Is the English cottage from “The Holiday” real? Inside the Surrey home that inspired the Christmas getaway

Sony Pictures

Key Points

• Nancy Meyers' The Holiday hit theaters on Dec. 8, 2006.

• Fans fell in love with the quaint English cottage featured in the film.

• Though the cottage was built for the film, it was inspired by a similarly cozy real-life home.

What if a home swap for the holidays led to more than just a change of scenery? That's the story of the 2006 rom-comThe Holiday.

After a painful heartbreak, London columnist Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) lists her idyllic cottage in the English countryside on a home exchange website. Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz), a movie trailer editor looking to escape her life for a little while, comes across the listing, and the two agree to swap homes for the holidays. Amanda heads to Iris' cozy cottage, while Iris soaks up the sun at Amanda's luxurious Los Angeles mansion.

Quaint and snug, the snow-dusted Rosehill Cottage charms with its warm, inviting rooms and classic English character, making it the perfect festive getaway. Fans have been enchanted by it the cottage for years, but is it real? Here's the truth about Rosehill Cottage — and the home that inspired it.

Is the Rosehill Cottage fromThe Holidayreal?

Sony Pictures

No, the Rosehill Cottage isn't real. We are just as devastated as you are.

In a November 2024 interview with BBC Radio,Jude Law confirmed the heartbreaking truthafter the hosts eagerly asked if they could "Airbnb that cottage."

"That cottage doesn't exist," he revealed. "Oooh, yeah," he added as gasps and a number of stunned reactions filled the studio. One of the hosts even wailed, "That's my dream home!"

Law went on to explain that writer-directorNancy Meyerssearched high and low for the perfect cozy English hideaway, but never found a real one that could be used in the film.

"So the director, she's a bit of a perfectionist," he said. "She toured that whole area and didn't quite find the chocolate box cottage she's looking for." As such, she hired some magical gnomes (we assume) to build one for her.

Law also dished on a major behind-the-scenes detail: "So, we were shooting in the winter here. And every time I'd go in that door, we'd cut, and we shot the interiors in L.A. about three months later."

When the hosts begged him to stop talking, calling the news "really upsetting" and something they "couldn't bear," Law laughed. "Just burst the bubble. Sorry!"

Was Rosehill inspired by a real English cottage?

Columbia Pictures/ Everett

Although the cottage was built specifically forThe Holiday, its design reportedly draws inspiration from Honeysuckle Cottage, an actual English cottage tucked away in the Surrey village of Holmbury St Mary. Thehome made headlinesin 2018 when it hit the market for roughly $821,000.

Inside, the cottage offers more space than its quaint exterior suggests. According to thelisting, it includes three bedrooms, a kitchen, a cloakroom, a living room, and much more (though it apparently has just one bathroom).

The listing describes the Honeysuckle Cottage as a "stunning extended period cottage with ironstone galleting and brick quoins under a tiled roof complemented by leaded light windows."

It also boasts an "inglenook fireplace," and "delightful landscaped gardens," with several pubs and shops just a short walk away (very much in line withThe Holiday).

In late 2022, Airbnb listed the Honeysuckle Cottage for roughly $340 per night,per House Beautiful. As of this writing, however, it no longer appears to be listed.

What about Amanda's mansion — is it real?

Sony Pictures

While Rosehill enchants with its storybook appeal, Amanda's Los Angeles mansion is a decidedly different kind of dream home. Lavish, sprawling, and undeniably glamorous, it lends itself to the big screen.

Although the movie's interiors were filmed on a soundstage at Sony Pictures Studios, fans ofThe Holidaywill be pleased to know that the exterior is very real and can be found at 1883 Orlando Road in San Marino, Calif.

Designed by architect Wallace Neff, themulti-million dollar estate is enormous, featuring seven bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, and an automatic gate.

Holidayfans will instantly recognize the balcony, where Amanda confronts her cheating boyfriend just before swapping homes. They'll also note the expansive backyard with its in-ground pool that Arthur (Eli Wallach) uses get into shape for a gala held in his honor.

The househit the marketback in May 2018 for $11.8 million and sold almost a year later for $9.5 million. Despite being a private residence, it's become a popular tourist stop. "We have to keep the gates closed 24/7," realtor Brent Changtold CNBCin 2018. "If open just five minutes, we find someone in the front yard taking a selfie with the house. It's that recognizable."

Where can I watchThe Holiday?

Sony Pictures

The Holidayis currently available torent or buy on Prime Video.

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

Is the English cottage from “The Holiday” real? Inside the Surrey home that inspired the Christmas getaway

Sony Pictures Key Points Nancy Meyers' The Holiday hit theaters on Dec. 8, 2006. Fans fell in love with the quaint English cottage fe...

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Inside the Love Lives of “The Partridge Family” Cast (Including One Couple Who Met at a Starbucks!)

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ; Ron Galella Collection via Getty

In the over 50 years sinceThe Partridge Familypremiered, the show's cast has gone on to start families of their own.

On Sept. 25, 1970, the pilot episode ofThe Partridge Familypremiered on ABC, following the life of a fictional pop music band made up of the titular family. Loosely based on the real-life musical family the Cowsills, the series entertained viewers for four seasons and almost 100 episodes.

Shirley Jonesstarred as the family matriarch, Shirley Partridge, alongside her real-life stepsonDavid Cassidy, who played her son Keith Partridge on the show.

​​"I actually think our true-life relationship, our closeness, helped us in the show," the actresstoldThe Hollywood Reporterin 2020, three years after Cassidy's death.

