It’s that time of the year when the air is filled with magic. As the Holidays approach our binge list changes to festive movies that we can enjoy with the whole family, with our gang of friends, or alone. From two love-worn women swapping places to a Nick that’s no saint, here are five Christmas movies for any mood.
Musical: Spirited
The credit for bringing Will Ferell back to the Christmas movie genre goes to last year’s Spirited. The Apple TV feature is a modern retelling of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. The film stars Ferrell as the current Ghost of Christmas Present along with Ryan Reynolds as Clint Briggs, an unredeemable soul. As The Ghost of Christmas Present nears retirement, which would mean a return to Earth, he sets his eyes on Briggs, though things take a turn when the latter ends up helping the Ghost come to terms with his own past. The movie is full of surprising twists and turns along with Reynolds and Ferrell singing and dancing at the most opportune moments. The movie also features Octavia Spencer, Sunita Mani, Patrick Page, Marlow Barkley, and Tracy Morgan.
Comedy: A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas
Two stoners going around the town makes for an incredible film but when it’s Harold and Kumar going around the town to find a Christmas tree, it makes for A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas. The movie reunites the fan-favorite stoner buddies in a different stage of life in 2011 where Harold has given up smoking and has an established career and relationship while Kumar has been kicked out of Medical school. The two reunite for an adventurous night out as Harold accidentally sets his father-in-law’s Christmas tree on fire and it needs to be replaced before anyone finds out. The feature brings back John Cho, and Kal Penn along with Danny Trejo, Danneel Harris, Neil Patrick Harris, and more.
Action: Violent Night
It’s a Christmas feature on the naughty side, starring David Harbour as Santa, the movie makes a point that this Nick is no saint! The action comedy sees a family taken hostage by an elite team of mercenaries on Christmas Eve. When the young girl from the family asks Santa for help, he turns out to be a surprise combatant with a Viking past, someone mercenaries weren’t ready for. The movie is full of action with running themes of love, kindness, and magic.
Family: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
What are holiday movies without Grinch? Ron Howard’s Christmas fantasy comedy based on Dr. Seuss’s 1957 children’s book of the same name, is loved for Jim Carrey’s portrayal of the eponymous cynical character. The movie follows the Grinch, a sour, solitary creature with a heart “two sizes too small.” When he’s annoyed by Whoville’s noisy Christmas festivities for years, he hatches a plan to pose as Santa and steal it for good. The movie is full of sarcastic remarks and heartfelt comedy that makes a good watch for fans across age groups.
Rom-Com: The Holiday
Directed by Nancy Meyers, The Holiday is a heartfelt tale of love and coping with life as we see Cameron Diaz as Amanda and Kate Winslet as Iris, swapping homes to escape heartbreak during the Christmas and holiday season. However, things change when they meet their destiny on the way. The story set in a fortnight sees them connecting to others and making new friends despite their loveless lives and ultimately finding peace. The movie also features Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach, and many more.
