I must be crazy: It is only November and I am choosing to write an article about Christmas movies. Whoops. I mean I truly had a struggle thinking of what I wanted to write about this time around. Top 10 foods to eat during Thanksgiving? My picky self eats corn, bread, and lasagna for this holiday so I doubt I would even make it to a top 5. What are my plans come winter break? If I am being honest, I have some exciting things planned, but then if I do that then I am just taking away my options come next semester (where I will have to write two articles per month). How my first semester at the Ville went? Well, I’m still here so that means something must be going well. So now with all those options drained out, and having the semester end at the beginning of December, why the heck not.
The following list is in no particular order of favoritism.
I will be seen watching all of them at some point within the next few weeks leading up to Christmas.
You should watch them too.
1. A Year Without a Santa Clause
If you read my last article, you already knew this one was going to be listed at some point since my favorite holiday characters are the one and only Miser Brothers (Actually just Heat Miser, but I’ll give them both credit since both their songs are jams). Do I sometimes just skip through the movie to any scenes with them? Yes. Am I ashamed to admit it? No. But all jokes (not really) aside, this is such a good holiday watch for the entire family. If you have ever wondered what would happen if Santa wasn’t feeling up to it and decided to cancel Christmas, as I know we all think about, then this movie is the perfect creation for you. This movie takes us on a journey as Mrs. Clause and two elves named Jingle and Jangle (clever names, right?) embark on a mission to get the world back into the holiday spirit and reawaken their love for Christmas. And even if this plot sounds boring to you, still watch it for it for the Miser Brothers.
2. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Before I begin, I must state this loud and clear that I am talking specifically about the live action one. Sorry Benedict Cumberbatch and whoever voiced the original cartoon grinch, Jim Carrey is where it’s at. No hate towards them, but this version is just too iconic to compare. For those of you who don’t know about this film (which I hope you all do), this movie is about, well, the Grinch and how he stole Christmas. It’s basically all in the name. Anyway, this certain film takes the audience into his whole backstory and how this character became his living in solitaire grump and how him and his dog, Max, “team-up” to foil the Christmas plans of the Whos down in Whoville. That all changes, however, when Cindy Lou Who works to change his spirit (Go Cindy!). Hilarious? Yes. Worth watching? Of course! I don’t know how anyone can hate this absolute masterpiece of a Christmas movie. Unless if you are like the Grinch and despise Christmas, then you can always just watch this movie and take inspiration for your next holiday heist (This sentence is just a joke. No, I am not encouraging you to attempt a holiday heist).
3. Elf
I think I would be a fake writer if I didn’t include the movie Elf on my list. It is just a staple Christmas movie. Plus, who doesn’t love Will Farrell? This film takes us on a journey about Buddy, a human, who was brought to the North Pole as a baby and raised to adulthood by Santa’s elves. It is no shock or surprise that Buddy was a little different from the others (he literally towers over them), so after learning the truth and who his actual father is, Buddy travels to New York to reunite with him. After a rocky start, and a DNA test of course, a relationship began to form between the man and man-child. This is such a classic movie and a must needed watch during the holidays. And if you are ever feeling a little adventurous, make sure you find time to eat his classic spaghetti, syrup, and candy creation. You (possibly) won’t regret it. (I’ve tried spaghetti with syrup before inspired by this movie and I won’t lie to you, it was surprisingly good).
4. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Bumble, Hermie, Yukon Cornelius, The Land of Misfit Toys: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is such a top tiered film come the holidays, everyone needs to watch it. After being born with a shiny red-nose (we all know the song), Rudolph is considered an outsider and gets laughed at by all the other reindeers and even by Santa…WHAT?! Santa too?? Shocker. Because of this, he feels down in the dumps and decides to run away. His journey was going to be solo, that is until he met Hermie, a wanna-be dentist elf who doesn’t fit in with his crowd of people either. Together, the two adventure off to a misfit land where they believe they would soon fit in. Along the way they meet new friends, and in the end Rudolph is the one who saves Christmas. This movie also has some solid musical numbers throughout which are great too.
5. The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat
I am of course saving the absolute best for last since this is my number one favorite thing to watch during the holiday seasons. I know what you are thinking…Christine I have never heard of this in my life. Or, Christine what does this film have anything to do with Christmas (since it doesn’t). Or even better, you choose to list this “movie” instead of something people ACTUALLY know like Home Alone. Yes. Yes I did. And I will tell you why. We all know and love the Grinch, and we also all know and love the Cat in the Hat. Polar opposites of one another. Now imagine you bring two icons the world loves together into one film. That is this film. This is something I will only be seen watching in the month of December (don’t ask why because I don’t know) and is a yearly tradition (with just myself) that I love doing. This 25 minute masterpiece of a film can be in the palm of your hands after a simple and quick YouTube search. Give it a try. You’ll either love it, like me, or you might of just wasted 25 minutes of your life, as my siblings would say every time I play this on the TV.
Now, if you don’t watch any of these movies I won’t be fully mad at you, but you definitely will be missing out on cinematic talent if you choose not too.
Yes, Yes. I know there are lots more holiday movies to watch to get you into the holiday spirit including Frosty the Snowman (specifically the one with Jack Frost), The Little Drummer Boy (my dad’s personal favorite), ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (my mom’s favorite), The Polar Express (Live, Love, Tom Hanks), and so much more! These 5 just stand higher above any of the other ones on my list.
And now, just because, I want to take a short detour to give the two best parents out there a shout out. While though it isn’t a full article about you guys (sorry dad), in the spirit of the actual upcoming holiday I just wanted to end this November article of mine by giving you two the biggest thanks ever for all you do for me<3🦃🧡🍂
Happy (Almost) Thanksgiving everyone…
Gobble Gobble!
:) Christine