We help you to decide which movies to watch this festive season
There is a slew of Christmas movies out there, some of them brilliant, and others absolutely awful – we’re looking at you Jingle All The Way. With the big day fast approaching, it can be difficult to decide which Christmas masterpiece to sit down and watch with a glass of egg nog. With that in mind, Movies.ie brings you our top five favourite Christmas movies, in no particular order…
Die Hard
Terrorist Hans Gruber takes the people of an LA office building hostage during a Christmas party. The only person who can save the day is NYPD officer John McClane.
Ok, so it may not be the most festive of movies – Santa does not get a look in here – but Alan Rickman’s big screen debut is still a joy to watch. Goodwill to all men is not a strong theme in Die Hard, but we defy you not to enjoy the antics of McClane as he desperately tries to save his wife in time for Christmas.
Home Alone
Back when Macaulay Culkin was a fresh faced cutie, he played Kevin, a kid who was left… um… Home alone while his family went on holiday without him. As if this were not bad enough, Kevin has to contend with two villainous burglars who are oddly difficult to deter…
Many of us grew up watching Home Alone every Christmas, and spending our young lives creating booby traps that never worked properly. Madcap antics – and Home Alone 4 – aside, who can fail to have their heartstrings tugged when Kevin realises his family are not so bad and utters the immortal line “Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back?”. Aww.
It’s a Wonderful Life
An angel shows a disillusioned man what the world would have been like if he never existed.
It’s a Wonderful Life sort of feels like a reverse version of A Christmas Carol, but darker. Attempted suicide and despair feature in this film, but the happy ending – and the strong sense of nostalgia – get us every time.
Elf
Buddy the Elf is not actually an elf, so he leaves the North Pole for New York to find he father that he never knew.
Will Ferrell is at his best when he playing characters that are completely out of touch with the world around them, and blissfully ignorant of this fact (Case in point: Anochorman). Elf is one of Ferrell’s most endearing movie and his portrayal of an optimistic, six foot tall elf is a true delight. As well as this, Elf is the film that first showcased Zooey Deschanel’s wonderful singing voice, and gave Peter Dinklage the opportunity to kick a man in the face. Good times.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Kermit and co take on the story of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, with our favourite frog as Bob Cratchett and Michael Caine on fantastically gruff form as Ebenezer Scrooge.
The return of the Muppets to the big screen this year, in the aptly titled The Muppets, reminded audiences of the characters and introduced a whole new generation to Jim Henson’s best-loved creations. The Muppet Christmas Carol is silly and filled with slapstick, but it is also heart warming and oozes nostalgia. What’s not to love?
Special mentions to: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, Miracle on 34th Street, Scrooged and The Nightmare Before Christmas
Over to you now… Which movie do you watch as part of your Christmas tradition? Have we covered your favourite festive flick in our list?
Words: Brogen Hayes