10 Christmas Films You Should Watch

I love watching films and Christmas is the perfect excuse for doing just that. Add in a some chocolates, a blanket/warm fire and it’s the perfect night in. You don’t have to just watch Christmas films, however if you do feel like getting into the festive spirit then here are my top 10 films to watch at Christmas.

1 – Die Hard.

Yes it is a Christmas film, and one I love. The Prince Charles Cinema in London shows it every year at Christmas. Bruce Willis plays John McClane, an NYPD Detective who arrives in LA to reconcile with his wife. Unfortunately he gets caught up in Hans Grubers plan to steal a lot of money.

Who doesn’t love Bruce Willis running around Nakatomi Plaza hunting down Alan Rickman. Probably not one to watch with little ones though.

2 – Home Alone 1 & 2.

 I love the first two Home Alone films. They are great for the whole family, and the second one has always made me want to go to New York. In the first one, Kevin McCallister, an 8-year old troublemaker must protect his home from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. In the second one Kevin somehow ends up in New York alone, trying to fight off the same pair of burglars from the first film.

3 – The Nightmare before Christmas.

There is always the question of when to watch this – Halloween or Christmas? Well why not both. This started off as poem by Tim Burton, recently released as a beautiful beautiful book. Jack Skellington, a resident of Halloween Town, stumbles through a portal in Christmas Town. He decides to celebrate the holiday, with some dastardly and comical consequences.

It’s great, I love earlier Tim Burton films, and the soundtrack is great.

4 – Elf.

Will Ferrell plays Buddy the elf, who when he was a baby stowed away in Santas sack and ended up at the North Pole. After wreaking havoc amongst the elves, he is sent to New York to find his real family.

5 – Gremlins.

The film is about a young man who receives a strange creature called a mogwai as a pet, which then spawns other creatures who transform into small, destructive, evil monsters. I was one when this film came out so obviously it was a good few years until I saw this film, but it’s a classic. Just don’t forget about the 3 rules to owning a mogwai – No water, no food after midnight, and no bright light – then you’ll be fine.

6 – White Christmas. 

I remember when I was little and I used to watch this with my granddad. He is a big fan of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and I grew up listening to a lot of Frank Sinatra. A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.

7 – The Snowman and The Snow Dog

Ideal for little kids, and big kids. Another classic, again from the earlier 80’s but it’s so good. Based on a popular wordless book by Raymond Briggs that told the story through a series of pictures. It definitely gets me in the festive mood. Clem also really enjoys watching the sequel with the snow dog.

8 – Muppets Christmas Carol. 

Who doesn’t love the Muppets! A classic story re-told by the Muppets and Michael Caine. I used to watch this over and over again when I was little. Now I can’t wait to introduce Clem to it.

9 – Love Actually.
The second film on my list featuring Alan Rickman. This is worth watching for the cast, seriously everyone is in this! I’m fairly sure everyone has already seen this but if you haven’t then Love Actually is about the lives of eight very different couples. Each couple are dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.

10 – The Polar Express.

I know I’ve already done 10 Christmas films but this is another one that is great to sit down and watch as a family. A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express. During his adventure he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.

So that’s my list of 10 Christmas films you could watch over the festive period. Do you have a favourite one that isn’t on my list? Personally I will definitely be watching Die Hard a couple of times over the next few weeks.

If you are looking for something non festive to watch then check out my post here.