Christopher Nolan’s Favorite Movie During New Year’s Time Is a Must-Watch for Couples
- Christopher Nolan has a soft spot for 'Love Actually.'
- The director watches it every Christmas without fail.
- He also loves to kick back with good rom-coms.
Christopher Nolan, the mastermind behind mind-bending movies, has a surprising holiday tradition. You’d think the director who made Inception would spend Christmas diving into obscure cinema or, you know, plotting his next epic. But nope.
Every year, he kicks back, swaps the psychological thrillers for feel-good fluff, and dives headfirst into a romantic comedy. And not just any rom-com—a Christmas one. Intrigued? Same.
Turns out, even the genius behind The Dark Knight has a soft spot for festive cheese. While we’re busy rewatching Home Alone for the umpteenth time, Nolan’s got his sights set on a modern holiday classic that’ll surprise even his biggest fans.
And apparently, Nolan can’t get enough of it. Wondering, which film has captured his Christmas-loving heart? Here’s a hint: it’s filled with British A-listers, laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of heart.
Which rom-com does Christopher Nolan watch every year?
Christopher Nolan’s Christmas movie of choice? It’s none other than Love Actually. Yes, the 2003 Richard Curtis masterpiece with Hugh Grant dancing through 10 Downing Street and Colin Firth fumbling his way through Portuguese proposals.
This movie, starring a huge cast of British talent like Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, and Alan Rickman, has all the right ingredients for a perfect holiday watch. It’s funny, touching, and packed with famous faces.
What makes it stand out, though, is how it shows different types of love, all unfolding during the busy Christmas season. And yes, there’s a lot of snow, a bit of awkward dancing by the prime minister, and some hilarious moments that have made it a must-watch year after year.
Nolan’s choice of Love Actually might surprise some, but it actually makes perfect sense. As much as he loves creating deep, mind-bending movies, he also knows how important it is to unwind with something light and fun.
After all, what’s better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by watching a rom-com filled with heart? So, while you might expect Nolan to geek out over avant-garde cinema, he’s here proving he’s just like us. Don’t lie—you’re already humming Christmas Is All Around, aren’t you?
Christopher Nolan’s surprising love for Christmas rom-coms
One thing that makes Christopher Nolan unique is his deep appreciation for all types of movies. Emily Blunt, who starred with Nolan in Oppenheimer, once shared that Nolan watches everything. She told The Hollywood Reporter:
He watches every single movie, of every type of genre. And you never hear him shit-talk other people’s movies. He knows how hard it is to direct a great movie.
And let’s be real—directing great movies is hard work. Nolan knows that better than anyone. So, instead of nitpicking other filmmakers’ choices, he just appreciates the craft. That is why he sees the effort behind the lens.
That’s probably why Love Actually hits home for him. It’s not just about the love stories (although Hugh Grant’s dance deserves an Oscar). It’s about celebrating cinema that makes people feel something.
Did you know Love Actually 2 exists?
Here’s an interesting fact: Love Actually has a sort-of sequel! It’s not a full movie, but a special short film called Red Nose Day Actually, which aired in 2017. It reunited a bunch of the original cast for a one-off charity special.
And guess what? They updated us on what happened to all those beloved characters we fell in love with in the first movie. The special brings us back to some of the familiar faces from Love Actually.
For example, Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister, David, is still doing his awkward dancing routine at Number 10, but now he’s dancing to Drake. Colin Firth’s character, Jamie, is married to Lúcia Moniz’s Aurelia, and they’re expecting a baby.
The sweetest update comes from Liam Neeson’s character, Daniel, who reconnects with a now-grown-up Sam (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), who’s living in New York. However, not everyone came back for this special. Unfortunately, Emma Thompson, who played the emotional Karen, wasn’t part of the reunion.
That’s probably because of the passing of Alan Rickman, who played her husband, Harry. Still, the majority of the characters return, and we get a little taste of what their lives have been like since the original movie.
If you’ve ever wondered what happened to the characters after the credits rolled on Love Actually, this special gives you some closure. It’s not quite a full sequel, but it’s enough to make fans happy. And it’s a perfect holiday treat for those who can’t get enough of the movie’s charm.
Love Actually is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video!