While Jones' character on the show was a single mom, in real life, she was married to Cassidy's father,Jack Cassidy, for almost 20 years, splitting shortly before his untimely death in 1976. She later married actor Marty Ingels, to whom she was wed for nearly 40 years until his death in 2015.

Here's everything to know about the real-life loves ofThe Partridge Familycast.

Shirley Jones and Marty Ingels

Chelsea Lauren/Getty

Shirley Jones, who played the leading matriarch Shirley on the show, has been married twice.

On Aug. 5, 1956, she wed fellow actor Jack Cassidy in Cambridge, Mass. During their marriage,they welcomed three sons together: Shaun, Patrick and Ryan. Jones also became a stepmother to David, her husband's son from his first marriage.

"My husband … I mean, he was my knight in shining armor, he was the love of my life. I was the breadwinner in the family and it was very difficult for him," she recalled during an appearance onGood Morning Americain 2013.

They separated in October 1974, and their divorce was finalized the following year. He died a year later on Dec. 12, 1976, in an apartment fire.

In 1977, Jones married actor Marty Ingels. They were together until his death, from complications of a stroke, on Oct. 21, 2015.

"Had Jack not died - he was 49 years old when he died in a fire - I don't know if I would've married Marty," Jones said onGood Morning America. "I don't know. I don't think I would've ever gone back to Jack, but I fell in love with Marty as I went along."

David Cassidy

Frazer Harrison/Getty

David Cassidy, who played singer Keith, was married three times.

He married actress Kay Lenz in 1977, but the couple split just four years later. "Kay had her own life, and I had different needs," Cassidy told PEOPLE in 1983.

In the summer of 1982, he reconnected with Meryl Tanz, a horse breeder, when they ran into each other at a party before a race in Illinois. They had previously met in 1974 at a horse sale in Lexington, Ky.

"Suddenly she and I looked at each other as if for the first time, and WHEW!" David told PEOPLE in 1983 of his then-fiancée.

Tanz added, "We haven't been apart since. In his rock days, he was remote. Now he has time for me."

In 1986, Cassidy welcomed a daughter,Katie Cassidy, with model Sherry Williams. His divorce from Tanz was finalized in 1988.

In 1991, he married for a third time to songwriter Sue Shifrin. The same year, they welcomed a son, Beau Cassidy, together.

After 23 years of marriage, Shifrin filed for divorce in February 2014.

"It is very sad that Sue chose to this approach," Cassidy said in a statement via his rep. "I have tried to resolve this amicably outside of the public eye. I have reached out to her with no response over the last three months. It's a sad day for me and for our son Beau."

Cassidydied from organ failureon Nov. 21, 2017, at age 67.

Susan Dey and Bernard Sofronski

Amy Graves/WireImage

After her time as Laurie onThe Partridge Familyended, Susan Dey went on to have a successful acting career and marry twice.

She has been married to producer Bernard Sofronski since 1988.

Dey was previously married to Leonard "Lenny" Hirshan, with whom she welcomed a daughter.

Danny Bonaduce and Amy Railsback

Danny Bonaduce/Instagram

Danny Bonaduce, who played wisecracking middle child Danny, has been married to Amy Railsback since 2010.

The couple, who met at a Starbucks in Los Angeles, got engaged in 2009 after two years of dating. Railsback is a former teacher from Sacramento, Calif., who is now Bonaduce's manager.

On Nov. 22, 2010, theygot marriedin a private ceremony in Maui, Hawaii. The wedding was an "unintentional surprise" for the actor, who said he would marry Railsback anytime, as long as she took care of the planning process.

"The wedding planner from the hotel called to speak with Amy and told me I was getting married," Bonaduce told PEOPLE. "I said, 'Honey you got something to tell me?' Then I thought about it, and said, 'This is a great idea!' "

Bonaduce was previously married to Gretchen Bonaduce, with whom he shares two children.

Brian Forster and Lisa Forster

Brian Forster took over the role of Chris Partridge after Jeremy Gelbwaks' departure following season 1, but has lived a life out of the public eye since the series ended.

In that time, he married his wife, Lisa Forster.

Suzanne Crough and William Condray

Steve Granitz/WireImage

The youngest sibling, Tracy, was played by Suzanne Crough, who married her husband, William Condray, in 1985.

Crough stayed out of the spotlight as an adult. She died at home in Laughlin, Nev., in 2015 at 52 years old. Condray told the Associated Press after her death, "My wife and I were going to celebrate 30 years of marriage in July."

The couple met through a friend in their 20s. "I asked her if she was a real actress, and she asked me if I was a real cop," he said.

At the time, he worked on the graveyard shift in law enforcement and later attended law school. After they married, Crough was interested in returning to acting, but ultimately wanted to focus on their children.

"I can't tell you the number of sacrifices she made in order for me to get through law school and for our kids. She was truly a devout mother," Condray said.

Read the original article onPeople

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

Inside the Love Lives of “The Partridge Family” Cast (Including One Couple Who Met at a Starbucks!)

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ; Ron Galella Collection via Getty In the over 50 years sinceThe Partridge Familypremiered, the show's cas...

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The 26 best Christmas movies ready to stream this holiday season

Seacia Pavao/Focus Features; Peter Sorel/Fox; The Cat in the Hat Productions

Nearly every major holiday has its share of films centered around it, but none offer the breadth and versatility that Christmas does. From sentimental classics likeIt's a Wonderful Life(1946), to frightening favorites likeBlack Christmas(1974), to modern family comedies likeElf(2003), there's something for everyone, depending on your mood.

