Will Manning

I posted this up last Christmas, if you missed it, here it is again. The films you NEED to be watching this Christmas season!

Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a time where you can kick back, put your feet up, have a huge tin of chocolates on one side of you and a big mug of hot chocolate on the other. And what’s the best thing to add to that list, why a Christmas film of course!

Here is my guide to the very best films to get stuck into this year and whilst they aren’t all Christmas related they are oh so right for the festive season.

1. Home Alone

Released in 1990, Home Alone is the highest grosing comedy of all time! The film is set in Chicago where a disfunctional family sets off on holiday for Paris whilst accidently leaving their youngest son Kevin behind. Whilst he enjoys having the house to himself, ordering Pizza for example he’s met by two local burglars who attempt to break into the house, Kevin warns them off with some amazing home made booby traps.

2. Elf

Released in 2003, Elf stars a brilliant cast including Will Ferrell, James Caan and Zooey Deschanel. The story is about one of Santa’s elves who learns of his true identity as a human and goes to New York City to meet his biological father, spreading Christmas cheer in a world of cynics as he goes. Highlights of the film include him pigging out eating enough sweets to last a normal human a lifetime and him screaming “SANTAAAAAAAAA,” in a department store he accidently lands a job in as an elf.

3. Toy Story

You really can’t go wrong with with this Disney classic. Who doesn’t want to see their toys come to life and go on wild adventures without you even knowing? Exactly. Woody, Buzz and the whole gang never fail to make you laugh, smile and sometimes feel a little emotional in Toy Story.

4. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

My mum’s personal favourite here, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. If you’ve ever wanted to watch a film all about a family who tries so hard to get it right but just fails at every hurdle then this is for you. My personal highlight is when the Dad, Clark Wilhelm Griswold Jr played by Chevy Chase attempts to show off and put on the best Christmas lights on his house, after a huge build up including a family drum roll and Clark singing Joy To The World the lights fail to work. What more could you ask for?

5. Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is a film which needs no introduction I’m sure. This 1964 classic is not only one of my favourite Christmas films but actually one of my favourite films ever, hands down, full stop, the end. Filled with the best sing along songs and really bad British accents this is the ultimate family film.

6. A Muppets Christmas Carol

This takes me back to year 8 at school. <em A Muppets Christmas Carol tell’s the classic Christmas story of A Christmas Carol with added Muppet-ness. The story of Scrooge, a surly money-lender who is more interested in profit than celebration and Christmas. This all changes however when he’s shown his past and present by two visiting ghosts – casual. On Christmas Eve the miserable Scrooge has a change of heart… A very funny and light hearted watch, perfect.

7. The Grinch

I’ve met some people who really can’t stand this film, personally I think it’s great once a year. Starring Jim Carrey, one of my favourite actors of all time, The Grinch is a real Christmas gem. The film follows the story of the Dr. Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, The Grinch, to put it simply – hates Christmas. As an 8-year-old, most of his classmates made fun of him because of his beard when he tried to shave it to look his best during Christmas Day. The mocking laughter of the classmates made the Grinch so angry that he took out his rage against the classroom, frightening the classmates and declaring his hatred for Christmas before running away to live in the top of the mountain.

8. Miracle on 34th Street

Although the 1947 release is the original I always get excited about the 1994 remake. Starring little Mara Wilson aka Matilda this is possibly my favourite Christmas film of all time, despite a rollercaster ride for Santa the end is full of Christmas cheer. Justice for Santa!

9. Love Actually

Right guys, put your hands up if you love a good chick flick over Christmas (everyone’s hands go up), just as I suspected, and there is no better chick flick than Love Actually. This heart warming film shows multiple love stores in the build up to the big day on the 25th. Who wouldn’t want to watch this at Christmas?!

10. The Snowman

This is pure Christmas bliss and something which should be watched every Christmas without fail, do you hear me! There is something which makes me feel all warm inside whenever I watch this, ther is no better feeling.

So there you have it, just 10 of the ultimate Christmas films you should be watching during this festive period, whilst your watching I would highly reccomend you have a mince pie, hot chocolate and other hibernation survival essentials, all of which can be found on my guide right here.