Whether you love to watch the same Christmas shows each year or discover new favourites, there’s plenty of options for seasonal viewing at this time of year.
From Hallmark movies to classics from many decades ago, the range of choice and variety is nearly endless.
We’ve rounded up a list of recommended viewing from Black Press Media reporters, so grab a blanket, some popcorn (and perhaps some hot cocoa), and tuck into a holiday movie.
STAFF FAVES
The Home Alone Franchise (1990-2021)
As Christmas as Christmas gets. Nothing need more be said (or written).
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
It’s the definitive holiday classic with Michael Caine. And music. And muppets. If this now-beloved interpretation of Charles Dickens’ classic doesn’t capture your heart, we fear you may be beyond redemption. Caine delivers a brilliant performance as Ebenezer Scrooge whilst seeming not to notice that he’s surrounded by a variety of non-human creatures. Young and old alike will delight in the humour, the songs and the all-enveloping holiday love.
Klaus (2019)
This 2019 Netflix film about a selfish young postman, Jesper, banished to an inhospitable town in the Far North is a gem for all ages. Watch the strange town and its even stranger inhabitants, including the reclusive toymaker Klaus, work their magic on Jesper – and on you.
The Star (2017) `
This 2017 animated adventure may be aimed at kids, but it has the heart and humour to appeal to all ages. Follow along with the adventures of a small, brave donkey named Bo as he befriends a young couple named Mary and Joseph, and joins forces with his animal friends to become the hero of the very first Christmas.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
This 2011 British offering offers an unexpectedly touching Christmas story, following the adventures of young Arthur Christmas as he battles to find his place in the Claus family – and to save Christmas in the most unexpected of ways. It may be a kids’ movie, but grown-ups will laugh out loud as a who’s who of great British actors (Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton) voices the quirky family behind the legend of Santa Claus.
Elf (2003)
A touching Christmas tribute that is also hilarious, Elf is a comedy starring Will Ferrell that is a must-watch each year. Ferrell plays Buddy, a human raised by Santa’s elves at the North Pole, who is searching for his human father in New York City. A modern classic where the importance of Christmas spirit is key, the good-natured, family comedy continues to charm every holiday season.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Everyone has at least one family member who is relatable in this cult classic that tells the tale of Clark Griswold, a Chicago suburbanite who just wants to have an old-fashioned, family Christmas. Featuring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, a hysterical Randy Quaid, and a young Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki, the movie follows the Griswolds through the holiday season as things always take a hilarious turn for the worse.
The Santa Clause (1994)
This holiday tale tells the story of a divorced dad who accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit and must take over the job of the Jolly Ol’ Elf himself, but the dad (Tim Allen) tries to brush it all off as a dream. An enjoyable watch that answers a lot of questions about Santa and how he does his job.
Christmas with Luciano Pavarotti (TV special)
Recorded in Montreal’s Notre Dame Cathedral in 1978, this finds the late, great tenor at the peak of his abilities singing a jewel-like selection of Christmas classical pieces such as O Holy Night, Pieta Signore, Silent Night, Ave Maria, Gesu Bambino, Agnus Dei and Panis Angelicus. Pavarotti’s singing is sensitive, well-judged and passionate and his gloriously resonant head tones never had a more acoustically perfect showcase than this Canadian cathedral.
ALTERNATIVE FLICKS
Die Hard (1988)
Let’s just settle this once and for all: Die Hard is a Christmas movie. And it’s a classic. And we can thank two stellar talents for that: Bruce Willis as John McClane, the beleaguered New York City cop who finds himself at the centre of arguably the worst Christmas Eve office party ever; and Alan Rickman as the now-classic cinematic villain Hans Gruber. Yes, the violence and language mean this one’s probably best left till the kids are tucked safely into bed, but you just can’t miss with these two. Yippee ki yay….
The Ref (1994)
Denis Leary is an unfortunate cat burglar who finds himself coping with more than he bargained for after he takes an irritating couple hostage – and realizes he has to reconcile their differences, and that of their dysfunctional family, before he can get out of the situation. Known for its witty (albeit expletive-filled) dialogue, this is one to watch for anyone who’s had to cope with their own family dysfunction over the holidays.
TOP 3 (ALL-TIME)
1.) It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Buffalo gals won’t you come out tonight, come out tonight, come out tonight? Put your wings on and sit back and enjoy Frank Capra’s masterpiece, perhaps the greatest Christmas movie of all time. If George Bailey’s bleeding lip doesn’t bring a Christmas tear to your eye and yule-log-level warmth to your heart, then Zuzu and her petals definitely will. Must watch.
2.) White Christmas (1954)
Heartwarming, nostalgic, dreamy – however one describes their feelings about White Christmas, it’s pure fun from opening to closing credits. The film features singing and dancing and laughter from Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera Ellen. Crosby and Kaye star as war buddies turned music-act partners who team up with sister act Clooney and Ellen. If you don’t smile (and sing along in your head) when you see the words “Snow. Snow Snow. Snow. Snow!” typed out, you will be forever changed once seeing these four perform. Also: must watch.
3.) A Christmas Carol (1951)
Apologies to George C. Scott, Jim Carrey, and a litany of others – the 1951 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale is the finest version ever recorded. The classic 1951 film stars Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge as he goes through the familiar Christmas Eve tribulation with past, present, and future Christmas ghosts. Dickens’ famous story has been told and retold a thousand times, but Sim’s version continues to stand above the rest.
Honourable mention: A Christmas Carol (1938) starring Reginald Owen. Well worth the 69-minute interlude.