Where did the time go? We are seemingly breezing through the “ber months,” now more than halfway through November, which means December is fast approaching. The Philippine climate may not allow us the ability to make snow angels or wear ugly sweaters without enduring perpetually damp underarms, but nothing can stop us from huddling around a TV screen with our families to enjoy a heartwarming little feature.
Christmas movies are arguably a genre on their own—we recognize them almost instinctively. Traditionally marked by themes of togetherness and transformation, with a story that would not happen were it not for the in-universe holidays. Christmas movies are tales that make you feel all warm and gooey inside—and isn’t that what the yuletide is all about?
If that sounds like just what the doctor ordered, you’re in luck, because boy, have we got the films for you! Twelve bonafide classics for the Twelve Days of Christmas. On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
1. Home Alone (1990)
Ah, yes, the Macauley Culkin tortures bandits movie. Written by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus, “Home Alone” is a hoot and a half about an eight year-old-boy named Kevin McCallister getting accidentally left alone at home by his entire family. Due to his annoyance with said family and their treatment of him, he’s initially thrilled at the prospect of complete freedom, but has a rude awakening when two burglars invade the house. Or attempt to, anyway. Kevin is clever enough to hold the line on his own, and we get to watch as he outwits the two bumbling bandits long enough for help to come. But hey, absence makes the heart grow fonder and he just might learn to appreciate the family he briefly lost along the way.
2. Die Hard (1988)
The age-old debate of whether or not John McTiernan’s classic is a Christmas movie is alive and well to this day. I’m settling the score: it absolutely is. NYPD cop John McClane would not have been in that high-rise fighting off terrorists led by Hans Gruber had it not been Christmas Eve. The holidays inspire families to get together, as is the case for McClane, who at that point had been estranged from his wife and children and working towards reconciliation. Nothing makes one realize the importance of family quite like almost losing them.
And come on, his wife’s name is literally Holly.
3. A Christmas Carol
There have been dozens of adaptations of Charles Dickens’ classic novel, and I’m certainly not about to police which one you should see. You could even watch a new one every year if you so desire! They all follow the same thread, after all: Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserable and selfish old miser who hates happiness and love and everything good in the world, is taken on a journey of self-reflection by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come. It is an enduring story, relevant at any time, because of its simple message of “be kind.”
From the Muppets to Jim Carrey to Bill Murray to Alastair Sim… when I say dozens, I do mean dozens, going as far back as 1901. There’s plenty of kindness to go around—it’s up to you to pick your poison.
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Speaking of grouchy and hateful figures, this Dr. Seuss creation has become so iconic that his name is synonymous with being a Christmas-hater. Ever been told you’re being a Grinch? I would hope not, because he hated Christmas with such a passion that he snuck into the houses of unsuspecting Whos—a whole people who adore Christmas—and stole all their presents, meals and decor. What takes the Grinch by surprise is that this act did not take away the Whos’ holiday spirit, and he realizes that maybe, just maybe, there’s more to Christmas than materialism.
As far as adaptations go, there’s a few to check out, each with their own take on the tale. There is the animated TV special released in 1966, the live action version starring Jim Carrey released in 2000, and the most recent, a Benedict Cumberbatch-led animation released in 2018.
5. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
In a list of classics, how could I not include this film, directed by Frank Capra, when it is still one of the most televised Christmas stories to this day? And for good reason.
George Bailey has stayed in Bedford Falls his whole life, giving his all for the community and its betterment. He is the only thing standing in the way of the greedy Mr. Potter, who wants to dissolve his building and loan business in order to take advantage of the town’s finances. However, when disaster strikes, George hits such a low point that he contemplates suicide. Luckily, an angel-in-training, Clarence, comes to him just in time. Clarence grants his wish to be nonexistent, and shows him what Bedford Falls would be like had he never been born.
“One man’s life touches so many others,” Clarence tells him, and by extension, the audience. If this film doesn’t fill you with warmth and a sense of “everything is going to be okay,” I don’t know what will.
6. Elf (2003)
In one of Will Ferrell’s most charming performances to date, Buddy the titular Elf will surely tug on your heartstrings. Directed by Jon Favreau, it’s a family comedy about an orphan who is taken in by Santa’s helpers after he accidentally hitches a ride to the North Pole. When he gets older, he leaves in search of his biological father in New York City, a jaded publisher who does not take kindly to Buddy. At first.
This is a story of adulthood, of family and belonging. Buddy’s mission is to spread the Christmas cheer—and he’ll surely win you over too.
7. Love Actually (2003)
Did you have any doubt? Come on. Of course Richard Curtis’ Love Actually is in this list. Something must have been in the water in 2003, because they were churning out some bonafide holiday bangers. If you’re like me, a firm believer that everything revolves around love—not necessarily romantic—then this is the movie to rewatch.
