Top Holiday Movies To Watch This Season
Posted on: Dec 26, 2024
Photo courtesy of Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.comIt’s the most wonderful time of the year—the time when, even though it’s the holidays, TBS will somehow still only be screening Hitch. But for the rest of us, it’s a chance to revisit classic holiday films that actually feel like Christmas magic.
The holiday season is truly the best time to share these gems with loved ones, as these movies tend to cut across political, religious and cultural lines. And they speak universal truths like kindness, gratitude or if you’re watching a Hallmark movie, you learn that the quality of the screenwriting maybe isn’t that important.
’Tis the season for these must-watch legendary movies that only seem to get better with time.
1. Home Alone (1990)
Let’s kick things off with the ultimate holiday classic: Home Alone. Growing up, every kid secretly wanted to be Kevin McCallister—he got the sweet taste of freedom when his family forgot him and jetted off to Paris. But the real magic is in Kevin’s transformation from carefree kid to home-protecting hero. Armed with clever traps and holiday mischief, Kevin takes on burglars Harry and Marv, who dress like every barista in Echo Park.
The film magically balances comedy with some truly heartfelt moments about the importance of family. And if there’s one thing this movie teaches us, it’s that sometimes the true spirit of Christmas is found in a sarcastic child with a penchant for vengeance.
2. Elf (2003)
Arguably one of the most quotable holiday movies of all time, Elf tells the story of Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human raised by elves who ventures to New York City to find his biological father and spread Christmas cheer. It’s a classic fish-out-of-water story, with Buddy’s childlike innocence clashing hilariously with the harsh realities of city life.
Few things are funnier than Buddy living out all our fantasies by aggressively fighting a mall Santa (“You sit on a throne of lies!”). It’s truly peak Will Ferrell, with just the right mix of heart and chaos—and it might even make you believe that spaghetti with maple syrup is a good idea.
3. The Polar Express (2004)
You know what’s better than one Tom Hanks? Seven Tom Hanks’. That’s right, the GOAT plays seven different roles in this magnificent, surprisingly dark adaptation of the beloved children’s book The Polar Express. Director Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Cast Away) delivers another visual masterpiece, breaking new ground as the first feature-length film to use motion capture technology.
This animated gem takes viewers on a magical journey to the North Pole aboard a train where kids are selected to board, guzzle an ungodly amount of hot chocolate, randomly break out in song and question their life choices. It’s like an average day on the New York City subway. Along the way, they’re reminded of the real reason for the season: belief, wonder and unbridled sugar highs.
4. Love Actually (2003)
Hope you like reading cue cards! From Alan Rickman’s devastating cheating storyline to the stalker-esque tale of a best friend pining for his buddy’s new wife, and the questionable power dynamics between the new prime minister (Hugh Grant) and a junior staff member, Love Actually has stirred its share of controversy upon further review.
Yet, despite its flaws, the energy and charisma of these intertwining storylines keep this movie firmly in holiday-classic territory. After all, most Christmas movies offer sanitized versions of love, neatly wrapped in bows, glitter and perfectly baked chocolate chip cookies that no one’s eating for some reason. Love Actually reminds us that love can be messy, weird, inappropriate—and sometimes, at its worst, it even makes you read.
5. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
I don’t care what year this movie came out—you just can’t leave this black-and-white masterpiece off the list. It’s been 78 years since It’s a Wonderful Life premiered, which means it’s finally old enough to run for president of the United States.
The story follows George Bailey, a man who gets a life-changing glimpse of how much of an impact he’s had on others, thanks to the help of an angel named Clarence. George sees what his life—and the town of Bedford Falls—would have been like if he never existed, delivering a timeless reminder of the difference we make in each other’s lives.
Of course, it also reminds us of another critical life lesson: if it’s snowing outside, bring a hat and gloves. George Bailey spends half the movie wet and freezing, and honestly, a simple trip to Nordstrom Rack could’ve solved most of his problems. For a really great time, watch the incredible Saturday Night Live sketch, “The Lost Ending” of It’s a Wonderful Life with Dana Carvey. It’s incredible.
Brendan Fitzgibbons is a comedy writer and actor living in Los Angeles. He’s written for Comedy Central, The Onion, NBC, HuffPost and Bravo. As an actor, he’s appeared on Comedy Central, MTV and “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.” His podcast, “Spiritual As****e” was named a Top Indie Podcast by Stitcher.
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