Christmas,
the word itself creates the mental image of carols in church, the jingling of jingle
bells, Santa Claus, reindeer, gifts and miracles. Christmas isn't just a winter
day off or a religious festival. It's a season of sparkling lights illuminating
the streets and homes adorned with festive trees laden with presents. As a 90s
kid, certain Christmas movies hold a special place in my heart, particularly,
1. Home
Alone (1990)
It's almost four decades since the best Christmas English movie I ever watched as a kid was Home Alone. The film was released almost towards the end of the 20th century, giving us a high perspective and warning to young children who always don’t want to listen to their elders and wish for freedom from them.
Initially, Kevin enjoys the freedom of being alone, but soon realizes he must defend his home from two bumbling burglars, Harry and Marv. Kevin sets elaborate traps throughout the house, making it a hilarious obstacle course for the hapless thieves.
The film is heartwarming about family, resourcefulness, and the importance of
finding joy in unexpected circumstances. It's a beloved holiday favorite for
many, known for its witty humour, memorable characters, and nostalgic Christmas
atmosphere.
2. Jingle All the Way (1996)
Terminator movie fame, Arnold Schwarzenegger, apart from Cyborg, the futuristic war robot (my childhood understanding), starred as a father who wishes to gift his son a toy, Turbo-Man, as his Christmas gift.
The movie follows two fathers, Howard Langston (Schwarzenegger) and Myron Larabee (Sinbad), who go on a frantic Christmas Eve quest to find the hottest Christmas toy of the year, Turbo-Man. As the day progresses, their rivalry escalates into a series of increasingly absurd and chaotic encounters, including a mall Santa, a disgruntled mailman, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself.
"Jingle
All the Way" is known for its over-the-top humour, physical comedy, and
Schwarzenegger's comedic performance. It's a classic example of a comedic
Christmas film that emphasizes the importance of family and the true meaning of
the holiday season, even amidst the chaos of commercialism.
3. Princess Switch Series
This
superlative is a collection of light-hearted rom-coms with a Christmas miracle
twist, which will always make viewers want to watch more and the next series. A
Chicago baker and a Duchess decide to switch places to experience their new
life. The sequels continue the fun with more mistaken identities, royal
intrigue, and charming Christmas settings. These movies offer a delightful
escape with their blend of humour, romance, and holiday cheer.
4. Love Hard (2021)
Another Rom-Com that lightens our hearts is Love Hard (2021). The Vampire Diaries fame, Nina Dobrev, starred as an LA writer who had a disaster-hilarious dating experience and was again catfished using an online dating app.
Through
hilarious and heartwarming misadventures, Natalie (Nina Dobrev) navigates the
complexities of online dating, the importance of honesty, and the unexpected
paths love can take. This movie offers us a refreshing take on the classic
holiday movie trope.
5. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol – Animated Movie (2022)
"Scrooge: A Christmas Carol" is a 2022 animated musical fantasy film. This captivating film is based on the timeless 1843 novel "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. The movie revolves around the character named Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly and bitter old man whose life takes an unexpected turn on Christmas Eve.
Three ghostly figures visit Scrooge, guiding him on a transformative journey. Through a series of poignant encounters, these spirits reveal the errors of Scrooge's ways and help him rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
6. Hot Frosty (2024)
Olaf from the Frozen movie is the only snowman I adored, but the movie Hot Frosty challenged my notion of a snowman into a human. This movie is about a widowed woman who is struggling to cope with the loss of her husband to cancer. To combat her loneliness and grief, she gives her scarf to a snowman near her shop’s front yard.
Unexpectedly, the snowman Jack comes to life, a Christmas miracle! With his childlike innocence and cheerful demeanour, Jack begins to help Kathy and the town rediscover the joy of the Christmas season and the importance of finding happiness again.
The film explores themes of grief, healing, and the magic of the holiday season. It's a heartwarming story that celebrates the power of human connection and the importance of finding joy in unexpected places.
***
These films, and many others, have shaped my understanding of Christmas. They evoke a sense of nostalgia and remind me of the importance of family, laughter, and embracing the magic of the holiday season and the presence of Santa Claus in us.
Nevertheless, all
these 90s Christmas classics till the present, with their blend of humour,
adventure, and heartwarming messages, continue to resonate with me today. They
serve as a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling and the importance of
cherishing family connections during the holiday season.
All these themes inspired me to write Christmas-themed fiction, yet my fantasy dreams interrupted me while plotting, and I ended up writing Jingle Bells By Aurora Bluemoon, a Rom-Com with humans as my lead characters except the touch of fantasy characters. This psychological thriller delves into Zara’s psychosis and her love for Rugan keeping readers (even me, the author as well) guessing until the end about the boundaries between reality and the extraordinary.
This post is a part of ‘Celebrate and Reflect Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters"
Some great movies. Classical.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteClassic movies. Would never tire out from watching these n no of times.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched hot frosty. Should watch them with the kids once exams are done. thanks for this great list.
ReplyDeleteTrue, back then, special days call for special movies--a wonderful time spent with family and good food too. This makes me nostalgic.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely recommendations. Have seen most of them and love them equally.
ReplyDeleteMy all time favorite are Princess Switch and Home alone. Love special for snow
ReplyDeleteHoliday movies are classics and can be watched anytime of the year, they still feel the same warm and fuzzy. Thank you for this cumulative list. ❤️
ReplyDeleteDo you know when I first met Santa.... in my school. I was studying in a catholic school and so Christmas is something which was celebrated with great joy and happiness in school. The Santa Came close to me and hold my hand... Merry Christmas Samata.... and picked a gift from his bag and gave me. What happiness I cant express you I felt that day... and it was a lovely Apple shaped water bottle. I still remember and that scene is the real Christmas Movie of my life. Unfortunately I watched none of the movies that you mentioned but I will now watch a few for sure. Thanks for the recomendation.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favourite movies have been listed here ! As I read your post, I want to rewatch many of them!
ReplyDeleteHome Alone was a family favourite when the kids were small. They would watch it every Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely movie recommendations, each one bringing in the warmth and joy of Christmas! There is a special joy in watching movies like these. Thank you for reminding us of them.
ReplyDeleteSuch a perfect list of Christmas movies! Home Alone is an all-time favourite. Love how everything ends in happiness in the end.
ReplyDeleteWow, a great Christmas movie list! I loved Home Alone as a kid, too - and I was never bored no matter how many times I watched it!
ReplyDeleteI have watched two of them, your list seems interesting, I might end up watching others too😆
ReplyDeleteI love Home Alone too and for the last couple of years we love to watch 'Christmassy' movies on netflix. My son's choice this year was the Lord of the Rings Trilogy!!! His reason - has elves and fairies and long bearded Gandalf ... what else do we need!
ReplyDeleteAs a 90's kid, Home Alone remains my personal favourite too.
ReplyDeleteWatching home alone movie series is like a ritual for me in December. Now i am excited to continue this ritual with my little one
ReplyDeleteApart from HomeAlone, all the others were somewhat new to me. I really liked the way you described them. Giving enough info about them to entice but not spoil. I somehow want to binge them back to back now! Thank you for this list ~
ReplyDeleteClassic movies. I have not watched any of these but would like to watch Home Alone for sure. Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeletelove love the home alone movie. I can still watch it and then watch it again. I never get tired of that movie
ReplyDelete