Now this is a very important thing to me during Christmas time: I don’t ever (well mostly never) watch these holiday films other than during that special time of year, which makes them really special to me. Many of these have been my favorite for as long as I can remember, some of them joined this list the last couple of years, and there will probably be new ones as long as Christmas films will be made. I have created categories so that you can watch whatever you’re in the mood for, but Hallmark films will get their own list, so don’t start looking for them here
Here we go:
Films for the Whole Family:
Home Alone
Home Alone has probably been my favorite Christmas movie for as long as I can remember. I used to watch it every year with my brother when I was little, and I love it just as much to this very day. I’m sure everyone has seen this film, but if you miraculously haven’t, please do! It’s fun, it has family drama (very funnily executed, so no tears here), a young boy winning against some bad guys, and probably one of the best soundtracks ever. What’s not to love?
Home Alone 2
If I mention Home Alone, I also have to mention Home Alone 2. Kevin McCallister is not left at home this time, but takes the wrong plane and ends up in the most festive city in the world, New York, while his family flies to Florida. And of course, the very same bandits are trying to get him again!! I can’t decide which of the two films I like more, but when you think sequels are always worse than the original, I wouldn’t say so here! However, don’t get me started on the next instalment in the Home Alone universe where Kevin’s role was played by another actor – I won’t mention this film on this list again. Or elsewhere. Ever.
Jingle All the Way
Jingle all the way features Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role of a very busy dad, who has promised his son to buy him the most famous and trendy toy of the season, a Turbo Man action figure. However, he keeps forgetting to buy it, but how hard can it be to get it in the very last minute? Well, very hard. It turns out that it’s sold out everywhere, and thus begins a very funny and very crazy hunt for the special gift…
I feel like this is a movie that also parents might enjoy, especially fathers. It’s fast paced and fun, and kids and parents alike will love it.
Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street is another film which is perfect for the whole family. Btw, I’m speaking of the 1994 version here, I haven’t seen the other one(s ?). It’s about a single working mom and her little daughter, who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus, because her mother tells her he isn’t real. However, they both might change their opinion when the mother finds a new mall Santa, who seems quite real…
I love how this is about capitalism and the belief in miracles, about true love and family and so much more – it’s a must for me every Christmas and it never loses its special magic!
Romantic Christmas Films
The Holiday
I discovered this gem a couple of Christmases back, I think in the night from Christmas day to Boxing day. It was on TV at night and I fell in love with it ever since, because of multiple reasons: It has a very dreamy Jude Law (need I say more?), as well as three other top class actors: Jack Black, Cameron Diaz, and Kate Winslet.
I love the life that Iris (played by Kate Winslet) leads: she works in a publishing house in London and lives in a tiny, yet absolutely magical cottage in the countryside of Cotswolds – my dreams both come true here. The down side of her life is the lack of a proper romance. She’s been in love with one of her colleagues for years, but he only plays with her. When she finds out he’s engaged on the company’s Christmas party, it’s the tip of the iceberg. Iris needs a change! She offers her home up for home exchange online, and gets a message by Amanda from LA. Amanda is similarly unhappy, although she’s had a boyfriend for years. When she finds out he’s been cheating on her with a younger woman, she breaks up and decides to go on vacation alone – the first time in forever. When Iris and Amanda exchange their homes, may they get the break they both so desperately need, and will they maybe start to see the upside of life as well? I LOVE this film so much! I’ve actually watched it around three times or so in the past couple of weeks, and I’ll probably watch it again lol.
Films based on Classics
Little Lord Fauntleroy
This gem is my favorite Christmas film to watch with my mom, it’s become a tradition for us and I love it! The movie is based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, which was first published in 1886. It’s about little Cedric Errol, who lives with his mom and their maid (but she belongs to the family now) in America. One day, Mister Havisham, a lawyer, is sent by Ceddies grandfather, the Earl of Doringcourt, to America in order to ask Cedric to come to England with him. In an effort to do what’s best for her son, the mother complies, even though she knows his grandfather hates her (being American). The old Earl is rich but not very nice, neither to his family nor to his people. But soon, living with his grandson changes his attitude towards life itself… This story, the setting, the characters – I’m in love with this film! Watch it if you haven’t!! It’s really deep and teaches you about the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Films for Adults
Ok, please don’t get fooled by this title – I don’t mean these kinds of films for adults… rather, I mean those that children can totally watch too, but probably won’t enjoy them as much as adults because there aren’t many child characters.
My favorite one that I only discovered a couple of years ago is Christmas with the Kranks. It’s about Luther Krank, who is fed up by all the Christmas cheer and by all the costs of the past Christmases, and decides to skip the holidays this year ( the film is based on the book Skipping Christmas by John Grisham) and book a vacation instead. His wife Nora doesn’t appreciate this thought very much (she loves Christmas), but since this is the first year they will spend their Christmas without their adult daughter Blair, who is away on a charity mission, she soon changes her mind and warms to his idea. Their neighborhood though has a very strong opinion on that matter, which leads to funny consequences.., This film really has it all: neighborliness and when it can become too much, family and friendship, health, the true meaning of Christmas, and so much more. I like it a lot because it’s very overly dramatic and makes you laugh, even if it has harder-to-digest-scenes.
And that’s it: my favorite Christmas films all in one post!
Did you find some which you like as well? Or do you think there are some I need to watch that aren’t featured here? Please let me know! 🙂
xoxo and Merry Christmas!
Noly
