It’s that beautiful time of the year when there’s little else better than staying at home, cozying up with a movie before Christmas dinner. There are some good holiday options out there for you, so here’s what holiday movies to stream today for your enjoyment.
Some might be found on several networks playing today, while others might just have to be brought out from old DVDs or Netflix. Whichever it is, they are some of the best picks for this season, and overall considered classics.
A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983)
Another beautiful Christmas story that sees to Ralphie, played by Peter Billingsley, to his adventures a few days before the holiday. There is nothing the 9 year old wants more than a BB gun, and he dreams of convincing his parents to buy him one. Set in the 1940s, the movie will see him battling bullies, winning over his teacher, and preparing himself to be disappointed of his actual Christmas present.
HOME ALONE (1990)
Everyone knows the story by now. Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, is an 8 year old boy who accidentally gets left alone on Christmas by his family. With an empty house, he realizes the joys of freedom in what is usually a rather crowded home. However, that will unfortunately take another turn when two robbers, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, want to break in. The classic comedy is one that should not and will likely never miss. It wouldn’t be Christmas without it.
THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992)
A retelling of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, this holiday classic will see to the excellent performance of Michael Caine as the Scrooge, and the lovable muppets. Littered with cheery singing and dancing, the comedy stays true to the story presented in a new fashion. It’s perhaps twenty three years old, but it’s one that should not be missed for those who want to get in the Christmas spirit.
THE SANTA CLAUSE (1994)
A story starring Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, and a cautionary tale of what happens when you startle Santa: he will get injured badly. That means that you will have to take on his responsibilities, travel around the world, and end up having to do his job. Or, at least, that’s what happens in the movie. The comedy revolves around the regular and divorced 38 year-old man who has a whole new responsibility on his hands that he never imagined.
DIE HARD (1998)
Not exactly a holiday classic, but the movie is set in that time of the year, so perhaps it counts. It’s a story of bank robbers who take control of a building where John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, sees to his wife in danger while she’s at a Christmas party. It action-filled and a true icon in cinematic history.
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000)
An adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ 1957 classic, the story revolves around the green and nasty creature that hates Christmas. Played by Jim Carrey, the Grinch is plotting to steal the holiday away from the residents of a small town. It’s the highest-grossing holiday movie of all time, an instant classic, and a fun experience for children to enjoy. And, as most motion pictures for the occasion, it certainly has a happy ending.
LOVE ACTUALLY (2003)
If you’re feeling in a bit more romantic mood, ‘Love Actually’ follows the stories of 8 couples around the holiday season. While they appear to be loosely connected, it will all make sense in the end, showing how the holidays can either break couples apart and pull them back together. It has been stamped as one of the iconic romantic movies for the season, starring numerous faces that most will recognize even today.
ELF (2003)
Starring Will Ferrell, the story sees to Buddy Hobbs, a human raised by elves who finally travels to New York to meet his real father. It will be a partly ridiculous and hilarious movie of how the elf-raised human experiences the holidays from the other side. It’s one thing to help Santa prepare his gifts, but it’s another to see how the entire process unfolds. And a new way to look at human traditions.
