Best Christmas movies: Classics
Christmas is the perfect time for a bit of nostalgia. And these Christmas classics are a great place to get started.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
"It's a Wonderful Life" is a timeless Christmas classic that has warmed hearts for generations. Directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart as George Bailey, this film beautifully captures the spirit of the holiday season. The story revolves around Bailey, a man overwhelmed by life's challenges, who is given the extraordinary gift of seeing what the world would be like without him. With its poignant message about the impact of a single life and the importance of community and kindness, "It's a Wonderful Life" is a much-needed reminder of the true value of Christmas – love, family, and gratitude. Its enduring appeal makes it a must-watch during the holiday season.
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
"Meet Me in St. Louis" is a delightful and nostalgic musical movie that, while not exclusively a Christmas movie, is cherished for its holiday spirit, especially during the poignant Christmas scene. The film beautifully captures a year in the life of a close-knit family living in St. Louis at the turn of the century, leading up to the 1904 World's Fair. The film's Christmas segment is particularly memorable, featuring Judy Garland's moving rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." This heartwarming scene encapsulates the essence of family and the bittersweet feelings of change, making "Meet Me in St. Louis" a timeless classic to enjoy during the holiday season.
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
"The Shop Around the Corner" (1940) is a holiday classic that inspired another classic — the 1998 rom-com “You've Got Mail.” The movie takes us to a small Budapest gift shop, where two employees constantly at odds with each other are unaware they are each other's anonymous pen pal. Set against the backdrop of the Christmas season, the film weaves a tale of love, misunderstandings, and heartwarming revelations. Its elegant storytelling, combined with the enchanting Christmas setting, makes "The Shop Around the Corner" an endearing watch that captures the spirit of the season and the magic of unexpected love, perfect for cozy winter evenings.
Best Christmas Movies: Romance
If you are looking for a romantic vibe this holiday season, these movies are sure to set the mood right.
Love Actually (2003)
"Love Actually" is a cherished staple in the Christmas romance genre. The movie takes us to London during the holiday season and weaves together a tapestry of interlinked stories, exploring the complexities, joys, and heartaches of various relationships. Featuring a star-studded cast including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, and Colin Firth, the film delves into romantic, familial, and platonic love.
The Holiday (2006)
"The Holiday" (2006) is a heartwarming Christmas romance film that perfectly captures the joys and frustrations of the holiday season. The story unfolds as two women, played by Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, swap homes in Los Angeles and England during the holiday season to take a break from their lives. This change of scenery leads them to unexpected encounters and new romances. Set against idyllic snowy English countryside contrasted against the sunny backdrop of L.A., "The Holiday" beautifully explores themes of love, self-discovery, and the joy of new beginnings.
Serendipity (2001)
"Serendipity" is a whimsical and romantic tale set against the enchanting backdrop of Christmas in New York City. The film stars John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale as Jonathan and Sara, two strangers who meet by chance while Christmas shopping and feel an immediate connection. Instead of exchanging contact information, they decide to leave their future to fate, parting ways with only a few clues to find each other again. Years later, both engaged to others but unable to shake their memorable encounter, they embark on a journey to find one another.
Best Christmas Movies: Comedies
For a light, relaxing ambiance, consider adding these comedies to your holiday movie playlist.
Deck the Halls (2006)
"Deck the Halls", starring Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick, is a lively and amusing Christmas comedy that dives into the competitive spirit of the holiday season. The film revolves around two neighbors with starkly different views on Christmas. DeVito's character, eager to make his house visible from space, decorates his home with an excessive display of Christmas lights. This sparks a comical rivalry with his neighbor (Broderick), who takes a more traditional and subdued approach to holiday festivities.
Fred Claus (2007)
"Fred Claus" offers a humorous and heartwarming twist to the traditional Santa Claus story, starring Vince Vaughn as Santa's lesser-known and somewhat resentful brother, Fred. Living in the shadow of his saintly brother Nicholas (Paul Giamatti), Fred is the polar opposite of the family's famous gift-giver. However, circumstances force him to the North Pole, where his cynical attitude and irreverent behavior bring comedic chaos to the elves' orderly lives. As Fred struggles to fit into the festive world of the North Pole, the film explores themes of family, redemption, and the true spirit of Christmas.
