What better way to get into the festive spirit than with some films that highlight the beauty and significance of being together? Christmas is a very special time of year.
As we all prepare for spending time with our loved ones, Christmas can be a particularly festive time for some people. The beauty of the holidays means some much-needed family time, despite the fact that some may enjoy it and others may detest it.
In my home, we all gather round, share presents and tuck in on some gorgeous Christmas dinner. There’s also the almost ritualistic argument that erupts out of nowhere, but it’s eventually quashed when we play games and sit down to watch a nice, festive film.
And with the big day just over a week away, I thought it would be a good idea to run down some of what I feel are the best Christmas movies that are shown every year. You might love them, you might hate them, but they all show off the beauty of being together.
5. White Christmas (1954)
White Christmas is one the true Christmas films, thanks to it sweet nature and overall charm that keeps bringing audiences back. Yes, the film is over 70 years old, but if the movie is continuously shown even to this day, it’s obvious there is a reason so many people relate to it.
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, two talented actors who collaborate to create a stunning show production, form the central role in the plot. They work with a sister act to show the joy of Christmas in Vermont for the winter, and they have a fantastic Christmas performance.
This movie has a top-notch soundtrack and a warm, cozy feeling that I can only enjoy watching. This is admirable given that it has an 89% public rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is impressive for a movie from the 1950s.
4. Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone comes to mind when you think of a classic Christmas movie. Many people find the holiday season to be unsuitable unless they at least watch the Macaulay Culkin smash hit before the big day.
The movie combines heartfelt, sincere care with slapstick humor perfectly. You might be cheering on Kevin as he attempts to break into his home, but you also shed a tear because he is completely cut off from the rest of his family.
With a 80% audience, moviegoers have also gotten more and more excited about it, despite the initial negative reviews. You can only assume that the franchise will endure the test of time because so many people watch the film again once the holiday season begins.
3. The Snowman (1982)
For a film with no words, this movie really does tug on the heartstrings. Based on the picture book released four years prior, the short film tells the story of a snowman who comes to life to show the beauty of the world to its young creator before melting come morning.
The movie is incredibly moving because it never says a word while making the most of life, both for children and adults. As a child, I can recall a lot of it because we would all gather around the TV to watch it for its annual premiere.
And it appears that many people are in total agreement with me because Rotten Tomatoes gives it a remarkably 90% rating. One reviewer wrote, “One of the most moving, beautiful animated films ever made, haunting,” while others expressed how important the movie is to people.
2. The Holiday (2006)
One of the cheesiest movies I’ve probably ever seen is this one starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black. That is what makes it perfect, though.
Casting aside the rather iffy storylines and watching the star-studded cast let their hair down and just feel, which only increases the fun of the movie. Additionally, the film’s inclusion of a couple of storylines rather than just one pair makes it more intriguing to watch.
Because it is broadcast annually on TV in the lead up to the big day and receives an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, the audience has grown to love this movie. The Holiday, which is predictable, somewhat cliched, and features scenes that feel forced to state a point, is a compelling picture that nicely combines comedy and romance, according to one reviewer.
1. Love, Actually (2003)
With a stellar cast of actors and a ton of plots, Love, Actually seems like the epitome of Christmas film. This film demonstrates the range of emotions that love will bring us, especially during Christmas, in a way that many people may not be able to comprehend.
Love, Actually accomplishes everything necessary to convey the simple message that we are together at Christmas, from joy to heartbreak to jealousy. Due to the weight issues, it has been suggested that the movie be put on hold, but it is important to remember that these are the films that stood the test of time.
