When it comes to Christmas movies, there are the classics that we all know and love. The Holiday. Home Alone. Love Actually. Elf. This year I wanted to branch out and try some Christmas films that I hadn't heard of or had recommended to me. In this Christmas guide I've curated a list of Christmas films that I tried that met the criteria of would watch again. Let me know in the comments if you try or like any!
Love Hard
Where can you watch it: Netflix
If you're looking for a light hearted Christmas comedy, this film is a good place to start. The odd title is born of many references to Die Hard, including that age old question: Can be Die Hard be called a Christmas movie? (I'd love to know what you think in the comments below!)
The gist of this film: A serial dater writes about her dating disaters for a living. Having exhausted all her local options, she extends her parameters further afield and finds the perfect guy, Josh, on a dating app. One day she impulsively decides to surprise him for Christmas. But do they still have the same attraction and spark IRL?
It's a really cute movie with a dynamite script. I love films that you have you rooting for the underdog and this does just that. Now easily one of my favourite Christmas movies which I'd happily watch every year.
This is Christmas
Where can you watch it: NOW TV / SKY cinema
You may recognise some of the cast in that annoying where-do-I-know-you-from kind of way. Let me help you out. The male protagonist is in fact grown up Dean Thomas from Harry Potter(!) and the female protagonist is Kaya Scodelario, aka grown up Effie from Skins. There's also Timothy Spall (Peter Pettigrew from the Harry Potter films) and Ben Miller as seen in Death in Paradise, Professor T and more.
The gist of this film: A bunch of strangers see each other every day on the daily commute, but as is commonplace these days, everyone is face down in their phones and books, and do not exchange eye contact, a smile, or even two words. Alfred Enoch (grown up Dean Thomas) wants to bring the Christmas spirit and invites everyone from the train to a Christmas party. However everyone being terribly British awkwardly avoids eye contact or makes out like they haven't heard. I won't spoil the rest, but it's a lovely little story about people coming together and community spirit. It's incredibly heartwarming and sometimes I look around my train carriage and wistfully wish someone would do the same.
5 Star Christmas
Where you can watch it: **
The gist of this film: A struggling family B&B learns of an influential travel blogger/writer visiting the area and hopes to catch their eye for a review and the exposure that comes with it so they can continue running.
This film ticks many boxes. Family orientated, a budding romance, and if you're after festive, this is as festive as they come. The B&B is decked out for Christmas and it's the kind of place you dream of staying. It's a beautiful story and a good, easy watch. A bit cheesy in parts, but I think this may be a Hallmark movie and that's part and parcel of Hallmark movies.
There's a very similar Christmas movie called B&B Merry where a struggling B&B invites a travel blogger to come and review them, but in my opinion, it just didn't compare. If you have to watch one, watch 5 Star Christmas.
** I first tried this movie last year but sadly can't find it on any streaming sites this year (at least here in the UK). I'll update this entry if I do find it though!
Krampus
Where can you watch it: NOW TV / SKY cinema
If you hate Christmas movies with a passion and are more into Halloween and horror and thrillers, then this one may be for you.
The gist of this film: It all starts with the feel of a traditional Christmas movie. A family preparing for Christmas and expecting all of the extended family over. Like with many families over the festive period, there are arguments and fall outs, which is when all hell breaks loose. Quite literally. The lack of Christmas spirit summons Krampus, the demonic, evil counterpart of Saint Nicholas stemming from European folklore, who is hell bent on punishing non-believers.
It probably isn't the best or spookiest Christmas thriller, but worth a worth if you fancy something a bit different. Watch with the lights off for the full effect. Some of Krampus's monsters are terrifying. I'm talking evil snowmen, a demonic bear giving Five Nights at Freddy's vibes, psychotic gingerbread men and a spooky clown-esque faced jack-in-the-box.
A Christmas Number One
Where can you watch it: NOW TV / SKY cinema
The protagonist may be familar to you. He starred in the UK TV series Wolf based on the book of the same name by author Mo Hayder, and previously played Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones. A very different role for Iwan Rheon as he typically plays the bad guy. In A Christmas Number One he's the bass player in a heavy metal rock band but writes something a little softer for his terminally ill niece who asks him to write her a Christmas song.
I started this one and was initially a little underwhelmed. Nothing really hooked me and throughout the movie I didn't really like or warm to Freida Pinto's character. But this film grew on me. I never knew Iwan was so musically talented and he is an incredible singer, so watch it for that alone.
Get tissues at the ready though as this one is a weepie. You know it's coming but it still gets you.
A Bad Moms Christmas
Where you can watch it: **
This is one I watch every year without fail. I never expected to like it - it's not my usual sort of film - but I love how refreshingly honest it is. It covers the pressures of the Christmas period. Namely the pressure to create the perfect Christmas for your family with the food, perfectly decorated home and the added commercial pressure of buying the perfect gifts, otherwise you're doing your children a disservice and letting them down. Christmas can be an expensive and stressful time and many movies sugarcoat or ignore this completely. Bad Moms Christmas is a breath of fresh air.
Don't get me wrong, it's silly and by no means the best Christmas movie out there, but it's a good lighthearted watch. The highlight? One of the young children overhearing Mila Kunis in bed one night ("oh my f***king god!").
** I sadly can't find it on any streaming sites this year (at least here in the UK). I'll update this entry if I do find it though!
Falling for Christmas
Where you can watch it: Netflix
When I saw that Lindsay Lohan headlines in this Christmas movie, I initially had some reservations about watching it (not a fan) but I shoved my biases to one side and gave it a go.
The gist of this film: A hotel heiress who has it all gets into an accident and loses her memory. When she gains conciousness she goes to stay with a family with a struggling B&B business at the opposite end of the wealth divide (not that she can remember her previous life).
I hated the sound of this one but was actually pleasantly surprised. Once the female protagonist loses her memory she becomes a much more likeable character when she helps out around the B&B. Like 5 star Christmas, it's another festively decked out B&B, with a family orientated centre to its story, as well as a budding romance.
Is it the best Christmas movie? No. But it does brings the Christmas feels with the decor and the Christmas markets and such.
Candy Cane Lane
Where you can watch it: Amazon Prime Video
Eddie Murphy is back in this Christmas movie with a difference. What I liked about this one was how it evolved. At the start it was your typical Christmas movie. The movie starts with a neighbourhood competing for the best decorated house on the street, reminiscent of Jingle All the Way. But then it takes a turn. There's magic and malfeasance. I didn't expect much of it, but it actually exceeded expectations.
Is it my favourite Christmas movie? No. Will I watch it every year? No. But is it worth a watch at least once? Definitely.
What's your favourite Christmas movie?
Image source: Olga Korolenko // Unsplash
