Christmas values and symbols give us an idea of union, family and joy. Christmas is not necessarily seen exclusively from the Hollywood industry, but also a key concept in various films from independent or low-budget industries. From spectacular musicals to social dramas, we leave you with a list of Christmas movies that you can enjoy at this time (and we tell you where to see them).
Wheel of fortune (Dir. Vincente Minelli, 1944)
On December dates, not only does the end of the cycle come to an end, but also the memory of it to start a new one. Classic Hollywood musicals are impregnated with nostalgia or melancholy by explicitly conveying the feelings of their characters and settings. This is the case of this film directed by an expert in musicals: Vincente Minelli.
Known by its original title Meet Me in St.Louiswe head into the romantic drama of Esther Smith (judy garland), who tries to woo his neighbor John Truett. Our protagonist’s plan is complicated when she sees her father’s decision to move with her family from San Luis to New York. Christmas will be an important scenario to resolve the conflicts of the plot. A magnificent musical with the theme Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas makes it one of the most important Christmas movies in movie history.
You can one of Judy Garland’s best performances on iTunes.
Living is beautiful! (Dir. Frank Capra, 1945)
Starring James Stewart, this film puts us in the situation of George, a man who has given up on his dreams and thinks about suicide. Clarence Odbody (henry travers) shows him the influence of his actions with others and the fortune he has to continue living. The film is a Christmas classic in every way. Living is beautiful! It is in the catalog for all movie lovers. Without a doubt, it is a film that can fill us with that magic that we call Christmas spirit.
Capra’s classic is available to Prime Video subscribers.
miracle on 34th street (Dir. George Staton, 1947)
Winner of three Oscars, the Christmas classic tells how little Susan (Natalie Wood) begins to believe in the existence of Santa Claus. It turns out that said Santa Claus is Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn), a passerby hired by Susan’s mother (Maureen O’Hara) to promote a chain of department stores. Things get complicated when the executive of the rival chain puts Kringle on trial after presenting him as mentally disturbed. Kringle must figure out how to continue on his mission to make kids believe in Santa and get away with the trial.
You can see this cute movie on Disney Plus.
White Christmas (Dir. Michael Curtiz, 1954)
Another musical on the list that could not be missing. White Christmas is the original title of Michael Curtiz. The Hungarian-born director is recognized by titles such as White House (1942). Curtiz along with Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney made one of the most spectacular Christmas movies in good old Hollywood style.
The film is available on Prime Video.
Gremlins (Dir. Joe Dante, 1984)
This commercial and cult success for its fascinating creatures has become the habit of many of its fans as a Christmas movie. The curious thing about the film is its harmony of being a family film despite its black humor and violence. We can say that Gremlins is a beautiful anomaly within industrial cinema. Who knew that terror would brighten our hearts at Christmas? The movie is a prime example of the genre not being limited to just one concept.
Available on HBO Max.
My poor angel (Dir. Chris Columbus, 1990)
Who hasn’t enjoyed Kevin’s tricks to avoid being robbed by two petty thieves? If you haven’t seen this fun movie, now’s your chance. home alone it includes everything you want in a Christmas movie: laughter, family unity, iconic characters and a beautiful ending in true Christmas style.
Relive this classic on Disney Plus.
The Grinch (Dir. Ron Howard, 2000)
It’s practically impossible not to think about Christmas without the Grinch. The use of the character to refer to those unsympathetic people to date is common among all of us. This adaptation of a Christmas story, tells us the adventures of our curmudgeon character played by an expressive Jim Carrey. Our greenish companion will lead us to a tender redemption, like that of any curmudgeon, who is infected by Christmas optimism. The Grinch is one of the most popular Christmas movies.
The movie is available on Netflix.
The strange world of Jack (Dir. Henry Selick, 1993)
The union of Halloween with Christmas has never been as direct as it is in this film. In true Tim Burton style, the film shows Jack, The Pumpkin King’s understanding of the magic of Christmas. The problem lies in how he perceives her from the beginning: something very dark and gloomy for any common being. Selick’s hilarious film takes us into Jack’s romance and his love of Christmas.
You can watch it on Disney Plus.
the goblin (Dir. Jon Favreau, 2003)
With a comical performance by Will Ferrell, elf is a movie where the world of goblins and humans come together. Buddy is a human who is raised by goblins at the North Pole due to an accident. His adoptive father explains who his biological parents are, making known the whereabouts of his father. Buddy sets out on a journey in search of his father, who ironically is on Santa’s list of bad people due to his greed and selfishness.
