We all have our favourite holiday specials that most of us only feel comfortable watching when the weather gets cold and the shopping malls get crazy. Here are a few reasons why these flicks are superior to all the rest.
A Christmas Story like no other
A Christmas Story is hard to top when it comes to holiday flicks. It combines wit, adorable children, a mildly dysfunctional family, and a very sexual leg lamp to produce the most heart-warming, realistic, and charming Christmas tale ever told.
The story is narrated by the main character Ralph, and is about one Christmas during his childhood that he remembers most vividly. He wants nothing more than to receive a BB gun as a gift, but of course all the adults tell him, in the most comical ways, that he can’t have one because, and I quote, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.”
A Christmas Story isn’t just for kids. All ages will enjoy the shenanigans of Ralph and his friends, and you’re sure to be discussing Ralph’s infamous pink bunny footie pyjamas for years to come.
The movie’s lesson is a little hard to decipher because of all the unfortunate yet hilarious events that occur in this movie. What I get from it is: no family is perfect, kids will be kids, and the only thing that matters at Christmastime is loving the family you have regardless of your father’s cursing habit, your brother’s sloppy eating, and your mother’s cruel and unusual punishments—like washing Ralph’s mouth out with soap.
—Tori Dudys
The holidays are about family: The Family Stone
The Family Stone is not your average holiday movie. There is no Santa Claus and no “holiday magic.” In fact, the movie’s main focus isn’t the holiday season at all. Even though it takes place at Christmastime the main focus of the movie is family—and all the joy, as well as pain, that comes with it.
The most prominent reason this is my favourite holiday movie is that it perfectly encompasses what most people go through around the holidays. While many movies like to make it seem like the holidays are a time when everyone gets along, it usually tends to be the opposite. Crazy fights, unwanted visitors, conflicts that seem like they’ll never be solved—this is what Christmas tends to be full of. However, at the end of the day, everyone remembers how much they love their family, no matter how crazy and messed up they may be.
This movie is as heart-wrenching as it is heart-warming. It’ll have you laughing one moment and bawling the next. If there is one movie you watch this holiday season, I encourage it to be this one. It may not have all the holiday magic that some other holiday flicks do, but it will remind you of the best and most important part of the holidays: spending time with your crazy, loving family.
—Allegra Morgado
A Die Hard fan of this awesome holiday flick
“Now I have a machine gun. Ho Ho Ho.” What better line has been said in a holiday movie?
Die Hard is the greatest holiday movie because it’s a phenomenal film on its own merits, not just because of its connection to Christmas.
Most are familiar with the plot by now. New York City cop John McClane comes to visit his family in California, only to be caught up in a hostage plot at his wife’s work Christmas party. It’s a gripping action movie with solid acting from its lead, Bruce Willis, and a relatable and compelling storyline—a married couple on the brink of divorce due to their careers. The film also features one of the greatest villains of all-time, Hans Gruber, or as many might recognize him, a young, German Professor Snape.
The plot weaves its way through the traditional parts of Christmas that the audience wants to see during the holidays. The carols are there, along with Santa hats and eggnog, but so too are the well-shot action sequences, sharp dialogue, and, well, shit blowing up.
Die Hard is more than just a good action or Christmas movie. It’s one of the best movies made in the last 30 years. I guarantee gathering up your friends and family to watch it this December will be more worthwhile and enjoyable than watching Chevy Chase fall off a roof for the 50th time.
—Jesse Colautti
This movie really makes you understand that It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s a Wonderful Life is my favourite holiday movie. Growing up, I’d watch it every year after the Macy’s Day Parade in late November. Best perk of being a dual citizen: two Thanksgivings.
The overall message of this 1946 classic is to focus not on what material things you want or how much money you have, but to value the people in your life. Take stock of the friends and family that would do anything to help you out and realize that your wealth is measured in the love you share with these people.
The whole idea is wrapped in late 1920s charm and features one of the most adorable first date scenes ever. There’s dancing, laughter, heartache, a guardian angel, and even a brief cameo from God—it covers all the bases.
If you need more convincing, this is the movie that gave us classic lines like, “George! You’re not paid to be a canary,” and, “Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.” It’s because of this movie that every time I hear someone whistling at work or the tingling of a bell, I smile, and that’s pretty special.
—KayCie Gravelle
Jingle All the Way to your laptop and watch this fantastic film
Jingle All The Way is the best Christmas movie, hands down. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favour and watch it immediately—after you read this.
In a nutshell, the main character of the movie, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, has forgotten to pick up his son’s Christmas present, a “Turboman” doll. He spends the movie making a crazy Christmas Eve dash, desperate to find the largely sold-out toy.
Firstly, this movie is insanely hilarious for adults and children. The lengths to which Schwarzenegger goes to find the Turboman doll are just epic, involving non-stop action and laughter. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen it, but let’s just say there’s a scene where a bunch of Santa Clauses fight each other, including a little Santa, a giant Santa, and a Jim Belushi Santa.
Also, Sinbad is the movie’s villain, and it’s actually amazing. His chemistry with Schwarzenegger is undeniable.
A few other laughs include Schwarzenegger recurrently messing with a cop, getting a reindeer drunk, and taking his Christmas cookies way too seriously. Jingle All the Way also has an awesome festive soundtrack, each song fitting really well with the scene at hand.
Finally, a good movie is never complete without a take-home message. Jingle All the Way succeeds at making a serious commentary on our excessively capitalist society, while also presenting a heart-warming moral: Christmas is a time for family, and sacrificing family for work, or a doll, is never worth it.
—Samantha Cowan
