The winter season brings festive spirit and a chill in the air, the perfect time to grab a blanket and indulge in fan-favorite festive flicks.
Elf
Follow Buddy, a human raised as an elf, as he travels from the North Pole to the unfamiliar New York City to meet his biological father who does not know he exists.
Home Alone
In this comedy, Kevin McCallister must defend his home from burglars after being mistakenly left home alone on Christmas Eve.
The Polar Express
In this motion capture animated movie, a young boy finds himself aboard a mysterious train bound for the North Pole, joining other children in an adventure to visit Santa Claus.
The Grinch
This classic Dr. Seuss story about a grumpy green grinch who plots to ruin Christmas for the people of Whoville has three adaptations: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966), the original 26 minute, hand drawn animation; How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), a live-action comedy starring Jim Carrey; and The Grinch (2018), an Illumination production animation starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
“I prefer the live action version, it’s funny,” says senior Julia O’Connell.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Doubling as a Halloween movie, this Tim Burton film follows pumpkin king Jack Skellington as he discovers Christmas Town, and attempts to bring Christmas to his own Halloween Town.
A Christmas Story
In this film, a boy named Ralphie Parker, aims to persuade his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder air rifle BB gun is the perfect Christmas gift.
Love Actually
For the hopeless romantics, this English rom-com follows eight different couples navigating love during the holiday season.
“It explores different storylines enough that there’s bound to be something for everyone,” says senior Devon Hines, “I appreciate that it addresses how love comes in different forms, and that sometimes love is imperfect.”
It’s a Wonderful Life
This throwback features George Bailey, who contemplates ending his life on Christmas Eve, but instead has the chance to see what his town would be like if he had not existed.
AP Psychology teacher Mr Todd Williams shows the film to his students at the end of the year.
“From a psychology standpoint … George’s moves through Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs until he finally reaches self-actualization , the process of finding one’s full potential & becoming the best version of oneself,” he explains, “the film ushered in Post-WWII America in 1946 truly showed Americans to be thankful for their lives and the people around them.”
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Clark Griswold’s plans for a “perfect” family Christmas quickly turn to disaster in this comedy starring Chevy Chase.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
The cherished character of Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas in this short 25 minute animated movie.
Die Hard
This action film about a police officer who tries to save his wife and others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party surfaces an age-long debate: Christmas movie or not?
Some say it cannot classify as a Christmas movie because the plot was not influenced by the holiday, believing that the violent and gory themes do not encapsulate the spirit of typical Christmas films.
Others argue that the storyline was advanced by it taking place on Christmas, includes a holiday soundtrack, and includes common themes of family and doing the right thing.
A poll of 171 Foran students reports that 57.3% believe Die Hard is not a Christmas movie.
