The holiday season is approaching and with it comes a need to watch copious amounts of Christmas movies. While we’ve all heard of the classics like Frosty the Snowman, Elf, and Rudolph, here are a few films you may not have heard of but should put on your Christmas (movie) list this year.
Spirited
Spirited, directed by Sean Anders, stars Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. Ferrell plays the Ghost of Christmas Present who’s being pushed to retire but isn’t ready to, while Reynolds stars as Clint Briggs, an overall terrible guy who is the target of Christmas Past, Present, and Futures haunt, in an effort to make him change his ways. Memorable, well executed musical numbers and original catchy songs make the musical bearable even if you hate them (its me, I hate musicals). A twist on the original Dickens story, Anders manages to direct a spectacular new Christmas classic and make it his own.
Black Christmas
Here is a Horror-Christmas movie for those of us who aren’t quite in the Christmas Spirit yet. Black Christmas, directed by Bob Clark, is a film that tells the story of Jess Bradford and her sorority sisters who are staying in their house over Christmas break. When they begin to get lewd phone calls from a mysterious number, the sisters realize they are in more trouble then they thought when people start to be found dead. Olivia Hussey plays the main character and gives a thrilling performance of a woman scared of a Christmas killer (of both the spirit of the holiday and the characters). Now given the recognition it deserves as a campy Christmas classic, Black Christmas is perfect for those of us who don’t like the traditional Christmas classics.
Happiest Season
Next is an LGBTQ+ Christmas movie to keep your yuletide gay. Happiest Season directed by Clea DuVall, stars Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis as Abby and Harper. The couple goes to Harpers family’s home for Christmas but are forced to keep their relationship a secret. The story is new and was the first gay Christmas movie made by Hulu. The story meandered but the endearing storyline and great acting made it worth the watch. Though the film was not perfect, it showed the start of queer Christmas movies being produced for the mainstream, and becoming more accessible to those who wouldn’t have seen a Christmas-themed love story like their own. With an adorable message and an important milestone being marked with the production of the film, Happiest Season is a good option for anyone looking for a cute Christmas rom-com.