Whether you plan on snuggling up the couch, having a movie night with the grandkids or chilling out with some friends, there are plenty of great Christmas movies to get you in the festive mood and keep you entertained for hours.
Each year more enchanting films are released just in time for the festive season with everything from heartwarming romance to hilarious comedies gracing the silver screen. But sometimes the old favourites are the best, especially the ones that bring back great memories of Christmas’s past.
So get your popcorn, chocolate and a nice cup of coffee and sit back and relax with these family favourite films.
When you’re looking for a Christmas movie to watch with the family you really can’t go past Miracle on 34th Street. This heartwarming film brings a bit of magic back to the festive season and proves just how powerful having a bit of trust and belief can be.
The 1947 classic, which was remade in 1994, follows the story of a very skeptical six-year-old who is convinced Santa Claus isn’t real. Unlike other children who are off writing letters to the jolly man in red, little Susan Walker has no faith in Santa and thinks he is simply made up.
However, this all begins to change when her mum hires a man aptly named Kris Kringle to pose as Santa at a shopping centre. Slowly but surely Susan starts to think that maybe, just maybe, he is a real person.
Even if you have seen this movie a million times, it is an absolute must. But be ready with some tissues on hand because it is an absolute tear-jerker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo5OmGDjZEQ
If you’re a fan of rom-coms then Love Actually would have to be the pick of the bunch. While there are plenty of romantic Christmas movies out there this one is a definite winner, with people watching it year after year ever since it was released in 2003. Instead of following the journey of just one couple, this film delves into the lives of eight very different couples and how they deal with their love lives in the very hectic holiday period.
The story begins five weeks before Christmas and is played out in a weekly countdown until the holiday. There are tears, there is laughter but most of all there is a lot of love; what more could you ask for out of a rom-com? With some big names featured including Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Emma Thomson and Colin Firth, Love Actually should certainly be included on this year’s movie list.
No Christmas movie list would be complete without a comedy and Home Alone is one of the best if you’ve got the grandkids over for a visit.
The 1990 comedy tells the story of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister who is mistakenly left behind by his family who have jetted off to Paris for the holidays. While it seems like the best possible outcome for the boy, that all changes when he realises that two con men are planning to rob his family home.
Instead of fearing for his life, Kevin decides to fight off the criminals by using some very smart and creative tactics that are guaranteed to leave the grandkids in stitches.
Everyone always plans to have the perfect Christmas with family all gathering together and having the time of their lives. But for most, there are some hiccups along the way. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation portrays this perfectly through an incredibly hilarious film that follows the story of the Griswold family.
As the holidays approach, dad Clark begins planning the day, picking the perfect tree and house decorations. Just when it seems like everything is going to plan, his cousin and his family show up and all hell breaks lose. The perfect family Christmas goes out the window with a serious of incredibly unfortunate yet funny chain of events occurring.
There is no doubt this film will leave you laughing!
Another entertaining family classic is the hilarious film The Santa Clause. This film has been around since 1994 but it never fails to disappoint. You will be laughing along with the grandkids watching this one, as Tim Allen takes on the role of main character Scott. The divorced dad has custody of his son on Christmas Eve but it all goes pear shaped when he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit.
The father and son are magically transported to the North Pole where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa’s place before the next Christmas arrives. It all seems like a dream, until he realises over the next several months that he has started to gain weight and grow a white beard. It is then that the father begins to think that he could actually be turning into Santa Clause.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z-JOub8Q0E
If you want a throwback to your childhood then consider adding Holiday Inn to your list. First released in 1942, this black and white romantic comedy will tug at the heart strings as it follows the story of Jim, who is played by legendary singer and actor Bing Crosby.
It all begins when Jim decides to leave a performing trio he is a part of and open a country hotel after having his heartbroken by love interest Lila. The man transforms the hotel into a fabulous holidays-only live entertainment venue and ends up falling in love with the talented Linda. However, things take a turn for the worse when another gentleman shows up and sets his sights on the same woman.
If you’re planning on having a movie night with the grandkids this holiday season then How the Grinch Stole Christmas should be at the top of your list. While there has recently been a new version of the film released in cinemas you can’t really go past the original version, which is based on the beloved children’s book by Dr. Seuss.
Starring none other than Jim Carrey, this favourite Christmas kids movie tells the tale of the Grinch, who unlike most, absolutely hates the festive season. His dislike goes so far that he plans to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. With his trusty dog Max by his side the Grinch makes his way into the town and begins to steal everything Christmas related. However, his plans are halted when he meets a young girl by the name of Cindy Lou Who.
Last, but certainly not least, is another beloved rom-com, The Holiday. Released in 2006, this heartwarming movie is perfect for all those hopeless romantics out there. The film is based around two women, who have both found themselves quite unlucky in love. Dumped and depressed, Englishwoman Iris (Kate Winslet) agrees to swap homes with Californian Amanda (Cameron Diaz) for a much-needed break over the festive season.
While Iris finds herself relaxing in a Hollywood mansion, Amanda has a more difficult time getting used to life in Surry, England. Although they plan to stay away from men following their recent break ups, both women find themselves meeting some quite charming fellows while on holiday.
It’s emotional, moving and funny at the same time, so you really can’t go wrong!