Get your snacks and your marshmallow-clogged hot choccys! Snuggle into your cosy pajamas. It’s time to curl up on the couch, watch a corny Christmas film and get all warm and fuzzy. But Christmas movies are not all bad (some of them are terrible). Here’s a line up of the 11 BEST Christmas movies to watch this year!
The Family Man
What could be more Christmassy than a man discovering afresh the true importance of family? The Family Man is a goodie! It’s got humour, poignancy, romance and all the Christmas feels.
While I’m not the biggest Cage fan (his perpetual bored face is somewhat aggravating), in this, he is bearable. This movie is suitable for those of all ages, too.
Elf
This is arguably the Best Christmas Movie Of All Time. Hilariously innocent and mature at the same time, Will Ferrell perfectly portrays an Elf who has left the North Pole in search of his father.
This movie has all the magic of Santa, the North Pole, and the joy of Christmas. As always in a Christmas film, it makes us see the value of child-like innocence, and the distaste of cold-blooded humanity.
Miracle on 34th Street
There was once a time when Christmas movies were mainly about finding love, togetherness, magic and joy. Miracle on 34th Street has all that, and more. It’s not about being glamourous, or just having a good time. It’s simply about the importance of family and finding connection. This movie really draws on the true spirit of Christmas!
About a Boy
Possibly not a widely known Christmas movie, but if you haven’t watched this one yet, bring it out this Christmas. About A Boy is about a selfish, Scrooge-like man who learns what true happiness is about. If you love a bit of black humour and realism, like me, this movie will be right up your alley.
Love Actually
It’s practically a crime to NOT watch Love Actually at Chritmas time. This movie has been played on national New Zealand television for the last ten years. I’m not even kidding.
But, there is a reason it is thus perpetuated. The whole movie revolves around Christmas, starting with the weeks of anticipation and ending with the penultimate Christmas Eve play. It cleverly intertwines different stories of love and friendship and weaves it together into a beautiful whole.
If you have not watched this movie yet, then you definitely should get on the bandwagon.
The Holiday
The Holiday is a wonderful Christmas movie about finding new love, life and breakthroughs. The story follows two women, in two different cities, who house swap to escape from their problems.
This movie is hilarious, heart-warming, romantic, and utterly satisfying (you will have to watch it to understand why). It is the perfect thing to watch on a cosy Christmas Evening with leftover fudge and Hot Chocolate.
Home Alone (the First One)
I am only recommending the First Home Alone, because sometimes, sequels are just like that joke that’s said over and over again. Do you know what I mean?
The first Home Alone is definitely the best. If you like seeing baddies receiving a vicious come-uppance, then this one is for you. The little guy who finds himself Home Alone, is a literal genius the way he fends off those robbers.
This one is for the whole family.
It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s A Wonderful Life is a gorgeous vintage film that is a true Christmas Classic. Kind of like The Family Man (mentioned above), this movie tells the story of a man who discovers that having a family is the best possible thing he could ask for in life.
Being successful or achieving his ambitions are not worth losing his family for.
This is a beautiful and heart-warming film to watch at Christmas!
The Preacher’s Wife
The Preacher’s Wife is a lesser-known film, but it is definitely a must-see to bring all the feels this Christmas. This movie is about a struggling preacher who gets assistance from an angel to get his church, family, and mental health back on track.
The stellar cast includes Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston and it’s almost worth it just to see them on your screen together!
Pearl Harbour
Pearl Harbour is another film that is always played around Christmas time on New Zealand national television. I always wondered why this was, because it’s not exactly warm and fuzzy, and then I found out that the historical attacks happened in December.
Pearl Harbour is most definitely my all-time favourite movie. I love an epic, and Pearl Harbour has it all: action, humour, romance, and stimulating plot twists. It’s a good one to watch at Christmas, simply because it caters for the whole family (once the littlies are in bed).
It’s a long one though, which can only mean one thing: gird yourself up with lots of snacks.
You’ve Got Mail
Can any movie get any better than a Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks combo?
You’ve Got Mail is my favourite movie that this dream team have done together. This film is about two people who hate each other in real life but have an blossoming online relationship. You can imagine the tumult!
It is really interesting to see an internet love story before it became…well, normal. Heart-warming, funny and romantic, You’ve Got Mail is a perfect family movie for a cosy Christmassy night!
What’s your favourite?
Christmas movies – you’ve got to love them. They make us laugh, make us feel the warm fuzzies, and make us appreciate those we have in our lives.
Watching a Christmas movie is such a festive thing to do, even if you have a Summertime Christmas. Just snuggle up with your loved ones, your yummy snacks, and prepare to laugh and be romanced. It’s such a great way to recover from what can be a stressful and full-on Christmas Day.
I’m curious to know: what are your favourite Christmas movies? Are there any you would add to this list? Are there any on this list that (gasp!) you haven’t watched yet?
How about A Christmas Carol, also called Scrooge?
I am VERY keen to watch that one this year – I have never actually seen it, eek!