In my mind, December is the time for heart-warming movies, belly-warming beverages, and waistline-bulging treats. I’m sure everyone has their favorites, but if you find yourself with hot chocolate in one hand and cookies in the other, but nothing to watch, don’t worry; I have you covered. After years of first-hand research, I’ve finally compiled the perfect list of Christmas favorites sure to get you in the holiday spirit. So, throw some cookies in the oven and grab your coziest of blankets because December is finally here and I’ve got a great, big list of holiday must-sees to supplement your merry movie marathons.
12. Krampus (2015)
“Like he had for thousands of years, Krampus came not to reward, but to punish. Not to give, but to take.”
It isn’t a proper Of Joy That Kills movie list if I’m not allowed to sneak in at least one offering from the horror genre. A dark comedy loosely inspired the Austro-Bavarian, anthropomorphic creature of the same name, Krampus, though imperfect, holds a special place in my heart. As dysfunctions quickly drain the Christmas spirit from the Engel family gathering, young Max finally loses all hope and throws his torn-up letter to Santa out the window. Little does he know that in abandoning his family’s last shred of holiday spirit, he’s unwittingly summoned Krampus, a demonic goat-man tasked with punishing all who turn their back on Christmas. So, if you’re looking for something to toss you between jump-scares and laughs, this is the Christmas film for you.
11. The Night Before (2015)
“Three wise men. One wild Christmas.”
The Night Before is the tale of three childhood friends and their yearly search for the most-epic Christmas Eve party in NYC. When Ethan loses his parents in a tragic car crash as a child, his best friends, Chris and Isaac, vow to spend every Christmas Eve together. Years later, Chris and Isaac agree that it is time to put this tradition in the past. Ethan, on the other hand, is not quite ready. As they set out in search of the highly exclusive Nutcracker Ball, hijinks ensue and secrets are revealed. Despite struggle and tensions, Christmas wins in this poignant buddy-buddy comedy.
10. Love Actually (2003)
“If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.”
I’ve been known to watch Love Actually regardless of season, but this beloved rom-com definitely works best as a Christmas movie. Love Actually (for that odd 0.01% that hasn’t watched it) is a collection of nine intertwining films focusing on love in all its nuances. Set primarily in London, this film boasts an all-star cast including Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Kira Knightly, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and even Andrew Lincoln (before he changed his name to Rick for the zombie apocalypse). If you haven’t watched this feel-good love fest, then give in and watch it already. If you have, then feel free to join me in re-watching it for the umpteenth time.
9. The Santa Clause (1994)
“Scott Calvin must become Santa. No if or ands…Just one big butt.”
Back in the 90s when Tim Allen was the US’s go-to funny man, he was ever so kind as to gift the world with several Christmas movies to binge through the holidays. The best of these by far is The Santa Claus. Allen plays Scott Calvin, a divorced dad who accidentally kills Santa, resulting in an extremely comedic transformation as he prepares to take over jolly ol’ Nick’s job. A light, family favorite, this film is sure to lift your holiday mood.
8. White Christmas (1954)
“May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white.”
Even if you hate old-timey musical rom-coms, there is a strong chance you’ll at the very least like White Christmas. A classic for a reason, White Christmas center on two friends and former soldiers who become successful entertainers and producers after WWII. Suddenly smitten with two singing and dancing sisters, they follow them to Vermont, where love eventually roosts. If that doesn’t tempt you, then watching Bing Crosby sing about how he’s “dreaming of a white Christmas” should certainly be enough to temp you into watching the film. If that doesn’t get you in the Christmas mood, then nothing will.
7. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes around with ‘a Merry Christmas’ on his lips would be cooked with his own turkey and buried with a stake of holly through his heart!”
There are countless on-screen interpretations of Charles Dickens’ classic novel, A Christmas Carol, out there, and certainly, everyone has their own favorite. Critics are particularly fond of the 1951 version, Scrooge, and 80s babies have a particular fondness for Bill Murray in Scrooged, but me, I absolutely, without a doubt can’t help but love the Muppets version of the tale. As such, Michael Caine will forever be my Scrooge and a small, stuffed frog will always be my Tiny Tim. The truth, however, is that whatever your favorite Christmas Carol iteration is, Christmas isn’t Christmas without it.
6. Elf (2003)
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
Without a doubt, Elf is a modern masterpiece of comedic Christmas glory and I may forever be grateful to Will Ferrell for bringing to life Buddy, the Christmas Elf. In this holiday gem, a human orphan grows up in the North Pole thinking he’s an elf. Eventually, he can’t help but realize that he’s human after all, and thus, travels to NY in search of his biological father. Discovering a world direly low on Christmas spirit, it’s up to Buddy to save Christmas and finally find his proper place amongst both humans and elves.
5. Arthur Christmas (2011)
“You were right, Arthur! It doesn’t matter how Santa’s gift gets there! … Just as long as it gets there!”
This animated Christmas story presents yet another unlikely hero and his quest to save Christmas. This time, our hero is Arthur, Santa’s clumsy, outcast son. A laugh-out-loud struggle between high-tech modernity and old school simplicity comes to a head as Arthur finds himself trying to deliver one last, misplaced gift during the last two hours of Christmas. So, if you’re feeling bogged down by the modern, technological world, let Arthur take you back to a time of simple joys and everyday heroes.
4. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
“I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn’t have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don’t know what Christmas is all about.”
Every year, when I set out to find the perfect Christmas tree, I find myself thinking of Charlie Brown and remembering that Christmas is about more than just
3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
“Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to. Don’t you see? It’s not just Kris that’s on trial, it’s everything he stands for. It’s kindness and joy and love and all the other intangibles.”
When the Macy’s store Santa goes around claiming to be the true Mr. Kringle, the jolly old man comes dangerously close to landing in an insane asylum. Thus, begins an improbabl court trial, meant to save the harmless old Kris by proving that he is, in fact, father Christmas. This classic Christmas tale (and you really should watch the ’47 version instead of the ’94 one) is all about Santa saving the world from the dark perils modern-day cynicism. Like most Christmas movies, this one is about believing in the things you can’t see, and not letting yourself get distracted by all the shiny gifts and lights this holiday season.
2. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
It’s easy to fall into the holiday blues and that’s the central plot of It’s a Wonderful Life. George finds himself down on his luck, far from his dreams, and ultimately wishing he w
1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
“He puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!”
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas has jumped from page to screen in several iterations to date, but the 26 minute animated special from 1966 is certainly the most beloved of the bunch. This timeless Christmas classic is sure to make any shriveled, grumpy heart grow at least 10 times in size. So, if you’re looking for something, short, sweet and uplifting, then the archetypal battle between a grumpy Grinch and some care-free Whovians is sure to fit the bill.
Do you have a favorite holiday film that did or didn’t make this list? Let me know what you’re watching this December. I’ll just be here in some Christmas PJs, drinking Glühwein and eating my weight’s worth in Plätzchen.