It can also be tough to narrow down which Christmas movies to prioritize during December, with dozens and dozens ofnew holiday movies released every year. That's whyEntertainment Weeklyis here to gift you a curated list of recommendations. Ahead are 26 festive favorite Christmas (and Christmas-adjacent) movies to stream now.

Carol(2015)

Wilson Webb/TWC

Carol (Cate Blanchett) is a glamorous, soon-to-be divorcée shopping for Christmas gifts; Therese (Rooney Mara) is a shopgirl and aspiring photographer. Their eyes meet, Carol compliments Therese's little Santa hat, and just like that, their hearts are off to the races. The film's preoccupation with desire feels uniquely fitting for a season in which we all hope, often against reason, to get what we want. Beyond that, Christmas works wonders as a backdrop, imbuingCarolwith a mixture of warmth, melancholy, nostalgia, and regret that only the holidays can conjure.—Janey Tracey

Where to watchCarol: HBO Max

EW grade:A–

Director:Todd Haynes

Cast:Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler

A Charlie Brown Christmas(1965)

Everett Collection

Although it's a children's special,A Charlie Brown Christmasis one of the most existential movies on this list. The animated classic begins with an extremely relatable sentiment: It's the holiday season and Charlie Brown is supposed to be happy, yet he's unseasonably depressed. He becomes even more despondent as he considers the over-commercialization of the holiday. By the end, of course, the true meaning of Christmas has been shared.

With its surprisingly philosophical message, charming animation, and Vince Guaraldi's timeless jazz score, rewatchingA Charlie Brown Christmashas become a beloved annual tradition.—J.T.

Where to watchA Charlie Brown Christmas: Apple TV

Director:Bill Melendez

Cast:Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Tracy Stratford

A Christmas Carol(1984)

Among countless adaptations, the 1984 version ofA Christmas Carolstands apart thanks to George C. Scott's nuanced, vulnerable performance as Ebenezer Scrooge. Rather than just a simple miser, this movie portrays Scrooge as more of a ruthless businessman who believes he's justified in his actions, making the character more relatable and redemptive. Otherwise, the film is remarkably faithful to Charles Dickens' original novella, preserving the gothic elements and darker themes without too much sentimentality.—J.T.

Where to watchA Christmas Carol: Hulu

Director:Clive Donner

Cast:George C. Scott, Frank Finlay, David Warner

A Christmas Prince(2017)

One of Netflix's most successfulHallmark-style Christmas movies,A Christmas Princeis a modern fairy tale about an American journalist who falls in love with the prince of a fictional country. While not explicitly based on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, the film has plenty of references to the royal couple, with a sequel about a royal wedding and a threequel about a royal baby. Possible real-world inspirations aside, this holiday movie is prime comfort viewing, delivering just as many warm fuzzies as you'd expect from something calledA Christmas Prince.—J.T.

Where to watchA Christmas Prince: Netflix

Director:Alex Zamm

Cast:Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Alice Krige

Christmas Wedding Planner(2017)

Brain Power Studio

Don't be fooled by the generic name:Christmas Wedding Plannerisn't just a bad Christmas movie, it's thebestbad Christmas movie. The premise is pretty standard: An unlucky-in-love wedding planner is mapping out her cousin's engagement but falls for her cousin's ex, who's a private investigator. After a few gonzo plot twists, aJoey Fatonecameo, and a truly wild ending, you'll be left wondering what on Earth you just watched — and screaming "Justice for Emily!"—J.T.

Where to watchChristmas Wedding Planner: The Roku Channel

Director:Justin G. Dyck

Cast:Jocelyn Hudon, Stephen Huszar, Kelly Rutherford, Joey Fatone

Die Hard(1988)

Peter Sorel/Fox

The eternal question pops up once again: IsDie Harda Christmas movie? Let's say yes! In this action classic, NYPD cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) faces off against a group of terrorists when they take over his estranged wife's high-rise office holiday party. McClane is, in his words, the fly in the ointment, the one wild card that Hans Gruber (Alan Rickmanin a towering big-screen debut) couldn't anticipate. Though not a traditional holiday movie, the Christmas argument surroundingDie Hardonly adds to its fun, marrying the Christmas Eve setting, quippy one-liners, and cat-and-mouse tension.—J.T.

Where to watchDie Hard: Hulu

Director:John McTiernan

Cast:Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Reginald VelJohnson, Bonnie Bedelia

Edward Scissorhands(1990)

Set against the cozy backdrop of pastel-colored houses decorated for the holidays,Edward Scissorhandsfollows Edward (Johnny Depp), a gentle, misunderstood man with razor-sharp talons who shocks everyone when he arrives in a suburban town. While not a traditional holiday movie, it is one ofTim Burton's coziest gothic fairy tales. Case in point, the film's most memorable moment: Kim (Winona Ryder) dancing in the falling snowflakes created by Edward carving ice sculptures.—J.T.

Where to watchEdward Scissorhands: Disney+

EW grade:A–

Director:Tim Burton

Cast:Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall, Alan Arkin

Four Christmases(2008)

John P. Johnson/Warner Brothers

A criminally underrated holiday rom-com,Four Christmasesfollows an unconventional, stubbornly unmarried couple (Reese Witherspoonand Vince Vaughn) whose plans for a tropical Christmas are thwarted, forcing them to visit all four of their divorced parents in one day. It received pretty dismal reviews at the time butdeserves a second look; Witherspoon and Vaughn have surprisingly great chemistry, the dialogue is snappy, and the supporting cast is insanely star-studded, including Kristin Chenoweth, Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, and Christmas movie staple Mary Steenburgen.—J.T.

Where to watchFour Christmases: HBO Max

Director:Seth Gordon

Cast:Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Kristin Chenoweth

Frosty the Snowman(1969)

Classic Media, Inc.

