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“Love Actually” is a 2003 romantic comedy Christmas film. The movie tells the interconnected stories of nine characters as they navigate the trials and triumphs of different kinds of love against the backdrop of Christmas in London. The film is widely known for its star-studded cast that includes Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, and more. With its impeccable holiday atmosphere, heartwarming narrative, and universal themes of love, loss, family, and friendship, “Love Actually” remains one of the most revisited films during the Christmas season.
Viewers in Canada can stream “Love Actually” on subscription-based streaming services like Netflix and Crave. However, some content is geo-restricted in Canada, so users must subscribe to a VPN provider to watch the film.
“Love Actually” is available for rent and purchase on video-on-demand (VOD) services as well, such as Apple TV, Cineplex Store, and Amazon Prime Video.
You can also buy “Love Actually” on physical home entertainment media like DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K.
In this article, we will compare each available stream option and see which platform will suit your viewing needs and preferences the most.
Table of Contents
1. Netflix
Netflix is a subscription-based on-demand streaming service that provides a vast selection of original content, movies, TV shows, and more. Netflix is compatible with various devices like smartphones, smart TVs, PCs, laptops, tablets, game consoles, and media players like Chromecast and Roku. You can also download your favorite Netflix content to your devices for offline streaming with a Premium and Standard plan.
However, “Love Actually” is only available to stream on Netflix US, so you must use a VPN to access the platform.
How to Watch “Love Actually” On Netflix In Canada
In Netflix US, you can stream “Love Actually” in HD with Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). To watch the film on Netflix US, sign up for an account and subscribe to any of its plans:
| Plan | Price | Number of simultaneous screens | Streaming quality |
| Basic with ads | CAD$5.99 | 1 device | HD |
| Standard | CAD$16.49 | 2 devices | HD |
| Premium | CAD$20.99 | 4 devices | Ultra HD |
2. Crave
Crave is a Canada-exclusive streaming platform owned by Bell Media. It houses movies and TV shows from various networks like HBO, Showtime, STARZ, and more.
The platform is compatible with different devices, including smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, tablets, and game consoles like Xbox and PlayStation.
“Love Actually” is available to stream on Crave. To watch the series on the service, subscribe to any of Crave’s membership plans:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Video resolution | Simultaneous streams |
| Basic with ads | CAD$9.99 | CAD$99.90 | 720p | 1 device |
| Standard with ads | CAD$14.99 | CAD$149.90 | 4K | 4 devices |
| Premium ad-free | CAD$19.99 | CAD$199.99 | 4K | 4 devices |
Crave also offers a 7-day free trial to new subscribers that you can cancel at any time.
3. Apple TV
Apple TV is a digital buy-and-rent store from Apple Inc. that offers thousands of movies and TV shows. “Love Actually” is available for rent in HD on Apple TV for CAD$4.99 and CAD$14.99 for purchase. You can stream “Love Actually” on Apple TV with special features like Closed Captions (CC), Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH), and Dolby Atmos surround audio.
4. Cineplex
Cineplex Store is a Canadian video-on-demand platform where users can buy and rent digital copies of movies and TV shows. At the Cineplex Store, you can buy “Love Actually” in HD for CAD$5.99 while rentals are priced at CAD$9.99. After renting, you will have 30 days to start playing the film and 48 hours to finish it.
5. Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video is a video-on-demand store by Amazon that showcases a vast selection of digital copies of movies and TV series. You can buy “Love Actually” in HD for CAD$4.99 and rent it for CAD$9.99.
What Is the Best Streaming Option to Watch in Canada?
The best streaming option to watch “Love Actually” in Canada is through Netflix. While it’s not entirely cheaper than Crave, we choose Netflix as the superior choice since it boasts one of the biggest content libraries out of all streaming platforms and has one of the most sophisticated user interfaces as well. Aside from that, Netflix integrates inclusive features for those with disabilities like the SDH or Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, which is not available in Crave.
If you prefer to buy or rent a digital copy of “Love Actually,” we recommend using Apple TV. For a fair price, you can stream “Love Actually” in HD video resolution and premium Dolby Atmos surround sound. Like Netflix, Apple TV also includes inclusive features like Closed Captions (CC) and (SDH) Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, which cater to audiences with hearing disabilities.
What is Love Actually About?
“Love Actually” chronicles the romantic encounters of nine interconnected characters in London in the weeks leading up to Christmas. As the movie unfolds, “Love Actually” effectively weaves together the different facets and stages of love, such as platonic love, romantic love, and familial love, and the role it plays in shaping the lives of its characters, especially during the holiday season.
Who Are the Creators of Love Actually?
Richard Curtis, the American filmmaker who is best known for his hit rom-com movies like “Notting Hill” and “About Time,” directed and wrote “Love Actually.” The film is produced under StudioCanal, Working Title Films, and DNA Films.
Who Are in the Cast of Love Actually?
The film features a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Rowan Atkinson, and more. Here’s the cast of “Love Actually”:
- Hugh Grant as David
- Martine McCutcheon as Natalie
- Colin Firth as Jamie
- Lúcia Moniz as Aurelia
- Emma Thompson as Karen
- Alan Rickman as Harry
- Bill Nighy as Billy Mack
- Liam Neeson as Daniel
- Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Sam
- Keira Knightley as Juliet
- Andrew Lincoln as Mark
- Laura Linney as Sarah
- Rodrigo Santoro as Karl
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Peter
Who Are the Main Characters of Love Actually?
The main characters of “Love Actually” are:
- David – The new British Prime Minister, who falls in love with Natalie, a member of his household staff.
- Jamie – A writer who falls in love with a Portuguese housekeeper despite language and cultural barriers
- Harry – A managing director entangled in a love affair with his secretary, putting a strain on his marriage.
- Mark – A man who is secretly in love with his best friend’s wife.
- Sarah – Holds back her romantic feelings for her co-worker due to her responsibilities as her brother’s caregiver.
- Daniel – A grieving widower who helps his stepson Sam to get noticed by his crush.
- Sam – Daniel’s stepson who hopes to win the affection of his crush.
- Bill – a has-been singer attempting to balance his priorities and relationships during the holiday season.
Why Is Love Actually So Popular?
“Love Actually” is best known for its A-list ensemble cast that includes prominent Hollywood stars such as Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, and more, making the film appeal to a broader range of audience. More importantly, the film’s heartfelt exploration of the different kinds of love, which resonated with the audiences on a personal level, largely contributed to the film’s popularity and timeless appeal. Through these, “Love Actually” continues to be a part of viewers’ traditional Christmas movie marathons.
What Do Critics Say About Love Actually?
Love Actually” received mixed reviews from critics. While some praise the film for its feel-good elements and holiday atmosphere, others find the film’s plot to be confusing due to its overlapping stories and characters.
“Love Actually” holds an approval rating of 64% on Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s what critics say about the film:
- “Love Actually provides enough happy endings to make the audience forget that romance and Christmas miracles don’t always work out.” – AV Club
- “There are no fewer than nine interlocking and overlapping love stories in Richard Curtis’ deadly epic sprawl of a romantic comedy, Love Actually. By the end of the movie, that’s nine too many.” – Salon.com
