Christmas Films to Watch this Festive Season

Christmas is often a highly anticipated holiday of the year. This is attested to by how early malls and stores start to fill up with Christmas decorations. It is a time of reflecting on one’s year and a time to rest from the strenuous activity done throughout the year. One of the ways one can relax is by watching the often labelled ‘feel good’ Christmas movies whose themes center on love, hope, fairy-tale like belief and family. I’ve put together a sizzling list of Christmas films to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Let’s make this a Christmas to remember with these 7 Christmas movies to watch!

1. That Christmas

Synopsis: Santa (Brian Cox) faces a very challenging night as he is tasked with delivering gifts on Christmas Eve during a snowstorm, but his optimism to deliver the gifts is impeccable even going so far as calling the snowstorm “a light breeze”. Danny (Jack Wisniewski) is sad to hear that his dad will not make it home on Christmas because of the snowstorm. Bernadette’s (India Brown) parents are also unable to come back home as the snowstorm prevents them.

In an effort to cheer the townsfolk up, the children concoct a plan to save Christmas. They accidentally release all the turkeys from the turkey pen. The turkeys prove to be a hindrance than a help as they aid in keeping the parents away.

Starring: Bill Nighy, Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Rhys Darby, India Brown, Katherine Parkinson, Jack Wisniewski and Guz Khan

Directed by: Simon Otto

Ratings: This film is rated 6.8/10 on IMDb and 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and will be streaming on Netflix from the 04th of December 2024.

The film is based on a book titled That Christmas and Other Stories by Richard Curtis. It focuses on themes of family and a child-like optimism that everything will be okay as is seen in Santa’s optimism despite the challenges he faces. I enjoyed the irony of the children releasing the turkeys to help make Christmas a happy occasion, but the turkeys prove to be a nuisance instead. The film provides much comic relief and heartwarming touches that kids and kids-at-heart will enjoy.

2. Meet Me Next Christmas

Synopsis: Layla (Christina Milian) crosses paths with James (Kofi Siriboe) in an airport lounge and immediately decides he’s the one. Naturally, they agree to meet up one year later—on Christmas, no less—at a Pentatonix concert. But when the big day arrives, Layla’s grand romantic gesture is derailed because, of course, she doesn’t have a ticket. What follows? A frantic, snow-dusted chase across NYC to make holiday magic happen.

Starring: Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Kalen Allen, Kofi Siriboe, Kirstin Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Nikki Duval, Mitch Grassi, Tymika Tafari, Pip Dwyer, Kevin Olusola, David Lafontaine, Matt Sallee, Ivano DiCaro, Priyanka, Craig Burnatowski and Theresa Tova

Directed by: Rusty Cundieff

Ratings: This film is rated 5.6/10 on IMDb and 69% on Rotten Tomatoes.

This film contains themes of hopeful innocence as the protagonist traverses a distance in hopes to meet someone she met a year ago. The film trailer had me on a rollercoaster of emotions as Layla (Christina Milian) got very close to getting the ticket only to be dragged back where she started. All this while spending time with Teddy (Devale Ellis), who helps her on this journey. Viewers will be rooting for her as she goes on her journey. Will she get the ticket? Will she find the man she met a year ago? Or, will she end up with Teddy instead? These questions can only be resolved by watching this film which was released in November on Netflix.

3. Our Little Secret

Synopsis: Avery (Lindsay Lohan) decides to spend Christmas with her boyfriend, Cameron’s (Jon Rudnitsky) family. Avery meets Cameron’s mother, Erica (Kristin Chenoweth), and it seems Avery does not make a good first impression on Erica. Avery then meets Cameron’s sister Cassie (Katie Baker) who also brought her boyfriend Logan (Ian Harding) to spend Christmas with them. Cassie’s boyfriend happens to be Avery’s ex from 10 years ago - who had proposed to her. Yikes! Determined to make a good impression on Cameron’s mother, Avery and Logan agree to keep their history a secret.

Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Rudnitsky, Judy Reyes, Jake Brennan, Katie Baker and Tim Meadows

Directed by: Stephen Herek

From Erica’s sarcasm after meeting Avery to Logan and Avery’s deception while trying to impress Erica, the film takes a different direction from the overdone family trope theme. The movie trailer reminded me of the quote by Sir Walter Scott, “oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” Beginning with one lie, will lead to them telling more lies, but how long will they keep this secret before it begins to implode on itself? The character’s funny banter makes it an easy and an enjoyable film to watch. The movie is already streaming on Netflix.

