Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, the Blackman Voice staff told me their favorite holiday movies. Here are those favorites:
1.) Die Hard
“Die Hard” is the most controversial holiday movie. Some people believe it’s a holiday film and others don’t. However, a member of the staff sees it as a holiday movie, so it’s on the list. “Die Hard” is an action movie that follows New York City John McClane who visits his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedeila) and daughters on Christmas Eve. He joins his wife for a holiday party in the headquarters of the business she works for. However, the party is interrupted by terrorists who takes over the place and everyone inside. John McClane soon realizes he’s the only one who can save them all. It is rated R and can be found on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and Apple TV.
2.) Elf
“Elf” is a Christmas comedy where Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) is accidentally transported to the North Pole and raised as an elf before discovering that he’s a human. Feeling like he doesn’t fit in, Buddy travels to New York to search for his real father. Obviously, he is still in the elf uniform he has worn for his entire life. He ends up meeting his father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan). A DNA test is taken to confirm it and Walter decides to start a relationship with Buddy. The results from starting this relationship become increasingly chaotic. It is rated PG and can be found on Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, and many other streaming sites.
3.) Four Christmases
“Four Christmases” is a classic holiday rom com where couple Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) have their exotic vacation ruined and must spend Christmas visiting all four sides of their families. While Brad is counting down the hours until he can leave his crazy relatives, Kate questions her own decisions and if her family is as crazy as she thought. It is rated PG-13 and found on Hulu, Max, and more streaming platforms.
4.) How the Grinch Stole Christmas
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is the 2000 live action adaptation of the children’s story by Dr. Suess. The Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for Whoville, the town below the mountaintop home of the Grinch. He drags along his dog, Max, to the town to steal everything holiday related. However, his plan hits an obstacle when he meets the Who, Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen) and suddenly Christmas might be as magical as the Whos make it out to be. It is rated PG and can be found Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
5.) While You Were Sleeping
“While You Were Sleeping” follows Lucy Eleanor Moderatz (Sandra Bullock), a ticket booth operator, who is hopelessly in love with handsome commuter Peter Callaghan who passes her booth every day. On an ordinary shift on Christmas Day, she witnesses Peter falling off the train platform. She saves him from the impending doom and is mistaken for his fiancée while in the hospital. With this chance at love, Lucy doesn’t correct anyone and becomes close with Peter’s family. Complications begin when Lucy meets Peter’s brother, Jack. It is rated PG and found on Disney+.
6.) Rise of the Guardians
“Rise of the Guardians” is an animated movie about a group of magical childhood mascots. They work with Jack Frost (Chris Pine), a spirit of Winter, to stop Pitch Black (Jude Law) from infiltrating the dreams of kids. Pitch Black is the Boogeyman who is looking to take away the holiday and childhood spirits of everyone across the world. It is rated PG and can be found on Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming services.
7.) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” is the 1970 stop motion Christmas television special narrated by Fred Astaire. Astaire voices the postman Special Delivery “S.D.” Kluger who tells the story of Santa Claus. It began when a baby by the name of Kris (Mickey Rooney) is adopted by the Kringles, a toy-making elf family outside of Sombertown. When Kris is old enough, he wishes to bring toys to Sombertown but the ruler does not wish to have toys come into the town. Kris disobeys that order and is looked to be stopped by the ruler of Sombertown. Fortunately, Kris is able to overcome, and it leads to him becoming Santa Claus. S.D. Kluger ends the story when he remembers he has to deliver letters to Santa. It is unrated, but it is for young children and is found on Amazon Prime Video.
8.) Home Alone
“Home Alone” is the cult classic where Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) prepares for his large family trip to Paris, but he is mistakenly left at home after an incorrect headcount. Kevin wakes up to the empty house and believes his wish for no family has come true. His excitement goes south when he realizes that two burglars (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) are looking to rob the family home, and Kevin is the only one who can protect the house. Meanwhile, Kevin’s parents are trying everything to get back home from Paris. It’s rated PG and found on Disney+ and Hulu.
9.) Christmas with the Kranks
“Christmas with the Kranks” is the family comedy that follows Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis) Krank when they’re finally alone for the holidays. They decide to do a Carribean cruise for Christmas instead of their traditions. Their choices doesn’t sit well with their Christmas-obsessed neighbors, Vic Frohmeyer (Dan Aykroyd) and Walt Scheel (M. Emmet Walsh). They are determined to win the “best decorated street” award and, in turn, have the Kranks become social outcasts for their less than cheery Christmas. It’s rated PG and found on Amazon Prime Video.
10.) Spirited
“Spirited” is the musical version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” from the perspective of the ghosts. The Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell) believes in change and chooses the heartless Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds). Unfortunately, despite the help of Christmas Past and Future, complications occur when Clint’s abrasive personality has Christmas Present questioning his past, present, and future. It is rated PG-13 and found on Apple TV.
11.) Krampus
“Krampus” tells the story of the European folklore creature Krampus who ends up preying on a young Max Engel (Emjay Anthony) who lost his Christmas spirit from his dysfunctional family. Krampus raises hell on the Engel home. To combat the wrath, Max’s mother (Toni Collette), father (Adam Scott), and siblings must work together to save each other from a horrible fate. It is rated PG-13 and is streaming on Peacock, Hulu, and other movie sites.
12.) Daddy’s Home 2
“Daddy’s Home 2” is the sequel to “Daddy’s Home.” This time, father and stepfather Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell) get comfortable in their new partnership just in time for the holidays. However, festivities are interrupted when Dusty’s macho father (Mel Gibson) and Brad’s gentle father (John Lithgow) show up to give their grandkids a good Christmas. The change in plans forces the four men to connect in new ways when the kids are taken to a luxury resort for the holidays. It is rated PG-13 and is found on Hulu, Paramount+, and other streaming websites.
There’s a holiday movie for everyone out there. This is just a short list of some personal favorites from the Blackman Voice.
