The definitive ranking of holiday movie couples

Our favorite Christmas couples

It's the most romantic time of the year! As you nestle all snug on your couch and watch movies that everyone's talking about, you'll fall in love all over again with the greatest pairings that holiday films have ever given us. But which adorable duo is the all-time greatest? See who sits at the top of the tree in our countdown of 17 legendary Christmas couples, ahead.

17. Harry and Karen, Love Actually (2003)

Played by: Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson

Harry and Karen seemed to have it all, but, somehow, it wasn't enough for him, and now life will always be a little bit worse.

16. Brad and Kate, Four Christmases (2008)

Played by: Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon

It's not a great sign when the main thing holding a couple together is a shared refusal to acknowledge their families or otherwise confront reality.

15. Buddy and Jovie, Elf (2003)

Played by: Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel

I'm sorry, but I refuse to believe that Buddy has the life experience or emotional maturity to be in a functional relationship.

14. Miles and Iris, The Holiday (2006)

Played by: Jack Black and Kate Winslet

Miles and Iris are both absolutely lovely people, there's just never any evidence of attraction between them — the accidental boob graze does not count — until the moment Miles volunteers to fly halfway around the world to spend New Year's with her.

13. Jamie and Aurelia, Love Actually (2003)

Played by: Colin Firth and Lúcia Moniz

Jamie and Aurelia are cute. Obviously, they are soulmates because sometimes they say the same things in different languages without realizing the other is saying the same thing in a different language. But that's just how love works, right? Right?

12. Nick and Peter, Single All the Way (2021)

Played by: Michael Urie and Philemon Chambers

Talk about a slow-burn romance: These two were friends for nine years before they confessed their feelings for each other. But, son of a nutcracker, they're too cute!

11. Abby and Harper, Happiest Season (2020)

Played by: Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis

Listen, Abby and Harper are both great. It's just a shame that their first Christmas with Harper's family is so completely traumatic that we all wished Abby had gotten together with Harper's ex (Aubrey Plaza) instead.

10. Jack and Sally, The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Played by: Chris Sarandon/Danny Elfman and Catherine O'Hara

Obviously, Jack and Sally are iconic. But also, he could stand to be a little less self-absorbed, and she could definitely hold out for someone who isn't totally dismissive of her consistently accurate insight.

9. Bob and Betty, White Christmas (1954)

Played by: Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney

They're such an undeniably perfect pair, it doesn't even matter that their romance is so contrived!

8. Graham and Amanda, The Holiday (2006)

Played by: Jude Law and Cameron Diaz

With Miles and Iris as such an afterthought, The Holiday's real love story falls on Graham and Amanda, the latter of whom hasn't cried since she was 15. Guess who teaches her how to feel again?!

7. John and Holly, Die Hard (1988)

Played by: Bruce Willis and Bonnie Bedelia

Die hard. Love harder.

6. David and Natalie, Love Actually (2003)

Played by: Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon

They aren't Love Actually's greatest love story, but David and Natalie are the best couple among the Christmas classic's various pairings. He sees past her potty mouth! She sees past his PM-ness! Chocolate biscuits for everyone!

5. Bruce and Selina, Batman Returns (1992)

Played by: Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer

Just like a fairy tale.

4. Mark and Bridget, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Played by: Colin Firth and Renée Zellweger

These two like each other, just the way they are. And what more could we ask for in a perfect Christmas couple?

3. John and Esther, Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Played by: Tom Drake and Judy Garland

We admit that Esther's Grandpa (Harry Davenport) is a better dancer than John Truitt. But when the sneaky older man twirls her around the Christmas tree and she waltzes back out on the other side in the arms of the boy next door, it's nothing short of a St. Louis miracle.

2. Bob and Emily Cratchit, The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Played by: Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy

We dedicate this No. 2 position to all Mr. and Mrs. Cratchits across all Christmas Carols. But what better couple to represent this sweet pair than Kermit and Miss Piggy?

1. George and Mary, It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Played by: Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed

No contest. It really is a wonderful life for George and Mary Bailey, but how could it not be when they have each other?