4 Christmas Movies That’ll Boost Your Holiday Spirit

The Christmas season is upon us, which means that holiday films are playing on TV or available to stream through streaming apps. Some holiday movies have become ordinary and uneventful at times, especially when you watch them around the clock and have the same storylines. Holiday movies tend to have plots centered around eccentric family members coming over, which usually ends up in chaos, and then all is well again come Christmas day. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t spark a sense of warmth and humor in us when we watch them. So sit back and relax with your favorite cup of hot cocoa, and choose which movie you want to snuggle up to as we take a look at four-holiday classic films that’ll be sure to give you holiday cheer. 

Elf

The first film is Jon Favreau’s 2003 film, Elf. This holiday delight takes place in New York, where Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, travels to find his father, Walter, played by James Cann. He was accidentally dropped off at the North Pole and lived there well into his adult years, believing that he was an elf.  Of course, comedic chaos ensues as Buddy tries to fit in the real world of adulthood, where it’s not covered in snow with little elves running around. You can watch this film anytime with the following streaming services: HBO Max, Starz, Prime Video, Hulu, and Philo. 

Home Alone

The 1990 film Home Alone, directed by Chris Columbus, follows a rambunctious eight-year-old Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin. In this hilarious film, he suddenly becomes the man-of-the-house after his entire family leaves him by accident while trying to make their family trip to Paris. Kevin’s stay at home is anything but relaxing as he realizes that he has to protect the house from two conmen, Harry and Marv, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. Also, throughout the movie, he finally understands the value of family, all while being at his loneliest. So, if you sympathize with having a big family and want to see an adorable kid outsmart two grown men, then this movie is for you. Home Alone is currently available to stream on Disney+. 

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Now you can’t have a Christmas without a Charlie Brown Christmas. The Charles M. Schulz holiday comic comes to life through the lens of animation, and this heartwarming 1965 television special is sure to be a winner in your household. In this mini-film, Charlie Brown finds himself in a dilemma when he worries that Christmas has become too commercialized. So he and his friends dive deeper to find out the true meaning of Christmas. Make sure to catch this holiday classic on Apple TV+ and on PBS, December 19th at 7:30pm. 

The Polar Express

The last and fourth film was so popular that Stone Mountain Park has a park attraction dedicated to this movie. The Polar Express, directed by Robert Zemeckis, shows a journey of finding belief in an unlikely way. The film follows a young boy from Michigan, who has some doubts about Santa Clause and Christmas, and in the middle of the night, he takes a ride on a train called The Polar Express. The train’s only route is to the North Pole, and it is where the young boy embarks on an adventurous journey as he learns about the spirit of Christmas and what it does for so many people. The Polar Express focuses on the nostalgic childlike excitement while showcasing bravery and the importance of friendship. You can watch this film currently on streaming services such as HBO Max, Philo, and FuboTV. 

By: Rochelle Jones

December 17th, 2021