The holiday season is almost upon us and we know for sure that Mariah Carey is preparing to come out of hibernation with her Christmas special to put us in the holiday spirit. One thing it also never fails to do is set the mood for movie marathons. For many of us, holiday memories are linked to classic movies that fill us with laughter, tears, and timeless lessons. Let’s talk about some movies that made the holiday seasons special for us growing up.
Here are 5 movies that made the holidays memorable
Home Alone (1990-2012)
Every kid born from 1980 to now, knows this movie and has a strong admiration for the main protagonist in this holiday special. The Home Alone franchise is about the hilarious adventures of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, who is unintentionally left at home by his family after they take a holiday trip to France. Between catering for himself and keeping two determined burglars out of his family home, Kevin has his hands full for the holiday.
Revisiting Kevin’s pranks has become a true Christmas pastime in its own right. It may not have Santa Claus or any of his reindeer, but Home Alone perfectly captures that feeling of childish joy and excitement of the holiday.
Elf (2003)
Ever seen a tall Elf? You will in this movie. Elf is a story about one of Santa’s elves who learns of his true identity as a human and decides to go to the unfamiliar city of New York to meet his biological father. Childish, silly, and over-the-top funny from open to close, Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, has become synonymous with Christmas spirit and is one of the funniest and most uplifting characters in the holiday movie genre.
Everyone has their favourite scene, whether it’s when he tries to hug a rabid raccoon, drenches spaghetti in maple syrup, or fights a department store Santa Claus for not being real.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
This movie was a staple of my teenage years during the Christmas period. Following the story of Dr. Seuss’s original green humbug, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the perfect holiday movie for kids and adults alike. At first, we are see a very angry and revenge-seeking Grinch, but we slowly, see that there is a lot more to Grinch.
Between the quirky Christmas magic of Whoville and the gravelly grunt voice of the Grinch shouting insults, it captures every feeling (both pleasant and naughty) that the holiday season represents.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Initially released in the United Kingdom as The Big Heart, this charming tale of a department store Santa Claus, reminds us of the true spirit of Christmas. The plot follows how Christmas seems to have lost its meaning for the citizens of New York until one day, a man (Kris Kringle) claiming to be the real Santa Claus applies at Macy’s.
He goes ahead to do such a fine job and gets hired as the Santa for Macy’s flagship New York City store in Herald Square/34th Street, but his sanity is soon questioned, and he has to prove he is the real Santa Claus, or else he gets institutionalised.
Miracle on 34th Street is perfect for the holiday season because of its portrayal of how connected we all are in this little world and how the kindness of one person can make a difference for everyone.
Sarafina (1992)
Official movie poster for Sarafina via Rotten Tomatoes
Although not a holiday special, Sarafina was a significant part of my holidays. This musical drama film is based on the 1987 stage play by Mbongeni Ngema and takes place in Soweto, South Africa, during the apartheid era. It tells the story of Sarafina, a young student who becomes involved in the anti-apartheid movement.
The film’s energetic and emotive soundtrack lifts spirits and fosters a sense of joy. Sarafina celebrates African culture, heritage, and resilience, providing a unique perspective during the holiday season.
These classics provide a distinct combination of pleasure, fun, and heartbreaking moments to your holiday movie marathon with friends, family, or yourself. So put a pin on the movies, and prepare to uplift your spirit this holiday season with these amazing movies.
