photo credit: Ella Kirk
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, everyone. While many see cookies, gifts, snow and lights as the pinnacle of Christmas, I personally always picture one thing around the holiday season: the movies.
With so many different choices of holiday films to indulge in, many people have differing opinions on which movies are the best and which are the worst. It can be stressful to pick the perfect film to play on Christmas Eve.
But here, I am going to give some new, some old and some classic Christmas movies that should either be avoided or watched this holiday season. While this list may cause a lot of anger, hatred and disgust, it’s important to get my opinion across. More importantly, the right opinion.
AVOID
1. “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
Is it a Christmas movie? Is it a Halloween movie? I’m not too sure actually because I’ve never watched it. But the thought of an oddly tall skeleton going on a magical Christmas adventure of self-discovery freaks me out. At least I assume that’s what it is. Either way, if you have to question whether it’s a Halloween or Christmas movie, then it’s not a Christmas movie. So don’t watch it.
2. “Home Alone 3” (and all that follow)
I don’t know why movie producers try to make more than one sequel of a film. Yes, it brings in profit, but does that matter if the people don’t enjoy it? I cannot put myself through watching multiple crappy remakes of the first “Home Alone”. Not even Macaulay Culkin wanted to do more than two. Maybe take a hint.
3. “A Christmas Story”
This might be a tough pill to swallow. I personally have nothing wrong with this movie; it’s a good movie, and a good story, just a little overrated. But after watching the movie hundreds of times on TNT’s “24 Hours of A Christmas Story”, I realized that I now need to move on. And so should everybody else. It isn’t the fantastic Christmas movie that everyone makes it out to be. It’s a good one, not a great one.
4. “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey”
I have so much hatred for this movie. I remember sitting there in the living room with my parents and siblings as we listened to this whole musical together. I remember them saying how much they enjoyed it, while I was ripping the hair off my head as the horrible songs made my ears ring. Tell the kids to stop singing and tell them to stop dancing. This movie should not be shown on a screen again and I urge everyone to avoid it.
WATCH
1. “The Christmas Chronicles”
A beautiful story of the coming together of a brother and sister in the name of Christmas. The story of this movie is one that I would imagine myself on as a kid. Watching Kate and Teddy travel the world with Santa Claus on Christmas Eve in Santa’s sleigh brought back so many memories from my childhood. Kurt Russell also does a fantastic job as a modern, comedic Santa while keeping the traits of the old, classic Santa.
2. “Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas”
More people need to watch this movie every year. Every single Christmas, my family and I watch this together as we open presents. While it may seem like a very simple movie, it is much more complex than that. It is the complicated story of a monkey traversing the holiday world, while a stumbled man in the yellow hat tries to figure out what George’s true Christmas dreams are.
3. “Elf”
Yes, I know this is a cliché pick. But this movie deserves it. When anyone thinks of a Christmas movie, this is the movie that comes to mind. Buddy the Elf goes on a beautiful and funny adventure on trying to discover his real roots, but also learn what the true definition of family is. Please, feel free to watch this movie for the hundredth time.
4. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
This one is a personal favorite. There’s not a single dull moment in this movie. This movie will keep anyone who watches it entertained for the full hour and a half. As well as this, the very old and nostalgic vibe reminds me of how Christmas felt as a kid. I could watch this movie on repeat for hours, so definitely check it out this Christmas.
