Ciccoritti Writers Russell Hainline Cast Lacey Chabert , Dustin Milligan , Craig Robinson , Joe Lo Truglio , Katy Mixon , Lauren Holly , Chrishell Stause , Sherry Miller , Allan Royal , Dan Lett , Sarah Desouza-Coelho , Sophia Webster , Matthew Stefiuk , Bobby Daniels Release Date November 13, 2024 Runtime 92 Minutes Expand

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While all the movies on this list have certain similarities to The Merry Gentlemen, Hot Frosty is overall the most similar in its tone and themes. These two Netflix movies were released just one week apart, and both combine holiday cheer with a little bit of unique sexiness. Hot Frosty stars Lacey Chabert as Kathy, a grieving widow who accidentally brings a muscular snowman to life with a magic scarf. While Jack immediately starts gaining attention for his attractiveness, the townspeople also fall in love with him because of his selflessness and kindness during the Christmas season.

Much like The Merry Gentlemen‘s slightly unusual choice to make hot men the focus of a Christmas movie, Hot Frosty similarly focuses just as much attention on Jack’s muscular appearance as it does his kind heart. The resulting two movies create a balance between heartfelt Christmas spirit and entertaining shirtless men. If that’s not enough, Hot Frosty is also the highest rated movie on this list, currently holding an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the perfect movie to watch after The Merry Gentlemen.

Source: Netflix

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6/10 The Merry Gentlemen PG

The Merry Gentlemen follows a Broadway dancer as she endeavors to rescue her parents’ ailing small-town nightclub. By organizing a Christmas-themed revue, she encounters a captivating dancer, leading to unexpected connections amidst the holiday festivities.

Director Peter Sullivan Writers marla sokoloff Cast Chad Michael Murray , Britt Robertson , marla sokoloff , Maxwell Caulfield , Colt Prattes , Hector David Jr. , Marc Anthony Samuel , Beth Broderick , Michael Gross , Maria Canals-Barrera , Meredith Thomas Release Date November 20, 2024 Main Genre Holiday
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