"Frosty the Snowman" is one of the most recognizable holiday songs, and this classic cartoon brings the beloved character to life. Rankin/Bass, known for theiriconic television specials, created an animation style that looks like a Christmas card in every frame and got Jimmy Durante — one of the song's original performers — to narrate the story.Frosty the Snowmanremains a timeless favorite, delighting audiences of all ages — and yes, it has even gotten aflirty updatein 2024.—J.T.

Where to watchFrosty the Snowman: Hulu

Directors:Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass

Cast:Jimmy Durante, Jackie Vernon, Billy De Wolfe

Gremlins(1984)

Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett

Holiday comedy horror is an underrated subgenre, and the most classic entry is definitelyGremlins. Produced bySteven Spielbergand written by Chris Columbus,Gremlinstook the aesthetic of our favorite friendly creatures of the '80s — E.T., Yoda — and turned it spectacularly on its head in this silly, chaotic gorefest. (Who would have thought the doe-eyed little Gizmo could sprout increasingly aggressive offspring that wreak havoc all over town?) The film commits as much to its Christmas setting — including a choir of Gremlin carolers — as to its wanton cartoon violence.—J.T.

Where to watchGremlins: HBO Max

Director:Joe Dante

Cast:Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Dick Miller, Howie Mandel

Happiest Season(2020)

A queer Christmas rom-com directed by Clea DuVall? Say no more.Happiest Seasonfollows Abby (Kristen Stewart), who's ready to propose to her girlfriend, Harper (Mackenzie Davis), over the holidays — until she finds out Harper is not out to her conservative family. Things get complicated fast, especially with themassivechemistry between Abby and Harper's old girlfriend, Riley (Aubrey Plaza). While some might argue Abby ends up with the wrong person, the movie still delivers a charming, heartfelt, and wholly modern Christmas movie.—J.T.

Where to watchHappiest Season: Hulu

EW grade:B+

Director:Clea DuVall

Cast:Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy

The Holdovers(2023)

Seacia Pavao/Focus Features

Set over a snowy Christmas break at a New England boarding school,The Holdoversfollows a grumpy teacher (Paul Giamatti), a rebellious student (Dominic Sessa), and a grieving cafeteria worker (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) as they form an unexpected bond. That may sound corny, but the film successfully transcends holiday clichés to focus on the loneliness of the season. With its dry, misanthropic humor and rich performances,The Holdoversbecame an awards-season darling, earning multiple Oscar nominations — including Randolph's win for Best Supporting Actress.—J.T.

Where to watchThe Holdovers: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

EW grade:A–

Director:Alexander Payne

Cast:Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa

The Holiday(2006)

Simon Mein/Columbia

Christmas andNancy Meyersare a match made in cinematic heaven. This dreamy romantic comedy centers on Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) and Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet), a pair of women struggling with their love lives — one an American movie-marketing business owner, the other a British society columnist — who agree to swap houses for a holiday to escape their problems. Amanda has a meet-cute with Iris' book editor brother, Graham (a dashing Jude Law), while Iris hits it off with film composer Miles (Jack Black, cast refreshingly against type). While undoubtedly rooted in fairy tale rom-com tropes rather than grounded realism, we wouldn't wantThe Holidayany other way. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watchThe Holiday: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

Director:Nancy Meyers

Cast:Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach

Home Alone(1990)

20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

ForgetDie Hard—Home Aloneis the ultimate Christmas action movie. When his family accidentally leaves him behind for vacation, 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) defends his home from two bumbling burglars with a series of pranks that are far more gruesome than you probably remember. Yet, thanks to the hilarious slapstick performances fromJoe Pesciand Daniel Stern, the traps feel more goofy than grim. With its mix of physical comedy, holiday spirit, and questionable parenting,Home Aloneremains a nostalgic Christmas classic.—J.T.

Where to watchHome Alone: Disney+

Director:Chris Columbus

Cast:Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York(1992)

One of the rare sequels that does the original justice,Home Alone 2raises the stakes with more pranks, more laughs, and a more classic Christmas setting. Kevin's antics move from the Chicago suburbs to the bustling streets of New York City, with iconic holiday landmarks like Rockefeller Center and the Plaza Hotel adding to the festive charm. The traps are absolutely brutal this time — it's a Christmas miracle that Harry and Marvdidn't end up dead. Everything is bigger and better, from the chaotic violence to the heartfelt moments, including Kevin's touching friendship with the pigeon lady.—J.T.

Where to watchHome Alone 2: Lost in New York: Disney+

Director:Chris Columbus

Cast:Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Tim Curry

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!(1966)

The Cat in the Hat Productions

Skip the creepylive-action version— this animated classic is the definitive, faithful adaptation of Dr. Seuss' beloved book, which needed no improvement. Well, except for the now-iconic, hilarious song, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." Adding to the fun, the film is narrated by Boris Karloff — best known for playing Frankenstein's monster. With its timeless animation by Chuck Jones, and a much shorter runtime than you remember,How the Grinch Stole Christmas!remains the ultimate holiday treat.—J.T.

Where to watchHow the Grinch Stole Christmas!: Peacock

Director:Chuck Jones

Cast:Boris Karloff

It's a Wonderful Life(1946)

Courtesy Everett

It's a Wonderful Lifeis a true American classic and is widely consideredone of the greatest films of all time. It tells the story of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), a decent man who considers suicide on Christmas Eve, prompting an angel to show what the world would be like without him. Released shortly after World War II, the film's sentimental, humanistic message of hope and the value of each life resonated deeply with audiences. Though a tearjerker, it's definitely a hopeful holiday movie at heart, even if director Frank Capradidn't think of it as a Christmas movie.—J.T.

