The holiday season is one of the most joyous times of the year, but also one of the most stressful. Among the most common practices for maintaining happiness and calmness during this time is watching festive movies. However, there are so many to choose from that no one can watch all of them in one break. As such, here are twelve of my favorites to keep you entertained for the twelve days of Christmas.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
A Christmas classic, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” centers around the Griswold family in their Chicago home as they arrange for their whole extended family to come over. The father, Clark, played by Chevy Chase, has to navigate this while balancing his underpaying job designing food products. Other performers include Beverly D’Angelo as Clark’s wife, Ellen, Johnny Galecki and Juliette Lewis as their children, Randy Quaid as oddball cousin Eddie and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as their snooty neighbor, Margo. Between its themes of working-class struggle, its genius, irreverent comedy and its endlessly quotable lines of dialogue, the film is a must-watch that families can enjoy every year.
A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Across film and television, there are more than 300 adaptations of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” However, out of all the ones that I have seen, none have managed to top the one that I first saw as a child. Sir Michael Caine portrays Victorian real estate mogul Ebenezer Scrooge, who is known throughout London as a cruel and vile businessman who mistreats his clients and employees alike, including his clerk, Bob Cratchitt, played by Kermit the Frog. On Christmas Eve, when Scrooge is visited by his old business partners, the Marley brothers (played in the film by muppets Statler and Waldorf), he is told that he will be visited by three ghosts who will guide him through his past, present and future. Despite the ridiculousness that comes with the Muppets’ humor, Caine provides a genuine and emotional performance that no one else in the industry could. Notably, the film is the first Muppet movie to be made after the death of their creator, Jim Henson. Instead, it is directed by his son, Brian. This backstory adds even more emotion to the already beautiful film.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
Sometimes considered the greatest comedy movie of all time, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” focuses on Neal Page (Steve Martin) as he tries to make it home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. However, on his flight, he is rerouted to Kansas because of a blizzard. On this flight, he meets Del Griffith (John Candy), and they become travel buddies. Hilarity ensues as they run into constant obstacles on their journey to eastern Illinois. Looking past its laugh-out-loud comedy, there are beautiful, heartfelt moments throughout. Specifically, the late Candy gives the performance of a lifetime, with more than one memorable and tear-jerking monologue. Although it never goes into Christmas, the road trip movie captures the feeling of dealing with cold and snow excellently, and it has as much heart as any other holiday film.
Jingle All The Way (1996)
Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Howard Langston, an overworked dad who wants to please his son. He vows to get his son Turboman, the most popular toy on the market despite the fact that it is Christmas Eve, and the toy is nearly impossible to find. On his quest to find the action figure, Langston finds that a mailman, played by Sinbad, is on the same journey. Langston’s integrity is tested as he realizes that the mailman needs the toy just as badly as he does. Schwarzenegger shines in the comedy film, and his relatable yet flawed character is the best part of it. “Jingle All The Way” is a memorable and sweet watch for anybody looking to get into the Christmas spirit.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
The one-hour runtime of “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas” is split up into three parts: one featuring Donald Duck and his nephews, who wish that Christmas would come every day. When their wish is granted, they realize that the holiday being once a year is what makes it special. The next cartoon follows Goofy and his son, Max, as they plan to write a letter to Santa Claus. Pete, their mean-spirited neighbor, tells Max that Santa is a myth, and Goofy has to do his best to convince him otherwise. The final cartoon is a retelling of “The Gift of Magi” from Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The two lovers sell their most valued possessions to buy a gift for the other only to find out that their gifts are both pointless, as the items they bought each other were meant to work with the items they each sold. This last story in particular embodies the Christmas spirit and is surprisingly mature for a Disney cartoon. All three feel cozy and are great watches for the whole family.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
An old man who claims to be Kris Kringle takes a job as a Santa Claus performer at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Doing this, he does so well that Macy’s invites him to appear more often at the primary Macy’s location in Manhattan. Although he is loved by all of the kids who visit him, store employees find it odd that he refuses to admit that he isn’t the actual Santa Claus. Eventually, this gets to a point where he is questioned by a court to verify his mental health, and, more importantly, his identity. This heartwarming classic has an intense Christmas spirit that almost no other film can replicate. Every performance, from Edmund Gwenn as the potential Santa Claus to the child performers, feels genuine.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
In this iconic classic, George Bailey is a troubled man. So troubled that he decides to end it all on Christmas. When he is about to jump from a bridge, he is saved by Clarence, his guardian angel. Clarence tries to convince Bailey that his life is worth living, showing him what his New York town would be like if he were never around to do any favors or good deeds. Among the most famous and beloved holiday films of all time, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a beautiful adventure that still holds up after almost 80 years. Despite being entirely in black and white, its cast of characters and emotions are more colorful than almost any movie that comes out today.
White Christmas (1954)
When two friends who met in the army, Phil and Bob, come home, they become a musical duo who are enjoyed across America. They meet and fall in love with two other stars, Betty and Judy. The four have some turmoil in their relationships, but eventually make up. While it is not the most complicated, witty, or best-acted film on this list, “White Christmas” makes up for it with its amazing music, written by the original writer of the song, “White Christmas,” Irving Berlin, and starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. The movie is enjoyable through and through, and a great way to pass the time while on holiday break.
The Polar Express (2004)
When a boy who has started to lose his belief in Santa Claus finds a train stopped outside his home, and he decides to take a ride. On the train, which is set to go to the North Pole, he makes many new friends, including the conductor, played by Tom Hanks, who also plays the boy’s father, the narrator, and several other characters throughout. Despite its somewhat dated CGI, “The Polar Express” is a good watch that reminds viewers of what Christmas is really about: time spent with friends and family.
Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell shines in “Elf” as Buddy, a man raised in the North Pole by Santa’s elves to believe that he, too, is an elf. When he begins to question his origin, he is told that his real mother died a long time ago, and his father (James Caan) works in New York. He sets out to find his dad and realizes that the average American’s lifestyle is not much like the average elf’s at all. The father, Walter Hobbs, at first denies any connection to Buddy. When a DNA test proves their relationship, Hobbs tries to bond with his son, though their dramatically different personalities make it difficult. The film is a family comedy classic with a stacked cast. It is incredibly popular and incredibly funny, and I recommend that everyone watch it at least once.
Die Hard (1988)
“Die Hard” is about New York City cop John McClane (Bruce Willis), who goes to his wife’s skyscraper workplace for a Christmas party. The holiday celebrations are quickly curbed when the party is crashed by a group of German terrorists led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), a cool, collected criminal mastermind. When he realizes that no help is coming to Nakatomi Plaza, McClane decides to take out the terrorists himself, sneaking about and eliminating them one by one, as well as trying to find a working telephone to communicate with the police. Unlike the average Christmas movie, “Die Hard” is an action flick rather than a coming-of-age or comedy. However, it still has plenty of Christmas spirit and references to the holiday scattered throughout. It is a fun watch every holiday season that anyone can appreciate, whether they consider it a Christmas movie or not.
Home Alone (1990)
Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, is accidentally left behind while his huge extended family goes on holiday vacation. Kevin, who had wished for his family to disappear the night before they left, thinks that they were magically erased from the earth, and he could not be happier. He experiences the joy of living alone, but also quickly finds that it comes with new responsibilities when two clumsy burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) try breaking in. Kevin sets traps across his home, hoping to ward off the bandits, and realizes that having his family around is not such a bad thing after all. Through the eyes of the young McCallister, the audience is reminded how important it is to be with your family, even after arguments or disagreements. This encapsulates the spirit of the holiday season in a beautiful way that could not be done from an adult’s perspective.
