Christmas Films

Love Actually (2003)

In the past 17 years, there is no doubt that many have watched Love Actually every December. The film connects the fates of dozens of people who are partially related, friends or workmates, and jumps between the stories at a fast pace. The stories are partly funny, partly tragic or also just very relatable, and put together this creates a film with a very special magic. The characters range from the prime minister to an ageing pop star to school kids, showing many different troubles and joys. Set in London during Christmas time, it is filled with festive occasions and settings, and captures the holiday spirit perfectly. 

Klaus (2019)

One of the newer Christmas films, and not without reasons the only animated one that made it to my list. Klaus tells a story for children, but - like many newer animations - includes many elements that will please adults as well. It tells the story of a spoilt young man who is sent as a postman to a remote island in the far north, after having displeased his father with his selfish behaviour. He finds a very hostile environment, but is intrigues by a disillusioned teacher and a lonely woodchopper named Klaus. When they try to cheer up a child, it sets an incredible change in motion. A beautiful and moving film for all ages.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

The oldest film on this list, but one that has aged incredibly well and is possibly the most popular film to watch at Christmas. Created by master director Frank Capra and starring James Stewart, this film tells the story of a man who is disappointed and angry with life, and wonders if his family wouldn't be better off without him. In this desperate situation, an angel comes to earth to show him what the influence of his existence is. As many films from that era, It's a Wonderful Life captures the essence of life in a way that is beautiful and simple and still true. The more often one watches this film, the more beautiful it becomes - I can only recommend making it a yearly tradition. 

The Holiday (2006)

A romantic comedy set in Christmas time in both England and the USA, and filled with clichés about both countries and in general. it is, however, not all silly, but contains many beautiful moments. Essentially, it is the story of two women who switch houses after being disappointed by men. They not only enjoy the different surroundings and cultures, but also get to know some of their neighbours, which of course results in some romance. While it is at times corny, it also shows beautiful relationships (for example with children and elders) that are very pure, and it overall has a lovely Christmas vibe.

Happiest Season (2020)

One of the newest holiday films, which has created quite a hype. While it may not be perfect, it certainly offers a very refreshing holiday story with both funny and serious moments that are well done. When a lesbian couple spontaneously decide to spend the holidays with one of their families, it turns out that the family has no idea of their daughter's sexual orientation. This creates a situation with many blunders and hidden feelings, which leads not only to some comedy for the audience, but also to some life-changing realisations and decisions for the characters. An all-star cast with many LGBTQ actors makes this an enjoyable film with many laughs and holiday spirit.

Carol (2015)

Based on Patricia Highsmith's novel The Price of Salt, this is a beautiful story in a Christmas setting of New York in the 50s. Two women from very different backgrounds meet in a shop and start to spend more time together and get attached to each other. This makes them both question their life choices and creates a potentially difficult situation, as Carol is married and has a child. While Carol is not a traditional holiday film, the seasonal setting and stunning wintry visuals make this a lovely film to (re)watch in Christmas time.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

While I'm not a huge fan of musicals, this one is certainly fitting for Christmas time, and contains beautiful music. Jingle Jangle is a holiday-themed story about a toymaker, whose inventions are stolen. After this leads to loss and isolation, his granddaughter visits him to reconnect. being very creative and tough, she manages to shake up not only the present but also to right some wrongs of the past. The first Christmas film of this caliber with a largely African American cast, Jingle Jangle stars singers and actors like Keegan-Michael Key, Anika Noni Rose and Ricky Martin, as well as actors such as Forest Whitaker and Hugh Bonneville. A cute story with a charming young heroine.

Last Christmas (2019)

Written by Oscar winning writer and actress Emma Thomson, this British comedy is refreshing. Last Christmas is inspired by the Wham! song, but not a musical in any way. It seems at first to be a rather silly comedy about a young woman who makes a mess of her life, and works as an elf in a Christmas shop. There is, however, a pretty interesting plot twist that changes things, and elevates the film from mere silliness. Besides Emilia Clarke in the leading role, Emma Thompson as her mother makes Last Christmas even better. Better than expected, and certainly very festive in many ways.

8 Women (2002)

8 femmes by Francois Ozon is many not strictly speaking a Christmas film, but it certainly makes sense to watch it in the holiday season. When a murder occurs in a wealthy French family in an isolated house on the countryside,  the 8 women of the family are the suspects. Being stuck in the house together during he holidays while it snows outside, they try to figure out what happened. The greatest French actresses from different generations, including Catherine Deneuve and Isabelle Huppert, makes this funny and charming film worth watching. Besides the snowy and festive surrounding, this film also brings up holiday spirit with some chansons.

Holidate (2020)

Another rather new Christmas film, Holidate is fun because it is actually rather an anti-Christmas film. The protagonist is single and detests how she is constantly asked about her love life by relatives during the holiday season, and everybody tries to set her up with random men. When the opportunity arises and she finds a man with the same problem, they decide to spend each holiday together to avoid such situations. What could go wrong? This comedy deals with all the annoying things related to Christmas and other holidays, but of course it also includes some lovely traditions. A light film with a quite modern attitude towards spending the holidays, which is certainly entertaining.