In a Scrooge Mood? Stream These Festive Favorites Immediately

From September to December, the days turn shorter and colder and prepare us for what’s to come: the holidays. We decorate and plan celebrations to signify our love of these once-a-year moments. Not only have big box stores had a long-term relationship with selling us seasonal fares, but Hollywood has a history of giving us memorable and (sometimes) timeless movies to hold onto for traditional value. 

Movies transport us to worlds we can enjoy from the comforts of our living room, cozied up with some Nog. Whether we spend our time during the holidays watching films, new or old, this tradition brings us together and allows us to soak up the magic the season brings, but life gets busy, so it takes a little nudge (like this!) to get in a festive mood. So allow me to be your guide to some of the most well-known, and maybe not so well-known, holiday movies to watch when you’re having a tough time getting in the mood…a festive mood, that is.

If you’re craving a good old-fashioned Christmas family fun: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Anyone born in the late 90s and earlier will more than likely think of Christmas Vacation. How could folks not like a good-willed family guy getting into head-smacking trouble paired with an even more dysfunctional family? Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, and Johnny Galecki, there are more than enough one-liners and feel-good moments to keep you coming back for another watch throughout the holiday season.

If you’re looking for an off-kilter dark holiday comedy/horror: Krampus (2015)

The holidays are all about the good times and keeping the vibes cheery, but what’s not to love about a funny film with dark horror undertones? Krampus does just that. Knowing as the “underworld” version of Old Saint Nick, the tales tell us that Krampus preys on naughty children. He does just that and more with his trinkets and trolleys when he sets his sights on a particular family who’ve lost their Christmas spirit. Starring Toni Collette, Adam Scott, and David Koechner, this scary good time is a newbie but a goodie.

If you’re feeling like you want a holiday movie, that’s not a holiday movie: The Holiday (2006)

Technically, The Holiday has never actually been “officially” deemed a Christmas movie, but because the plot centers around the season, it makes sense it’s a favorite. It’s also a pretty solid rom-com versus an uberly cheesy film that has us rolling our eyes. Centered on two women from different parts of the world seeking change, they find joy in the most foreign and unbeknownst places with new friends and new love. Starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black, The Holiday is a cozy little movie with romantic vibes and plenty of comedic moments.

If you crave a comedy-filled adventure:  Elf (2003)

It’s simple yet adorable, heart-warming, and extremely funny: Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. There is and will be no one better than Ferrell embodying this character while he sets out across the Candy Cane Forest and into the concrete jungle to find his bio father. Elf was an instant classic relevant for any age and time.

If you want a movie that’ll pull at your heartstrings: The Family Stone (2005)

Once in a while, we all like a little family drama that we’re not involved in, or is it just me? If you’re into awkward moments, laughs, and a little tear-jerking, this film is for you. The Family Stone is jam-packed with familiar female faces like Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, and Rachel McAdams, who all play their roles brilliantly. It’s an age-old story of a stuck-up, crusty significant other who reluctantly joins her fiance’s family for a free-spirited Christmas.

How about a well-known franchise we’ve all seen? Home Alone I (1990) & II (1992)

Okay, folks, can the holidays really happen without Kevin McCallister and his over-the-top antics with the Wet Sticky Bandits? I don’t think so. I assume that everyone at least watched Home Alone: Lost in New York because, let’s be honest, it is a rare sequel that trumps the original. The storyline doesn’t get old, and the one-liners are still fresh and fun. It’s also a great dive for those born in this era, providing a much-needed blast from the past. The McCallister home decor, the infamous Talkboy, and the minimal technology use bring us back to a simpler time.

If you’re looking for a bit of every emotion with some familiar faces: Happiest Season (2020)

For the most part, we’re used to picking from classics or over-the-top, cheesy Hallmark movies to watch around the holidays. However, streaming channels like Netflix have recently stepped up and brought us new and refreshing films that fit today’s narrative a bit more. Happiest Season came to us in the thick of the pandemic, and it was just what we needed. 

Dubbed a romantic comedy, actors Kristen Stewart and Dan Levy, amongst many others, capture the holiday spirit and range of emotions in telling a story about acceptance, being yourself, and doing their best to enjoy the holiday season with their extended family. This film is refreshing and different and really encapsulates the stressors and situations people go through in this day and age.

If you fancy a cute lil’ holiday story from a kid’s perspective: A Christmas Story (1983)

One of OG classics that does a fine job of standing the test of time is, without a doubt, A Christmas Story, starring Peter Billingsley, who would go on to be a semi-important elf in Elf twenty years later. The inner monologue of Ralphie in his adult voice is a brilliant way to mesh the two timelines of a kid during Christmas. This film also brings us back to the 1940s, when toys didn’t require a million pieces to assemble, and the leg lamp made its movie debut. The antics Ralphie and his family get into are priceless, and who doesn’t love/cringe when Flick takes a double-dog-dare and sticks his tongue on the pole? Classic.

When you’re unsure if you’re over Halloween: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The time between Halloween and Christmas flies by in the blink of an eye, and my theory is that it’s due to the media shoving it in our faces earlier each year. Luckily, while we’re in a whirl of rotten pumpkin and wondering if it’s too early to put the tree up, we have The Nightmare Before Christmas. It’s been a long-running debate on which season this Tim Burton classic truly belongs in, but in my opinion, it really could be either. The stop-motion classic is technically based and primarily focused on Halloweentown. Still, a good chunk of the movie focuses on all the novelty items Christmas is made of. It’s short, suitable for older kiddos, and has catchy songs that’ll be stuck in the viewer’s for weeks. What else could you want when your brain says “Halloween” but the commercials say “Christmas”?

If you want to be surprised by a fun newbie: Candy Cane Lane (2023)

I usually stay away from new holiday movies on streaming channels, but I was intrigued when I watched the trailer for Candy Cane Lane. It has a fresh take on the villain trying to take over Christmas and stars Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross, with a voiceover and brief appearance from funnyman Nick Offerman. Murphy’s involvement drew me in because he usually brings a healthy dose of comedy. His character, Christ Carver, is determined to win his neighborhood’s decoration contest, but not without consequences for his efforts. It’s like a twist between The Santa Clause II and Christmas With the Kranks; trust me on this: it has the potential to be a classic.

If you still aren’t over cheesy horror movies but want holiday vibes: Gremlins (1984)

Okay, hear me out on this one! If a movie centers itself around a particular holiday, it’s vying to be a holiday movie. I’m not sure if it’s because I grew up watching horror movies, but Gremlins has always been one I turn to when I need a laugh. The theatrics and puppeteering are cheesy at this point, but that’s what makes it so camp and watchable. Also, what could happen when an ancient creature is brought into a small town and gifted to an oblivious teenager?

And finally, if Jim Carrey is your jam and you crave a classic remake: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

I’ve never been one for remakes, but this one just hits home. Maybe it’s because Jim Carrey plays the Grinch to perfection, or perhaps it’s because I grew up with this movie; whatever the reason, I’m still all for it. I’m not dumping on the cartoon version in any way, but the live-action version goes all out with the wardrobe, follows the original story to a tee, and is really funny. It’s also a great redemption story of the salty villain realizing he has a heart after all.

*Notable mentions*

The Santa Clause (1994)

Christmas With the Kranks (2004)

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Bad Santa (2003)

You might already have these movies on your watchlist, but for those who can’t quite get into the Holly Jolly season, these are for you. If you can’t get into the spirit after this lineup, make a snow angel and some sugar cookies – you’ll feel better in no time. Happy Holidays!