By: Miranda Martin
If you’re anything like me (Phillytainment film writer and blogger, Miranda Martin), you’re likely already thinking about holiday movies! Well, maybe you’re not quite yet, but no matter when you start your holly, jolly revelry there are great holiday films to watch all season long. Starting this weekend, you could watch these classic holiday films all by Christmas Day, viewing one per weekend (if you have a weekly movie night, like we do in our house!) So, with that said, let’s dive in–
Your Weekly Holiday Movie Watch Guide
Saturday, 11/13: Elf (2003)
A seminal holiday film, ‘Elf’ (starring Will Ferrell) is the perfect way to kick-off the holiday season a bit early, as it really focuses on simply being silly, wholesome, and getting you into the holiday spirit.
Saturday, 11/20: Scrooged (1988)
Another funny, get-you-in-the-spirit classic, ‘Scrooged’ (starring Bill Murray) tells the classic tale of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol with a modern twist. This film puts a humorous lens on this classic Christmas story, and it’s always a must-watch in our household!
Saturday, 11/27: Love, Actually (2003)
After you’ve spent Thanksgiving week stuffing yourself (and not just stuffing the turkey) with pies, cakes, and savory delights galore, ‘Love, Actually’ is the perfect chill holiday movie to warm your heart and make you say, “awwwww!” This is that one film that stars every British actor in the business, basically– so obviously, it’s really, really good.
Saturday, 12/4: The Grinch (2000)
This live-action adaptation of a Dr. Seuss holiday classic, ‘The Grinch’ stars Jim Carrey as the titular green and grumbly character, and he’s in true form in this one. It’s a wild romp from start to finish (and the jokes are oh-so wonderfully corny), but for some reason, it’s one of my favorite holiday films and I just can’t look away!
Saturday, 12/11: The claymation classics, like Rudolph and A Year Without Santa Clause (1974)
As you get closer to Christmas, the classic claymation films like Rudolph and A Year Without Santa Clause can’t be ignored! These Rankin and Bass favorites can usually be bought altogether in a box-set DVD, or on Amazon Prime Video for streaming, and marathoning a few of these classics back-to-back makes for a perfect holiday evening in.
Saturday, 12/18: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
This classic (starring Chevy Chase) has aged much better than expected, and gets funnier every time I watch it. Probably because I’m getting older, but I digress– this holiday classic will have you laughing all night long, and it’s perfect to watch as the holiday stress starts to ramp up (because, you know, we could all benefit from poking some fun at ourselves from time to time).
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 12/24 and 12/25: A Christmas Story (AKA, “Ralphie”) (1983)
Every year, this holiday classic airs for 24 hours on TBS from Christmas Eve night through to Christmas Day, and it’s the perfect backdrop to all the Christmas-ing going on all day and night long! Tune in for at least one full-watch, then leave it on in the background to catch a holiday themed joke here and there– including the classic “You’ll shoot your eye out!” that Ralphie’s mother repeats time and time again when her little boy begs to find a BB gun under the Christmas tree.
So, what films get you into the holiday spirit? These classics will get you in the spirit for sure, and help you celebrate the holidays all season long!