Love is a tricky thing, even though it should be the simplest thing in the world. The all-star cast will take you on individual, but eventually intertwined, journeys—two actors who can only truly communicate with physicality in a movie set, a man in love with his best friend’s wife, a potential couple dealing with a language barrier—this film’s got them all, and then some.
8. Miracle on 34th Street (1947 & 1994)
Mall Santas are a staple during this time of year—kids bounding up to a red-clad white-bearded man on a throne to tell him what they want for Christmas. Obviously, the general consensus is that none of them are the real Santa because, one, he doesn’t exist, and two, if he did, why on earth would he spend his time in a retail store? But what if a man came in claiming to be the real thing, so sure of it that he was prepared to go before a judge and jury to prove it?
This feature explores the myth of Santa Claus and what it means to have faith—not so much in fantasy as in what the fantasy represents: love, life, and miracles in forms you may not expect. It’s not such a bad thing to have something to believe in.
9. Iron Man 3 (2013)
Every time I hear Jingle Bells, it is not the image of Santa Claus on his sleigh with a gigantic bag of gifts stuffed on the cushions that I conjure up in my head. It’s not even the talent show scene from Mean Girls. It’s Tony Stark dancing in his workshop as he puts on his Mark 43 armor for the first time.
The third and final Iron Man movie puts its lead through the wringer. He is Ebenezer Scrooge, a man haunted by ghosts born from his past mistakes. He’s also George Bailey, a man at the end of his rope who needs the reminder that he has done, and will do, good in the world.
It takes a while for Tony to get his happy ending, despite the setting being the supposedly happiest season, but he gets there. He wishes Pepper—and us—a Merry Christmas with a literal bang.
10. Klaus (2019)
Sergio Pablos’ directorial debut is still criminally underrated. In this hand-drawn Netflix animation, he posits a unique take on Santa Claus’ origin. It is full of heart, earnestness bursting out of the storybook visuals.
The protagonist is not actually the proverbial Santa, it is instead a spoiled young man by the name of Jesper, who has to process 6000 letters in the remote and civil war-ridden village of Smeerensburg in one year or he’ll never receive the family fortune from his father. He concocts a plan involving a man called Klaus and his large toy collection. And thus, the myth of Santa Claus is born.
11. Krampus (2015)
Okay, okay, before you chuck tomatoes at me, hear me out. Could this kind of plot happen in a time other than the Christmas season? No? Exactly. Krampus is, by himself, a Christmas figure in European folklore. Santa fills your sock with coal if you misbehave, and sure, that’s not a fun surprise, but Krampus will literally drag you to hell for it.
The movie Krampus is, shockingly (and I hope you appreciate the sarcasm here,) a horror film. A wayward wish by a misguided boy summons the half-goat, half-devil, who begins to terrorize his quarreling family. They must learn to coexist and protect each other if they wish to survive the night.
Dark, I know. It’s certainly no Hallmark movie. But its themes of family and the fact that the setting of Christmas is an important plot point does, in fact, make this a Christmas movie, albeit one with a different flavor. Besides, we’re still technically in the thick of spooky season—this film brings the best of both worlds.
12. Gremlins (1984)
In my defense, the mogwai were cute for a good while before they became demonic furby-looking monstrosities. Classified as a horror-comedy, the Joe Dante-directed classic is another unconventional addition to the genre, but a worthy one. And it’s not even a reach—Billy and his family wouldn’t have been terrorized by gremlins had they not been gifted to him for Christmas. And too, themes of greed and family are interwoven into the nooks and crannies of the story.
It’s campy, it’s bloody, and it’s fun for the whole family. And hey, wouldn’t it be funny to unleash a furby—the real world equivalent to demonic little gremlins, let’s be honest—on an unwitting child right after watching this?
The status of many movies on this list as “Christmas movies” is still hotly debated. Some believe that action flicks like Die Hard and gothic stories like Edward Scissorhands simply aren’t “Christmas-y” enough. But I disagree. But these selections from the genre teach us that Christmas can be whatever you want it to be, that the yuletide is for everybody and anybody who wishes to partake in it, and it is not strictly defined by arbitrary criteria. It is what you make it. So, what will your holidays look like?
Photo Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iNmVVlmmv8, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYWvwkXreaI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ3lr3urgDU, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbFma8Bd-AI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLR3gZrU2Xo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14o38xfHlXc, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP3g0WzGdQY, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUwyGo6PQzY, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke1Y3P9D0Bc, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taE3PwurhYM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiZibYG00lw, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd20j2Hb-0Y
