Christmas isn’t Christmas without a string of Christmas movies to binge-watch, huddled together with family and friends, even if you’re watching it for the umpteenth time.
So, bring out the popcorn – or murukku – and embrace the warmth of the season with these Christmas favourites.
1. Home Alone
Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left at home alone when his family takes off on a Christmas trip without him. Once he realises this, he is over the moon at having the house to himself.
However, the real thrills begin when he defends his home against the villainous Wet Bandits. Watch the quick-thinking Kevin out-smart the burglars at every move.
A classic that can be watched on repeat and still have you chuckling.
2. Love Actually
To all the incurable romantics out there, this must-watch movie, complete with a star-studded cast, portrays the different aspects of love and can be warm, bittersweet and at times rather witty.
Many of the characters’ stories are intertwined expertly, made all the more enjoyable with the script’s wry British humour and the actors’ charming performances. Truly a modern-day Christmas staple.
3. The Holiday
This charming romantic comedy follows the stories of Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) who switch homes during the Christmas holiday season.
Is the storyline at times predictable? Yes. Does that make it any less enjoyable? No.
Sometimes all you want at this time of year is to lose yourself in a world where everything works out for the better in the end.
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
This Halloween-Christmas merger of a movie is executed splendidly by Tim Burton, complete with songs, dances and romance to warm your heart during the festive season.
The movie’s skilful mix of fun and fright is what makes it so entertaining. The magical and imaginative story also adds to its timeless appeal. Not to mention the visual effects that can still stand its ground today.
5. Gremlins
The rules are simple for keeping a mogwai: no flashing lights, no food after midnight and don’t let them near water – ever!
When Billy (Zach Galligan) is gifted an adorable mogwai pet for Christmas, little does he anticipate the kind of chaos the gremlins (spawned from mogwai) will create around the snow-covered town on Christmas Eve.
You’re in for an adventure – so hold on to your seat!
6. Die Hard
Is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie? That’s debatable, of course but it doesn’t detract from the fact that this is a fun action flick that happened to take place on Christmas Eve.
Forced to deal with machine-gun-toting terrorists on what is supposed to be a cheerful holiday, John McClane’s (Bruce Willis) efforts to reconcile with his estranged wife will need to wait until after he deals with and defeats a terrorist group lead by the ruthless Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman).
7. Bridget Jones’s Diary
Dating is hard, especially for Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) in this sharp romantic comedy.
After a not-so-pleasant meeting with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), she finds herself torn between her boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and Darcy as both men vie for her affection.
The film is a success due to the likable and sympathetic way Zellweger portrays the heroine, complete with comic references to Firth’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ character.
8. Bonus: Mean Girls
Although not technically a Christmas movie, the ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ dance scene is iconic and it pretty much sticks in your head once you’ve seen the movie.
The skirts the girls wear during the performance pays homage to the group’s namesake, and is made from shiny plastic material.
Definitely worth a watch this Christmas.