Especially today, there’s more than enough to choose from when it comes to holiday movies. It doesn’t matter if you’re the type looking for romantic holiday movies or the best-animated movies. The point is there’s always going to be a perfect holiday movie for you. And if you’re looking for one that stars your favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) actor, there’s plenty of that too.
After all, the MCU has a full slate of actors who have been working in Hollywood long before they suited up to become superheroes (or villains). With the festive season fast approaching, maybe now is the time to check these holiday movies starring them:
Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually is arguably one of the best holiday movies from the 2000s. It also happens to star Martin Freeman, who has appeared as mysterious CIA operative Everette Ross in two films for the MCU franchise. Meanwhile, in this holiday movie, Freeman stars as a man who works in the adult entertainment industry, specifically as a stand-in for actors.
As one can expect, this led to some rather awkward scenes with co-star Joanna Page. While on The Graham Norton Show, the actor discussed his unusual role remarking, “It wasn’t meant to be turning anyone on…”
New Year’s Eve (2011)
New Year’s Eve is a fun ensemble movie that happens to star Michelle Pfeiffer, who has made her MCU debut as Janet van Dyne relatively recently. In this holiday film, the veteran actress does most of her scenes opposite actor Zac Efron.
While speaking about her experience working with the actor, Pfeiffer told Collider, “I’m the envy of every girl across the planet, I think.” She also noted that Efron was “so collaborative and so talented.” The movie also stars Halle Berry, who was best known for her role as Storm in the X-Men trilogy.
Black Nativity (2013)
Black Nativity is a holiday film that features MCU actors Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker – both of which were first introduced in the smash hit Black Panther. In this 2013 movie Bassett and Whitaker play the estranged relatives of a man who decides to spend the holiday with his family.
Being a musical, the movie also required a lot of singing, something that the actors weren’t necessarily ready for. While speaking with Shadow and Act, Bassett said she may have had experience singing in a gospel choir, but she’s never done solos. Meanwhile, Whitaker has said he was grateful for their singing rehearsals.
The Holiday (2006)
This 2006 movie is certainly one of the best festive films that many people enjoy watching. It features an all-star cast that includes Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, and yes, Captain Marvel star Jude Law. In the movie, Law stars as a widowed father who falls for Diaz’s character when she decides to spend the holidays in an English cottage.
While speaking with ComingSoon.net, the film’s director, Nancy Meyers, revealed that she’s wasn’t initially sure if Law should do the movie because she couldn’t tell if the actor “going to fit into the genre and do this kind of work.”
Love The Coopers (2015)
This 2015 movie centers on the Cooper family as they gather for the holidays amidst marriage problems and other issues among each other. The cast is headlined by Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Olivia Wilde, and Amanda Seyfried.
They are also joined by MCU actors Marisa Tomei and Anthony Mackie, who is best known for playing the notorious May Parker and Sam Wilson (Falcon.) In the movie, They can be seen when Tomei’s character is caught shoplifting and Mackie, who plays a cop, ends up putting her in his squad car. Unfortunately, critics find Tomei’s role rather underdeveloped but at least she and Mackie delivered a good scene.
200 Cigarettes (1999)
This little-known ensemble comedy was released back in 1999. Set during New Year’s Eve in 1981, the film centers on a group of friends around New York City, which includes Ben and Casey Affleck, Janeane Garofalo, Jay Mohr, Christina Ricci, and Ant-Man himself, Paul Rudd.
Despite the movie’s incredible casting, critics were left unimpressed. In fact, a review from the Washington Post noted that the movie had a “brain-dead script, unflattering lighting and 16 performers in search of a scriptwriter.”
The Night Before (2015)
Even today, this 2015 film is considered one of the best Christmas movies for adults. Unlike other holiday movies, this movie stars Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and MCU star Mackie as three lifelong buddies who are set to go to “the best Christmas party in New York City.”
As some may know, Mackie isn’t exactly known for comedy so working on this was quite a new experience for him. “It’s definitely my first comic venture,” the actor told ET. “I never thought I would be in this movie when I went to audition!”
The Family Man (2000)
This 2000 comedy-drama stars Nicholas Cage as a highly-successful investment broker who gets the chance to see what could have been if he didn’t leave his college girlfriend, played by actress Téa Leoni. The movie also stars MCU actor Don Cheadle who plays Cash.
During the movie, Cheadle revealed that he and Cage had struck up a bond while on set. During an interview with AV Club, Cheadle spoke about the jokes he shared with cage about a distinctive Ferrari car that may have belonged to Cage at one point. “I said, ‘t’s like that, Nic?’” Cheadle recalled. “’You’ve got that many cars that you don’t remember that this was a Ferrari that you owned?’”
Elf (2003)
This 2003 movie is certainly one of the best family-friendly Christmas movies one can stream today. Elf stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, a man who travels to New York City from the North Pole to find his father upon realizing that he’s human.
The movie is directed by MCU actor Jon Favreau who also has a minor role in the movie. While speaking with Rolling Stone, Favreau also revealed that once he realized Deschanel could sing, he immediately “wrote [her talents] in [to the script].”
On The 2nd Day Of Christmas (1997)
On the 2nd Day of Christmas is a little-known tv movie that was released back in 1997. The movie stars MCU actor Mark Ruffalo as a security guard who catches a thief (and her niece) at a department store and ends up welcoming them into his home during the holiday season.
It might not be one of Ruffalo’s most famous movies, but On the 2nd Day of Christmas is heartwarming, nonetheless. Not to mention, it’s quite romantic too. Aside from Ruffalo, this holiday movie also stars Blindspot actress Mary Stuart Masterson.
