Michelle Pfeiffer in a scene from Oh. What. Fun.Alisha Wetherill/The Associated Press
It’s not really the holidays without a new slate of sappy, cheesy, so-bad-they’re-kinda-good holiday movies. We’re talking about the ones where the big city exec falls in love with the small-town hero, offerings with all-knowing secret Santas arranging fate from afar, and serendipitous love stories that feel good to watch with a cup of hot cocoa and some festive lights. Sure, these movies are predictable, but that’s what makes them so fun. The Globe and Mail will be serving up a new pick every day from now until Christmas Eve — our very own holiday movie Advent calendar. Today’s pick: Oh. What. Fun.
Dec 3: Oh. What. Fun., Prime Video
There’s no time like the holidays to celebrate dysfunctional families, especially if you’re a family figurehead who’s feeling overwhelmed. This new film stars Michelle Pfeiffer as a Mother Christmas type who holds her crew together every year. But when her family leaves her behind during a special outing, she decides to take the holidays back into her own hands. Oh. What. Fun. hails from filmmaker Michael Showalter (The Big Sick), features an original song by Gwen Stefani, and boasts an all-star cast including Felicity Jones, Denis Leary, Chlöe Grace Moretz, Danielle Brooks, Jason Schwartzman, Devery Jacobs and Maude Apatow.
Dec 2: A Merry Little Ex-Mas, Netflix
Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson are the couple you didn’t know you wanted to root for in this holiday flick. The movie revolves around a divorcing couple trying to spend one last holiday together for their older kids. But when new flames, played by Pierson Fode and Jameela Jamil, complicate plans, old feelings resurface — and comedy ensues. Children of the ’90s, take note: Melissa Joan Hart also stars as Silverstone’s best friend, April.
Dec 1: Joy to the World, Crave
You’ve seen the one where the gal brings home a fake boyfriend to impress her family at Christmas. Joy to the World ups those stakes. A famous lifestyle writer asks her best friend to pose as her husband for TV cameras at a big, stressful Christmas dinner. Naturally, the ruse uncovers unexplored feelings and holiday romance, with some sweet and sappy moments to get you in the mood for all the cheesy movies coming your way this month. Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage) and Chad Michael Murray (Sullivan’s Crossing) star.