It wouldn't be Christmas without a cheesy feelgood festive movie packed with love, lust and tear-jerking heartbreak.

But often the romantic emotions spill over into real life for the stars of some of our most beloved festive films.

From all-consuming crushes to life-long lust and a real-life 'relationship', Christmas films such as Love Actually, The Holiday and Gremlins have left their stars feeling all the feels...

Gremlins - unrequited love

Aside from the annual debate over whether or not its even a Christmas film, the 1984 movie starring Zach Galligan as the proud owner of Gizmo the Mogwai is rolled out every year.

Zach Galligan was 'in love' with his Gremlins co-star Phoebe Cates
Zach Galligan was 'in love' with his Gremlins co-star Phoebe Cates

Heartthrob Zach was just 19 when he landed the role of bank clerk Billy Peltzer, and his on-screen romance with Kate Beringer (played by Phoebe Cates) had everyone talking.

For starters, Zach only got the part because Steven Spielberg could tell he was 'already in love' with his 'gorgeous and dreamy' co-star.

ZACH GALLIGAN & GIZMO
Character(s): Billy Peltzer & Gizmo
Film 'GREMLINS' (1984)
Zach was a huge pin-up at the time, but Phoebe wasn't keen

He told the Daily Mail: "I already knew her from auditioning together in New York on another project and I had a huge crush on her.

"She was a model at 17 and very sophisticated and I'd barely entered the adult world while she'd already been hanging out with Andy Warhol and going to all the clubs and stuff like that."

Zach always hoped he'd get his chance with the object of his affections, but she sadly had other ideas and went on to marry Kevin Kline.

"I think Phoebe liked me very much as a person, but I don't think she had any romantic interest in me anymore than you would have a romantic interest in a college kid," he reflected.

"She had a thing for older guys, so it's no surprise she married Kevin Kline who is 15 years her senior."

Love Actually lust

Martine McCutcheon had a massive crush on Hugh Grant when they filmed Love Actually
Martine McCutcheon had a massive crush on Hugh Grant when they filmed Love Actually

The 2003 rom com followed several couples as they grappled with marriage, puppy love and heartbreaking betrayal.

And the backstage vibes were just as romantic, with not one but two cast members having a huge crush on their on-screen partner.

First up was Martine McCutcheon, who, fresh from EastEnders, had grown up with a major thing for Hugh Grant.

In the film Martine's character Natalie and her Prime Minister boss, played by Hugh, finally get together behind the curtain of his niece's school play. There were also rumours off a romance away from the cameras.

And for Martine - who had admitted they used tongues for the snog - it was a dream come true.

"It was just such an amazing, amazing moment because, you know, one, I got to kiss the love of my life on screen!" she told Metro.co.uk.

"I’d watched him growing up and was absolutely in love with him, and there was this audience that were as shocked as I was that I was in that position.

"So it was pretty much a pinch me moment. It was pretty amazing."

It was puppy love for Joanna and Sam
It was puppy love for Joanna and Sam

Meanwhile, an 11 year old Olivia Olsen, who played schoolgirl Joanna, was head over heels for actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster, whose character Sam was ironically in love her hers.

Their first kiss at the airport was actually Olivia's first kiss ever, and she was terrified.

“I was really nervous because I kind of had a crush on Thomas back in the day and I was also worried because I was taller than him,” she admitted.

The Holiday's 'secret couple'

Jude Law and Cameron Diaz sizzled on screen
Jude Law and Cameron Diaz sizzled on screen

The 2006 Christmas classic saw widowed book editor and single dad, Graham Simpkins (Jude Law), fall head-over-heels for stressed movie trailer boss Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz).

And the genetically-blessed pair's romance reportedly spilled off-screen, with Cameron admitting she'd "fallen in love" with him.

"Everyone has a preconceived idea about Jude which does not correspond to reality," she told the Sunday Mirror at the time.

"The character he plays in The Holiday is very like him. He’s charismatic, fun, open and charming. It’s very easy to fall in love with him."

Cameron was single at the time having split from Justin Timberlake, while Jude's engagement to Sienna Miller had also ended.

And in 2007 reports claimed Jude had flown to the US to spend time getting to know Cameron.

“Cameron and Jude really bonded while working together but now that friendship has turned to romance," a source said at the time.

Jude and Cameron are said to have dated in real life
Jude and Cameron are said to have dated in real life

“Jude plans to take her on a series of dinner dates this week and just spend some time hanging out."

"They had a lot of fun while making The Holiday and this is the key to their relationship."

There was just one problem standing in the way, the insider claimed, and that was their apparent unwillingness to commit.

"They have both suffered heartache in the past and don't want to jump into anything too serious too quickly," the source added.

Their 'romance' seemingly fizzled out, with Cameron later linked to P Diddy. But the rumours resurfaced in 2011 when it was claimed they'd enjoyed a slew of steamy dates at his London home.

“When Cam was in London filming Gambit, she and Jude got in touch,” a source told Star magazine.

“They have great chemistry, and since they’re both free, they started hooking up. He’s just showing Cam a good time!”

And in 2012 they were apparently spotted snogging on the patio of Chateau Marmont before checking into a bungalow at the Los Angeles hotel.

Cameron has since married Good Charlotte star Benji Madden, while Jude tied the knot with psychologist Phillipa Cohen in April 2018.