Day 9: Christmas Movie Recommendations

This traditional movie is the live-action version of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Grinch, played by Jim Carrey, and his miserable dog, Max, decide to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville by swiping all of their gifts for the holidays. However, plans change once the bitter Grinch meets the lovable Cindy Lou Who, played by Taylor Momsen. This movie is great for the family and shows what Christmas is truly about: gifting joy, love, and humor to your loved ones.

Based on Chris Van Allsburg’s book, Polar Express, this movie is about a young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. On his journey to meet Santa Claus with several other children, he learns that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. I highly recommend The Polar Express because it is the perfect movie for getting into the holiday spirit and it teaches us to not let anyone get in our way of believing what we wish.

While the holiday season represents the happiest time of the year, this movie makes sure that you will envision the morbid side of Christmas. This movie is about a young boy named Max who summons a Yuletide demon, Krampus, who is the opposite of Santa and comes not to spread joy, but to punish non-believers. Max losing his festive spirit unleashes the wrath of the horned demonic beast and he and his family must band together in order to save one another from a monstrous fate. If you’re looking for a Christmas movie with a dark twist to it, Krampus is the perfect movie for you!

This Netflix original is about a medieval knight, Sir Cole, who time travels to modern-day America to fulfill his potential of becoming “a true knight.” As Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens), a high school science teacher, loses hope in finding her “happily ever after,” she comes across Sir Cole during an accident. Feeling terrible about what happened, Brooke takes Sir Cole back to her apartment to help him recover and they begin to form a special kind of bond during the recovery process. I highly recommend watching this movie if you’re looking for the perfect rom-com that captures the beauty of love while also getting you in the holiday spirit!

This Hulu Original tells the story of a young woman, Abby, who plans to propose to her girlfriend, Harper, during Christmas dinner with her family. But, her plans get interrupted when she learns that Harper has not yet come out to her family. Learning that she must hide not only their relationship but also the person she is, Abby begins to question her own dignity and her connection with Harper. I would definitely recommend this movie because it features a very diverse cast and a sweet LGBTQ+ love story that is realistic and inclusive.

This light-hearted comedy follows Clark, played by Chevy Chase, and his family as they get ready for the Christmas Season. While this movie is the third movie of the “Vacation” series, it continues the story of Clark’s hilarious efforts to secure his Christmas bonus, decorate his house for the holiday season, and make sure his family behaves at the dinner table. This movie is definitely fun for the whole family to enjoy together as it’s sure to make everyone laugh and remind everyone not to get too stressed when preparing for the Christmas season.

While many people may enjoy a light-hearted, joyful film during the Christmas season, this 1970s horror/slasher will be sure to get everyone’s blood pumping! This movie follows the story of a group of sorority sisters who begin to get mysterious phone calls. Despite their attempts to ignore the creepy calls, one of the sisters goes missing and a young girl in their town is murdered, leading to suspicion that a serial killer is on the loose. This movie is a must see because it influenced multiple horror movies that were filmed in the 80s, such as Halloween and Friday the 13th, and is perfect for horror fans who want to get into the Christmas spirit!

This classic holiday film shows us the life of Ralphie, a young boy trying to enjoy life and avoid his school bullies. The movie tells the story of what it’s like growing up in Indiana with many heartfelt moments and laughs along the way. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone because whether you want a touch of nostalgia while reminiscing about your own childhood, or you just want to get into the holiday spirit, this movie is a perfect choice!