4. Hot Frosty

Synopsis: Kathy’s (Lacey Chabert) life is a mess until she leaves her scarf on a snowman (Dustin Milligan), who comes to life interesting the town. Kathy helps Jack Snowman navigate life as a human. Jack begins to develop real feelings for Kathy, and asks for dating advice from Deputy Sheriff Ed Schatz (Joe Lo Truglio). The only problem is Jack is a snowman and worries he cannot have a relationship with Kathy as he will soon melt away.

Starring: Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Lauren Holly, Katy Mixon, Craig Robinson, Sherry Miller, Chrishell Stause, Joe Lo Truglio, Dan Lett and Allan Royal

Director: Jerry Ciccoritti

Ratings: It has a score of 5.4/10 on IMDb and a rating of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. You can stream this movie on Netflix.

Hot Frosty is a cute film about hope and love. Jack Snowman’s childlike attitude cheers downcast Kathy and helps her see life differently. It’ll tug to the heart strings of those who enjoy a sweet rom-com.

5. Red One

Synopsis: M.O.R.A is a secret organisation that exists to protect the secret of mythological creatures and humans. On Christmas Eve, a group of villains break in and kidnaps Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons). Director of M.O.R.A Zoe Hallow’s (Lucy Liu) team discovers that Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), known as the best tracker in the world, compromised Santa’s location which worked as an aid for the kidnappers. Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), head commander of Santa’s ELF (Enforcement, Logistics and Fortification) is determined to find Santa. With the help of Zoe, Jack O’Malley, together they go on a journey to find Santa, fighting bad guys along the way and finally discovering who was behind the kidnapping of Santa.

Starring: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Wesley Kimmel, Kristofer Hivju, J.K. Simmons, Bonnie Hunt, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Jenna Kanell, Nick Kroll

Directed by: Jake Kasdan

Ratings: It boasts a score of 6.9/10 on IMDb and 31% on Rotten Tomatoes. This film is currently showing at Ster-Kinekor cinemas.

Red One is an action packed movie that centers on the good versus evil theme. The bits of humor found within the movie make it humourous and light despite the weighty matter of trying to rescue lost Santa. The balance of humor and action makes it a fun and exciting watch instead of just a gloomy watch waiting for the end result . Ultimately the theme that prevails throughout the movie is good versus evil. One watches the movie with the presupposition that good will win and when it does win it is a great feeling because it affirms that good is good and evil is bad.

6. The Princess Switch

Synopsis: The 2018 film follows Stacy (Vanessa Hudgens) who goes to Belgravia for a baking competition with her best friend, Kevin (Nick Sagar) and his daughter Olivia (Alexa Adeosun). As Stacy prepares for the competition, she bumps into Lady Margaret Delacourt Dutchess of Montenero (Vanessa Hudgens) who happens to look exactly like Stacy. Margaret devises a plan to switch lives with Stacy for two days so she can get a break from being in the spotlight. What they both did not anticipate is that being someone else is harder than it seems and what is even harder is going back to being themselves after two days.

Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Nick Sagar, Sam Palladio, Alexa Adeosun, Suanne Braun, Mark Fleischmann, Robin Soans

Directed by: Michael Rohl

Ratings: It has a 6.1/10 IMDb score. You can catch this movie and its sequels on Netflix.

I loved Vanessa Hudgens’ portrayal of Stacy and Margaret. I could have believed it if someone told me she had a twin. Stacy’s willingness to switch lives with Margaret was sweet and wholesome because the only benefits would be staying in a castle, but she did not seem to consider the weight of the royal duties she would have to attend to. Overall a very wholesome and delightful film that I would watch not only on Christmas.

7. Home Alone

Synopsis: The McCallister family leaves in a rush for their Christmas vacation only to notice on the plane that they left Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) home alone. This happens to be the same time that the police are looking for thieves that call themselves The Wet Bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern). The Wet Bandits target Kevin’s home and it’s up to Kevin to make sure they don’t steal or take anything with them.

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Kieran Culkin, Catherine O’Hara, John Heard

Directed by: Chris Columbus

Ratings: This movie boasts a 7.7/10 score on IMDb and a score of 66% on Rotten Tomatoes. You can now watch it on Netflix!

Home Alone is a classic movie for the ages. For all the kids-at-heart who are now parents themselves, this movie becomes a special treat to share with your little ones. Watching them giggle and delight in the film’s humor is a joy itself. It also becomes a great opportunity to create new memories, bond over shared laughter, and pass on this holiday classic to the next generation.