There are some staples to the universal celebration of Christmas that just make it feel more festive.
Aside from the regular shopping of gifts for your folks and playing the heck out of Christmas carols and classic recordings from popular artists, there’s another thing that you want to do as you cozy-up on your couch with a cup of hot chocolate in your hand. It’s the movies.
There is clearly no dearth of Christmas-themed movies that have been released around the time of the holidays over the years and have since become rewatchable classics, sprouting a sense of festivity more often than not.
From the hopelessly romantic to the fantasy-escapes, here are 10 essential Christmas movies that ought to be on your list as you begin to celebrate the merry holiday:
1) Home Alone (1990)
With all it’s mischievous fun-elements, this mega blockbuster starring Macaulay Culkin is one of the most rewatchable and enjoyable films around the holidays. A story about a young boy experiencing the holiday season and fighting the bad guys on his own, while his worried family searches for his whereabouts, after he’s left behind at home during a holiday getaway.
2) It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
An emotional roller coaster, especially towards the end, serving as one of the most moving finales to a Christmas film. This classic sees an angel landing in a neighborhood to mend a few broken lives around the time of Christmas, particularly that of a man named George Bailey – whose thoughts of giving up on life incite a holy intervention from his guardian angel Clarence Odbody, played by Henry Travers. Based on the booklet The Greatest Gift, this Frank Capra directorial starred James Stewart is a definitive Christmas classic in all it’s black-and-white glory.
3) Elf (2003)
An elf hailing from the North Pole going through an identity crisis, trying to find his biological father out in the streets of New York. A classic comedy in the inimitable fashion of Will Ferrell as the title character, which was lauded by many as his best performance. The critical and commercial success of the film even inspired Broadway musical Elf: The Musical. A fun, hilarious ride capturing the spirit of Christmas in it’s own way.
4) The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
Much like the 1946-classic It’s A Wonderful Life, this film too is about an angel assigned with the task of fixing the troubles of a few locals down at a small cozy town in good ole’ earth, played wonderfully by Denzel Washington. Topped with an extravagant music score and songs sung by the great Whitney Houston, who plays the title role, the film incites many-a-feelings of the holiday season, building up to an inspiring, magical finale.
5) How The Grinch Stole Christmas
A fine retelling of a classic story with Jim Carrey playing the lead role of a grumpy old Grinch, who’s determined to ruin it for others during Christmas. The film is the second highest-grossing Christmas film of all-time behind Home Alone, making it a popular choice around the time of the holidays.
6) The Nightmare Before Christmas
Written for screen by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick, the film serves as the perfect doorway between Halloween and Christmas, as you transition between the two holidays. A classic animated feature about Jack Skellington who is the king of Halloween Town, and is attempting to bring Christmas to his folks about discovering the festival.
7) Love Actually
Even with all it’s corniness, Love Actually is just the perfect romantic comedy tailor-made for all the good mushy feels around the season. The film shows multiple small stories centered around love, family and life – which all reach a conclusion on Christmas. With it’s ensemble cast which includes – Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Kiera Knightley, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, among several others – this cross-over production is a thorough entertainer.
8) The Polar Express
A heartwarming animated classic directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks. A perfect holiday escapade fit for all age-groups. The film is a fantasy ride about a young boy who embarks upon a journey in a magical train all the way to the north pole, to discover all the secrets around Christmas. Groundbreaking animation and visuals that beautifully capture the essence of the season.
9) Bad Santa
Billy Bob Thornton plays a conman masked as a Santa, who’s out there with the purpose to rob all department stores around the time of the holidays. But his plans take a tumble when he comes across a troubled young kid, who mends his ways. An adventurous, fun ride.
10) Jingle All the Way (1996)
Serving as a spoof to the mania revolving around Christmas shopping sprees, this screwball comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is about a father who is determined to get his hands on a Turbo Man action figure for his son for Christmas, as every store in town begins to go out of stock with the same. A thorough leave-your-brains-at-home entertainer, making it a perfect escapade to be viewed with the whole fam.
Apart from these 10 films listed above, here are some other Christmas films you ought to check out:
The Family Stone
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Scrooged
The Holiday