The Night Before (2015)
"The Night Before" is a modern Christmas comedy that brings together Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anthony Mackie as three lifelong friends who embark on an epic quest to find the Holy Grail of Christmas parties in New York City. Set on Christmas Eve, the film combines outrageous humor with a touch of holiday spirit as the trio encounters a series of absurd and hilarious situations.
Best Christmas Movies: Action
Who said the holiday movies must be mellow and slow-paced? If you love action movies, here are a few holiday blockbusters.
Die Hard (1988)
"Die Hard" stands out as an unconventional yet iconic Christmas movie. The famous action film is set on Christmas Eve during a high-stakes hostage situation in a Los Angeles skyscraper. McClane, in town to visit his estranged wife, finds himself battling a group of terrorists led by the charismatic Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman. Combining intense action sequences with witty one-liners and a festive backdrop, "Die Hard" offers a thrilling and explosive holiday experience that challenges the traditional notions of Christmas movies.
Lethal Weapon (1987)
"Lethal Weapon" is a quintessential action movie that also fits perfectly into the Christmas genre. In the movie, two mismatched LAPD detectives are set against the backdrop of the Christmas season in Los Angeles. The duo, Riggs and Murtaugh, navigate a dangerous criminal underworld while also grappling with their personal demons and developing an unlikely friendship. The film's blend of intense action, compelling character dynamics, and subtle holiday elements makes it a standout choice for those seeking a Christmas movie with an action-packed twist.
Reindeer Games (2000)
"Reindeer Games" is a gritty action film with a Christmas twist, making it a unique pick for holiday movie enthusiasts looking for something beyond the traditional festive fare. Starring Ben Affleck and Charlize Theron, the plot revolves around a recently released convict who gets entangled in a dangerous casino heist during the holiday season. The film cleverly uses the Christmas setting to contrast the high-stakes, tense atmosphere of the heist, delivering an action-packed experience filled with twists and turns. While "Reindeer Games" may not be your conventional Christmas movie, its holiday backdrop adds an intriguing layer to the thrilling storyline.
Batman Returns (1992)
"Batman Returns", directed by Tim Burton, offers a dark and gothic twist to the holiday movie genre, making it an interesting choice for fans of Christmas action films. Set against a wintry, Christmas-decorated Gotham City, the film stars Michael Keaton as the enigmatic Batman, who faces off against the devious Penguin, portrayed by Danny DeVito, and the mysterious Catwoman, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. The film's blend of Burton's signature dark style, the festive yet eerie atmosphere of Gotham during Christmas, and the high-stakes action sequences create a unique holiday movie experience.
Best Christmas Movies: Thrillers And Horrors
Sometimes, the gingerbread cookies, eggnog, and Christmas lights can be a bit too much. To counter the overall merryness and joyfulness of the holiday season, you may want to watch something dark. Here are some holiday-themed horrors and thrillers to keep handy.
Black Christmas (1974)
"Black Christmas" is a groundbreaking film in the horror genre, particularly known for being one of the first slasher movies, setting a precedent for many classics that followed. This chilling tale unfolds in a sorority house during the Christmas season, where a group of college women are terrorized by a series of disturbing and mysterious phone calls, leading to a tense and terrifying sequence of events. With its eerie atmosphere, suspenseful plot, and a sense of impending dread that builds throughout the holiday setting, the movie not only offers a genuinely scary experience but also cleverly subverts the traditional cheer associated with Christmas.
The Night Before Christmas (1993)
"The Nightmare Before Christmas'', directed by Tim Burton, blends the elements of horror, fantasy, and musical genres. It's an imaginative story about Jack Skellington, the beloved Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who falls in love with the idea of Christmas. Jack decides to bring the holiday back to his own spooky realm, leading to a whimsical yet eerie fusion of Halloween and Christmas traditions. With its stunning stop-motion animation, memorable musical score, and a delightful mix of the macabre with the merry, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" has become a cult classic.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
"Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale" is a Finnish film offering a darkly imaginative twist on the traditional Christmas story. Set in the snowy landscapes of the Finnish Lapland, this film unravels an original and eerie narrative centered around an ancient, malevolent version of Santa Claus. Blending elements of horror, fantasy, and adventure, "Rare Exports" reimagines Christmas folklore with a chilling and unique perspective, delivering a captivating, suspenseful, and visually striking holiday viewing.
