Last Christmas (2019)

Taking inspiration from the pop song of the same name, “Last Christmas” is a 2019 rom-com starring Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding. It follows Kate (Clarke) — a young woman who lives in London and works as an elf at a Christmas shop. After receiving a life-saving heart transplant the previous year, she has floated through life, trying to make it as a singer but not having much luck. After being evicted, she is forced to move back into her parent’s home, which only adds to her struggles. Kate starts running into Tom (Golding) — a man who regularly volunteers at a homeless shelter — and tries to figure out who he is while also trying to turn her life around. While slightly contrived, “Last Christmas” has a heartwarming ending in which Kate realizes she’s not defined by her past and that she can make something of herself.

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

While You Were Sleeping is a 1995 American romantic comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub and written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow. It stars Sandra Bullock as Lucy, a Chicago Transit Authority token collector, and Bill Pullman as Jack, the brother of a man whose life she saves, along with Peter Gallagher as Peter, the man who is saved, Peter Boyle and Glynis Johns as members of Peter’s family, and Jack Warden as a longtime family friend and neighbor.

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 American science fiction romantic drama directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman, based on a story by Gondry, Kaufman and Pierre Bismuth. The film stars Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, with Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Tom Wilkinson in supporting roles. The film follows two individuals who undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories following the dissolution of their relationship.

Serendipity (2001)

Serendipity is a 2001 American romantic comedy film directed by Peter Chelsom, written by Marc Klein, and starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. The film grossed $77.5 million on a $28 million budget. Two people meet one night around the holidays, think they’ll be together forever, then proceed to not see each other for 10 years. While Christmas shopping at Bloomingdale’s in New York City, Jonathan Trager meets Sara Thomas, a British woman when both try to buy the same pair of gloves. Despite both being in relationships, a mutual attraction leads them to have dessert at a restaurant called Serendipity 3 where Sara explains that she lets fate’s “little signals” determine many of her life decisions.

The Family Man (2000)

The Family Man is a 2000 American romantic fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Brett Ratner, from a screenplay by David Diamond and David Weissman. The film stars Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni, with Don Cheadle, Saul Rubinek, and Jeremy Piven in supporting roles. In a twist on It’s a Wonderful Life, The Family Man follows a businessman named Jack gets to experience what his life would be like if he had stayed with his college girlfriend instead of forging ahead with a pressure-filled career. It’s the type of movie that makes us look back on all our life choices and past relationships.