A Christmas-Y Movie List

 

I had initially thought I’d make a post on how best to celebrate Christmas amidst this covid trauma drama. But soon realized each of my ideas was ridiculously impractical. So shall refrain from boring you with idealistic but impossible ideas.

Instead, here’s a list of my favorite Christmas (themed or smack-in-the-face) movies, in no particular order. Snuggle in with some hot cocoa, and binge away! If you share the nostalgia, or like the suggestions, do let me know in the comments section below. 

#1 Love Actually (2003)

Multiple couples, multiple stories, sometimes sappy, sometimes cute… If you like romantic films, with the backdrop of Christmas, you might want to check them out (or re-watch them). The major star cast intrigued my interest initially, and I just loved the simplicity of the film. Definitely one of my favorite binge-watches. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it on any of the Indian OTT platforms. But this film frequents channels like Star Movies or HBO during this time every year. Keep a lookout. Or you can stream it in PopcornTime (no link).

#2 Home Alone (1990) & Home Alone 2 (1992)

8-year old left alone during Christmas, booby-trapping a pair of burglars. *wink, wink* The name of the movie is enough to throw anyone who’s seen the film down happy memory lane; after all, most of us grew up watching the movie franchise! Watch it on Hotstar.

#3 Bad Santa (2003)

Rude, offensive, and grinchy… not the terms used to describe Santa Claus. But if you like black comedy, this film will leave you in splits. A light-hearted film with an easy-going plot and just the right amount of sass, watch it on Vudu.

#4 Noelle (2019)

Nepotism reaches the North Pole when Santa Claus’s son is to inherit the title. He, however, gets cold feet and skips town, literally. Claus’s daughter takes the reins and dons the cap. This new, quirky adaptation of your typical Christmas story, had me pleasantly amused throughout its runtime. Check it out on Hotstar, if you’re looking for something new this year.

#5 Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Since the protagonist spotlights the outcasts during the winter holidays, Edward Scissorhands is as much a Christmas movie as any other. Definitely one of Johnny Depp’s best performances, the film is weird (in a good way) and the storyline is heart-warming. You may shed a tear or two, I know I did. Watch it on Hotstar.

#6 Elf (2003)

An elf, conveniently around the holidays, realizes he’s a human and decides to find his (very human) father; shocker! Despite the absurd plot, the film managed to keep me entertained. Will Ferrell does justice to the role, the jokes may be a little amateur, making this an ideal film to watch especially with kids around. Watch it on Netflix.

#7 A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)

Three typical, exhausted, and under-appreciated moms, let go of their responsibilities and well, kind of go bonkers, around Christmas. The story follows their (mis)adventures. A laugh riot, of an almost welcoming alternate reality, you want to watch the film without your mom around.  Watch it on YouTube.

#8 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

I’m sure all the versions of the Grinch, animated or otherwise, over the years, are primarily the same; my personal favorite is How the Grinch Stole Christmas, coz, well, Jim Carrey. Now while the plot is the same as ever, the grumpy Grinch from Whoville tries to ruin Christmas for nearby villagers, the kids may enjoy the family adventure part, and we adults can relate to the subtlety of the emotions that run amok.  Catch it on Netflix.

#9 Gremlins (1984)

For me personally, not all horror-comedy films make the cut. Gremlins, however, is the perfect amalgamation of the two genres, especially considering how old the film is. The underlying yet evident naughtiness of the cute, mystical Chinese creature, Gizmo, giving bubbling birth to mischievous monsters, is a delight! Check it out on YouTube.

#10 Holidate (2020)

So perhaps the only Christmas-y connection to this film may be that the story follows these two random people, who are fed up with being alone and decide to be each other’s platonic plus-ones throughout the year, from Christmas to Christmas. What would you expect? Well, it’s exactly all that, but the direction is so elegant, that the overall movie experience is perfect. Check out the quirkiness on Netflix.