Christmas Movie Special!
The best part of Christmas? Sappy Christmas Movies!
Christmas is upon us, and I am an unapologetic sucker for Christmas movies during this time of year—just like every other person in the world!
Sure, there are the absolute classics like Home Alone and The Grinch, but let’s be honest: it’s the Hallmark, rom com types that I binge-watch obsessively. There’s just something so comforting about knowing everything will work out in the end. The silly third-act fight will resolve itself, and the rich prince/princess will, without fail, fall for the poor-but-charming chef/baker/florist. That predictable certainty? It’s like a warm hug for my anxiety-ridden brain!
I’m clearly not someone who’s big on “world cinema” or movies that leave the ending up to interpretation. No, thank you. Tell me exactly what happens. Show me the boy and girl I’ve spent two hours rooting for finally getting together. Spare me the guessing games—and for the love of all things festive, don’t make me go down a Google rabbit hole searching for closure!
Watching my Christmas movies is a sacred tradition, and I treat it like a special event. I cook myself a cozy meal, make sure my Christmas tree is glowing, dim all unnecessary lights, and ensure the boys are packed away in their rooms. These movies? They’re not a family affair. They don’t qualify as “Christmas movie night with the family.” Oh, no. These movies are the highest form of me time.
So now that I’ve set the mood, let’s get down to business: a list of my favourite Christmas movies!
The Holiday: 100/10
Jude Law. Kate Winslet. Jude Law in glasses. Kate Winslet in her cottage. Jude Law smiling. Kate Winslet having gumption. I mean, ok, really these two just made the movie for me! But they absolutely couldn’t have done it with Cameron Diaz and Jack Black and that incredible soundtrack. The music is almost always playing in my head. And those homes, my gosh I would always, always pick that cottage despite hating the snow, but the romance of that cottage the warmth of the house!
Everything about this movie is perfection!
And the simple storyline that just effortlessly weaves into something much deeper. A basic flip, a switch of places but it evolves into the profound growth of the two main characters! Incredible. This is my 24th night movie with wine!
Love Actually : 100/10
Where do I start. Oh yes, Liam Neelson’s accent! Hugh Grant’s dance, Colin Firth just being and Bill Nighy’s everything in the movie! And man, Emma Thompson! Again one of the best movies I feel I’ve ever seen! To have so many stories running parallel to each other and seamlessly tying together towards the end… magical.
There have been several articles I’ve read recently about the flaws in the movie, which I get to some extent, but honestly, apart from Keira Knightly, I don’t find a single one!
The Guardians of the Galaxy, Holiday Special: 100/10
Hey you can’t ever argue with me on this one! Guardians is one of my favourite Avenger series so when they made a Christmas special and they got Kevin Bacon in it, they had me as well! The hilarious kidnapping, the revelation of siblings, the introducing Christmas to a bunch of aliens! Perfection!
Christmas Chronicles: 100/10
Come on! Kurt Russell as Santa. What’s not to like! The story is sweet, the brother sister dynamic makes me nostalgic of my own older brother. The action, the reindeers… I loved it all!
Didn’t care much for the sequel though. (Just saw it last night and it isn’t bad it’s just the first one is at another level all together)
Netflix movies:
Dash And Lily: 9/10
I absolutely love Dash and Lily. I didn’t think I would. I was actually sure I would find it silly and teen-y and precious. But what it was, was warm and snarky and quirky and cute in a non teen-y way. Midori Frances and Austin Abrams are both phenomenal. That Christmas tree outfit- I need!
Also hello it’s got a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes by the critics… thats saying something!
Happiest Season: 9/10
Love is Love! And this movie is all squished up on love! While the main plot line of course is adorable, the youngest sister, Mary Holland, for me takes the cake! And the fact that she co wrote this mad movie makes it all the more fun!
Another warm, cozy, adorable movie! You can’t go wrong with this one!
Want to give a little shout out to another cute LGBTQ movie “Single all the way” which I loved just as much. The only reason it didn't make the cut, is because I found the main leads’ chemistry wanting. Michael Urie is a delight to watch, for me, I genuinely love him, but his chemistry with Philemon Chambers seemed super forced.
Last Christmas: 9/10
Let me start with how much I love Emilia Clarke. And not from Game of thrones, but from Me before You. She was my perfect person in that movie, so unapologetically herself, so kind and affectionate and just a lovely, lovely person!
This movie is the saddest one on my list, but man, what a movie. What a story. It was Christmas wrapped up in the perfect packaging, and I don’t just mean Henry Golding, I mean in the nostalgia, the bittersweet storyline, the sheer magic of Christmas shines through this movie.
Holidate: 8/10
So Emma Robert’s is not on my favourite actors list, but this movie.. I actually liked her a lot! Again a tale as old as time, fake dating till you fall in love, mad nosy family, the perfect mix! Luke Bracey is one of my new crushes in case you’re wondering! That hair and that accent, he should be in every damn Christmas movie ever!
Hot Frosty: 7/10
I mean…. a snowman that came to life. First of all, who the hell makes a hot snowman? Like where has anyone seen that? I’m not complaining, just asking!
Dustin Milligan and Lacey Chabert, again for me had very little chemistry. She was a little school teacher-ish with him. I’m all for the magic of Christmas but the snowman coming to life was a little much for me to get into. I enjoyed Craig Robinson and Jo Lo Truglio’s cameo… being a huge Brooklyn 99 fan.
Nine Nine! Whoop!
(Fine most of my review points are for his abs alone!!)
Merry Gentlemen: 7/10
Another ab filled Christmas movie! Another cliche filled movie!
This was one of those that completely brought my anxiety levels to zero. There was no way she was taking that job again. I mean seriously who in their right minds leave Chad Michael Murray? There is no way they are not saving that pub. It’s just one of those movies. You know from the first shot it’s not just a happy ending it’s a predictable one! But it’s a sweet watch. I’m happy I caught it.
Our Little Secret: 6/10
Ok I only watched this because second chance romances are my favourite trope! Its was ok. Not great but not bad. It had so much potential I felt, to be funny and warm, to be nostalgic, to be christmassy. But it just didn’t get there.
These are some of my favourite animated Christmas movies:
Klaus: 10/10
Damn the animation in this movie is just perfection! The storyline, the twists and turns, the humour, what is there to not love! This was such a great family watch. All of us loved everything about this movie!! And it’s one we always repeat!
Arthur Christmas: 10/10
Again a brilliant animated movie! What I love the most I think is the whole technology and magic interwoven into the most mind-blowing feat of the year- Santa’s night of giving presents!!! The elves are amazing, Grand Santa was too cute, the tension of will they make it will they not at the end… I was at the edge of my seat I tell ya!
There are still so many I watched and enjoyed here are a few that just about made the cut:
Home alone: The first one
Jingle all the way: Classic!
Santa Clause: Of course!
A castle for Christmas: Brooke Shields is just lovely!
Princess Switch: Again the first one only.
Love hard: Nina Dobrev needs to age already… how dare she! Cute movie!
I know there are absolute classics like Miracle on 34th street, Grinch, It’s a wonderful life and a Christmas story, but honestly I don’t remember them too well!!
Well that’s that from me! Would love to hear about your favourite Christmas movies!
Merry Christmas
Love Ally!