Where to watchIt's a Wonderful Life: Amazon Prime Video

Director:Frank Capra

Cast:Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers

Little Women(2019)

Set across several Christmas seasons,Little Womenfeels like a cozy, warm blanketwhileGreta Gerwig's feminist take gives it a modern edge. The 1994 version is also great, but in the 2019 adaptation, Gerwig and the brilliant Florence Pugh pull off the impossible: They make everyonelikeAmy. Her reimagining also adds a clever meta-ending, making this adaptation feel fresh while still capturing the heart of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel.—J.T.

Where to watchLittle Women: Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

EW grade:A–

Director:Greta Gerwig

Cast:Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet

Love Actually(2003)

It's not the holidays withoutLove Actually. This inescapable Christmas staple has everything: the iconic cue card scene,Emma Thompsonquietly breaking hearts as she cries to Joni Mitchell, and the unforgettable performance of "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Love it or love to hate it,Love Actuallyhas become an annual must-watch, wrapping romance, humor, and a little holiday heartbreak into one very cozy package.—J.T.

Where to watchLove Actually: Amazon Prime Video

EW grade:B+

Director:Richard Curtis

Cast:Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Andrew Lincoln, Keira Knightley

Miracle on 34th Street(1947)

What happens when Santa Claus is put on trial? That's the delightfully quirky premise ofMiracle on 34th Street, where Kris Kringle (Oscar winner Edmund Gwenn), a sweet old man working as a department store Santa, must legally prove he's sane — which is a bit tricky since he insists he's the real deal. Of course, the existence of Santa Claus is more about the believer (or non-believer) than the big man himself; andMiracleis primarily about a Macy's exec and her daughter learning that belief, no matter how improbable, can make magic real.—J.T.

Where to watchMiracle on 34th Street: Disney+

Director:George Seaton

Cast:Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood

The Muppet Christmas Carol(1992)

Unlikely as it may sound,The Muppet Christmas Carolmight be thedefinitiveChristmas Caroladaptation. Gonzo as Charles Dickens makes the narrative both clever and charming, and the songs are absolute bangers. Michael Caine's performance as Scrooge is marvelously sincere; he treats every moment, and every Muppet, with utter seriousness. The film still has its share of wacky Muppet antics, but never at the expense of Dickens' story, still managing to balance joy, redemption, and a few tears.—J.T.

Where to watchThe Muppet Christmas Carol: Disney+

Director:Brian Henson

Cast:Michael Caine, Steve Whitmire, Frank Oz

The Nightmare Before Christmas(1993)

Is it a Halloween movie? A Christmas movie? Why not both?The Nightmare Before Christmaswalks the line between spooky and festive with its signature aesthetic — gothic yet oddly cozy. Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon, with singing by Danny Elfman), the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, gets tired of scares and decides to bring Christmas cheer instead, leading to all kinds of delightful chaos. Meanwhile, the villainous Oogie Boogie cranks up the creep factor, making for an especially sinister Christmas movie.—J.T.

Where to watchThe Nightmare Before Christmas: Disney+

Director:Henry Selick

Cast:Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, Danny Elfman

The Princess Switch(2018)

InThe Princess Switch,Vanessa Hudgensgoes fullParent Trap(okay,ThePrince and the Pauper): Two identical women, a Chicago baker and a European duchess, swap lives just days before Christmas — and, of course, romance ensues. But what's better than two Vanessa Hudgenses?Three Vanessa Hudgenses! The sequels crank up the festive chaos by adding a mischievous third look-alike into the mix. It's pure holiday fluff in the best way.—J.T.

Where to watchThe Princess Switch: Netflix

Director:Mike Rohl

Cast:Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, Nick Sagar

The Santa Clause(1994)

The Santa Clauseis a childhood favorite that still holds up, mixing holiday magic with surprisingly melancholy undertones.Tim Allenplays Scott Calvin, a divorced dad struggling to connect with his son, who accidentally inherits the role of Santa Claus after the big man takes a tumble off his roof. Beneath the festive fun, the movie explores themes of estranged family and second chances. And, of course, it delivers one of the most memorable holiday movie lines: "Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing."—J.T.

Where to watchThe Santa Clause: Disney+

Director:John Pasquin

Cast:Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, David Krumholtz

Violent Night(2022)

Violent Nightis so much better than it has any right to be. The premise sounds ridiculous — Santa Claus gets caught in the middle of a hostage situation on Christmas Eve — but that's exactly what makes it so fun. As Santa takes down the bad guys, the movie is packed with holiday-themed pranks that are just as brutal as they are hilarious, delivering over-the-top gore with a wink. ThinkHome Alonebut with way more blood. David Harbour is an inspired choice as St. Nick, capturing the comic tone and action-star chops this cut-throat version of yuletide fun requires.—J.T.

Where to watchViolent Night: Peacock

Director:Tommy Wirkola

Cast:David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo

While You Were Sleeping(1995)

Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Courtesy Everett

The plot ofWhile You Were Sleepingis so ridiculous it feels like a Hallmark movie, only with an all-star cast to pull it off.Sandra Bullockplays a lonely transit worker who saves the life of a stranger (Peter Gallagher) on Christmas. While he's in a coma, she accidentally makes his quirky loved ones think she's his fiancée...andthenfalls in love with his brother (Bill Pullman). The authentic family dynamic perfectly grounds the absurd story, and Bullock and Pullman are at their offbeat best. It's hard not to fall for her, and for him, and for the entire family.—J.T.

