Christmas is around the corner and we are already feeling the holiday vibes. What is better than watching a nice Christmas movie with a cozy blanket and sipping on hot chocolate? Set the right tone for holidays with this list of must-watch Christmas movies which will lighten up your spirits and indulge in all things Christmas-y.
1. A Christmas Story
This movie is for your inner child. It is the winter of the 1940s and little Ralphie is in full Christmas vibes. As Christmas is approaching, there is only one thing that is on Ralphie’s mind: ‘a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun’. Obviously, the adults do not agree with Ralphie that it is the best Christmas present ever. Ralphie on the other hand is determined and fantasizes about all the adventures he will have if he had a gun.
2. It’s a Wonderful Life
This is a wonderful film and is one of the most famous Christmas movies of all time. George Bailey has given his life to the community, the people. He has aspirations, he wants to travel and see the world, but he never did because a lot of people depend on his business. A corrupt Mr. Potter frames George as a large amount of money is missing from the company’s funds. George breaks down and thinks of ending his life, but that’s when an angel comes down to give him wings, and shows him a world where he never existed. “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
3. Sleepless in Seattle
This one is a classic romantic comedy for all rom-com lovers with the perfect blend of romance, comedy, and drama. Sam Baldwin played by Tom Hanks is widowed and is sleepless in the memory of his wife. Sam and John are alone and missing their wife and mother respectively, on Christmas. Once, Jonah, his son calls to a talk-radio program to find a new wife for his father and eventually Sam ends up discussing his feelings on the radio show. Meanwhile, Annie Reed played by Meg Ryan who is already engaged hears Sam on the radio show and falls for him. The film is witty, an unapologetically corny love story of meeting ‘the one’ at the Empire State Building on Valentine’s day.
4. Home Alone
If you haven’t watched Home Alone you are truly living under a rock. It is one iconic film to rewatch multiple times and any Christmas movie list will be incomplete without this gem. 8-year-old Kevin is left alone at home accidentally while his whole family leaves for vacation in a rush. Kevin is now home alone and must protect the house from a pair of notorious burglars, and for that Kevin uses his brilliant brain and sets up the house with booby traps to stop them.
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
In this movie, Jim Carrey is the Grinch. Grinch hates Christmas and rightfully so. When he was a child, he was bullied by all the children of ‘Whoville’ because he was green and looked different from everybody else, so he leaves the village and starts living alone on a cold mountain, he becomes a loner and starts hating Christmas because he feels it is the most commercialized festival of all and that’s why he decides to steal the Christmas. It is a must-watch for especially Dr. Seuss’s fans.
6. Edward Scissorhands
This Tim Burton classic is one of his best works. Starring Johnny Depp in one of his earliest movies as a lead actor. The story revolves around a man named Edward Scissorhands who had scissors for his hands. He was made artificially by an inventor, who died before completing Edward’s hands and thus leaving him with scissors for hands. Ed lives alone in the castle until he meets a kind suburban lady Peg who invites him to live with her family in the town.
7. The Holiday
Written and Directed by Nancy Meyers this is a perfect feel-good movie starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black, and Eli Wallach. The film revolves around two characters, the life of Iris Simpkins who lives in London and works as a column writer in a newspaper, and is still in love with her manipulative ex. On the other hand, there is Amanda Woods, who lives in Los Angeles and is a successful movie-trailer maker. She is going through a breakup with her cheating boyfriend. Iris and Amanda meet online on a website that allows them to swap their homes and move to another country in each other homes. They swapped and live there for the holiday where they eventually meet their lovers and rediscover themselves.
8. Love Actually
This movie is basically a collection of 8 different stories of 8 different people which are loosely interrelated. It is an emotional film very well directed and acted. The film is actually about love, how all the characters are in love and it is love that connects them with each other. It is set around Christmas time and all the brilliant actors make each and every small story memorable.
9. Die Hard
It is a Christmas party at Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles when suddenly a group of German terrorists hijack the party and keep everyone hostage. Among the hostages is the wife of John McClane( played by Bruce Willis). No one takes John’s wife hostage, and if they do, it’s the biggest mistake of their life. Brilliant performances by Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman whom most of us remember as Professor Snape. This film is the most amazing, the most ultimate action movie ever made. A must-watch!
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Another film on the list written by Tim Burton is The Nightmare Before Christmas. The story is simple, Jack Skellington is the King of Halloween Town and he is kind of bored by Halloween every year. One day he stumbles upon the Christmas Town and is mesmerized by it. He decides to bring Christmas to Halloween Town but the resident bats, ghouls, and goblins are not convinced.
11. A Very Murray Christmas
Who doesn’t love Bill Murray? and who wouldn’t love to see Miley Cyrus, George Clooney, and Rashida Jones come together to celebrate a Christmas and Bill Murray? Also, it is directed by Sophia Coppola who directed the classic Bill Murray movie ‘Lost In Translation. This film is like a Christmas special with a lot of cameos, all the actors are playing themselves and yes they are singing Christmas Carols too. It is like Christmas packed in a movie.