Now that finals are over, it is time to sit next to a Christmas tree in festive, holiday pajamas and watch some movies to get you into the holiday spirit. So grab some hot chocolate and enjoy these top five picks that will make you both laugh and cry.
1. Elf
“Elf” instantly became a holiday classic in 2003 when Will Ferrell warmed audiences’ hearts by playing Buddy, a six foot human who accidentally ended up being raised by Papa Elf in the North Pole. When Santa Claus gives Buddy the chance to go to New York City and find his real family, Buddy is splashed with the cruel realities of the real world and gets himself into sticky situations all in the name of Christmas cheer. Besides its situational comedy, “Elf” has warm moments, like a duet between Buddy and Zooey Deschanel’s character, Jovie, that show us the true meaning Christmas, friendship and family.
2. Love Actually
“Love Actually” follows the storyline of eight couples during the holidays and their journey to find love. While some characters pursue love interests, others struggle to puzzle their lives back together. Unlike other American holiday movie franchises, like “Valentine’s Day,” that have attempted the same format, “Love Actually” works because it maintains viewers interested from beginning to end, moving the story lines along quickly and not dragging out minor story plots. With an all-star British cast like Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, each character, young and old, shows us a different version of what love actually is.
3. Home Alone
“Home Alone” is probably every 90s kid’s favorite holiday movie that is just as enjoyable any time of the year. Kevin McCallister lives every childhood dream when he is left home alone after his family forgets to wake him up for a family trip to Paris. McCallister’s excitement of living alone and doing whatever he wants is shattered when he discovers two criminals are trying to burglarize his home. The 8-year-old is then left no choice but to protect his home with booby traps while he waits for his family to make it home back in time for Christmas.
4. A Christmas Story
All Ralphie Parker wants for Christmas is a Red Rider BB gun, something his parents and even Santa Claus are reluctant to give him because there might be a chance he will shoot his eye out. Between handling bullies and his family, Parker feels that getting a Red Rider BB gun is the only chance he has in being happy this Christmas. Between cursing in front of his father and getting in a fight, Parker feels like his Christmas wish will never come true.
5. The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppets recreate Charles Dicken’s, “A Christmas Carol” with Gonzo narrating the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a man who hates Christmas and mistreats his workers–one of the many played by Kermit the Frog. One night, Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, which show him how others celebrate Christmas and the outcome of his life if he continues on his journey of hate. Throughout the film, in true Muppets fashion, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog, along other favorite Muppets, come together in song and try to soften Scrooge’s cold stone heart.