Top Xmas Movies You Can Watch In Holiday Season
The holiday season is the perfect time to curl up with hot cocoa and watch a great Christmas movie. From black-and-white classics to more modern takes on the genre, Christmas movies capture the heartwarming spirit of the season. In this article, we count down the top 10 Christmas movies that you need to watch this holiday season.
With stunning visuals and memorable stories, these films are perfect to get you into the Christmas mood. Whether it's a comedy, drama, or family film, this list has something for everyone to enjoy during this festive time of year. So grab some cookies and let these holiday movie favorites brighten your season.
Part 1. What Are the Best Family Activities in Holiday Season?
From baking cookies to playing in the snow, there are many fun activities families can enjoy over the holidays. However, one of the best ways for families to bond during this festive season is by watching Christmas movies together.
Gathering around the TV to watch a holiday film is the perfect way to create quality time and new traditions. Christmas movies allow families to slow down from the hustle and bustle of daily routines to simply be present with one another.
The messages in these heartwarming stories promote unconditional love, kindness, and hope - exactly the kind of values we want to pass down. That's why watching the best Christmas movies together should be at the top of every family's list this holiday season. Keep reading for recommendations on 9 Christmas classics that are perfect for family movie nights.
Part 2. Recommendation: Top 9 Xmas Movies
1. Home Alone (1990)
Released in 1990 and directed by Chris Columbus, Home Alone tells the story of 8-year-old Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation to Paris. He then has to defend his Chicago home from two clumsy burglars after they target his house to rob.
With a premise stretching a bit thin but lifted by Macaulay Culkin’s cute comedic performance as Kevin, Home Alone manages to deliver plenty of holiday charm and funny moments the whole family can enjoy. It is one of the all-time great Christmas movies.
2. TANGERINE (2015)
Released in 2015 and directed by Sean Baker, Tangerine follows transgender sex worker Sin-Dee and her best friend Alexandra on a quest to get back at Sin-Dee’s pimp boyfriend after hearing he cheated on her while she was in jail.
Breaking casting conventions with leads played by transgender actresses Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor, Tangerine explores issues of identity and survival in L.A.'s sex work underground with raw humor and humanity. It is also one of the good Xmas movies.
3. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005)
Released in 2005 and directed by Shane Black, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang centers on small-time criminal Harry Lockhart who stumbles into a film audition while evading the police, then finds himself paired with gay private eye Perry van Shrike to research for the movie role.
Quickly in over their heads in a real-life mystery, Harry and Perry cross paths with Harry's childhood crush in a twisty, darkly comedic neo-noir homage punctuated by Shane Black's signature razor-sharp banter and stylized action.
4. Carol (2015)
In Todd Haynes' pristine yet emotive 2015 drama Carol, Cate Blanchett is magnetic as the title character - a glamorous soon-to-be-divorced housewife embarking on a forbidden romance with mousy department store clerk Therese (a superb Rooney Mara). Based on Patricia Highsmith's groundbreaking 1952 novel
The Price of Salt, Carol beautifully captures the urgency and heartache of the pair's connection amidst the repressed 1950s Manhattan backdrop. Haynes brings nuance and intimate tenderness to each gesture and stolen glance between Blanchett and Mara, making Carol a uniquely effective love story. It is one of the good Christmas films.
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Brought to life through stunningly original stop-motion animation, 1993's The Nightmare Before Christmas follows the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, Jack Skellington, as he stumbles through a portal to Christmas Town and becomes fascinated with the holiday. But when Jack's attempts to bring Christmas to Halloweentown create chaos, he must set things right before Sandy Claws arrives.
With an unconventional visual style blending Gothic fantasy and holiday cheer, director Henry Selick and producer Tim Burton created a delightful musical dark fantasy film that’s become a quirky Yuletide classic.
6. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Released in 2001, Bridget Jones’s Diary stars Renée Zellweger as the titular singleton, a Londoner fed up with her directionless life and hapless search for a boyfriend. When Bridget resolves to take charge via a personal diary, two very different suitors enter the picture - her boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), and childhood acquaintance, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth).
Directed by Sharon Maguire, this charming romantic comedy sparked a franchise thanks to Zellweger’s witty performance as the quintessential messily modern heroine looking for love.
