12 Holiday Movies That Make Divorce Feel Lighter

The holidays are supposed to be a magical time of year, but for anyone dealing with divorce, whether now or the fallout from years past, they can feel more like a test of patience than a season of joy. From juggling multiple households to managing complicated family dynamics, the holiday season can bring out the drama in ways that holiday movies can barely capture. The following 12 holiday movies, however, do a good job of it, showing the crazy, the awkwardness, and the reinvented relationships that can come when the family structure changes or evolves as we age.

As you will see, some of these movies spotlight parents adjusting to co‑parenting while trying not to ruin Christmas for their kids. Others put siblings, stepfamilies, or long‑lost relatives in the same room and let the sh*t hit the fan. Regardless, in each film, there’s plenty of humor, frustration, tears, and, most importantly of all, reminders that your holiday struggles are far from insurmountable.

As you watch these depictions, you’ll be entertained while looking into a mirror that reflects the messiness of marriage, divorce, real life, wacky family dynamics, and moments that will make you laugh when you feel like crying, or cry when you need a good one and some perspective. So grab some hot cocoa and popcorn, nestle into the couch for the evening, and get ready for holiday movies that can make divorce feel lighter, and maybe change your attitude about divorce.

The Santa Clause

In The Santa Clause (1994), a divorced father (Tim Allen) struggles to connect with his son. After accidentally becoming Santa, he learns how to balance his new responsibilities while nurturing their relationship.  

The Christmas Chronicles

In The Christmas Chronicles (2018), two siblings from divorced parents (Judah Lewis and Darby Camp) spend Christmas trying to keep their family bond intact, showing how separation changes holiday dynamics. 

Four Christmases

In Four Christmases (2008), a couple (Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon) must visit all four of their divorced parents on the same holiday, revealing the challenges and humor in navigating tension in a blended family.

Daddy’s Home 2

In Daddy’s Home 2 (2017), a family with divorced and remarried parents (Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg) shows the balancing acts that transpire when you put co-parenting demands, extended family, and new relationships together.  

Miracle on 34th Street

In Miracle on 34th Street (1947, original; 1994 remake), a divorced, single mother (Maureen O’Hara in the original, Elizabeth Perkins in the 1994 remake) raises her daughter while contemplating love, family, and trust.

Love the Coopers

In Love the Coopers (2015), a family holiday gathering unfolds around a long-married couple (Diane Keaton and John Goodman) who are planning to separate, illustrating how adult dynamics ripple through the family during the season.

Stepmom

In Stepmom (1998), a mother (Susan Sarandon) and stepmother (Julia Roberts) learn how to share parenting responsibilities amid the complex emotions that can arise between a first wife and a second, and the personal sacrifices that must be made by all to keep children secure. 

Christmas with the Kranks

In Christmas with the Kranks (2004), a couple (Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis) who are also empty nesters, consider skipping Christmas altogether, given their new circumstances. Not a divorce movie, the Kranks demonstrate healthy conflict resolution skills in marriage.

The Noel Diary

In The Noel Diary (2022), a man (Justin Hartley) returns home for the holidays and confronts family emotions, illustrating the lingering impact of divorce on family dynamics. 

Happiest Season

In Happiest Season (2020), a woman (Kristen Stewart) visits her partner’s family for the holidays and learns that things, including her partner’s sister’s perfect marriage, aren’t always as they seem.

Die Hard

Die Hard (1988), arguably a Christmas movie, depending on which side of the debate you fall on, depicts New York City cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) as he sets out to rescue his ex-wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and other hostages when terrorists take over a Christmas Eve party at Los Angeles’ Nakatomi Plaza.

It’s a Wonderful Life

In It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), a despairing businessman (James Stewart) is visited by an angel (Henry Travers) from Heaven, who is there to show him how meaningful his life has been and the effect his presence has had on those around him. 

A message to anyone — single, married, or divorced — about the importance of perspective. 

Find a Seattle Family Law Attorney

The holidays can dredge up a lot of emotion around a divorce. It doesn’t matter if the divorce is ongoing or happened decades ago. Feelings are feelings. Beyond that, the challenges of simply having to get everyone, including yourself, where everyone needs to be at holiday time can be a logistical nightmare, making a plan for the holidays one of the most important gifts you can give yourself, your children, and anyone you care about who will be involved. 

At Elise Buie Family Law, we understand how every family and every divorce situation is unique. We also understand that the conflicts that run through them are rooted in common themes, including love, anger, anxiety, grief, fear, and loss, to name a few. These themes can also overlap and change in any single situation. 
With a team that navigates these challenges daily, we are here to help not only with legal guidance but with real-life strategies and resources to make your holiday season feel lighter than it may feel right now. Contact us today or schedule a convenient time to speak.