It’s below 30 degrees with snowflakes fluttering down outside your window. Under those thick winter blankets of yours, you cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate thinking about what movie you should watch. With the winter season and holiday feels, you can never go wrong with classic holiday movie. Cozy up in your softest sweatshirt and enjoy the five most popular holiday classics.
Home Alone 1 & 2
We’re counting these as one because they’re that good. The Home Alone film series features the adventures of a young boy by the name of Kevin McCallister. There are five movies in the series, and in the first two films, Kevin gets left behind as his family goes on vacation. While home alone, he learns to protect himself from two burglars through a series of tricks and mischief planted in and outside of the house.
Elf
Elf is an American Christmas comedy film that stars Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, James Caan as Walter Hobbs, Buddy’s biological father, Bob Newhart as Papa Elf, Ed Asner as Santa Claus and Zooey Deschanel as Jovie, Buddy’s love interest. Buddy is a grown man who is convinced that he is one of Santa’s elves. When he learns that his biological father lives in New York City and that he isn’t a real elf, he goes on an adventure to find not only his father, but also his own identity. While doing so, he finds love and helps spread Christmas cheer to those who have forgotten the true meaning of the holiday.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Based on the children’s book of the same name, the live action adaptation is the highest-grossing holiday film of all time at $345,141,403 worldwide. All of the Whos in Whoville have a deep love for Christmas, sharing joy and happiness with everyone around, except for the Grinch played by Jim Carrey. As he tries to ruin Christmas for all of those around him, the Grinch learns to take the hatred in his heart toward Christmas and change it to love and kindness. That couldn’t be done without Cindy Lou (Taylor Momsen), a little girl who tries to bring Christmas spirit back to Whoville.
Santa Clause (film series)
Starring Tim Allen, the film follows Scott Calvin’s journey of fulfilling the role of Santa Claus after accidentally killing the previous. A majority of the story takes place in the North Pole with his son Charlie as he juggles keeping his situation on the down-low from his ex wife. In the second film, Scott faces the problem of having to find a Mrs. Claus before time runs out and he’s no longer Santa. In the third film, Scott is put up against Jack Frost, who is jealous that he does not have a holiday after himself. With overall discussions from the other holiday figures, Santa Claus has to battle Frost and his plans for taking over the North Pole.
The Polar Express
Based off of the Caldecott Medal winning children’s picture book of the same name, The Polar Express follows a young boy who boards a mysterious train to the the Santa’s estate at the North Pole. Throughout the beautifully animated film, the boy struggles with believing in Santa and the idea that growing up means letting go of his childhood sense of wonder. After conversing with ghosts, venturing through Santa’s workshop and receiving a sleigh bell as the first gift of Christmas, the boy finally learns you don’t need to be a child to believe.
Story by Emily Kim
APN 