“But I did know that nobody ever asked me what I wanted for Christmas. Had any adult with the power to fulfill my desires taken me seriously and asked me what I wanted, they would have known that I did not want to have anything to own, or to possess any object. I wanted, rather, to feel something on Christmas Day.” The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Here are some Christmas DAY Classics we enjoy!
Musicals
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Comedy, Musical, Life Lessons, Based on a Book, Puppets, 90s
1992 release, and my FAVORITE Christmas family movie! A reimagining of The Christmas Carol book, Michael Caine plays the main character Ebenezer Scrooge totally straight… as if the Muppets were “regular” actors. The soundtrack is super catchy, but over time, one song has been omitted (The Love is Gone), so look for it in the Behind The Scenes.
TRIVIA – Kermit, as Bob Cratchit, had his first full-body walking shot in this movie
The Polar Express
Fantasy, Nostalgia, Musical, Believing, Family Movie, Based on a Book, Motion Capture
2004 and the motion capture of that time was just groundbreaking (though some say it’s uncanny and makes them uncomfortable). If you’re unfamiliar, it’s about a boy who is doubting the existence of Santa, so on C Eve, when a magic train appears in his yard, he has to decide if he’s going to get on. I love that Tom Hanks plays all the adult characters, and the main kids are great, too. The BEST way to watch this is in the theaters, which they do often during the holidays. There are also themed actual train rides, etc, with visits from Santa.
TRIVIA– The author, Chris Van Allsburg, also wrote “Jumanji” and “Zathura.”
hhhhh
Light Horror, Creature Feature, Relationships
2014
hhhh
Horror, Dystopian, End-of-the-World, Woman Centered, Irish
2024. More Sci-Fi than Horror personally. The one scene with the diseased was brief. It’s about a woman who wakes up with no memory, but is pregnant. As she tries to remember, she realizes there is danger off their little island. This is pretty slow… found myself fast forwarding some scenes. REALLY liked the main character, but felt like they didn’t do a good job making her feel comfortable/safe when she woke up to make things work.
hhhhhh
Horror, Comet, Camp Slasher
2020 movie about kids at a rehabilitation camp for tech dependency. Years before, a comet had fallen and altered two boys. When something happens to their mother, they are now left to their own devices, and become dangerous to the public. Too bad the kids’ camp is so close…
I liked the sense of humor of the group, but it was a basic cheesy teen slasher trope.
hhhhhh
Horror, Comet, Camp Slasher
2020 movie about kids at a rehabilitation camp for tech dependency. Years before, a comet had fallen and altered two boys. When something happens to their mother, they are now left to their own devices, and become dangerous to the public. Too bad the kids’ camp is so close…
I liked the sense of humor of the group, but it was a basic cheesy teen slasher trope.
Comedy
Mixed Nuts
Comedy, Relationships, LGBTQIA+, 90s
Trigger Warning- mental health
1994- the year I graduated HS! I LOVE this movie- one of my favorite holiday movies despite being a critical and commercial failure haha. I adore the cast: Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Juliette Lewis, Liev Schreiber (shown above in his film debut!), Rita Wilson, Rob Reiner and more. Based on the 1982 French comedy film Le Père Noël est une ordure, and directed by Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle), it’s a multi-story movie centered around the volunteers who work at a suicide hotline during Christmas.
TRIVIA – This was the fifth and final Christmas movie that came out in 1994. Others were The Ref, The Santa Clause, Miracle on 34th Street, and Trapped in Paradise.
A Christmas Story
Nostalgia, Childhood, Based on a Book, Time Period
Warning- use of toy guns
1983 release day, but set in winter of 1940, and based on the book ‘In God We Trust All Others Pay Cash’ by Jean Shepard. There are Broadway renditions, and a later sequel with the same main actor. WONDERFUL movie that used to be my favorite until it was over saturated with the 24 hr showing on TBS during Christmas. It’s basically about life during that time, and the main kid desperately wanting a BB gun for Christmas.
TRIVIA– Canadian actress Tedde Moore was 8 months pregnant during filming but they couldn’t have the teacher be an unwed mother so instead of making her MARRIED, they padded her so she looked plump all over.
The Santa Clause
Fantasy Relationships, Believing, Comedy, 90s
1994 with multiple sequels. It’s about a divorced dad who is total ass, and accidentally kills Santa Claus. When a note says “put on the suit” and he does, he suddenly finds himself finishing off deliveries for the night. Since his name is Scott Calvin, it was obviously meant to be, but despite his denial, he slowly takes on all of the characteristics of the Big Man which causes problems at work and with his ex-wife. Neil (the step-dad above) is my hero- gentle parents, listens, is caring, and has a good paying job. Clear winner!
TRIVIA – The original script featured a dark storyline, one in which Santa Claus was involved in a violent death.
Four Christmases
Relationships, Comedy
Released in 2008. I was not a fan of this movie until recently. It’s about two couples with the “perfect relationship” and think they have the secret to a great holiday- tell your families you’re working, but go somewhere tropical together. When there are plane delays, and they are caught on camera during an interview, they suddenly have to attend the family gatherings…. all FOUR of them! There are so many cast members you’ll recognize, but I just adore Sissy Spacek (Carrie), Mary Steenburgen (Elf), and Jon Favreau (Chef).
TRIVIA – Reese Witherspoon needing five stitches after being hit with a ceramic plate during filming which caused a three day filming delay
rrrrrrr
Comedy, Drama, Relationships, Do Over
2000
hhhhhh
Horror, Comet, Camp Slasher
2020 movie about kids at a rehabilitation camp for tech dependency. Years before, a comet had fallen and altered two boys. When something happens to their mother, they are now left to their own devices, and become dangerous to the public. Too bad the kids’ camp is so close…
I liked the sense of humor of the group, but it was a basic cheesy teen slasher trope.
