Whenever you choose to start celebrating the holidays, whether that is the first day of November, immediately after Thanksgiving, or even in early December, it is undeniable that Christmas isn’t complete until the TV is switched on to a magical Christmas movie. Such a movie must exemplify key qualities, or risk being absorbed into the swarms of Hallmark soap operas with identical plots and characters. Humor is necessary to make the reader feel the joy of the season. Without humor, a movie is bound to be bland and lacks the capacity to truly be enjoyable. Also critical is versatility; good Christmas movies have elements within them that appeal to both children and adults in order for them to be enjoyed with loved ones of all ages, as Christmas movies should be enjoyed. Finally, I’d argue that all top-tier Christmas movies must emphasize the importance of family—be that a chosen or genetically linked family. Using these three criteria to evaluate the quality of the wide array of Christmas films, three incredible movies stood out from the noise.
Clinching the third spot is A Christmas Story, which tells the tale of a family’s Christmas holiday through the lens of adult Ralphie, the older son in the family. The movie brings unique elements of nostalgia to the table, as it was produced in 1983, and portrays a family Christmas in a remarkably heartwarming and realistic way. The film appeals to both adults and children alike, as young Ralphie serves as the main character while adult Ralphie narrates his childhood experiences from an adult lens. This creates a distinct dynamic in the film, as the movie features the childhood whimsy of an elementary school child alongside the mature reflections of an adult, which is sure to appeal to all. The movie also incorporates humor masterfully in hilarious scenes,such as when the father displays his leg-lamp in the window. To tie it all together, a clear theme about the importance of family to the holidays is present throughout the movie, although it is certainly less clear and sappy than my other top movies.
Second on my list is Elf, which has been long established as a beloved classic and tells the story of a human, Buddy, raised as a North Pole elf who journeys into human society in search of his father. Buddy, portrayed by Will Ferrell, perfectly exemplifies the joyful Christmas spirit, all while also bringing incredible humor to the film. This movie aces the theme category as well, with Buddy’s father acting as a real-life Scrooge who experiences a remarkable character arc throughout the movie; he initially rejects Buddy and the Christmas spirit, but grows to embrace both by the end of the movie. Children and adults alike will enjoy Buddy’s childlike humor and enthusiasm for the holidays, which is undeniably contagious. The theme of family and the spirit of believing in Christmas make it an ideal choice for the holidays. With Buddy’s humor paired with heartfelt themes of family, it is an excellent movie to enjoy this Christmas season.
Home Alone is undoubtedly the top Christmas movie of all, as it captures perfectly all of the established criteria. The movie uses humor impeccably, especially through iconic moments like Kevin’s booby trapping of the house. This humor creates a feeling of joyousness throughout the film. Beyond humor, however, Home Alone includes a well-developed character arc and a meaningful theme about appreciating your family. Although Kevin resents his family at the beginning of the movie, by the end he’s extremely grateful for them, and vice-versa. Such a theme about love and family is perfect for the Christmas season. The combination of silly humor and heartwarming familial love also helps the movie appeal to all age demographics; children will laugh endlessly at Kevin’s outsmarting of the thieves while adults will appreciate the life lesson that both Kevin and his family learn about appreciating your loved ones. As a whole, Home Alone is an incredible movie that is perfect to enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate and your family or friends this holiday season.
