I’d like to start out by saying Happy Holidays! Regardless of what you celebrate or practice, I hope this coming weekend and Holiday season are filled with warmth, comfort, and happiness!
My family celebrates Christmas this time of year, and it’s always equal parts wonderful and stressful. I’m sure you can all relate.
One of my favorite things to do though, apart from helping in the kitchen, is watching seasonal movies. For an hour or two, everyone is quiet (for the most part) and enjoying a good film. We break for an intermission to gather more cookies or snacks, and onto the next one.
Here are my top 5 favorite films to watch during the holiday season.
The Holiday (2006)
This movie follows two women, both unhappy in their current romantic endeavors, who swap houses (and countries) during the holiday season. And wouldn’t you know, they each just happen to fall in love with a local guy.
Is this movie predictable? Yes, absolutely. Isn’t pretty much every rom-com ever? There’s a formula and it works. I enjoy them all, so sue me.
Jack Black and Kate Winslet’s side of the story is the best in my opinion, and I found their individual stories very relatable. Diaz and Law’s side, not so much, though I didn’t dislike their arc per se.
My Rating:
Die Hard (1988)
A New York cop visits his estranged wife in LA and ends up having to try and save her and her coworkers when the annual Christmas party is crashed by terrorists and they are held hostage.
I know this one is hotly debated on its validity as a Christmas movie, and I do understand both sides. However, in our household, Die Hard is most assuredly a Christmas movie. It’s watched every year either on Christmas Eve or Christmas day.
Even after seeing this movie year after year, when it starts playing, all eyes are glued to the screen. Full of witty lines, superb action sequences, and two equally powerful characters in John McClane (Willis) and Hans Gruber (Rickman), make for an instant classic.
Plus it’s fun to see that even though they’re estranged, Holly (Bedelia) knows that these bad guys are up for a fight of their lives facing off against her husband.
My Rating:
Klaus (2019)
When spoiled Jesper is sent off to to the ends of the earth after performing poorly at the postal academy, he befriends a local toymaker, Klaus, and teacher, Alva. Together they turn the feuding town of Smeerensburg into one of laughter and friendship.
Let me say that though this is an animated move, I don’t believe this can be boiled down to a kids movie. It’s a family movie for sure. Can the kiddos watch it without worry? Yes. But I think there is quite a bit of humor and scenarios that will be appreciated by older viewers as well.
This reimagining of the lore of Santa Claus is very emotional and heartfelt, not to mention the stunning animation. I most definitely teared up at certain points.
This came out on Netflix in 2019 and I watched it that winter. Let’s be honest, I will probably watch it every year as it’s there. If it’s ever made into a physical copy, I’d buy it first thing.
My Rating:
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
With their daughter Blair off to Peru, Luther and Nora Krank decide to save some money and skip Christmas. This is until Blair decides to come back just in time for the famous Christmas Eve party!
This movie gets a bad rap for not being in the “Christmas” spirit, but I have to disagree. Maybe everyone just doesn’t want to admit feeling similarly stressed and wiped out during the holidays. Well I will say it. It’s a super stressful time. And certainly draining on the wallet for most. Once the kids are away, why not spend a little time for yourselves and take a mini-vacation? Or try to as the case may be.
Does Luther take this strike against Christmas to an extremem? Yeah, he’s a bit of a scrooge. But the slapstick comedy and zingers are still plentiful.
This movie is a traditional watch for my mom and me while preparing treats and cold food items on Christmas Eve. It’s something I look forward to doing together every year.
My Rating:
The Grinch (2018)
It’s, The Grinch…I feel like it’s one of those pretty universally known stories. The Grinch plans to ruin Christmas for the citizens of Whoville, and in the process learns the true meaning of Christmas.
There have been several adaptations of this film over the years, and none are terrible. I have to say though, that the 2018 animated film with Cumberbatch voicing The Grinch is my favorite. Is it just his voice?
No, but it’s a really good start!
I love the animation on this film, plus there are several very humorous moments. I believe I quite literally snorted with laughter at the scene with The Grinch in the grocery store.
My Rating:
In Conclusion
Movies are great visual stories, and some of the best warm and fuzzy feelings I get during the holiday season are watching them with friends and family. Like music and food, sometimes watching a movie can seemingly take you back in time.
These were my top 5 holiday movies. If they weren’t already on your list, perhaps they are now. I definitely would recommend giving them each a try.
What are some of your favorite films to watch during the holiday season? Maybe I’ll add a few to my list as well!
Until Next Time,
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