Where to watchWhile You Were Sleeping: Disney+

Director:Jon Turteltaub

Cast:Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

The 26 best Christmas movies ready to stream this holiday season

Seacia Pavao/Focus Features; Peter Sorel/Fox; The Cat in the Hat Productions Nearly every major holiday has its share of films centered ar...

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Amid pressure from U.S., Zelenskyy says he's open to an election that might be impossible

WhenVolodymyr Zelenskyylast asked Ukrainians to vote for him, he wasa political newbie, a former comedian eager to change his country and talk withRussiato end a protracted conflict.

Six years later, Zelenskyy — transformed by theKremlin's full-scale invasion— is facing sudden pressure from the United Statesto hold a new election, even as he navigates Washington's push for apeace dealthat could threaten Ukraine's future.

President Donald Trump, frustrated by a lack of progress in peace talks, criticized Zelenskyy this week for "using war not to hold an election." It's a narrative that Moscow has exploited to label Zelenskyy's government "illegitimate" and thus impossible to negotiate with.

Yet an election would currently be illegal, sinceUkrainian lawprohibits holding elections while martial law is in effect.

Nonetheless, Zelenskyy now appears to be playing ball. But huge questions hang over the idea, from security to logistics, given the fierce fighting on the front lines and the daily Russian aerial assaults on Ukraine's cities.

"I do not want Ukraine to have a weak position, so that someone could use the absence of elections as an argument against Ukraine," Zelenskyy said Thursday. Elections could happen in 60 to 90 days, he has said, provided that Ukraine's allies help provide security on the ground.

Ukraine was scheduled to hold a presidential election in early 2024, but it was postponed because martial law was introduced after Russia's February 2022 attack.

After Trump's comment, Zelenskyy said he had asked lawmakers to prepare proposals "enabling changes to the legal framework" that would make elections possible.

Beyond martial law, there are two major challenges, Zelenskyy said: security and the army.

First, how would Kyiv ensure that people who come out to vote won't be hit in a sudden missile or drone strike? The Kremlin's attacks regularly plunge Ukrainian cities into frigid darkness for hours, which could complicate voting and ballot counting.

"Elections always involve crowds," said Kyiv-based political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko. "What do you do about air raid alerts and safeguarding electoral paperwork? If a siren goes off, do you just grab a bunch of election protocols and run into a shelter? I am having a hard time imagining how that could work."

The White House did not respond to NBC News' request for comment on how the U.S. might help.

Kyiv would also have to figure out how hundreds of thousands of soldiers fighting on the front lines would vote.

Some forces could perhaps be rotated out to vote in relatively safer areas, but Ukraine is already low on manpower and could risk jeopardizing critical battlefield positions.

To that end, Zelenskyy has called for a ceasefire during the election process. The Kremlin swiftly shot down the suggestion, having long rejected any ceasefire before a full peace deal is reached.

Without a pause in fighting, more than 800,000 personnel in Ukraine's armed forces would be effectively shut out of any election process, said Yevheniia Kravchuk, a lawmaker with Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party. It would be unsafe for people overseeing the voting, too, she said. "I don't see any observers coming to the front line where you can be killed by a first-person view (FPV) drone like every 15 minutes," Kravchuk said in an audio message sent to NBC News on WhatsApp.

Kravchuk pointed to the country's five different presidents since Vladimir Putin came to power in Russia in 2000. "Ukrainians understand that during the war, the first goal is to survive and to keep the country, keep the sovereign state," she said.

Zelenskyy has been under domestic pressure, too, thanks toa corruption scandal. But even his opponents seemed skeptical of a wartime vote.

It would take at least half a year after the end of martial law to organize elections that would be truly free and fair, said opposition lawmaker Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. "But discussing all of this right now has little to do with the reality on the ground," Klympush-Tsintsadze, who represents the European Solidarity Party, said in an audio message on WhatsApp. "We are very far from the real end of this war," she added.

Another complicating factor is thatmillions of Ukrainiansfled the country when the war broke out and now live overseas. Millions more have been internally displaced by the fighting or now live in areas occupied by Russia (about 20% of Ukraine's territory), so simply working out who is eligible to vote and how to reach them would pose an immense challenge, said Fesenko.

Trump and Putin may think that the lack of an election undermines Zelenskyy's legitimacy, but Ukrainians don't seem to agree.

Anopinion pollconducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in September found that 63% of Ukrainians believe elections should be held only after a final peace agreement and a complete end to the war. Only 11% support holding elections right now, even without a ceasefire, according to the poll.

Should an election be held in the near future, there is only one candidate who could challenge Zelenskyy, Fesenko said — Gen.Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the former commander in chief.

Zaluzhnyi has remained a popular figure after leading the Ukrainian army through much of the war. He wassacked by Zelenskyyin early 2024 and isnow servingas Ukraine's ambassador to Britain. Although Zelenskyy's position has been weakened by the corruption scandal, the president would still be a front-runner alongside Zaluzhnyi, Fesenko said. "It's just these two," he said. "Everyone else has much lower ratings."

"In the fourth year of the war, everyone is deeply exhausted," marketing specialist Ivan Datsko told NBC News on the phone from Kyiv on Wednesday.

Datsko, 33, said he felt that elections could be held but that there must at least be a ceasefire. "No rockets, no [drones] — and conditions that allow our soldiers to rotate safely. And of course, all Ukrainians who have left the country must also have the opportunity to vote," he said.

"If all these conditions are met, it could become a strong step toward real peace talks," Datsko added. "First, silence on the front line, then elections, and after that, an agreement that truly protects Ukraine from future aggression and gives us a chance for peace and a normal life," he said.