This movie is available for rent on iTunes, Prime Video, Google Play and YouTube.
Really love (Dir. Richard Curtis, 2003)
If you are looking for a Christmas romance this is a great option. The film has an excellent cast, with names like Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman. In addition, an honorable mention must be made to its soundtrack, with songs from contemporary bands like Maroon 5 or The Calling, even classics like The Beatles or The Beach Boys. All the elements of the movie are there to enjoy a good time with your partner or if you are just a fan of romantic movies.
Really love It is available on iTunes, Google Play and YouTube.
The polar Express (Dir. Robert Zemeckis, 2004)
An animated Christmas adventure film in the style of Zemeckis. It seems to be an always viable option to complement a good Christmas night. The polar Express tells the adventure of a group of children aboard a magical train that goes to the North Pole to meet the great Santa Claus. The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery shows how magical Christmas can be.
Available for rent in the iTunes, Google Play, YouTube and Primer Video catalogs.
Silent Night (Dir. Christian Carion, 2005)
This war drama is based on the Christmas Truce, a period of ceasefire during the First World War. If we talk about brotherhood without borders, the film is an example of this. Accepting their differences, as well as finding what unites them, deals a resounding blow to the patriotic ideals that regularly characterize the idea of war. A moving film to reflect on the union with the other in times of crisis, it is a great reflection not only for Christmas, but also for humanity.
You can watch it on iTunes, Google Play and YouTube.
Scrooge’s Ghosts (Dir. Robert Zemeckis, 2009)
Another film based on the Charles Dickens novel and another Zemeckis film on the list. A Christmas Carol tells the story of curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge, who refuses his nephew Fred’s Christmas dinner. One night the visit of the ghost of his former partner will set the tone for other ghostly visits. These will make you reflect on the past, present and future of him. It is an excellent reflection on our actions. The story is a Christmas classic necessary to have a good time with the family.
You can watch it on Disney Plus.
A very Murray Christmas (Dir. Sofia Coppola, 2015)
Murray and Coppola team up again, but this time for a musical film. Murray plays himself as the host of a Christmas TV special. The problem will fall on whether or not the guests will arrive on time due to strong storms in New York. The program becomes a true Christmas show for the entire public. Without a doubt, it is a great option to spend Christmas, next to your favorite artists.
The movie is a Netflix special.
Klaus (Dir. Sergio Pablos, 2019)
The last great Christmas success that has been presented in the cinema. The endearing Jesper and Klaus, takes us to the postman-Santa relationship, in a fun adventure full of gifts and generosity to places where not even Klaus himself was able to reach. Pablos’ debut was well received by critics and audiences alike, earning him a 2019 Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.
This movie can be found on Netflix.
Other Christmas movies:
Here we leave you Christmas movies that are taken from another, not so conventional perspective, but just as interesting. The particularity with which the subject of Christmas was addressed can be both brief and indirect to the subject of the film being treated. Also Christmas in these movies are the pretext to talk about other interests and topics. That is why here we leave you this short list of other Christmas movies in their chronological order.
The bazaar of surprises (Dir. Ernst Lubitsch, 1940)
The bazaar of surprises, one of the last works of the German-Jewish Ernst Lubitsch, is the perfect film to have fun with Alfred and Klara’s misunderstandings. They both fall in love in an exchange of letters without really knowing who they are. The funny thing about the whole thing is that Alfred and Klara have a lousy boss-clerk working relationship at the Matuschek & Co. accessories store. Finally, the lies, entanglements and false identities will ironically show their true face among their protagonists. The stage? A Christmas night.
You can see great performances by James Stewart (Alfred) and Margaret Sullavan (Klara) on iTunes and Prime Video.
Apartment (Dir. Billy Wilder, 1960)
Wilder leaves us with this classic, a drama-comedy starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, nominated for 10 Academy Awards, The Apartment It is considered one of the most beautiful films, preserved for its cultural value in the National Film Registry. A crazy Christmas party is one of the interesting scenes in the film because of the weight it takes on the plot.
You can rent classic on iTunes and Prime Video.
Hard to Kill (Dir. John McTiernan, 1988)
The mandatory Christmas title for action lovers. Bruce Willis rose to stardom with this hero who represents an ordinary man in a situation that seems out of his reach. John McClane is a New York police officer who arrives in Los Angeles to celebrate Christmas, but finds himself involved in a fight against a group of criminals who take his wife hostage in a skyscraper, the Nakatomi Plaza.
Available in StarPlus.