CHRISTMAS WATCHLIST: a curated selection of festive films
By Bennie
The holiday season is once again here, and to me there is no better way to embrace the Christmas spirit than by cosying up on the couch indulging in the seasonal rewatch of timeless festive cinema. This list is not meant to be an exhaustive collection of the countless Christmas movies available today, but rather a personal selection of favourites, spanning from cult classics and heartwarming comedies to more unconventional picks.
Enjoy!
1. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (FRANK CAPRA, 1946)
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLR3gZrU2Xo
Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life is a timeless classic that has become a cornerstone of Christmas cinema. Released in 1946, this heartwarming tale follows George Bailey, a selfless man who sacrifices his dreams for the good of his community, only to find himself questioning his worth during a moment of despair. Guided by a compassionate guardian angel, George embarks on a journey to see how profoundly his life has touched others.
WATCH FOR: a celebration of hope and the true spirit of the holiday season.
2. THE HOLDOVERS (ALEXANDER PAYNE, 2023)
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhKLpJmHhIg
Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers (2023) offers an unconventional take on the holiday season. Set in the 1970s, the film tells the story of Paul Hunham, a bad-tempered prep school teacher tasked with supervising a group of students who can’t return home for Christmas. Among them is Angus, a bright but troubled teenager grieving the loss of his father. As the unlikely duo spends the holiday together, joined by the school’s kind-hearted cook, Mary, they form a surprising bond that shifts their perspectives on loss, connection, and the meaning of family.
WATCH FOR: a touching mix of humor, heart, and poignancy.
3. BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY (SHARON MAGUIRE, 2001)
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjlKnDWZYzc
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) is a modern holiday rom-com that has charmed audiences with its wit, warmth, and relatable heroine. Based on Helen Fielding’s bestselling novel, the film follows Bridget, a quirky and self-deprecating thirty-something, as she navigates the highs and lows of life, love, and her New Year’s resolutions. Amid awkward family gatherings, a hilariously chaotic office romance, and an unexpected connection with the reserved yet endearing Mark Darcy, Bridget’s journey is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt realizations.
WATCH FOR: sharp humour on a cosy, snow-dusted backdrop.
4. A CHRISTMAS TALE (ARNAUD DESPLECHIN, 2008)
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1yPhab421Q
Arnaud Desplechin’s A Christmas Tale (2008) is a darkly comic and emotionally complex exploration of family dynamics during the holiday season. Set in the French countryside, the film centers on the Vuillard family as they come together for Christmas, despite long-held grudges, painful secrets, and unresolved tensions. Matriarch Junon, who is battling a serious illness, hopes to heal old wounds and bring her fractured family together, but the holidays only seem to magnify their dysfunction.
WATCH FOR: thought-provoking dialogue; multi-layered characters; a mix of drama and dry humour.
5. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (BILL MELENDEZ, 1965)
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCz4FNe_S1U
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) is a beloved animated classic that has captured the hearts of audiences for decades. In this heartwarming tale, Charlie Brown struggles to find the true meaning of Christmas amidst the commercialisation of the holiday. Feeling frustrated, he seeks guidance from his friends and ultimately turns to the simplicity of the season, discovering that Christmas is about love, kindness, and community.
WATCH FOR: timeless animation; memorable characters; touching message.
6. CAROL (TODD HAYNES, 2015)
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=679wr31SXWk
Carol (2015), directed by Todd Haynes, is a visually stunning and emotionally rich love story set against the backdrop of 1950s New York City during the Christmas season. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt, the film follows Therese, a young aspiring set designer, who embarks on a passionate and forbidden affair with Carol, an older woman trapped in a difficult marriage.
WATCH FOR: lush cinematography; exquisite performances by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara; subtly festive atmosphere.
7. TANGERINE (SEAN BAKER, 2015)
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALSwWTb88ZU
Tangerine (2015), directed by Sean Baker, is a vibrant and unconventional holiday film that captures the raw energy and resilience of two transgender sex workers, Sin-Dee and Alexandra, as they navigate the bustling streets of Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. Shot entirely on an iPhone, the film immerses viewers in the characters’ colorful and chaotic world, filled with humor, heartbreak, and a search for personal redemption.
WATCH FOR: bold storytelling; sharp dialogue; unconventional take on Christmas cinema; unforgettable characters.
8. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (HENRY SELICK, 1993)
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr6N_hZyBCk
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, is a visually captivating and wildly imaginative stop-motion animated film that has become a holiday favourite for all ages. The story follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who grows bored of his spooky world and stumbles upon Christmas Town. Enthralled by the joy and magic of Christmas, Jack attempts to take over the holiday, leading to a chaotic and heartwarming adventure.
WATCH FOR: unique blend of Halloween and Christmas elements; memorable soundtrack; Burton’s signature dark whimsy.
9. THE HOLIDAY (NANCY MEYERS, 2006)
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk9caHO3pW0
The Holiday (2006), directed by Nancy Meyers, is a heartwarming romantic comedy that has become a modern holiday favorite. The film follows two women, Iris and Amanda, who swap homes for the holidays in a bid to escape their personal struggles. Iris, a British columnist, retreats to Amanda’s luxurious Los Angeles mansion, while Amanda, a successful businesswoman, finds solace in Iris’s cozy countryside cottage in England. As the two women experience new surroundings, they both find unexpected romance and personal growth.
WATCH FOR: charming cast; picturesque settings; uplifting message.
10. SPENCER (PABLO LARRAIN, 2021)
Spencer (2021), directed by Pablo Larraín, is a haunting and poignant portrayal of Princess Diana during a turbulent Christmas holiday in 1991. Set over three days at the royal family’s Sandringham Estate, the film imagines a fictionalized account of Diana’s emotional struggles as she faces the pressures of her marriage and the constraints of royal life. Kristen Stewart delivers a mesmerizing performance as Diana, capturing her vulnerability and inner turmoil with nuance and depth.
WATCH FOR: atmospheric visuals; eerie soundtrack; intimate exploration of one of the most iconic figures in modern history.