It’s that time of year again. The time when people get a little crazier, when Mariah Carey gets played on repeat from every speaker for miles around, and when binging on Christmas movies becomes everyone’s favourite pastime. Grab a blanket, a cup of hot chocolate, and get ready to watch everything from The Santa Clause to Die Hard. These are the best movies by genre to binge-watch this month.
Hallmark
1. The Princess Switch (2018)
Watch it for: Corny Christmas fun, Vanessa Hudgens’ English accent and the Netflix in-joke. The acting isn’t bad and the ending is exactly as you’d expect.
2. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzvmNhNBsfE
Watch it for: Kurt Russell as Santa. It’s similar to The Santa Clause, with hints of Elf and Bad Santa. Not quite as family-friendly as you’d assume, but not a bad movie at all!
3. A Christmas Prince (2017)
Watch it for: A good laugh and a cure for your FOMO. This was so popular on Netflix last year that it got a sequel! If you love The Prince and Me, you’ll probably love this.
4. The Holiday Calendar (2018)
Watch it for: A predictable love triangle and some Christmas magic. Oh, and let’s not forget the lovable Ron Cephas Jones who plays Abby’s grandad.
5. Christmas Inheritance (2017)
Watch it for: A small town called Snow Falls, the “true meaning of Christmas” and an awful love story. In other words, exactly what you look for in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Rom-Com
6. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)
Watch it for: Laughs, a killer soundtrack, and to restore your faith in true love. If you haven’t seen this yet, you haven’t lived. Please watch it immediately.
7. The Holiday (2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhLVOrUYCjI
Watch it for: The all-star cast whose stories you can’t help but get invested in. It’s written by Nancy Meyers (basically the Queen of Rom-Com), which I think says it all.
8. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmSpCLefjnw
Watch it for: Meg Ryan at her finest. Everyone remembers that scene, but it’s the love story and the New Year’s Eve declaration that stick with me.
9. Love, Actually (2003)
Watch it for: A very British Christmas. Love is complicated, but through the lives of different characters we see that it’s totally worth the fuss. Oh, and it’s what Christmas is all about.
10. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Watch it for: A beautiful romance between Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. It’s also set at Christmas and stars Peter Boyle, the sarcastic, cranky grandpa from Everybody Loves Raymond.
Comedy
11. Elf (2003)
Watch it for: Arguably Will Ferrell’s best acting, Christmas overload, and Zooey Deschanel as a blonde! One of the modern Christmas classics.
12. How the Grinch Who Stole Christmas (2000)
Watch it for: Belly laughs and nostalgia. Awfully relatable as an adult, and who wouldn’t want to see Jim Carey riding (and crashing) a toddler car, causing an explosion so large it can be seen from space?
13. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Watch it for: Your parents. They probably loved this movie. You can also rest easy knowing that at least your Christmas won’t be this bad.
14. Home for the Holidays (1995)
Watch it for: A young Robert Downey Jr. and Claire Danes, supported by the ultimate ‘90s babe, Dylan McDermott. This was also directed by Jodie Foster!
15. Christmas With the Kranks (2004)
Watch it for: A distraction. Honestly, this isn’t a great movie, but sometimes you just want to watch something Christmassy or play something in the background at family gatherings.
Family
16. A Christmas Carol (1999)
Watch it for: A wholesome Christmas experience. Sir Patrick Stewart nails the role of Scrooge, and the spirit of Christmas Yet to Come is scary enough to prove its point.
17. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo5OmGDjZEQ
Watch it for: The lovely storyline and the brilliant cast. Richard Attenborough truly shines in this beautiful film. #IBelieve.
18. The Santa Clause (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z-JOub8Q0E
Watch it for: A surprisingly sweet and funny tale with the cutest supporting cast. This is the original Christmas Chronicles.
19. Home Alone (1990)
Watch it for: Childhood nostalgia. While the plot lacks believability, Kevin’s contraptions are extremely creative. Two words: iconic movie.
20. The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
Watch it for: An interesting follow-up to the original. If you loved, The Santa Clause, you’ll find the sequel equally enjoyable.
21. Home Alone 2 (1992)
Watch it for: A continuation of Home Alone, set in a different location. I had a Talkboy, but I was never this creative with it! You’ve got to love Kevin for that.
Animation
22. The Polar Express (2004)
Watch it for: Tom Hanks’ versatility. Did you know he played six roles in this movie? This could also be Christmas animation at its finest.
23. The Snowman (1982)
Watch it for: The soundtrack. Even though you may not like classical music, you’ll shed a tear in the closing scenes of The Snowman. It’s that powerful.
24. Shrek the Halls (2007)
Watch it for: A dose of the Shrek cast. I don’t know about you, but I’m seriously bummed that they aren’t making any more Shrek movies. Satisfy your craving with this short film.
25. Arthur Christmas (2011)
Watch it for: A look at Aardman’s work (post-Wallace and Gromit) and their take on the spirit of Christmas. Lots of lessons to be learnt in this movie, for children and adults.
26. The Grinch (2018)
Watch it for: A cast you didn’t see coming. Pharrell Williams is the narrator, Benedict Cumberbatch does the voice of The Grinch, and the mayor of Whoville is voiced by Angela Lansbury. Seriously!
Action
27. Die Hard (1988)
Watch it for: Bruce Willis’ one liners. There’s not much Christmassy about this flick, but it does take place at Christmas and it has the great Alan Rickman in it, so I’ll allow it.
28. Lethal Weapon (1987)
Watch it for: Action tied to Christmas themes. Yes, there are explosions, murders and drug-smuggling, but in the end, the story’s really about a lonely man who finds a family.
29. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
Watch it for: Australian James Bond in Switzerland. Think Christmas trees, mind control and ski chases. Despite its age, the movie actually holds up quite well.
30. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm2QHKByRQQ
Watch it for: Geena Davis. She’s probably the most badass female spy you’ll ever see, and she’s supported by Samuel L. Jackson. Disclaimer: don’t watch if you hate bloody violence.
Whether you’re into classics like A Christmas Carol or more of a romantic a la Bridget Jones, this list rounds up the best Christmas movies around. Embrace the Christmas spirit and cosy up with your favourite flicks while it’s still socially acceptable!
Have I missed your favourite Christmas movies? Let me know in the comments below! Follow @empoweredmillennialgirl on Instagram and Pinterest to get daily tips, inspo and motivation on your feed.
Merry Christmas!
Grace x
