My Favorite 🎄 Christmas Movies
The 13 movies below are some of my favories in this genre. Whenever this season or mood arrives, items from this list are my go-to comfort food. To qualify, a movie must be solidly in-genre and be highly rated (or purposefully bad). Either way, these are the cream of their respective crop.
Each movie is scored on my 4-point rating system. Please let me know if you'd like to nominate an addition!
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Love Actually
It hoenstly grew on me. Each of the stories winds its way through love in a novel path. Heartfelt in the right ways. A little dated with some jokes, but it pulls it off.
It hoenstly grew on me. Each of the stories winds its way through love in a novel path. Heartfelt in the right ways. A little dated with some jokes, but it pulls it off.
Elf
While every joke doesn't land, Buddy's absolute sincerity buys this movie a lot of leeway. It nails the "Christmas Spirit" part of the assignment more than most movies and I adore it for that.
While every joke doesn't land, Buddy's absolute sincerity buys this movie a lot of leeway. It nails the "Christmas Spirit" part of the assignment more than most movies and I adore it for that.
Home Alone
Everyone (rightfully) remembers this movie for its trap-laden climax, but most of the runtime is actually a touching family comedy with relatively few hijinks. The cast is great and though Kevin's line deliveries are pretty stilted, it's such an iconic cadence that it's hard to really mind them. Really does earn its spot as a Christmas great. Some good messages about forgiveness in there too. Honestly feels like two movies in one.
Everyone (rightfully) remembers this movie for its trap-laden climax, but most of the runtime is actually a touching family comedy with relatively few hijinks. The cast is great and though Kevin's line deliveries are pretty stilted, it's such an iconic cadence that it's hard to really mind them. Really does earn its spot as a Christmas great. Some good messages about forgiveness in there too. Honestly feels like two movies in one.
Spirited
The music is catchy and the dancers are great, but the thing that clicks with me the most is how you see how much behind the scenes for the haunt. It's the same thing I like about the game Portal. Just fun worldbuilding.
The music is catchy and the dancers are great, but the thing that clicks with me the most is how you see how much behind the scenes for the haunt. It's the same thing I like about the game Portal. Just fun worldbuilding.
Noelle
It's easy to rag on the over reliance on CGI comic relief animals, but there's a really kind core to this movie. It really nails the Christmas spirit without a hint of irony. Just good vibes and the belief that there is good in the world.
It's easy to rag on the over reliance on CGI comic relief animals, but there's a really kind core to this movie. It really nails the Christmas spirit without a hint of irony. Just good vibes and the belief that there is good in the world.
The Holiday
A great movie about finding and losing love. Stellar cast, decent pacing, very fun vibes.
A great movie about finding and losing love. Stellar cast, decent pacing, very fun vibes.
A Castle for Christmas
Remarkably charming. Strong supporting cast. Throwaway plot, but I was engaged.
Remarkably charming. Strong supporting cast. Throwaway plot, but I was engaged.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Cute snapshot of New York. Treads a lot of the same ground as the first, but in a touching way. Good package all around.
Cute snapshot of New York. Treads a lot of the same ground as the first, but in a touching way. Good package all around.
Great dancing and decent music. Cast was good and story was suprisingly engaging.
Klaus
Absolutely stellar. Charming characters, great art direction. Some odd musical choices, but the whole thing was great.
Absolutely stellar. Charming characters, great art direction. Some odd musical choices, but the whole thing was great.
Violent Night
(🥉)Extremely gory, but had a surprising amount of heart. Great themeing and performances. Enjoyed the heck out of it.
Extremely gory, but had a surprising amount of heart. Great themeing and performances. Enjoyed the heck out of it.
Trite, but had some actual plot and nearly semi-realistic romances.