Not only do the holidays bring much needed time away from work, hanging out with family, and exchanging gifts, but it also brings out some of the most entertaining movies to watch. Much like watching scary movies such as “The Exorcist” and “The Shining” on Halloween, Christmas movies give us family movies of all ages, as well as dark comedies and action thrillers. Instead of watching “A Christmas Story” over and over on cable, why not have a Christmas movie night and pick from five of the best.
Home Alone (1990)
Sure, the movie is centered around an eight-year-old that is able to outsmart and fight off two grown robbers, but no matter how old I get I still find myself watching this movie every year. The outcast of his family and somehow forgotten for a family vacation, Kevin McCallister is left behind to hold down the house. Although terrible parents, they are able to arrive home with no damage done, “The Wet Bandits” behind bars, and an old man reunited with his son.
Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell at his best as Buddy the Elf, finding out he is actually human and making the journey from the North Pole to New York City to find his father. A feel-good movie to enjoy with the whole family, there are plenty of laughs and enough heart that make you want to believe in Santa as Buddy is trying to convince the nonbelievers to show Christmas spirit to get Santa’s sleigh to fly. It may sound cheesy, and it is, but it’s great.
Bad Santa (2003)
While there is nothing happy about this dark comedy in which Billy Bob Thornton is cast as a drunk thief disguised as a mall Santa, but it is incredibly enjoyable watching him urinate on himself and get with large women in the big and tall dressing room. He is a mess and has plenty of one-liners to all of the annoying children, but actually shows a somewhat sensitive side at times.
Die Hard (1988)
While it is not a traditional feel-good family holiday movie, it is centered around an office Christmas party, so we will still include in this list. Wrong place at the wrong time John McClane is left to take on a group of terrorists after he fortunately stayed back a bit to change clothes and was able to slip under the radar, fighting off each one, saving the day. “Yippie-ki-yay”.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Saving the best for last, it is also worth mentioning that this classic should be watched in its original, keeping in all the one-liners, middle fingers, and swearing that you can handle. Clark Griswold subjects his family and the viewers to anything but a “good old fashioned family Christmas”. From pulling a Christmas tree right out of the ground, envisioning a bikini clad lingerie saleswoman swimming in his would-be pool, to wanting to drive Cousin Eddie out into the middle of nowhere and leave him for dead, Christmas Vacation is a must watch every year.