As the first semester of this school year comes to an end and exam season awaits to be conquered, there’s no better way to destress over the winter break than getting into the holiday spirit and watching sappy Christmas movies. As a self-proclaimed movie connoisseur, I must insist that the cheesiness of these movies needs to be complimented by some tasteful classics and recent gems. So, whip out a cozy blanket and some hot chocolate this Christmas season, and celebrate the holidays with our lovely team and the nostalgia of these bingeworthy movies:
- Klause
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This new release shows the life of Santa Claus before he became the jolly old man we know today. This story is presented from the point of view of an unlikely character; one who manages to touch our hearts despite his cynicism and lack of love for Christmas. The mind-blowing animation and easy-to-follow storyline is the perfect end to exam season and best way to get into the holiday spirit.
- Let it Snow
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Another relatively new Netflix release takes us through the lives of a group of teenagers. With problems we can all understand, these characters shadow our struggles. The audience feels at home with the quirky characters and their seemingly unattainable dream, representative of how we feel a lot of the time. While I wouldn’t call it a cinematic masterpiece, I think this movie successfully encompasses the loving spirit of the holidays.
- Frosty the Snowman
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For those of you who crave classics during this time of the year, Frosty the Snowman is the perfect watch. Like most of us know and love, this childhood favourite brings out the nostalgic feelings of our old lives while simultaneously teaching us the importance of friendship and love. What more could you want from a movie?
- While You Were Sleeping
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This lesser-known masterpiece casts an amazing line of actors that hit us with the feels in all the right places. Sandra Bullock plays a lonely but sweet girl who craves love during this time of the year. The audience is brought along in her journey of discovering family and love. To top it off, the movie has the perfect blend of holiday romance and self-discovery!
- Elf
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Elf, another classic, is the story of a hopeful character lost in an unknown world. As Buddy, the main character, tries to find his father in the hustle and bustle of New York City, we are taken through a series of hilarious yet wholesome interactions. A great ‘Elf vs world’ portrayal of Christmas, this movie is best watched with family and friends. If you’re looking for a good laugh, Elf is definitely the way to go.
The holidays are a time of love, comfort and family. I encourage everyone, regardless of if they’re celebrating Christmas, to take time to destress from school and enjoy a break. Watching movies with family happens to be my favourite way of doing this, and I hope these movies provide inspiration and some good laughs!