Christmas Movies to Watch this Holiday
Are you bored this Christmas break? Here are 10 cozy and feel-good movies to watch with your family, friends, or by yourself:
Home Alone (1990, 9+)
Home Alone, an all-time Christmas classic that never fails to bring laughter no matter how old you are. It is the most successful American Christmas family comedy movie that marks its 30 year anniversary. Home Alone begins during Christmas time and the McCallister family gets ready to go to Paris until they realize they accidentally left mischievous 8 year old son Kevin home alone. Kevin takes advantage of this moment and earns his freedom around the house until two burglars try to rob his house. Kevin puts a smart plan to defend his house from the two burglars home alone. This movie is a funny, heart-warming, and feel-good film perfect for quality family time.
Klaus (2019, 7+, Netflix)
It's time for a netflix original film, I've always thought they were overrated until I gave this movie a try. It was the most refreshing and entertaining animated film I have watched in a while. It says 7+ and you may think it's for kids, but I would even recommend it for teachers and high school students. The film is way better than what the trailer seems to be and as most people say, it is the real oscar winner. The movie's motive is about the origin story of Santa Clause. It begins by a spoiled young postman arriving at the most unhappiest place on Earth, Smeerensburg. The whole town has a feud with each other and the young postman tries to bring joy by teaming up with toymaker Klaus. The postman delivers Klaus' toys to kids who write a letter to Klaus. This movie promotes moving on from old grudges and how a simple act of kindness can always spark another. Klaus delivers a sleigh full of holiday traditions and it is a must watch especially for this season.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965, 4+)
We're all familiar with the classic Charlie Brown, Peanuts comics, and of course Snoopy. Christmas time, as they say, is the most wonderful time of the year. But for someone like Charlie Brown, Christmas isn't exactly a time of happiness. Not getting any letters, gifts, and feeling the Christmas spirit can make the season sad, but Christmas isn't just about the letters and gifts. In A Charlie Brown Christmas, we learn many valuable lessons such as how to deal with holiday scepticism, commercialism, and treating each other with love, care and respect. Most importantly, Linus teaches us what Christmas is all about. This animated short, comedic film is one to watch when you miss Charlie Brown or aren't in that holiday spirit.
Elf (2003, 7+)
A Christmas comedy film where an elf named Buddy realises he is a human adopted and raised by Santa Claus. Buddy decides to leave the North Pole and go on a journey to New York city to find his biological father. During his trip, Buddy gets weird stares by the way he acts in his elf costume; however, he never admits his clothing is a costume as it is his work attire. The way Buddy tries to get used to the human world brings great laughter. Buddy also ends up finding a girl he fell in love with and he tries to fill the depressed Christmas day with lots of joy and love. This film is by far the best comedic film for all family ratings. If you want to bring laughter to your family, this is for you, but I wouldn't recommend hot chocolate as you may spill while drinking some due to great amounts of laughter :).
The Polar Express (2004, 7+, Netflix)
A Christmas computer-animated adventure film that brings an unfold adventure following a boy and an extraordinary magical train. The Polar Express is a train heading to the North Pole and Santa Claus' s home. A young boy on Christmas Eve takes a ride on the polar express and embarks on a self-discovery journey with his friends trying to visit Santa Claus preparing for Christmas. The boy going on this magical adventure makes him learn the qualities of friendship, bravery, and the Christmas spirit. This is a family friendly movie that is very heartwarming and is recommended for everyone.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000, 8+, Netflix)
The classic Dr.Seuss book that we've all read (should have) as a child has been brought to life in How The Grinch Stole Christmas. As one of the many few classics to watch during the holiday season, How The Grinch Stole Christmas brings us to the holiday season in Whoville and of course, the reason why the Grinch despised Christmas. Cindy Lou, a 6 year old girl who believes in the Christmas spirit, sets out to free the Grinch and show him the good of Christmas. As the title states, the Grinch does steal Christmas, only to realise that Christmas doesn't come from gifts and stores, but from our hearts. This comedic and fantasy movie with a good lesson is one to watch with your family and friends.
The Princess Switch & The Princess Switch Switched Again (2018 & 2020, 7+, Netflix)
What would anyone do when they meet their doppelganger? Well, they switch places, obviously. Like The Parent Trap, The Princess Switch is about a duchess and ordinary baker (both played by Vanessa Hudgens) who look identical, and take each other's place just a week before Christmas. As they live in each other's shoes for two days, they unexpectedly fall for each other's beaus. After ending up in and out of a complicated situation, the duchess and ordinary baker get the ending they wanted, or do they... In its sequel, the duchess is about to be crowned queen and yet again, ends up in a complicated and confusing situation. Trusting her double to fix things, the duchess and now princess switch again, but this time things get a little messy.. These two movies are a feel good rom-com to watch with some hot chocolate, and quite interesting seeing Vanessa Hudgens switch between accents and wardrobe changes. You may even recognise a little *ehem*, royal family crossover in the sequel ;)
The Knight Before Christmas (2019, 13+,Netflix)
Twas the night before Christmas, sorry wrong story! Twas the Knight Before Christmas. There we go, got it right that time. Twas The Knight Before Christmas, Sir Cole Christopher Fredrick Lyons of Norwich, a 14th century knight, gets sent to modern day Ohio on a quest with a little Medieval magic. There, he meets Brooke, a high school science teacher who thinks finding true love with a knight in shining armor is just a fantasy. As the two search for Sir Cole's quest, they stumble upon a problem of their own, love. The Knight Before Christmas is a romcom fantasy, fit for those who love watching Vanessa Hudgens, world crossing, or wishing this storyline would happen in their life one day (not to mention the Medieval language that makes the movie funnier).
Last Christmas (2019, 16+, Netflix)
🎶 Last Christmas, I gave you my heart 🎶 Based on the song Last Christmas by George Michael a romantic comedy movie came up. Kate (Emilia Clarke) is a woman who is known for bad decisions and bad health. Nothing is going well in her life and she works as an elf in a christmas store. One day, she gets into a relationship with a mysterious man and begins to fall in love with him. And the adventure begins with lots of love and crying. This heartwarming romantic comedy has the most twisted ending that will leave you mind blown. It is recommended if you want to feel some love during this season.
Barbie In A Christmas Carol (2008, 5+)
Now you might be wondering, "what's a Barbie movie doing here? Nobody watches Barbie anymore". I can assure you, people do still watch Barbie. In Barbie In A Christmas Carol, Barbie's younger sister Kelly doesn't want to go to the Christmas ball where everyone else is at. To convince Kelly, Barbie tells the story of Eden, a selfish young star who was raised by her Aunt Marie and hated Christmas. Eden required her coworkers to work through Christmas because her Aunt Marie taught her, "in a selfish world, the selfish succeed". That night, Eden is visited by the spirit of her Aunt Marie and later three other spirits who show the past, present, future, and the true meaning of Christmas. This Barbie movie will bring back memories of your childhood and also teach you the true meaning of Christmas. We all could use a little more Barbie in our life as well :)
Happy watching and Merry Christmas :)
- Shareen S. and Dahee G.