The holidays are always a great time to catch up on some movie watching while visiting with family and loved ones. Here are nine films, both old and new, to celebrate this holiday season.
1. Little Women
This film has been one of my most anticipated of the year pretty much ever since it was announced. Director Greta Gerwig has established herself as a phenomenal talent and Saoirse Ronan is one of my favorite young actors so this adaptation of the classic novel is almost inevitably going to end up on my Top 10 list for the year. The film has already received overwhelming critical acclaim currently holding steady at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. I’m greatly looking forward to seeing Little Women with the women in my life when it opens on Christmas Day.
2. Meet Me in St. Louis
Meet Me in St. Louis is classic from the Golden Age of Hollywood and a perfect film for the holidays. The film is structured as a series of seasonal vignettes taking place from Summer 1903 to Spring 1904 and follows the year in the life of the Smith family in St. Louis as they prepare for a reluctant move to New York. It also was the debut for the iconic Christmas song “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” sung by Judy Garland. Meet Me in St. Louis is available to rent on Amazon Prime.
3. Last Christmas
Written by Emma Thompson and Bryony Kimmings, Last Christmas is the latest film from director Paul Feige. I won’t give anything away about the plot, but when it was over, I left the theater halfway confused about what I had just watched. However, Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding are just charming enough to earn this film a spot as one of my cheesy holiday guilty pleasures. Last Christmas is in theaters now.
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The classic Dr. Suess book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was first adapted as a TV movie in 1966 then again 34 years later with the 2000 live-action adaptation starring Jim Carrey as the titular Grinch. While it certainly may not be the greatest movie of all time, it’s still one I fondly remember watching every year growing up and is overflowing with Christmas spirit. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is available to stream on Netflix.
5. Cats
Honestly, I have no idea what to make of this movie. The film, coming to theaters December 20th, is the on-screen adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical of the same name. The film has a whole host of stars including Idris Elba, Judi Dench, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, James Cordon, Jason Derulo, Rebel Wilson, and even Taylor Swift. At the very least, Cats is sure to be an interesting one to check out with family and friends over the holidays.
6. Love Actually
One of the most beloved British films in America, Love Actually follows the lives of eight different couples and their love lives in loosely interrelated tales in front of the backdrop of London in the month before Christmas. Love, Actually is available to rent on Amazon Prime.
7. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
The final chapter of this generation’s Star Wars trilogy, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker promises to be a conclusion the classic story that began over 40 years ago in 1977. The original Star Wars gave us such iconic characters like Darth Vader, Yoda, and Chewbacca and was a huge part of my upbringing so I'm greatly looking forward to seeing how the story ends. So far, this trilogy of films has been a little uneven for me, but I’m hoping director JJ Abrams is able to deliver a satisfying finale. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 18th.
8. It's a Wonderful Life
It's probably the most quintessential holiday film of all time. The Christmas movie of all Christmas movies, It’s a Wonderful Life is practically the definition of a classic film and the perfect one to gather around and watch with your family members and loved ones over the Christmas season. It’s a Wonderful Life is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
9. Elf
My personal favorite Christmas movie, Elf is a modern Christmas classic. Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human raised as an elf who heads from the North Pole to New York City in search of his real father. Elf is filled with tons of iconic lines and memorable moments. It doesn’t ever really quite feel like the Christmas season for me until I’ve heard Buddy say, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear.” Elf is available to rent on Amazon Prime.