The Holdovers
A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam.
Release Year
2023
Runtime
133 min
Audience Score
7.7
Genres
Drama, Comedy
Story Snapshot
A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam.
Why This Page Helps
The Holdovers is a uplifting pick with medium complexity, which makes it a strong option when you want something that feels specific instead of generic.
DISCOVERY PATHS
These curated pages are the fastest way to keep the same mood, genre, or recommendation intent going.
Guides
Lists
Family Movie Night Picks
Friendly, recognizable picks for households that want something easy to agree on.
Best Movies on Disney Plus Right Now
The best movies on Disney Plus right now for viewers who want a fast, reliable pick without browsing the app forever.
Best Movies To Watch Tonight
A high-intent movie list for people who want one strong pick fast, without spending the whole night deciding.
Topics
Awards Buzz
Follow prestige movies, serious dramas, and conversation-driving titles that tend to dominate award season chatter.
Crime and Mystery
A hub for crime shows, mystery series, thrillers, investigations, and twist-heavy stories.
Family and Animation
Family-friendly picks, animated favorites, and familiar franchise worlds for all-ages browsing.
Who Should Watch
Best Fit Viewers
SIMILAR MOVIES
If you liked this one, these are good places to keep going.
Child's Play
Child's Play makes sense here because it matches the same viewing mood and gives this page a stronger next-click option.
Spirited
Spirited fits because it keeps the same sense of scale, idea-driven momentum, and larger-than-life sci-fi mood.
It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life makes sense here because it matches the same viewing mood and gives this page a stronger next-click option.
Beyond the Blackboard
Beyond the Blackboard makes sense here because it matches the same viewing mood and gives this page a stronger next-click option.
Dutch
Dutch makes sense here because it matches the same viewing mood and gives this page a stronger next-click option.
Dead Poets Society
Dead Poets Society makes sense here because it matches the same viewing mood and gives this page a stronger next-click option.
Movie FAQ
Questions People Usually Search
Who should watch The Holdovers?
The Holdovers is best for viewers who want drama, comedy without having to browse blindly.
What tone does The Holdovers have?
The tone is best described as uplifting, which is why this page links into more mood-based guides instead of leaving you with genre labels alone.
How complex is The Holdovers?
The Holdovers lands at medium complexity, so it works both as a direct pick and as a springboard into deeper recommendation pages.
What should I watch after The Holdovers?
Use the similar picks, related guides, and recommendation paths below to stay in the same viewing mood without starting a new search from scratch.