My favorite part about the holiday season is watching Christmas movies; the nostalgia inducing, joyful themes that reappear within the narratives of Christmas films bring me the utmost happiness. It doesn’t matter how old you are; the best holiday films will continuously draw out innocent, cheerful Christmas spirit. Here are my favorite Christmas movies listed by genre.
- Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer (1964): Animated
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If this isn’t the cutest animation of Rudolph that you’ve ever seen, I demand you show me your rival. This classic rendition of the traditional holiday myth of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer uses stop motion technology to take you on a trip to the Island of Misfit Toys. Rudolph and his friends, an unhandy elf striving to be a dentist and a plethora of rejected toys, seek to find a place where they are valued and accepted. The universal themes of self-acceptance and belonging, make this holiday film inspirational and family-friendly.
- The Holiday (2006): Rom Com
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Can we take a moment to appreciate this cast? Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black join forces to entertain us with a romantic comedy that tastefully combines British and American culture in a romantic bon voyage. When life gets crazy, two women swap their national homes for a holiday riddled with self-care and remote relaxation; little did they know they’d fall in love with some of the local men in town. This film is just what you need if you’re feeling cozy and romantic this holiday season (it also has a great score).
- While You Were Sleeping (1995): Drama
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A youthful Sandra Bullock plays Lucy, a lonely subway token collector infatuated with handsome businessman, Peter Gallagher, who strolls through the station each and every morning. On a quiet morning, this mysterious man falls into the subway tracks and Lucy jumps in to save him. When she goes to visit him in the hospital, a serious miscommunication forces Peter’s family to believe that Lucy is actually his fiance. When he wakes up from a coma, he has lost his memory and is convinced Lucy is his fiance and she cannot bring herself to reveal the truth. The infamous Sandra Bullock does it again! This movie is infectiously heart-warming and never fails to make me laugh.
- A Christmas Carol (1951): Fantasy
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This 1951 rendition of A Christmas Carol, originally written by renowned author Charles Dickens, has some of the best acting and dramatization of Ebenezer Scrooge (courtesy of Alastair Sim) that I have seen. My favourite scene happens to be towards the end, when a working cameraman can be seen in a nearby mirror (talk about professional). The old school, amateur film style of this piece only adds to its appeal.
- Elf (2003): Comedy
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This humor in movie this film could easily be described as foolish but in the most endearing way possible. Will Ferrell plays Buddy the elf, a human being that is raised by elves in the North Pole. His human sized figure becomes unsuitable for elf duties as he grows older, and he begins on an adventure in search of his biological father. When the two come together, their personalities and interests clash in a multitude of ways. Buddy the elf is hilarious and deserves standing ovations for his enthusiasm and dedication to Christmas and family bonding.
- Jack Frost (1998): Tear Jerker
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I’m fully aware that “Tear Jerker” doesn’t fall into any formal category of film genre, however I think we can make an exception for Jack Frost. When musician and father, Jack Frost, passes away in a dreadful car accident, he is reincarnated into a snowman. As a father, he wasn’t exactly present in his son Charlie’s life, turning into a snowman finally offers him the opportunity to spend quality time with his child.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): Musical
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Director Tim Burton, most renowned for films like Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice, never disappoints; his innovation and creativity never ceases to amaze me. This animated, stop motion, musical experience combines Halloween and Christmas themes to bring you an extraordinary festive movie experience. The King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, voluntarily transports himself to Christmas Town when he grows bored of repetitive Halloween festivities. When he returns to his home to tell the town about the awe that is Christmas, they are unwilling to rejoice with him. Who doesn’t like Christmas, right?!
Sit back, relax and get ready to spend many joyful hours planted on your couch. Nothing draws me into the Christmas spirit quite like a Christmas movie. It is a fabulous way to spend time indoors on a cold winters day with family and friends. I hope my recommendations make you as happy as they make me. Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season!