12 films of Christmas
Published:Friday | December 23, 2022 | 12:28 AM
It took all year, but the holidays are finally here. With family gathering from near and far, there’s no better way to brave the hustle and bustle of the season than watching a film favourite. Break open the sorrel, and pour out your eggnog and cocoa, and enjoy this list of holiday hits.
1 . Arthur Christmas
When you think of Santa’s workshop, you likely don’t imagine the complicated family dynamic going on at the North Pole. With impressive animation, and a hilarious and heartfelt script, Arthur Christmas is a unique take on the mythology of Santa Claus
2. It’s A Wonderful Life
It has been a classic for as long as I can remember, and that’s not about to change. It’s A Wonderful Life might be longer than most can set aside the time for, but it remains one of the best films about the season that’s somehow as stressful as it is magical.
3. Scrooged
This retelling of A Christmas Carol stands out above and beyond the rest. Its witty approach to the story of Ebenezer Scrooge sets you up for an emotional conclusion that catches you off guard, shifting from sarcastic to sincere in a burst of Christmas spirit.
4. The Holiday
This film about two home swapping single women looking to escape the frustrating men in their lives was ahead of its time. It’s a two-in-one romantic comedy that’s a must-watch for men and women alike, if only for its blueprint on how not to be a terrible person.
5. Elf
While Rudolph had a shiny nose, Buddy the Elf was about four times the size of his adopted father. Watching the comedic antics of Will Ferrel traversing the streets of New York is endlessly entertaining.
6. Charlie Brown Christmas
It’s the happiest time of the year, but what does it all mean? Charlie Brown provides a much-needed proxy for those who might be struggling to connect with the end of year jubilation. At just 25 minutes, it’s a short and sweet classic for the whole family.
7. The Nightmare Before Christmas
There’s no better depiction of the wonder of Christmas, than the king of Halloweentown’s soliloquy in song once he sees snow for the first time. It’s stop-motion Rudolph, with a Gothic twist, results in a very merry musical.
8. Love Actually
With so many stories in Love Actually you’re bound to connect with at least one. It’s romance in a myriad of forms that gets to the heart of what makes Christmas a joyous, love-filled occasion.
9. Almost Christmas
Few holiday films like to deal with the death of a loved one, but Almost Christmas manages to do so with heart-warming earnestness. Danny Glover makes the movie as the patriarch trying to keep the festivities alive after losing his dear departed wife.
10 . Last Holiday
Only Queen Latifah could make a film about a terminally diagnosed protagonist as hilarious as she does. With only a few weeks left to live, her character decides to go out on her own terms, taking the holiday vacation of a lifetime.
11 . Klaus
You know the story of Santa, but how did it all begin? Klaus explores how the legend came to be, with a sweet and endearing tale that’s a reminder of how impactful an act of selflessness can be.
12. Violent Night
It’s never a good idea to be naughty at Christmas, but it’s especially worse in Violent Night. For those looking for a more mature film with eye-popping action, you can catch this one on the big screen this season