MomSkoop
Christmas rom-coms have become a beloved holiday tradition, warming our hearts with snowy kisses and festive happy endings.
But if we’re being honest, many of these cheerful films feature relationships that would be total disasters in real life.
From stalking to lying to kidnapping, these movies normalize behaviors that would send us running in the opposite direction if they happened to our best friends.
1. Love Actually
This British ensemble film has charmed audiences worldwide with its interconnected love stories set during the holiday season.
However, beneath the twinkling lights and festive cheer lurk some seriously questionable romantic gestures.
Mark’s silent confession to his best friend’s wife using cue cards might seem sweet, but it’s actually pretty creepy.
He’s essentially telling Juliet he’s in love with her while she’s married to his friend, putting her in an incredibly uncomfortable position.
The power dynamic between the Prime Minister and his staff member also raises eyebrows.
Then there’s the storyline where a man flies to another country expecting women to fall at his feet, which feels more entitled than romantic.
2. The Holiday
Two women swap homes across continents to escape their romantic troubles, finding new love in the process.
Sounds magical, right?
But when you really think about it, the speed at which these relationships develop is alarming.
Amanda and Graham’s whirlwind romance happens in just days, yet they’re making life-altering decisions about their futures together.
The movie suggests that running away from your problems and jumping into a new relationship is the solution to heartbreak.
That’s not exactly healthy coping advice.
Plus, Iris’s ex-boyfriend Jasper manipulates her emotions throughout the film, yet the movie treats his behavior somewhat lightly until near the end.
3. Holiday in Handcuffs
Here’s where things get really wild.
A desperate woman literally kidnaps a stranger at gunpoint and forces him to pretend to be her boyfriend at her family’s Christmas gathering.
Yes, you read that correctly—kidnapping.
Somehow, Stockholm syndrome kicks in, and they actually fall in love.
The film plays this criminal act for laughs and romance, which is deeply problematic.
In reality, this would result in jail time, not a happily ever after.
The movie tries to justify Trudie’s actions by showing her family pressures and personal struggles, but nothing excuses abduction.
Teaching viewers that extreme, illegal behavior can lead to true love sends a dangerous message wrapped in tinsel.
4. Christmas Inheritance
A spoiled heiress goes undercover in a small town to prove herself worthy of her inheritance, lying about her identity the entire time.
Deception forms the foundation of her romance with a kind local innkeeper.
Ellen hides who she really is while getting close to Jake, which means their entire relationship is built on lies.
When the truth eventually comes out, the movie glosses over the betrayal with a quick apology and festive forgiveness.
The film also romanticizes the idea that wealthy people need to “slum it” to find authenticity.
Jake deserved honesty from the start, not manipulation disguised as personal growth during the holiday season.
5. The Holiday Fix Up
When a home improvement expert returns to her hometown, she reconnects with an old flame while renovating a property.
The premise sounds harmless until you notice the problematic patterns emerging throughout the story.
Old flames rekindling sounds romantic, but the movie doesn’t address why these relationships failed originally.
Instead, it suggests that Christmas magic can fix fundamental incompatibilities without any real work or growth.
The rush to reconciliation ignores important conversations about past hurts.
Professional boundaries also blur as romantic feelings interfere with business relationships.
The film treats these red flags as charming obstacles rather than legitimate concerns that need addressing before commitment.
6. A Snow Capped Christmas
Set against a picturesque mountain backdrop, this film follows a woman who discovers romance while visiting a ski resort during the holidays.
Beautiful scenery can’t hide the relationship warning signs scattered throughout.
The male lead’s possessive behavior gets framed as protective and caring rather than controlling.
Quick decisions about life changes happen without proper thought or communication.
Characters make assumptions about each other’s feelings instead of having honest conversations.
The movie perpetuates the fantasy that a vacation romance can seamlessly translate into real life without addressing practical concerns.
Geography, careers, and existing responsibilities magically disappear when Christmas feelings take over, which isn’t realistic or healthy.
7. Christmas Wedding Planner
A wedding planner falls for the groom she’s working for, creating an ethical nightmare wrapped in Christmas ribbon.
Professional boundaries completely crumble as romantic feelings develop during the planning process.
The film treats this betrayal of trust as fate rather than deeply inappropriate behavior.
The bride gets hurt, yet the movie rushes past her pain to focus on the “true love” between the planner and groom.
Secrets and deceptions pile up instead of honest communication.
Rushed commitments replace thoughtful decision-making, suggesting that intense feelings justify hurting others.
The career consequences of such unprofessional conduct never materialize, teaching viewers that romance excuses ethical violations during the holidays.
8. Holidate
Two strangers agree to be each other’s platonic dates for all holidays to avoid family pressure and bad setups.
Their arrangement involves using each other as shields against uncomfortable questions and expectations.
While the “friends to lovers” trope can work beautifully, this version includes manipulation, jealousy games, and using people as emotional crutches.
They lie to their families repeatedly about the nature of their relationship.
Communication happens through arguments rather than honest conversations.
The couple’s toxic patterns—including public fights and passive-aggressive behavior—get portrayed as passionate rather than problematic.
Their eventual romance doesn’t address these underlying issues, suggesting dysfunction equals chemistry when Christmas lights are involved.
9. A Merry Little Ex-Mas
Former spouses reunite during the holidays, reigniting old feelings and reconsidering their divorce.
Nostalgia and Christmas sentimentality blur the reasons they separated in the first place.
The film romanticizes going backward instead of moving forward, suggesting that holiday magic can erase fundamental incompatibilities.
Whatever issues ended their marriage—communication problems, different life goals, or unresolved conflicts—get minimized by festive feelings and seasonal loneliness.
Second chances can work, but only with serious reflection, growth, and addressing past mistakes.
This movie skips those crucial steps, teaching viewers that Christmas nostalgia alone can resurrect failed relationships without doing the necessary emotional work.
10. Love Hard
A woman flies across the country to surprise her online match, only to discover he catfished her with fake photos.
Instead of immediately leaving, she gets manipulated into an elaborate scheme to help him win over another woman.
The entire premise normalizes catfishing, which is a form of deception and emotional manipulation.
Josh lies about his appearance to get Natalie interested, violating her trust from the very beginning.
Rather than facing consequences, he convinces her to stay and participate in his plan.
Stockholm syndrome strikes again as Natalie develops feelings for her catfisher.
The movie suggests that if someone’s personality is great, lying about fundamental aspects of identity doesn’t matter.