There is nothing quite like a holiday movie to bundle up on the couch with on a winter evening. Holiday movies have become a beloved sense of nostalgia and always bring warmth to the season. There are a few specific holiday movies that never fail to bring this comforting Christmas sensation.
For the lovers of romance movies… The Holiday directed by Nancy Meyers may be the right pick. This movie that came into the world in 2006 follows two young women that switch homes for the holidays to escape their normal lives. Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz do a wonderful job enhancing these two characters. Amanda (Cameron Diaz) finds herself living in Iris’ (Kate Winslet) small home in Britain, and ends up running into Iris’ brother who is the most charming male ever. All the while, Iris finds herself having a connection with a songwriter in Los Angeles. The actors of the male interests, Jude Law and Jack Black, truly captivate the feelings of love and warmth towards these women during the holiday season. The Holiday has become a festive favorite for fans of romance, and it never fails to offer a blend of humor and holiday magic.
Disney Channel also brought out a heartwarming holiday movie. Good Luck Charlie: It’s Christmas came out in 2011 and the film follows the iconic Duncan family. The family embarks an adventurous trip to Palm Springs to spend Christmas with Bob’s parents. However, things take a turn as the family is met with unexpected twists and turns. Good Luck Charlie: It’s Christmas that captures the true meaning of togetherness through the holidays. This movie remains a fun and memorable holiday treat for fans of the show.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) is a hilarious Christmas classic that has become a statement during the holiday season. The film follows Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) as he attempts to create the perfect family Christmas for his wife (Beverly D’Angelo) and their two children. However, his plans spiral out of control and lead to a series of mishaps. As Clark navigates these mishaps, his determination to make a perfect Christmas is clearly shown to those watching. Christmas Vacation is for the lovers of humor, tradition within families and absurd scenes.
Another timeless classic that has captured the hearts of audiences for decades is Home Alone. This movie reached the world in 1990 and has truly stayed iconic. The film follows an 8-year-old boy named Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who is accidentally left behind at home while his family travels to Paris for Christmas. Kevin is extremely thrilled about this accident; however, he quickly realizes that he may be in big trouble. There are two burglars, named Harry and Marv, who are trying to rob his house. Kevin uses his creative mind as he sets up elaborate and humorous traps to defend his home. Culkin gives a memorable performance that sticks with whomever watches this movie, and this movie never fails to shine its light every Christmas season.
Lastly, animation has made its way to the world and the new remake of The Grinch shined light into the world in 2018. The Grinch is a colorful modern remake that takes on Dr. Seuss’s classic holiday story. This movie, just like the original, follows the Grinch as he lives isolated in the snowy Mount Crumpit. This creature has a grand plan to steal Christmas in the following town nearby (Whoville), but his plans begin to unravel as he encounters a young girl named Cindy Lou Who. As the Grinch begins to learn the true meaning of Christmas, he learns about the generosity of love and this leads to a heartwarming conclusion. The Grinch offers a fresh perspective on a timeless holiday movie.
These five movies are most definitely my top five holiday movies. They each offer a different tie to this season while bringing in a variety of different plots. Hopefully through this list, everyone will be able to cuddle up on a cold evening and feel the holiday warmth as the movie fills their screen.
