โTis the season for revisiting your childhood with your favorite films! From classic Christmas flicks to heartwarming holiday movies, there is no better way to embrace the season with a bundle of sheets, hot chocolate drinks, and timeless stories that your heart desires!
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These are 15 films worth binge-watching on the holidays:
A Nonsense Christmas (2024)
Embrace the holiday season with Sabrina Carpenter’s first-ever variety music special A Nonsense Christmas. Sing along to your favorite holiday tunes as she performs songs from her holiday EP fruitcakeย and several viral holiday covers. Moreover, this 50-minute show also features duets with some of your favorite female artists like Chappell Roan, Tyla, Shania Twain, and Kali Uchis, as well as guest appearances from other famous personalities.
Home Alone (1990)
Is it really Christmas if you haven’t seen Home Alone on television? The beloved 1990 American comedy film encapsulates the fun and chaos of the holidays, particularly an eight-year-old boy (played by Macaulay Culkin) who tries to save his home from a pair of mischievous robbers.
The multi-award-winning film, which is highly regarded as one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time, will quickly transport you to your childhood, where you are cozying in your room and laughing until your stomach hurts.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Of course, the list wouldn’t be complete without Home Alone‘s highly-anticipated sequel! This Christmas comedy film, which became the third-highest-grossing film of 1992, continues to bring viewers into a medley of laughter, holiday mischief, and heartwarming moments that make it a holiday classic you’ll definitely binge-watch again next year.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Is it a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? Regardless of the answer, The Nightmare Before Christmas is an animated musical film that seamlessly blends iconic Halloween elements, including monsters, zombies, mummies, witches, and werewolves, with the spirit of Christmas. Known for its timeless stop-motion animation, lovable characters, and iconic soundtrack, Tim Burton’s holiday classic has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, based on Dr. Seuss’s children’s book of the same name, is a heartwarming tale that will warm the cockles of your heart. The story follows the Grinch, a miserable and bitter creature who attempts to ruin Christmas for the residents of Whoville. However, as the story progresses, we, along with the Grinch, discover the true essence of the holidays.
Love Actually (2003)
For the romantic-comedy fans, Love Actually is a must-watch! This 2003 film, which features an ensemble cast starring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Laura Linney, and Alan Rickman, among others, explores various aspects of love through ten interconnected stories, set in the days leading to Christmas.
The Polar Express (2004)
One of the go-to Christmas movies for viewers worldwide is Robert Zemeckis’ The Polar Express. Based on the 1985 children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, the film follows the story of a young boy who embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the North Pole. Recognized as the first all-digital capture film by the Guinness World Records, this motion animation is a heartwarming classic packed with valuable life lessons.
The Holiday (2006)
Another romantic-comedy flick worth watching during the holiday break is The Holiday. In this film, two women decide to “home-swap” to escape their respective heartbreaks during the holidays. Led by Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, this 2006 film explores themes of growth, self-discovery, and the unexpected ways in which love finds and heals you.
Holidate (2020)
Do you feel miserable during the holidays? Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey make viewers laugh and swoon with Holidate. This 2020 romantic-comedy film revolves around two people who decide to be on each other’s friendly dates during various holidays together, which eventually leads to a chaotic and bittersweet realization: they have fallen in love.
The Holdovers (2023)
For some, Christmas may be the loneliest time of the year. Set in 1970, The Holdovers revolves around the story of a teacher who is forced to look after students who were left on campus during the holiday break. The Oscar-nominated film takes a deep dive into the feelings of grief, isolation, and loneliness during the festive season, but balances them with the right amount of warmth, empathy, and humor.
Filipino Movies
While these films do not revolve specifically around the concept of Christmas, these Filipino family-themed movies are also worth binge-watching! After all, the holiday season also gives us ample time to reflect and cherish the people that we love.
Four Sisters and a Wedding (2013)
It’s definitely a classic Cathy Garcia-Molina film that Filipino viewers love! Apart from the laughter and chaos that ensue as the four sisters attempt to stop their youngest brother’s wedding, this movie captures the realities of sisterhood, as well as the pressure that children feel to meet or exceed expectations.
Four Sisters Before The Wedding (2020)
The much-awaited prequel to Four Sisters and a Wedding brings fans and viewers into the formative years of the Salazar siblings, highlighting the dynamics that eventually shaped their relationship. Set in the early 2000s, the movie effortlessly showcases nostalgia while delving into relatable emotions, such as teenage angst and young love.
Seven Sundays (2017)
Another Filipino family-themed movie that hits close to home! Seven Sundays features the complicated relationship within the Bonifacio family. The heartwarming tale revolves around the family patriarch (played by Ronaldo Valdez) who finds out that he has lung cancer. Racing against time, their family tries to mend old wounds and reunite, only to realize that some issues can’t be solved overnight.
Rewind (2023)
Hailed as one of the highest-grossing Filipino films of all time, it is no secret that most Filipino viewers have fallen in love with Rewind. The movie presents a straightforward plot: a man is given a chance to travel back in time to save his wife. While the premise sounds simple, it profoundly explores themes of love, grief, and second chances.
The Panti Sisters (2019)
Finally, The Panti Sisters is a Jun Lana masterpiece that is worth watching! This queer film follows the story of three gay sons who are forced to compete against one another after learning that their terminally ill father will only give them a share of his inheritance if they can produce a grandchild for him before he dies. The film masterfully showcases stellar performances from Paolo Ballesteros, Martin del Rosario, and Christian Bables, blending real-life struggles with humor in a uniquely creative way.