Russia has accused Zelenskyy of trying to cling to power. Last month, Putin said signing a peace deal with Zelenskyy would be "pointless" because he has lost his legitimacy after being too "afraid" to run again. The Kremlin said Friday that Zelenskyy's declared readiness for an election may simply be his latest attempt to freeze the conflict before negotiating a deeper peace deal — something Moscow has frequently rejected.

Other countries have held elections in wartime and elected officials' democratic mandate becomes weaker the longer they are postponed, but elections also need to be practically possible, said Janina Dill, an international law expert on the use of force and a professor of global security at the University of Oxford.

"And calls for an election must not be used to weaken Ukrainian agency and resolve in the midst of an existential struggle for national survival," Dill added.

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

Amid pressure from U.S., Zelenskyy says he's open to an election that might be impossible

WhenVolodymyr Zelenskyylast asked Ukrainians to vote for him, he wasa political newbie, a former comedian eager to change his country and t...

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UK police won't probe claim former prince asked bodyguard to investigate Virginia Giuffre

LONDON (AP) — British police said Saturday they have found no evidence thatAndrew Mountbatten-Windsorasked one of his bodyguards to investigate Jeffrey Epstein victimVirginia Giuffre.

London's Metropolitan Police in October said it waslooking into media reportsthat the former Prince Andrew in 2011 sought information to smear Giuffre by asking a police bodyguard to find out if she had a criminal record. The Mail on Sunday newspaper claimed the then-prince passed Giuffre's date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard.

In a statement on Saturday, the force said its assessment "has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct" and it would not open a criminal investigation.

"The Met remains committed to thoroughly assessing any new information that could assist in this matter," said police Central Specialist Crime Commander Ella Marriott. "To date, we have not received any additional evidence that would support reopening the investigation. In the absence of any further information, we will be taking no further action.

"Our thoughts will always be with Ms. Giuffre's family and friends following her death," Marriott said.

Giuffre's family said they were "deeply disappointed" by the decision, adding that "justice has not been served."

Giuffre, who committed suicide in April, alleged that in the early 2000s, when she was a teenager, she was caught up in Epstein's sex trafficking ring and exploited by Andrew and other influential men.

King Charles IIIformally stripped his younger brother of his royal title last monthafter new details emerged of Andrew's relationship with Epstein and Giuffre's posthumous memoir refocused attention on her allegations.

Mountbatten-Windsor reachedan out-of-court settlement with Giuffrein 2022 after she filed a civil suit against him in New York. While he did not admit wrongdoing he did acknowledge Giuffre's suffering as a victim of sex trafficking.

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

UK police won't probe claim former prince asked bodyguard to investigate Virginia Giuffre

LONDON (AP) — British police said Saturday they have found no evidence thatAndrew Mountbatten-Windsorasked one of his bod...

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Some Native Americans draw shocked response over contract to design immigration detention centers

MAYETTA, Kan. (AP) — ThePrairie Band Potawatomi Nation, whose ancestors were uprooted by the U.S. from the Great Lakes region in the 1830s, are facing outrage from fellow Native Americans over plans to profit from another forced removal: President Donald Trump'smass deportation campaign.

A newly established tribal business entity quietly signed a nearly $30 million federal contract in October to come up with an early design for immigrant detention centers across the U.S. Amid the backlash, the tribe says it's trying to get out of it.

Tribal leaders and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security haven't responded to detailed questions about why the firm was selected for such a big contract without having to compete for the work as federal contracting normally requires. A former naval officer — who markets himself as the "go-to" adviser for tribes and affiliated companies seeking to land federal contracts — established the affiliate, KPB Services LLC, in April.

The criticism has been so intense that the 4,500-member tribe said it fired the economic development leaders who brokered the deal.

"We are known across the nation now as traitors and treasonous to another race of people," said Ray Rice, a 74-year-old who said he and other tribal members were blindsided. "We are brown and they're brown."

ICE deals with tribes generate scrutiny

Tribal Chairman Joseph "Zeke" Rupnick promised "full transparency" about what he described as an "evolving situation." In a video message to tribal members Friday, he said the tribe is talking with legal counsel about ways to end the contract.

He alluded to the time when federal agents forcibly removed hundreds of Prairie Band Potawatomi families from their homes and ultimately corralled them on a reservation just north of Topeka.

"We know our Indian reservations were the government's first attempts at detention centers," Rupnick said in the video message. "We were placed here because we were prisoners of war. So we must ask ourselves why we would ever participate in something that mirrors the harm and the trauma once done to our people."

The U.S. Supreme Courtcleared the way in September for federal agentsto conduct sweeping immigration raids and use apparent ethnicity as a relevant factor for a stop. With some Native Americans being swept up and detained in recent raids, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's overtures to tribes and even longstanding deals are generating extra scrutiny.

An LLC owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Alabama also has a multimillion dollar contract with ICE to provide financial and administrative services. Meanwhile, some shareholders of an Alaska Native corporation say their values don't align with the corporation's federal contracting division, Akima, to provide security at several ICE detention facilities.

"I'm shocked that there is any tribal nation that's willing to assist the U.S. government in that," said Brittany McKane, a 29-year-old Muscogee Nation citizen who attends the tribe's college in Oklahoma.

Sometribal nationshave advised their citizens to carry tribal IDs.

Last month, actor Elaine Miles said she was stopped by ICE agents who alleged her ID from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon was fake.

Economic pressure increases as federal funding decreases

The economic arms of tribes, which can be run by non-Natives, are under increasing pressure to generate revenue because of decreasedfederal funding, high inflation and competition fromonline gambling, said Gabe Galanda, an Indigenous rights attorney based in Seattle.

