For most households in the country, holidays represent a time of togetherness and warmth, often upheld by long-standing traditions like watching holiday movies. Often, films that embody the spirit of the season qualify as holiday movies. Such movies are known for offering a blend of laughter, action, drama, and heartfelt emotion, making them ideal for cozy, informal gatherings with family and friends. Various holiday movies have stood the test of time, continuing to captivate generations of audiences every year.
1. Home Alone (1990)
Even after 3 decades since its release, Home Alone and its premise remains universally loved. The story centers on a young Kevin McCallister (portrayed by Macaulay Culkin), whose parents unintentionally leave him alone at home for Christmas. When a group of robbers attempt to break into his house, Kevin, using his smarts and home resources, outwits them to save the day. One of the highlights of this movie is the timeless Christmas song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” played as a part of an elaborate scheme constructed by Kevin to manipulate the robbers into believing there are other people inside the house besides the child.
This movie skillfully balances its somewhat dark premise with a cheery comedic score, hilarious sequences and dialogues, and impressive performances from its ensemble cast members, including Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and Catherine O’Hara.
2. Die Hard (1988)
Action classics such as Die Hard are as much a staple of the holiday season for families even though they lack the sentimentality associated with holiday films like Home Alone. This movie is known for catapulting actor Bruce Willis to international fame and being the debut movie of Alan Rickman. In the film, Willis plays the role of a New York City police detective, John McClane (played by Willis), who gets entangled in a heist scheme involving a Los Angeles skyscraper. He has to use his strength and street smartness to overpower his enemies. To complicate matters, his estranged wife Holly is also held hostage at the location, and her safety becomes McClane’s responsibility. Featuring memorable performances from Willis and Rickman, who plays the main antagonist, Hans Gruber, Die Hard is also known for its incredible and practical stunt sequences. Furthermore, Michael Kamen’s catchy and engaging soundtrack plays a key role in elevating the thrilling moments in the film. The film’s plot is set on Christmas Eve, which is one of the reasons why it qualifies as a holiday movie.
3. Elf (2003)
Often ranked among the list of top Christmas movies, Elf, starring Will Ferrel in the titular role, centers on Buddy Hobbs, a human raised by Santa’s elves, who learns about his human origins. This persuades him to set off to New York City to meet his biological father. Soon, Buddy realizes that the real world is not as happy and comforting as his life in the North Pole.
Even two decades after its release, the film stands out as a holiday staple among movie enthusiasts due to its emotional and comedic beats and simple storyline.
4. Love Actually (2003)
Many rom-com films rank high on holiday watchlists, and Love Actually is a shining example of this. The film traverses ten separate stories depicting various aspects of romance and affection between its characters. As the story progresses, it is revealed that the characters in each subplot are interlinked. The film’s plot begins around five weeks before Christmas and ends on New Year. The film explores universal themes of love, heartbreak, and family connections in the backdrop of the holiday season. Besides the moving performances by an ensemble cast featuring the likes of Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Alan Rickman, and Colin Firth, Love Actually has also won the hearts of movie lovers with its compelling narrative, poetic dialogues, and memorable soundtrack.
5. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Based on the comedic novel Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, Joe Roth’s directorial Christmas with the Kranks narrates the story of the Kranks, a family that loves celebrating the holiday traditionally. They make an exception one year and plan to head south for a tropical vacation. But things take a chaotic turn when Blair, the daughter of the family, decides to return home for the festive occasion. The family must react quickly and make her homecoming as sweet as possible.
While not as critically acclaimed as other holiday movies, Christmas with the Kranks was a sleeper hit at the box office. Starring Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Dan Aykroyd, the movie is loved by many due to its relatable plot and entertaining nature.
6. Rocky (1976)
This is yet another movie that is not traditionally a holiday film but often features in the list of Christmas classics. Rocky, headlined by Sylvester Stallone, is a sports classic that centers around a small-time club fighter and debt collector from Philadelphia. His life changes when he gets a one-in-a-lifetime shot at winning the world heavyweight championship against Apollo Creed (played by Carl Weathers), the world boxing champion. Made on a modest budget, Rocky became a global phenomenon, grossing over $225 million and winning three Academy Awards. The film qualifies as a holiday movie as its plot traverses the three holidays — Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.