Cosy Christmas Films to Help You Celebrate the Season
Image courtesy of @framesthatsparkle
Christmas is my time to shine! From planning the Christmas Day dinner; to wrapping presents; wandering around the markets (or not, thanks 2020) and singing Christmas songs out of tune, I love every minute.
But there’s nothing I like more than cosying up with a cracking Christmas film. A hot drink or tipple of choice in one hand; a cosy blanket and surrounded by whatever seasonal treats take your fancy, a Christmas film is one of the easiest ways to forget yourself in everything that makes this holiday special.
I have to be honest, asking me to name my favourite Christmas film is very much akin to asking me to name my favourite book. I’ll go back and forth with the decision, ultimately offering you a favourite from each sub-genre rather than committing to a single film. With that in mind, I’ve created a list of what I believe to be the best Christmas films, no matter what your movie taste is.
A True Christmas Classic: Miracle On 34th Street (1994)
If you asked me to describe Santa, Richard Attenborough is who I would describe. This is one of the first films I remember going to see at the cinema with my family, and we still watch it together every year. I know it isn’t the original; I know people think it’s cheesy. I even know that most people only remember Mara Wilson in her eponymous role as Matilda, but for me, she will always be the little girl who saved Santa.
If you haven’t seen it, Miracle on 34th Street is everything you would expect from a Christmas film and more. Set in New York, it follows the story of a single mother working for a huge department store, famous each year for it’s Santa. When Kris Kringle (Attenborough) is hired as their store Santa, it sparks a chain of events that has even the coldest of hearts believing in Christmas again.
A Christmas Comedy: Elf (2003)
If you have never seen Elf, you are in for a treat. Another film I count down the days until it is acceptable to watch, Elf is hilarious without the slapstick that usually comes with a Christmas comedy.
Buddy the Elf (Ferrell) is not that great at anything to do with being an elf. He is 6ft tall; struggles to keep up with the pace in Santa’s workshop and just generally looks out of place, which makes sense, as you find out quite quickly that he’s not actually an Elf.
However, what Buddy lacks in genetics he makes up for in Christmas spirit and when he finds out his biological father is on Santa’s naughty list, he takes a trip to New York to rectify that. Elf has everything that makes Christmas fun without spoiling it and pokes fun at the culture of ‘growing out of believing’.
A Family Film: Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)
Is it just me, or do all the best Christmas films take place in New York? Maybe it’s the scenery-is there a more world recognisable scene than the ice rink in Central Park or the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Centre?
Controversial I know, but I think I actually prefer Home Alone 2 to the original Home Alone. Don’t get me wrong, they’re both amazing, and I’d put them both on the list, but if I did that for every category, this would eventually be a list of just films about Christmas.
For me, Home Alone 2 has generally more of a Christmassy feel. This time, Kevin McAllister ends up getting on the wrong flight to the rest of his family; who do actually remember to take him on holiday in the first place this time. He ends up in New York; books himself into a hotel and lives every kid’s fantasy of being alone and rule-free in a big city at Christmas.
An Old Hollywood Classic: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
I love a Hollywood classic, and they don’t come much better than It’s A Wonderful Life.
Cited as one of the best American films ever made, James Stewart plays the wonderfully pleasant George Bailey, a man who is always trying to help and do the right thing. So when a run in the banks pushes George and the family business to breaking point, he begins to wonder what life would be like for everyone without him.
It’s A Wonderful Life is a tough watch at times, but it’s worth it. The film shows us that sometimes, even when we feel everything around us is our fault, things are a lot worse when we’re not there and trying our best.
For a Musical Christmas: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Easily the best adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale, The Muppet Christmas Carol brings this iconic book to the masses, delighting adults and children alike. Michael Caine plays an amazingly convincing Scrooge, and although Gonzo the muppet narrates the tale, he does so using the original language from the book to do so.
The songs are catchy, and the muppets bring humour to an otherwise humour-less tale. It’s also a great way to introduce kids to this classic tale. Besides, how can you not feel cosy listening to the Ghost of Christmas Present sing ‘It Feels Like Christmas’?
An Action-Packed Christmas Eve: Die Hard (1988)
First up, don’t tell me it’s not a Christmas film because it takes place during Christmas Eve and frequently appears on countdowns of the best Christmas films ever. New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis in arguably his best role) is in LA to visit his estranged wife Holly and their children for Christmas. They’re still married, but she is using her maiden name, and he has offered to stay with friends.
So, to say things are tense to start with is an understatement. Things only get worse when Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman in his debut film role) turns up with his terrorist group, taking Holly’s workplace Nakatomi Plaza and its inhabitants hostage. The action has earned the film the accolade of the greatest action film of all time. There is an alternative Christmas soundtrack featuring Run DMC’s ‘Christmas in Hollies’ and we hear some of the best sarcastic quips and comebacks, the likes of which would make even Judge Judy proud. You’re welcome.
Remember to head over to City Girl’s social media page or let us know in the comments what you’ll be watching this Christmas!
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Written By: Jenna Tomlinson