But the economic opportunities presented to tribes don't always align with their values, said Galanda, a member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes in northern California.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi has a range of businesses that provide health care management staffing, general contracting and even interior design.

The tribal offshoot hired by ICE — KPB Services LLC — was established in Holton, Kansas, and is not listed on the tribe's website. It previously qualified along with dozens of other companies to provide logistical support to the U.S. Navy although, to date, it hasn't performed any work for the federal government.

The ICE contract initially was awarded in October for $19 million for unspecified "due diligence and concept designs" for processing centers and detention centers throughout the U.S., according to a one-sentence description of the work on the federal government's real time contracting database. It was modified a month later to increase the payout ceiling to $29.9 million. Sole-source contracts above $30 million require additional justification under federal contracting rules.

The contract raises a number of questions and seems to go against the Trump administration's stated of goal of cleaning up waste, fraud and abuse, said Attorney Joshua Schnell, who specializes in federal contracting law.

"The public's trust in the federal procurement system depends on transparency and competition," said Schnell. "Although there is a role within this system for multimillion dollar sole-source contracts, these contracts are an exception to statutory competition requirements, and taxpayers are entitled to know how the government is spending their money."

Backlash swift as news about the ICE contract spread

It's unclear what the Tribal Council knew about the contract. A spokesperson for the Tribal Council did not respond to repeated requests from the AP for details, including who was terminated.

What is known is that KPB was registered by Ernest C. Woodward Jr., a retired U.S. naval officer with degrees in engineering and business who is a member of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, according to a website for his one-time consulting firm, Burton Woodward Partners LLC.

The website described Woodward as a serial entrepreneur and tribal adviser on mergers and acquisitions, accessing capital and landing federal contracts. The consulting firm was registered to an office park in Sarasota, Florida, in 2017 but was delisted two years later after it failed to file an annual report.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in a 2017 news release said Woodward's firm advised it on its acquisition of another government contractor, Mill Creek LLC, which specializes in outfitting federal buildings and the military with office furniture and medical equipment.

Woodward also is listed as the chief operating officer of the Florida branch of Prairie Band Construction Inc., which was registered in September.

Attempts to locate Woodward were unsuccessful. The phone number listed on Burton Woodward Partners was disconnected, and he did not respond to an email sent to another consulting firm he's affiliated with, Virginia-based Chinkapin Partners LLC.

Carole Cadue-Blackwood, who has Prairie Band Potawatomi ancestry and is an enrolled member of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, hopes the contract dies. She has been part of the fight against an ICE detention center opening in Leavenworth, Kansas, and works for a social service agency for Native Americans.

"I'm in just utter disbelief that this has happened," she said.

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas, and Goodman from Miami. Graham Lee Brewer in Norman, Oklahoma, and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report.

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

Some Native Americans draw shocked response over contract to design immigration detention centers

MAYETTA, Kan. (AP) — ThePrairie Band Potawatomi Nation, whose ancestors were uprooted by the U.S. from the Great Lakes re...

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JuJu Watkins attends USA Basketball camp and focuses on leadership during ACL rehab

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — JuJu Watkins made the most of her brief trip to the USA Basketball senior national team camp.

While she wasn't able to participate in the on-court activities because the Southern California star is still recovering from an ACL injuryshe suffered last March, Watkins saw the invitation as an opportunity to grow her leadership abilities.

"It's enough just being (here) and feeling the energy, that's mostly what I've picked up on," the reigningAP Player of the Yearsaid. "Hearing everyone's voices, the communications, the leadership, it's something that you can see automatically. It brings up your standards, so I'll definitely be taking some of these lessons back to USC to continue to grow as a leader and a player."

Watkins was able to get up a few stationary shots with coaches after practice was over, which was a positive step in her rehab.

"Whatever I can do, I am trying to maximize that," she said.

Watkins hadannounced in Septemberthat she would miss the entire college season to give her full attention to rehab. She said Friday that she had tried to put off the decision whether to play for as long as possible, but in the end she "had to come to terms with where I was at. Getting over that mental curve has been the biggest thing."

U.S. coach Kara Lawson said it was important that Watkins, who will be a vital part of the team in the future, to attend the camp.

"We wanted her here ... I think you can see that there's a great deal of talent there, and that's somebody that is going to be in the conversation, obviously, in the future," Lawson said. "We were really intentional about inviting her here and having her be a part of it. I think there's great value in having her observe and be around the group, and then just the connectivity."

Watkins was only around on Thursday and Friday because she returned to Los Angeles for the 16th-ranked Trojans' game against No. 1 UConn on Saturday.

Being at camp gave her a chance to connect in person with Paige Bueckers. Watkins said Bueckers has been great in helping her with her ACL rehab. Bueckers missed the 2022-23 season with her own ACL tear.

"She's been checking on me every couple months. Great person," Watkins said. "So to be here with her, and see her kill it, and see her on the other side of it, it's very inspiring. She's just helped me throughout the process of sending the texts, checking in on me, that's meant a great deal."

Watkins said she had always wanted to be part of the senior team. The Olympics are in her hometown of Los Angeles in 2028.

"It's always been a dream of mine to be in this atmosphere, so to live out those dreams, even though it looks different, I'm still blessed to be here," she said.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphereandhere(AP mobile app). AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

byDonna Devi

in

December 13, 2025

JuJu Watkins attends USA Basketball camp and focuses on leadership during ACL rehab

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — JuJu Watkins made the most of her brief trip to the USA Basketball senior national team camp. ...

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