Looking for some holiday movies to get into the season of joy? One excuse to hang out with your friends and family over break and make lasting memories? Instead of spending winter break struggling to come up with gift choices, enjoy these ten holiday movies.
1. Chris Peckover’s “Better Watch Out”
You better watch out when watching this movie, or you might be on the naughty list. This movie follows babysitter Ashley, who watches over 12-year-old Luke during the holidays. Ashley then finds she has to defend herself and Luke against unwanted intruders. This movie is great for horror lovers who want to get into the winter spirit.
2. Bob Clark’s “A Christmas Story”
Let me tell you a quick story about a boy who wants a BB gun for Christmas—it didn’t end well. A Christmas story follows a little boy named Ralphie who deals with dodging bullies. For Christmas, he dreams of getting the new “red rifle air rider” but faces discouragement from his cranky dad. This is a great movie to watch as a family and to get a good laugh.
3. Jon Favreau’s “Elf”
Bring a buddy along to watch this movie with. Elf is about a toddler, Buddy, who was sent to the North Pole and raised by elves until adulthood. Feeling like he does not fit in, Buddy travels to New York to find his biological father. This is a great, funny family movie.
4. Ron Howard’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
This is a live-action adaptation of the beloved Dr. Suess book where the protagonist, the Grinch, is bitter about Christmas and wants to ruin it for everyone in Whoville. He then encounters a little girl, Cindy Lou, who forever changes his perspective on Christmas. This is a classic winter movie to watch this season; just don’t eat too much candy while watching this movie; you don’t want your heart to grow too much.
5. Chris Columbus’s “Home Alone”
I’d recommend not watching this movie at home alone unless you have some excellent booby traps planned. The movie takes place in a small town where eight-year-old Kevin is mistakenly forgotten when his family leaves for vacation. He then has to defend his home as he realizes two burglars plan to rob his family home. This is a classic Christmas comedy.
6. Jeremiah S. Chechik’s “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
Take a break from studying and watch this fun holiday movie. “Christmas Vacation” is about a family who wants a perfect Christmas, but unplanned family members show up and ruin their perfect plans. This is a fun comedy to watch this season.
7. Alexander’s Payne “The Holdovers”
Hopefully, you still have some holiday spirit left over to watch this movie. “The Holdovers” is about a harsh teacher at an English prep school who has to babysit a couple of students who have nowhere to go during the break. This good drama ignites many emotions, from laughs to tears.
8. Sergio Pablo’s “Klaus”
This is a beautifully crafted, animated movie about a postman sent to a frozen town in the north where he encounters a reclusive toymaker, Klaus. Klaus is a feel-good movie with nostalgia, comedy, and heartfelt moments.
9. Clay Kaytis’s “The Christmas Chronicles”
Siblings Kate and Teddy plan to capture Santa but instead find themselves joining forces with Santa to save Christmas. This is a great movie to watch with family.
10. John McTiernan’s “Die Hard”
If you’re a die-hard fan of holiday and action movies, then this is a must-watch. New York policeman John McClane joins his family for a holiday party but is interrupted by a group of terrorists. John realizes he’s the only one that can save the hostages.
