Elf (2003)
In this Christmas comedy, Buddy the Elf played by Will Ferrell, lands on Santa’s door step in the North Pole as an infant. Santa and Mrs. Claus then decide to take him under their wing and raise him as one of the elves. As Buddy begins to grow, he begins to notice that he is not like the others; he is not short in stature nor does he have any other similar characteristics that his fellow elves have. As he realizes something is wrong, he begins to understand that he is indeed a human and not an elf! After this revelation, he goes on an unforgettable quest to New York City searching for the Mr. Scrooge of businessmen, Walter Hobbs, whom is his father. With his charming and enthusiastic Christmas Spirit, Buddy teaches the people of New York what it means to truly believe.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
This Christmas Classic truly captures the essence of the holiday season. The Grinch, played by Jim Carrey, floats down in a basket as an infant one Christmas eve to two older women. He was then raised by them, but when he enters his school years he is not likely received by the other children of Whoville; he was unlike them because of his green furry appearance. The children began to make a cruel mockery of him one Christmas because he fell for the popular girl in class, Martha May Whovier. The Grinch finally could not take it anymore so he began to destroy Christmas from that day forward. After years of many destructive holiday seasons, Cindy Lou Who, a young girl turns his world upside down as she makes the people of Whoville see the good in the Grinch. Infectious as Cindy is, the Grinch’s heart begins to grow and grow and grow!
The Family Stone (2005)
Everyone has been through meeting their significant other’s family; Meredith Morton faces meeting her boyfriend, Everett Stone’s, family over an eventful Christmas week in Connecticut. Being a perfectionist and uptight business woman, Meredith invites her sister, Julie, to come along to help Meredith’s meeting a little easier. Although this seems like a fantastic idea at the time, her stay with his family soon turns into a relentless attempt to prove that she is not an emotionless and mean person that she is coming off as. This holiday movie demonstrates what it takes to be a family and accept another into one’s home during the happiest time of the year.
A Christmas Carol (1938)
Not everyone is ready and able to get into the Christmas spirit, especially the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge. Ebenezer is constantly in avid opposition of Christmas and often mistreats his employee Bob Cratchit because of it. Bob, being a family man, values Christmas and spending time with his children during it. One night when Ebenezer tries to go to sleep, he is visited by a former business partner and friend, Jacob Marley. Marley discusses how he will be met with three Christmas spirits who will impact him forever. These spirits show Ebenezer what it is like to be compassionate and open up his well-locked heart.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Miracle on 34th Street is a timeless classic for all ages. In this movie, an older gentleman claims to be Kris Kringle and decides to take a drunken Santa’s place in Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade. After he was such a hit, he starts to make regular appearances at the main store that resides in Manhattan. He continues to inspire people to get into the Christmas spirit regardless of many questioning his mental health. Because of his enthusiasm and insistence on his belief of being the real Santa Claus a court case ensues to determine his authenticity.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Who doesn’t love the Peanuts? In this Charlie Brown film, Charlie Brown prepares for the Christmas season although it is not the same this year. He is upset and doesn’t feel as excited as he normally is because everyone around him is celebrating for all the wrong reasons; materialism. Lucy suggests that Charlie directs the Christmas play where he accepts and quickly faces a multitude of problems including a small flimsy Christmas tree. In this film, Charlie learns from Linus what the true meaning of Christmas is.
Home Alone (1990)
It would not be the holiday season without a little family mishap. In this timeless classic, Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, is the eight year old outcast in his large family. The night before the McCallister family is planned to leave for their trip to Paris, he acts out and is then sent upstairs to think about his mistakes. When morning hits, the family is met with chaos as the alarm meant to wake them up for their trip has been disconnected. In the rush to get everyone together along with their belongings, they forget Kevin. Kevin, in bittersweet happiness that he finally got rid of his family, suddenly then realizes that being by himself is not everything he thought when he is met with two criminals who plan on robbing his family’s home.
Bad Santa (2003)
Bad Santa is a film that portrays the dark side of Christmas mishaps. Willie T. Stokes, a drunken con man played by Billy Bob Thornton, works as a Santa in a mall every year. Each year him and his elf Marcus come up and stage elaborate plans to rob a laundry list of stores. This year, they plan to rob a mall in a suburb of Arizona. However, their plan is foiled as they get distracted by a seductive large woman, a bartender who is obsessed with Santas, a young kid, and a security guard who wants in on their plan. This film is a perfect portrayal of a lost man finding hope during the Christmas season.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
In this classic Christmas film, George Bailey played by James Stewart, is a family man who feels challenged and tied down to his community due to all of his obligations. He feels like he never did anything for himself, and wishes he was never born. Because of his ill thoughts, an angel played by Henry Travers, is sent to him to take him on a journey to show him how many lives he has impacted and how without him they would be much different. The angel shows him how his life has actually been one that he should be grateful for.
A Christmas Story (1984)
“You’ll shoot you’re eye out” is the most famous line in this timeless Christmas film. Ralphie, a nine year old boy, wants nothing but a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB Gun. His mother immediately is against this request because she believes he will lose his eye because of it. His family of four faces numerous short comings while the entire Christmas season he can only fantasize about what it would be like to receive his BB gun. This Christmas film capture’s the childhood essence of what it is like to want something your parents don’t think is a smart choice.
image credits: It’s a Wonderful Life