7. Arthur Christmas (2011)
Released in 2011, the animated film Arthur Christmas puts a fresh spin on the Santa origin story by focusing on his clumsy but good-hearted son Arthur. After a gift is mistakenly missed on Christmas Eve, Arthur sets off on a mission with his grandfather to deliver the present using an outdated sleigh and struggling to beat the sunrise.
With plenty of quirky characters brought to life by a talented British voice cast, Arthur Christmas imaginatively shows the hard work happening behind the scenes every holiday to keep the magic of Christmas alive. It is one of the great Xmas movies.
8. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
The third installment of the popular National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise, 1989’s Christmas Vacation, reunites disaster-prone Clark Griswold and his ever-patient wife Ellen as they attempt a photo-perfect holiday with extended family. As Christmas lights fail, tensions mount, and uninvited guests arrive, director Jeremiah S. Chechik piles on the slapstick while never losing genuine holiday warmth.
Bolstered by Chevy Chase’s signature comedic panic as Clark, Christmas Vacation may not be the most polished comedy, but it delivers plenty of yuletide laughs for audiences year after year.
9. THE HOLDOVERS (2023)
Released in 2023, The Holdovers is directed by Alexander Payne and stars Paul Giamatti as a grumpy teacher. It takes place at a New England high school over the holidays. When a big snowstorm happens, some students get stuck at school with the teacher.
Even though he is always cranky, the students start to see he actually cares about them. The movie is heartwarming and funny, showing how people who are very different can still connect. It reminds us life can surprise us and that people are not always as they first seem.
Part 3. Pro-tip: How To Watch the Best Christmas Movies at 8K?
For the best Christmas movie experience, upgrade your video quality with HitPaw VikPea (Originally named as HitPaw Video Enhancer). This AI software can enhance videos up to 8K resolution for crystal clear viewing. It uses smart technology to upscale old videos while reducing blur and noise for stunning results.
You can even replace video backgrounds with festive Christmas scenes. HitPaw VikPea is perfect for breathing new life into old holiday favorites. The AI tools ensure videos look beautifully crisp on any screen.
FeaturesFeatures of HitPaw VikPea include:
- AI algorithms that sharpen detail and color
- Repairs damaged videos like glitches and faded footage
- Upscales resolution from 480p to full 4K/8K
- Batch processing to enhance multiple videos fast
- Removes background noise and motion blur
- Preserves video quality without lowering FPS
- Intuitive interface that's easy to navigate
Step 1:Download HitPaw VikPea and install it on your computer. Open the program.
Step 2:Import the Christmas movie you want to enhance by dragging and dropping it into HitPaw.
Step 3:Pick an AI model like "General Denoise" to reduce blur and noise. You can also use "Color Enhancement" to improve faded colors.
Step 4:Click Preview to see the enhancements on your movie. Wait a few seconds for it to process.
Step 5:When you're happy with how it looks, export the upgraded video.
Part 4. FAQs of Christmas Holidays Film
Q1. Why do people watch movies during Christmas?
A1. People watch Christmas holidays films during the holidays because they enjoy the heartwarming stories, nostalgia, family values, and messages of hope. The themes relate to holiday traditions most people can identify with. Christmas movies provide comforting escapism and holiday cheer.
Q2. Which Christmas movie is played the most?
A2. According to a YouGov survey of 1,200 US adults, the most popular Christmas movie is 1990's "Home Alone" starring Macaulay Culkin. About 15% chose it as their favorite holiday classic.
Q3. Which actor has starred in the most Christmas movies?
A3. The undisputed queen of Hallmark Christmas movies, Candace Cameron Bure, has starred in a whopping 29 festive films for the network as of 2023. These charming, formulaic rom-coms are a staple of the holiday season for many viewers, making Bure a familiar face and beloved figure in the Christmas movie world.
Bottom Line
Best Christmas holiday movies have become cherished holiday traditions thanks to their heartwarming messages about family, hope, and the spirit of the season. Whether it's a comedy like Elf, a drama like It’s a Wonderful Life or a family film like Home Alone at the top of your list, these classics are best enjoyed in stunning quality.
This year, upgrade your Christmas movie collection to crystal clear 4K or 8K resolution with HitPaw VikPea. The AI video tools repair any damage and sharpen colors for a flawless viewing experience. Gather the family in front of these enhanced favorites to make lasting memories and rediscover why we love these stories year after year.
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Joshua Hill
Editor-in-Chief
I have been working as a freelancer for more than five years. It always impresses me when I find new things and the latest knowledge. I think life is boundless but I know no bounds.
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