Drama
The Holdovers
Drama, Comedy, Relationships, 70s
Released in 2023, but I didn’t watch it right away… which is odd because I LOVE Paul Giamatti. He plays a grumpy over-drinker who stays at the boarding school over the holidays (along with the cook) to keep an eye on the “holdovers” who didn’t go home. What follows is unlikely bonds, and the realization that they can change their futures.
TRIVIA – Filmed entirely on location at real New England boarding schools during an actual February snowstorm
The Family Man
Comedy, Drama, Romance, Relationships, Do Over
2000 release but is just as relevant today… with the exception of the airport scene which wasn’t as possible after 9/11. This is a GREAT MOVIE! A rich, selfish guy thinks he has everything, but after a conversation with an angel on Christmas Eve, he’s given the chance to see what could happen if he had made other choices.
TRIVIA– The bowling alley scene was the same as what was featured in The Big Lebowski. Family Man was the last movie to be filmed there because the city took over the property by eminent domain for a new school in 2002.
iiiiii
Fantasy Relationships, Believing, Comedy, 90s
1994 with multiple sequels. It’s about a divorced dad who is total ass, and accidentally kills Santa Claus. When a note says “put on the suit” and he does, he suddenly finds himself finishing off deliveries for the night. Since his name is Scott Calvin, it was obviously meant to be, but despite his denial, he slowly takes on all of the characteristics of the Big Man which causes problems at work and with his ex-wife. Neil (the step-dad above) is my hero – has a great job, listens, is caring, and has a good paying job. Clear winner!
hhhh
Horror, Dystopian, End-of-the-World, Woman Centered, Irish
2024. More Sci-Fi than Horror personally. The one scene with the diseased was brief. It’s about a woman who wakes up with no memory, but is pregnant. As she tries to remember, she realizes there is danger off their little island. This is pretty slow… found myself fast forwarding some scenes. REALLY liked the main character, but felt like they didn’t do a good job making her feel comfortable/safe when she woke up to make things work.
hhhhhh
Horror, Comet, Camp Slasher
2020 movie about kids at a rehabilitation camp for tech dependency. Years before, a comet had fallen and altered two boys. When something happens to their mother, they are now left to their own devices, and become dangerous to the public. Too bad the kids’ camp is so close…
I liked the sense of humor of the group, but it was a basic cheesy teen slasher trope.
hhhhhh
Horror, Comet, Camp Slasher
2020 movie about kids at a rehabilitation camp for tech dependency. Years before, a comet had fallen and altered two boys. When something happens to their mother, they are now left to their own devices, and become dangerous to the public. Too bad the kids’ camp is so close…
I liked the sense of humor of the group, but it was a basic cheesy teen slasher trope.
Horror
eeeeee
Drama, Comedy, Relationships, 70s
Released in 2023, but I didn’t watch it right away… which is odd because I LOVE Paul Giamatti. He plays a grumpy over-drinker who stays at the boarding school over the holidays (along with the cook) to keep an eye on the “holdovers” who didn’t go home. What follows is unlikely bonds, and the realization that they can change their futures.
TRIVIA – Filmed entirely on location at real New England boarding schools during an actual February snowstorm
eeeeeee
Comedy, Drama, Romance, Relationships, Do Over
2000 release but is just as relevant today… with the exception of the airport scene which wasn’t as possible after 9/11. This is a GREAT MOVIE! A rich, selfish guy thinks he has everything, but after a conversation with an angel, he’s given the chance to see what could have happened if he had made other choices.
TRIVIA– The bowling alley scene was the same as what was featured in The Big Lebowski. Family Man was the last movie to be filmed there because the city took over the property by eminent domain for a new school in 2002.
iiiiii
Fantasy Relationships, Believing, Comedy, 90s
1994 with multiple sequels. It’s about a divorced dad who is total ass, and accidentally kills Santa Claus. When a note says “put on the suit” and he does, he suddenly finds himself finishing off deliveries for the night. Since his name is Scott Calvin, it was obviously meant to be, but despite his denial, he slowly takes on all of the characteristics of the Big Man which causes problems at work and with his ex-wife. Neil (the step-dad above) is my hero – has a great job, listens, is caring, and has a good paying job. Clear winner!
hhhh
Horror, Dystopian, End-of-the-World, Woman Centered, Irish
2024. More Sci-Fi than Horror personally. The one scene with the diseased was brief. It’s about a woman who wakes up with no memory, but is pregnant. As she tries to remember, she realizes there is danger off their little island. This is pretty slow… found myself fast forwarding some scenes. REALLY liked the main character, but felt like they didn’t do a good job making her feel comfortable/safe when she woke up to make things work.
hhhhhh
Horror, Comet, Camp Slasher
2020 movie about kids at a rehabilitation camp for tech dependency. Years before, a comet had fallen and altered two boys. When something happens to their mother, they are now left to their own devices, and become dangerous to the public. Too bad the kids’ camp is so close…
I liked the sense of humor of the group, but it was a basic cheesy teen slasher trope.
hhhhhh
Horror, Comet, Camp Slasher
2020 movie about kids at a rehabilitation camp for tech dependency. Years before, a comet had fallen and altered two boys. When something happens to their mother, they are now left to their own devices, and become dangerous to the public. Too bad the kids’ camp is so close…
I liked the sense of humor of the group, but it was a basic cheesy teen slasher trope.