Ultimate Christmas Movie Guide
It’s that time of year again, when bingeing your favourite Christmas movies is deemed fully acceptable. Okay so maybe it’s still a little early but after the year we’ve all had I’d say we are well within our rights to get a head start! So if you’re like us and want to delve straight in then below is our ultimate Christmas movie list filled with all of your favourites and a couple of newer releases. So grab yourself a cup of tea, get the snacks in and get ready to binge! Enjoy!
Home Alone
Okay let’s start things off with an absolute classic. It wouldn’t be Christmas without at least watching one of the Home Alone movies. Our favourite has to be the original movie when Kevin get’s left behind whilst his family jet off to Paris. I think we all know what happens next, but in case you haven’t yet seen it be prepared for non stop laughs.
Love Actually
Who doesn’t love a good love story when it comes to Christmas. Love Actually brings you romance, laughs and dare I say a little bit of frustration (yep we all know I’m talking about Alan Rickman’s character Harry). You know you’ve got yourself a truly British film when Hugh Grant is part of the cast. So get yourself some popcorn and potentially tissues for what we think is one of the best two hours you’ll spend this Christmas.
The Holiday
Continuing on with another romantic story, we have to mention The Holiday. Probably one of our favourites to watch during Christmas, The Holiday brings you two very different love stories but both equally as heart-breaking as the other. Okay maybe heartbreak is slightly overkill but you do definitely feel sorry for both characters. Along with an all star cast, you’ve got yourself what turned out to be a go to Christmas movie.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
A go to movie that you can watch as a family and basically enjoy at any age. Jim Carrey’s version of Dr Seuss’s The Grinch is a Christmas Classic. If you’re looking for something light hearted and fun to watch on a Sunday evening we definitely recommend this one. It’s got great costumes, over the top hair and make up and lots of laughs.
Elf
It just wouldn’t be right to have a Christmas movie list without including Elf. Probably everyone’s go to movie year after year and for good reason too. It’s non stop laughs, and so many one liners that you’ll be repeating for days after. This movie has a special little place in our hearts when we went to New York two years ago for Christmas and watched Elf in the hotel. It was probably the most perfect setting to enjoy this absolute joy of a movie.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Arguably the best Christmas movie to come out of the 80’s. This is the third instalment from the film series and in our opinion is the definitely the best one. If you haven’t seen this one yet, keep an eye out for cousin Eddie and his family when they come to visit. There are lots of laughs in this one so I’d save it for a Friday or Saturday with a few glasses of wine.
The Polar Express
First on our list for the animated movies is The Polar Express. This one is such a feel good movie and Tom Hanks plays one of the lead roles, need we say anymore. This one is based on an old children’s book and tells the story of a young boy who finds himself on a magical adventure to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. It’s such a lovely, feel good movie to watch with the family on a Sunday evening after your roast dinner.
Deck The Halls
What’s Christmas without a little friendly competition with your neighbours, or in this case a lot. Deck the Halls brings you two very competitive neighbours who try to out do each other with the best decorations in the neighbourhood. This movie is borderline ridiculous in parts but that’s what makes it so great. An easy and fun watch, that you’ll probably revisit year after year.
Jingle All The Way
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this action packed comedy from 1996 as a dad who promises his son anything he wants for Christmas. Of course his son wants a sold out toy and oh did we mention it’s Christmas Eve. A quick an easy hour and a half watch with nothing short of a few laughs along the way. If it’s not already there make sure you get this one added to your list.
Miracle on 34th Street
Okay so we’re throwing it way back for our next movie. For us Miracle on 34th Street needs to be watched in the original 1947 black and white version. Don’t get us wrong we love the 1994 take on this classic movie but there is just something about the original that just tops it for us. If you’ve only ever seen one but not the other why not give it a go this Christmas.
Mr Popper’s Penguins
Originally a book, Mr Popper’s penguins made it on to the big screen with Jim Carrey taking on the lead role. This is a light hearted, fun and very cute movie to watch as let’s be honest it’s the penguins that steal the show. We pretty much watch this movie every year now after discovering it for the first time two years ago.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Last but not least on our ultimate Christmas movie list is Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Okay so technically Jack Skellington is more of a Halloween character but in this movie he leaves Halloween town and discovers Christmas town. A slightly darker take on a Christmas movie than the others above but definitely a must watch for all the family to enjoy this season.
Other honourable mentions:
- Princess Switch/ Switched Again
- Christmas with the Kranks
- Holidate
- Jack Frost
- Arthur Christmas
- The Santa Claus
So that’s it for our Christmas movie guide. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading through our favourites, let us know below your favourite’s and any suggestions you might have for us.
Happy Viewing
Katie and Claire