Better Watch Out (2016)
"Better Watch Out" is an unexpected addition to the Christmas horror movie genre. The movie cleverly subverts the typical home invasion narrative, setting it against a festive Christmas backdrop. The story centers around a young babysitter who is looking after a 12-year-old boy when their suburban home is invaded by mysterious intruders. However, as the night unfolds, the film takes several surprising twists. "Better Watch Out" combines suspense, dark humor, and holiday elements to create a tense, engaging, and excitingly shocking cinematic experience.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", based on the novel by Stieg Larsson and directed by David Fincher, is by far not a conventional Christmas movie. Its dark and intense narrative is set against a snowy, festive Swedish backdrop. The film follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander, played by Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, as they delve into a decades-old unsolved disappearance within a wealthy family. The chilling investigation unfolds during the Christmas season, adding a stark contrast to the holiday's warmth with its themes of mystery, corruption, and family secrets.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
"Eyes Wide Shut" was directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick and stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. This classic psychological thriller is set against the backdrop of a hauntingly festive New York City and delves into the themes of sexuality, fidelity, and the complexities of the human psyche. The movie follows the story of Dr. Bill Harford (Cruise), who embarks on a surreal, night-long odyssey of sexual and moral discovery after his wife (Kidman) admits to having sexual fantasies. The Christmas lights and decorations present throughout the movie create a stark contrast to the film's dark and enigmatic narrative, adding an eerie and ironic touch to the holiday season.
The Advent Calendar (2021)
"The Advent Calendar" is a new addition to the holiday-themed horror movies. The French-Belgian horror film takes the popular Christmas tradition of Advent Calendars and adds a scary and thought-provoking twist. The story revolves around Eva, a former dancer who uses a wheelchair and receives an antique advent calendar as a gift. This isn't your typical holiday countdown; the calendar holds eerie and supernatural secrets. As Eva discovers that each window reveals more than just chocolate, the film delves into a world of curses and dark surprises.
Best Christmas Movies To Watch With Kids
Finally, if you are looking for some light-hearted, cozy family movies to watch on Christmas day, these films will be fun to watch for the whole family.
Gremlins (1984)
Directed by Joe Dante, this darkly comedic film takes a playful spin on the holiday season. When a young man receives a mysterious creature called a Mogwai as a Christmas gift, he is given three crucial rules for its care. However, when those rules are broken, chaos ensues as mischievous and destructive Gremlins wreak havoc on a small town during Christmas. While the film has its moments of suspense, it combines humor and fantasy to create a thrilling yet family-friendly Christmas tale that's sure to entertain both kids and adults.
Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone is a family holiday classic that probably needs no introduction. The movie follows the misadventures of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, brilliantly played by Macaulay Culkin, who is accidentally left behind when his family jets off for a Christmas vacation. In the McCallister household, Kevin revels in his newfound freedom but soon has to defend his home from two bumbling burglars using his wits and a series of ingenious booby traps. Combining humor, heart, and a touch of holiday magic, "Home Alone" captures the essence of childhood mischief and the warmth of the Christmas spirit.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1985)
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is an enduring and endearing classic that is perfect for family viewing during the holiday season. This animated special, based on Charles M. Schulz's beloved Peanuts comic strip, follows the lovable Charlie Brown as he searches for the true meaning of Christmas amid the overpowering commercialism of the season. With its heartfelt story, iconic characters, and unforgettable Vince Guaraldi jazz score, this movie not only captures the essence of the Christmas spirit but also teaches important lessons about love, friendship, and the joy of simplicity.
Jingle All the Way (1996)
"Jingle All the Way" is the perfect choice for a family movie night with kids. This holiday comedy stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad in a humorous tale of two desperate fathers in a frenzied hunt for the season's hottest toy, Turbo-Man, on Christmas Eve. The film showcases the lengths parents will go to fulfill their children's holiday wishes; all wrapped up in a package of slapstick humor and heartfelt moments.
And what are your favorite holiday specials? We'd be happy to hear from you in the comments below.
