This underrated 2017 rom-com delivers all the festive warmth without the problematic elements of so-called classics, and it’s streaming now
There’s a lot to adore about Christmas: cosy nights in front of the tree, reuniting with mates you’ve not seen in ages, and indulging in more food than you’d ever confess to.
But for me, the real excitement begins when the calendar flips to 1 December: it’s officially acceptable to binge on Christmas films.
I’ve never been a fan of action flicks and, now that I’m juggling life with a one-year-old, I definitely don’t have the brainpower for a psychological thriller at the end of the day. That’s why December is the perfect time for a good 90 minutes of storytelling in which someone – often reluctantly – discovers the true meaning of Christmas.
The only snag is time. With just 31 days in December, it’s nearly impossible to revisit all the classics while also unearthing the new gems scattered across streaming services.
A logical strategy might be to stick solely to the classics. Naturally, you’re going to watch Home Alone, Elf and The Muppet Christmas Carol, reports the Express.
But if you rely only on these, you risk missing out on some lesser-known festive favourites: the catfishing comedy Love Hard, Lindsay Lohan’s comeback Falling for Christmas, or – God forbid – skipping the animated masterpiece Klaus.
That’s why I strike a balance: a blend of cherished favourites and at least one film I’ve never seen before. And nestled among my favourite sub-genres is the endlessly comforting Hallmark-style Christmas movie.
For those unfamiliar, these films typically follow a big-city professional who either returns to or finds themselves stuck in a small town during the festive season, where they rediscover community, authenticity and love. The narrative arc is reliably optimistic, and that predictability is precisely the point.
Which brings me to the 2017 rom-com Christmas Inheritance. The film follows Ellie Langford (Eliza Taylor), a fun-loving and slightly pampered heiress to her father’s successful gift company, Home & Hearth.
Ellie is warm-hearted but fully absorbed in glamorous city life, leaving her father doubtful she is ready to lead the company.
His solution is a festive test: travel to Snow Falls, the town where the company was founded, armed with only $100 and no credit cards; deliver his annual Christmas letters to his old business partner, Zeke; and learn what the company’s values truly mean.
Ellie arrives wholly unprepared for small-town realities, basic accommodation, freezing temperatures and a strict budget, but slowly warms to the experience. She connects with Jake (White Lotus star Jake Lacey), the grounded, quietly charming inn owner; Debbie (Groundhog Day’s Andie MacDowell), the wise and welcoming housekeeper; and the entire close-knit, festive community of Snow Falls.
What starts as an unwanted chore transforms into a heartfelt journey of understanding, humility and connection. The film ticks all the boxes for a classic festive flick, complete with snow-covered streets, twinkling lights and community traditions, at times feeling like a Christmas-themed episode of Gilmore Girls.
Is it my top Christmas film ever?
That hinges on my mood, and it’s always tough to overlook The Muppet Christmas Carol – after all, “no cheeses for us meeces” is unbeatable.
But does Christmas Inheritance outshine some of the so-called classics we often turn to out of habit?
(Yes, Love Actually, I’m pointing at you with your body-shaming gags, deeply inappropriate cue-card confessions and a marriage proposal based on zero meaningful conversation.) Absolutely.
Christmas Inheritance is available to stream on Netflix.
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