One of the most enjoyable things about the holidays is watching great movies! Here are 7 holiday movies — some classic, some more recent — that we love, and we think you will too. We’ll list them in alphabetical order:
A Christmas Carol (1951)
There have been a lot — and I mean a lot — of versions of A Christmas Carol, which is based on the novel by Charles Dickens. Heck, even The Muppets have given it a try! However, many people feel that the definitive version of A Christmas Carol is the 1951 movie starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserable old miser who is visited by three ghosts that warn him to change his ways.
A Christmas Story (1983)
All that 9-year-old Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB gun. That’s not too much to ask, is it? Apparently it is, because what Ralphie gets is one weird and wild experience after another in A Christmas Story. Although this movie was made in the 1980s, the setting is the 1950s when life was a lot simpler and slower. For many people, this is their absolute favorite holiday movie, and they watch it at least a few times each year (you’ll never forget the scene in the Chinese food restaurant!).
Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard is not the type of movie you’d expect on a must-see holiday movie list. However, you’ll realize it’s truly an iconic Christmas movie once you watch it. Tough New York City policeman John McLane (played by Bruce Willis) heads to Los Angeles to spend the holidays with his wife and kids. Sounds simple, right? Well, things take a total 180-degree turn when his wife and several others are taken hostage by a band of terrorists, and it’s up to him to save everyone. And to top it all off, he doesn’t even have any shoes on (you’ll find out why when you watch the movie!).
Elf (2003)
While Will Ferrell was hysterical in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (“Stay classy, San Diego”), many people feel that he’s even better in Elf. In this film, Buddy (played by Ferrell) discovers that he’s not an elf after all — he’s a human who as a baby was whisked away to the North Pole by accident. And so, he heads to New York City in search of his real father. It’s a very funny and sweet movie, and by the end of it, you’ll be cheering for Buddy to triumph!
Fun fact: The father of Laurence Cadieux, our Community Manager here at Devolutions, is actually the voice behind the French Canadian version of the snowman in the beginning of the movie. He gives the most iconic advice to Buddy : Oh, by the way, don't eat the yellow snow! Isn't it awesome? We think so!
Home Alone (1990)
Little 8-year-old Kevin (played by Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left home alone (hence the name of the film) by his family when they head to Paris for the holidays. That’s when two of the stupidest burglars in history show up and things get really nuts.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey (played by the legendary actor Jimmy Stewart) is at his wits’ end, and so he decides to end it all in It’s a Wonderful Life. That’s when his guardian angel pops up and shows him what life would really be like if he didn’t exist. This is a powerful movie with a very important message, which is that we have a much more profound impact on other people than we realize.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
The Griswold family decides to have a nice relaxing holiday at home. What could go wrong? In a word: everything! This movie is hilarious, and also heartwarming. Wait until you see the scene where Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) loses his mind at the end. You’ll be rolling on the floor laughing (so make sure there isn’t any LEGO down there, because that hurts!).
Your Turn
Please share your favorite holiday movies with the community, so that we can all have more great films to watch as we spend time with family and friends.