Christmas is that time of the year where we all get more emotional, we start making plans for next year and after these crazy couple of years, it's time to try to unwind and put our minds and hearts at ease.
Whether if you are having family over or not, we gathered 10 movies so you can grab your cookies or that warm eggnog and have a little time to watch different Christmas-themed stories that will make you laugh, cry, sigh and smile. Here they are!
1) "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946)
Get that box of handkerchiefs and prepare your heart because this story never gets old, even though we are talking about a classic 1946 film (directed by Frank Capra), starred by the wonderful James Stewart, who brilliantly plays George Bailey, a man who commits suicide one night before Christmas and is intervened by his guardian angel showing him what the world would be like without him. "It's a Wonderful Life" is considered one of the best films of all time. It was a 5 Oscar nominee and recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made. Well, that said, we think you've got plenty of reasons to watch this amazing touching film!
2) "The Polar Express" (2004)
This is the story of a young boy who just before Christmas Eve, sees a mysterious train going to the North Pole right outside his window, on the way to meet Santa Claus, who is preparing for Christmas. He is invited to hop on board and the adventure begins. Tom Hanks stars in the film and also is the executive producer. An animation film for all ages, with a sensitive and lovely mood, who will make everyone emotional, for sure.
3)"Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey | Everything is Possible" (2020)
If the vibe is to watch something produced recently, this film might be it! If you're into musicals, and a fan of Forest Whitaker, this is a must-see. A Netflix production, 'Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey' is an exciting fresh adventure for the whole family to watch. It is set in Cobbleton, and it follows the talented toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Whitaker) whose creations are magical and wonderful. He is betrayed by his apprentice (Keegan-Michael Key) who steals his most prized creation, and Jeronicus's granddaughter comes in the story and taking it from there, you can just imagine what the spirit of Christmas will bring, amongst laughter, heartwarming experiences, and of course, a lot of special effects!
4) "The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)"
Tim Burton's masterpiece and one of the pioneers to the trending stop-motion modern films to this time. Full of amazing special effects and visual details, it tells the story of Jack Skellington, a skeleton living in Halloween Town who accidentally stumbles inside Christmas Town. He then attempts to kidnap Santa Claus, and becomes obsessed that in Halloween Town they have Christmas too! Everything will NOT come up as he imagines and there is a lot of absurd and weird stuff going on, a trademark in Burton's work. If you are an animation and an out-of-the-ordinary movie fan, this one is for you!
5) "Last Christmas" (2019)
Another recent flick, Last Christmas is a romantic comedy film directed by Paul Feig and written by Bryony Kimmings and Emma Thompson. It is based and inspired by the 1984 song from George Michael (who doesn't love him?). Emilia Clarke stars as a not-so-happy Christmas store worker who is romantically related to a mysterious man played by Henry Golding. There is romance and that edgy, witty, British sense of humor, and George Michael's songs, so it is fun guaranteed!
6) "Love Actually" (2006)
Another one for those in the mood for romance and a British sense of humor, this is a CLASSIC! Who doesn't remember the iconic scene from the paper boards? Fall in love, laugh until your tummy hurts, and enjoy Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, and another incredible cast, directed by Richard Curtis (Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary, Four Weddings, and a Funeral). Need to say anything else? Didn't think so!
7) "Elf" (2003)
The kind of actor who makes us laugh even if he isn't saying anything, that is Will Ferrell. The plot? A grown man who is raised by elves. Can it get crazier? Yes. He goes to New York City to go look for his father. Take it from there, and picture Ferrell wearing an elf outfit throughout a big part of the film. If you need some good old laughing fits, this is your answer. You're welcome.
8) "A Christmas Carol" (1951)
Ebenezer Scrooge is a businessman who is greedy and in a very ( I mean VERY), bad mood. He thinks Christmas is a big waste of time and has no time to be sentimental in his life. However, this Christmas, he will get to know three spirits who will show him the biggest mistakes of his life and teach him some lessons to be better as a human being. Good subject for therapy, don't you think? LOL. Really, don't miss this black and white classic. Put it on your list even if you'd rather watch something more recent right now. It's a must-see, based on a story written by Charles Dickens. For always.
9) "Home Alone" (1990)
If you were born late in the year 2000 and something, maybe this isn't such a relevant movie to you. But it molded a generation before that, or even, generations before those. Mothers and fathers, grandparents, whole families, were glued to the screen in awe to the story of an unbelievably smart kid who is left behind, literally forgotten, by his whole family, who goes away for Christmas, in their home. He is a little 8-year-old boy played by Macaulay Culkin who gets himself into big trouble when a hilarious couple of thieves try sneaking into the empty house. Want some 1990's the pure juice of comedy? That said, it also was the biggest blockbuster Christmas film top of the list for three decades in a row. This is the chance to watch it for the first time, or all over again!
10) "The Man Who Invented Christmas" (2017)
If you scroll up to our tip on "A Christmas Carol", this is the making of an inspiration movie about Charles Dickens's creative process of writing and coming up with the plot for the famous Ebenezer Scrooge character. Dickens was going through a writer's block moment and a rejection period from editors and publishers for his books before he came up with A Christmas Carol. It is an inspiring story and will guide you through what it takes for a writer to find his light and creativity process going.