If there is anyone in Hollywood whose spirit of giving rivals Santa Claus himself, it is Ryan Reynolds. The man manages to sprinkle holiday warmth and mischief in roles that range from heartfelt to hilariously irreverent. Whether he is lighting up your screen with charm or delivering punchlines sharper than frosty icicles, Reynolds makes every Christmas movie feel like an unexpected, joyful gift wrapped in a bow of deadpan wit. 

If Santa has got a list, Ryan Reynolds probably wrote half of it, starring in a motley crew of Christmas movies that refuse to be put on the shelf. 

Ryan Reynolds’s Christmas movie catalog is a delightful mix of outright festive cheer and films that only sneak into the yuletide vibe via perfect timing or a snowy scene. At the head of this merry pack stands 2022's Spirited, a cheeky musical take on a holiday classic where Reynolds shines alongside Will Ferrell. With a little help from ghosts and some seriously show-stopping songs, Reynolds’s Clint Briggs had blurred the line between snark and sincerity.

Alongside that flagship, you have the rom-com charm of 2005's Just Friends, the video game hijinks of Free Guy from 2021, the sci-fi family ties of The Adam Project, released in 2022, and a holiday cameo in the goofy buddy comedy The Change-Up (2011). If there were an ultimate Ryan Reynolds Christmas round-up, the presence of these numbers would be the benchmark of a seasonal quality check. 

The jewel in Ryan Reynolds’s crown, Spirited, is the shiny Christmas musical mimicking the unrivalled and beloved Charles Dickens',  A Christmas Carol with irreverence and a sassy soundtrack. Reynolds plays Clint Briggs, a media consultant with more bluster than a winter storm, who learns the true meaning of Christmas with help from Will Ferrell’s exuberant Ghost of Christmas Present. 

Joining Reynolds were Octavia Spencer and Sunita Mani, with Sean Anders directing and a soundtrack that practically jingles in your ears. Reynolds’s performance crackles with that signature blend of sarcasm and sincerity, earning good marks with critics, a solid 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.6 on IMDb, Spirited has also been brought ot streaming via Apple TV+.

Just Friends (2005) had paired Ryan Reynolds with all the awkward holiday romance he had the potential for, that one could ask for on Christmas. As high school’s underdog Chris Brander returned to his snow-covered hometown with a whole new look, with a dash of hope to win over his childhood crush, the small town holiday backdrop sets the perfect stage for awkward reunions and charm. And Reynolds, of course, delivered memorable physical comedy and genuine heart beneath the festive chaos.

Amy Smart had co-starred in this rom-com led by Roger Kumble with a cast that keeps the laughs warm, even when the snow falls heavy. Although critics were mixed, with a 45% on Rotten Tomatoes and a stagnant 6.2 on IMDb, Just Friends has since become a holiday cult favorite, perfect for anyone who loves a bit of love wrapped in eggnog and goofy holiday mishaps.

As a not-your-usual Christmas movie, Free Guy got pulled onto the holiday list thanks to its joyous vibes and perfectly timed release for festive binge-watching. Ryan Reynolds took a break from his controversies to play Guy, an oblivious bank teller who discovers he is a video game character and decides to take control of his life and the game, in a gleeful adventure packed with laughs, action, and unexpected heart.

Helmed by Shawn Levy, the 2021 film features Jodie Comer and Taika Waititi alongside Reynolds’s trademark charm and comedic timing. Critics loved it (Rotten Tomatoes: 80%, IMDb: 7.1/10), and streaming on Disney+ and HBO Max means it’s an easy pick for families wanting holiday cheer mixed with virtual chaos.

The Adam Project, to put it simply, is sci-fi candy with a familial heart. It has proven season after season to be perfect for those who like their holiday movie marathons to come with laser guns and tender father-son moments. Ryan Reynolds starred in the 2022 film as a time-traveling pilot who teams up with his younger self and his late father to save the future. All of this, tightly wrapped in a wintery ambiance that sneaks in subtle holiday warmth among the action, and you have got yourself the perfect holiday night event, all conveniently on Netflix.

With Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, and Zoe Saldaña lending star power, and Shawn Levy directing once again, Reynolds had shown off his range, mixing humor with emotional depth. 

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Despite all the coziness, warmth, and excitement, sometimes the biggest holiday miracle is swapping lives with your best friend and surviving the chaos without losing your sanity, or your Christmas spirit, apparently.

The Change-Up (2011) earned its place on the Christmas list by association, thanks primarily to its infamous holiday party scenes and a premise that somehow fit the absurd charm of a rainy December night spent binge-watching. The marketing maestro Ryan Reynolds played Mitch, the character who swaps bodies with his uptight best friend (Jason Bateman), leading to chaotic holiday family dinners and plenty of comedic pandemonium. Although critics were a little less than kind to this number, with a 25% on Rotten Tomatoes telling of it, Reynolds had dived into physical comedy with relish.

Ryan Reynolds has carved out a delightful niche in holiday entertainment with movies that stand out from the usual sleigh ride. From Spirited’s merry melodies to the awkward charm of Just Friends and the futuristic family feels of The Adam Project, Reynolds offers holiday viewing that is as smart as it is spirited. And no matter the ratings, Christmas would not exactly be the same without Ryan Reynolds’s way of wishing it.

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Which of this inside-out, upside-down Christmas carols by Ryan Reynolds have you thought of spending holiday nights with? Let us know in the comments below!