It’s that time of year again: the mulled wine is being warmed up, the stollen is being prepared and the decorations are being put up. Christmas is just around the corner! Even though it may be different for the second year in a row – health always comes first – there are some traditions that will never change, even in the face of a global pandemic. We are, of course, talking about Christmas movies. The ones that make us feel the magic of this festive season.
From new films released in 2021 to Christmas animated movies and decades-old classics, there’s something for every household. So get comfy on the couch: here are 12 of the most magical Christmas movies you can watch.
1 Kevin – Home Alone
This absolute Christmas masterpiece stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin, an eight-year-old boy who is accidentally left behind when his family flies away for the holidays. Kevin enjoys the peace and quiet until a couple of burglars try to rob his house. Using traps he built himself, he tries to fend off the burglars all by himself. Probably one of the most popular Christmas films ever, although the actual mystery is never really solved: What does Kevin’s father do for a living that allows him to feed such a large family, own this gigantic house and pay for a vacation for everyone?
Where: Disney+
2 Buddy – The Christmas Elf
No matter how many times you’ve seen it, this Christmas comedy never gets boring. Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a human elf who fell into Santa’s sack on Christmas Eve as a child. As he grows up, he learns why he is so different from the other elves and goes on an adventure to find his true family in New York City.
Where: Netflix, Prime Video, Sky
3. a boy called Christmas
The Netflix-produced movie premiered last month and tells the story of a boy named Nikolas who sets off to the snowy north of Finland to find his father. He learns of a mysterious village of elves called Elfhelm. Together with a reindeer and a mouse, they set off in search of the legendary village. It may not look like it, but it’s one of those movies made for kids of all ages.
Where: Netflix
4th Office Christmas Party
This 2016 Christmas movie is, of course, only for older kids. It tells the story of a failing business run by immature, party-loving brother Clay (T.J. Miller) and his uptight sister (Jennifer Aniston). Clay throws a huge Christmas party to impress a client and save the company. And as you can imagine, the whole thing quickly gets out of hand. For anyone who has missed the annual Christmas parties because of COVID-19, this movie will put you in the right mood.
Where: Prime Video, Netflix
5th Santa Clause – A nice present
On Christmas Eve, while delivering presents to the good children, Santa Claus is accidentally killed by a ruthless, divorced father. Now that’s what I call a good start to the Christmas season. After receiving magical instructions, Scott – played by Tim Allen – dons Santa’s suit, and before you know it, he and his son are taking part in the Christmas deliveries. Scott’s adventures as a father and as the big man in red were so successful that they even earned him two sequels.
Where: Disney +
6 Klaus
Here’s the case of a relatively new movie – 2019 – that became an instant classic. This Spanish Netflix animated film is about an egotistical letter carrier who is sent to an icy and dark northern town after becoming the worst student in his academy. There he meets a reclusive toymaker called Klaus. The two become friends and try to bring joy to the cold town. In fact, simply unmissable.
Where: Netflix
7 The Grinch
As one of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time, you simply have to see it every year. The Grinch (Jim Carrey), who hates Christmas, and his dog Max live as outsiders outside Whoville. He hatches a plan to steal all the Christmas presents from the townspeople and ruin Christmas. However, he is constantly interrupted by a six-year-old girl who sees the good in him and tries to change him.
Where: Netflix, Sky Ticket
8 The Nightmare Before Christmas
What’s the opposite of someone trying to ruin Christmas? The answer lies in this animated “horror” movie for kids: Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his house cause confusion. And confusion is just a fancy euphemism for it.
Where: Disney +
9. in fact… Love
Christmas is all about love… but there are very different kinds of love. This classic romantic comedy and Christmas movie follows the lives of eight very different couples as they grapple with their love lives in a hectic month leading up to Christmas in London. The movie premiered in 2003 and is still relevant today.
Where: Sky, Prime Video
10 Die Hard
John McClane flies to Los Angeles on Christmas vacation to visit his wife Holly Gennaro, from whom he is separated. He makes it just in time to pick her up from the Christmas party at the company building where she works as an executive. When her job puts their relationship to the test once again, they both have to decide whether to let their personal ambitions destroy their marriage for good or whether they are capable of self-sacrifice in order to stay together for the sake of their children.
This Christmas classic is probably one of the most watched and most popular films ever. And with good reason! There’s something for everyone here: drama, passion, love, terrorists and … a two-meter tall cuddly bear!
Where: Disney +