A lot is different about the holiday season this year. Still, one thing remains the same: from the moment you finished Thanksgiving dinner until the ball drops at midnight on December 31, it's officially the time of year for binge-watching too many movies! At times, they're inspiring, and others, delightfully campy and absurd. From heartwarming classics to quirky 90s comedies, here are some of our staff's favorite movies to watch during the holiday season. So grab your favorite blanket and warm beverage, and curl up with one of these movies from your Library!
The Muppets Christmas Carol
Enjoy the classic Dickens' tale with a musical Muppets twist!
Love Actually
Following nine intertwined stories with an all-star ensemble, Love Actually is arguably one of the most well-known holiday romance films. With its cheeky British humor and touching storylines, it's no wonder that this film is a yearly favorite!
Best Man Holiday
Playing off and poking at many seasonal tropes, Best Man Holiday is a character-driven comedy-drama that follows a group of friends reuniting at Christmas after 15 years.
It's a Wonderful Life
When someone says "Christmas movie," you probably think of It's a Wonderful Life. Released in 1947, this inspirational story about how one life has the power to affect others has become a much-beloved classic.
Christmas with the Kranks
When Luther and Nora Krank plan to skip Christmas for a Caribbean cruise and upset their neighbor's chance to win the "best-decorated street" contest, the Kranks soon find themselves social outcasts. Based on the novel "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham.
Scrooged
The 1988 take on A Christmas Carol filled with Bill Murray's humor and charm.
Jingle All the Way
When a workaholic dad played by Arnold Schwarzenegger vows to get his son the most popular (and sold out) toy for Christmas, he must travel all over town, overcome absurd obstacles, and compete with a rival father (Sinbad) in this campy family Christmas flick.
Home Alone
In this quintessential 90's children adventure, Kevin, an 8-year-old troublemaker, is accidentally left behind when his family travels abroad for Christmas. When he finds out that bandits are planning to rob his neighborhood, it's up to Kevin to protect his home.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
This 1965 TV special based on the Peanuts comic strip is a wholesome Christmas classic. The story's simple and straightforward charm makes this film any easy, and beloved rewatch year after year.
Die Hard
Whether or not you think Die Hard is a Christmas film, it's definitely become a winter action classic.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Ah yes, the age-old debate of whether The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween or Christmas movie. Well, why not both!
Hogfather
It's the holiday of Hogswatch in the parallel universe of Discworld (Terry Pratchett's fantasy comedy), and the Hogfather has gone missing! While far from a traditional Christmas tale, it's "hilarious, charming, and includes a very charismatic grim reaper."
The Santa Clause
After a divorced dad accidentally knocks Santa off his roof, he and his son are magically transported to the North Pole, where he learns he must become the next Santa. Heartwarming and funny with a touch of magic, it's a great film to watch with the family year after year.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss's wonderful children's story can be a bit edgy at times but still retains the original's endearing story. Jim Carrey brings his particular flair to the role of the Grinch, creating a unique and outlandish adaptation. If you're more of a fan of one of the other adaptions, you can find those here.
A Christmas Story
Another amusing children's adventure classic, A Christmas Story, follows the hijinks and exploits of young Ralphie leading up to Christmas Day as narrated by his older self.
Gremlins
This 80s Spielberg film has it all: Christmas, horror, and ghoulish shenanigans making it arguably the best non-Christmas Christmas movie we have! (If you ask Kori, at least)
And last but certainly not least, our staff's most suggested holiday movie:
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, but as in all things, nothing goes as planned. Filled with absurd mishaps, silly antics, and just the right of heartwarming sentimentality -- this Christmas comedy is bound to make you smile.
If your favorite holiday movie didn't make the list, don't worry -- you can browse more seasonal flicks on our online catalog!
Image by Claire Dela Cruz from Pixabay