If you loved
The Holdovers
Alexander Payne · Film · 2023
You were drawn to The Holdovers because it beautifully explores how unlikely connections can help heal deep-seated grief and disillusionment.
Books on the same thread
The Catcher in the Rye
J. D. Salinger · Book · 1951
Explores: Alienation, Loss of Innocence, Teenage Angst.
Like the disillusioned students in The Holdovers, Holden Caulfield navigates the isolation of prep school life while struggling with a profound sense of angst and a loss of innocence.
Olive Kitteridge
Elizabeth Strout · Book · 2009
Explores: Small Town Life, Aging, Loneliness.
Much like the weary characters in The Holdovers, Olive Kitteridge provides a complex, realistic look at aging and the difficult task of finding connection amidst loneliness and personal change.
A Man Called Ove: A Novel
Fredrik Backman · Book · 2016
Explores: Grumbling protagonist, Unexpected friendship, Redemption.
Ove shares the curmudgeonly spirit of the instructor in The Holdovers, proving that even the most hardened souls can find redemption through the warmth of an unexpected, life-changing friendship.
Holly
Stephen King · Book · 2023
Explores: Missing Persons, Cults, Obsession.
While darker in tone, this story captures a similar sense of navigating personal trauma and grief, echoing the emotional weight that defines the central relationships in The Holdovers.
Series on the same thread
The Bear
Christopher Storer · Series · 2022
Explores: Grief, Family Business, Working Class.
The Bear mirrors the raw, working-class struggle and the formation of a chosen family found in The Holdovers, as broken individuals help one another process grief through shared labor.
Heartstopper
Alice Oseman · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with The Holdovers: Coming-of-Age Story.
This series captures the authentic, coming-of-age spirit of The Holdovers by highlighting how vulnerable, unlikely friendships during high school provide the support needed to navigate self-discovery and first love.
Community
Dan Harmon · Series · 2009
Explores: Community, Friendship, Self-Discovery.
If you appreciated the ensemble dynamics of The Holdovers, you will enjoy how this group of academic underdogs builds a community and finds belonging within a challenging school environment.
Fellow Travelers
Ron Nyswaner · Series · 2023
Explores: Forbidden Love, Homophobia, Political Persecution.
Like the characters in The Holdovers, the protagonists here must navigate the pain of secret lives and forbidden connections, offering an intimate look at the human cost of isolation.
Podcasts on the same thread
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
This podcast echoes the melancholic humor and longing for genuine connection found in The Holdovers, as the host examines his own professional isolation and the search for real friendship.
Rise Together Podcast
Dave Hollis · Podcast · 2023
Shares a thread with The Holdovers: Personal growth.
Much like the transformative conversations in The Holdovers, this podcast prioritizes the vulnerability and radical candor required to bridge the gap between people and foster truly authentic human connection.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Holdovers a Christmas movie?
Yes, The Holdovers is set during a Christmas break at a New England prep school. The plot follows a teacher, a student, and a head cook who are forced to remain on campus together throughout the holiday period.
What is the primary setting of The Holdovers?
The Holdovers takes place at a New England prep school. The story focuses on the interactions between three individuals who are left behind on the campus grounds during the school's winter holiday break.
Who are the main characters in The Holdovers?
The Holdovers features three central characters: a curmudgeonly instructor, a brainy but damaged student, and the school's head cook. These individuals form an unlikely bond while spending the Christmas break together at their prep school.
Does The Holdovers involve a historical conflict?
Yes, The Holdovers references the Vietnam War. One of the main characters, the school's head cook, is grieving the loss of her son who died while serving in the Vietnam War.