‘Tis the season EPHS! It’s finally December, the perfect time to watch Christmas movies. Whether your favorite Christmas movies are nostalgic, emotional, or humorous, this article will inform you about which movies are worth watching this Christmas, based on the opinions of EPHS students. A survey was sent out to all EPHS students to gather their opinions on their favorite Christmas movies. Their responses help us understand the significance of each and every one of these films.
#1 – Home Alone
Let’s begin with a classic! Ranked #1 by EP students is Home Alone. The six-part franchise first premiered on November 16, 1990. It has been 34 years since its release, and this movie remains highly acclaimed. Here’s a quick glimpse of it.
Plot – The movie begins with a bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister, who misbehaves the night before his family’s Christmas vacation to Paris. As a consequence of his behavior, Kevin’s mother sends him to sleep in the attic. The McCallisters mistakenly leave Kevin at home when they head to the airport, leaving him home alone. He awakens to an empty house and assumes that his wish to have no family has come true. Initially, Kevin is excited. However, this excitement quickly fades when he realizes that two burglars plan to rob the McCallister residence. Now, Kevin must protect his family’s home while navigating the challenges of being alone.
Our Review – There is no doubt that this franchise is one of the best Christmas movies out there. Its comedic timing, setting, and the memorability it has is what makes it one of the greats. With 20 votes, it’s clear to see that EP students enjoy this movie as much as we do. One student says, “The booby traps are really creative and it’s very Christmas-y.” The overall Christmas atmosphere in the movie is another great contribution to the greatness it has.
#2 – The Nightmare Before Christmas
Ranked #2 by EP students is The Nightmare Before Christmas. Based on the popular story by Tim Burton, this family friendly musical came out on October 29, 1993. With a very unique and charming style, no wonder this movie is a popular rewatch during the Christmas season!
Plot – The movie follows the main character, Jack Skellington, while on his misadventures. Jack, who is Halloweentown beloved pumpkin king, has become quite bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the “real world.” Jack soon stumbles upon a new unfamiliar holiday, Christmas. Jack is fond of this new holiday and plans to take it under his control.
Our Review – From the stop-motion animation, to the soundtrack it has, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a true classic. Many students at EP love the idea of a Halloween and Christmas movie in one. You don’t find a movie like this every day, making it something you should definitely have on your watch list this Christmas. From the lessons it teaches you to the uncanny animation, The Nightmare Before Christmas should definitely be on your watch list.
#3 – Elf
Next up is Elf, ranked #3 by EP students. This movie brings all the comedy you need. Elf came out on November 7, 2003. With an actor like Will Ferrell, surely you will want to watch this Christmas classic.
Plot – Elf takes on the story of Buddy, who was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Buddy is curious to learn his origins and heads to New York City in search of his biological father.
Our Review – Elf is a cheerful holiday movie that truly represents the spirit of Christmas. It’s a joyful, family friendly movie that perfectly captures the essence of the holiday season. One student says, “It truly captures the meaning of Christmas while also using a fictional plot.” With this being said, Elf is sure to bring you a good laugh!
#4 – Polar Express
Ranked #4, Polar Express is a true classic. This holiday movie came out on November 10, 2004. It touches on the values of friendship and courage, a perfect message to send to kids of all ages.
Plot – Polar Express starts with a young boy who is starting to doubt Santa being real. On the night of Christmas Eve, he notices a train outside his window, on its way to the North Pole. He gets invited to come aboard to the train, to which he agrees to. On the train, he makes plenty of friends and learns invaluable lessons that teach him the true value of Christmas.
Our Review – Polar Express will bring you nostalgic memories that you may have made as a child. Students traditionally watch this movie during their elementary years, making it a fan favorite. One EP student says, “Ever since I was a kid, I have always loved this movie. When I was in kindergarten, I even brought the book of this movie to school as we watched it in class.” It’s a heartfelt movie that will surely give you pleasure in watching.
#5 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Ranked #5 is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The movie was based on the popular book How the Grinch Stole Christmas, written by famous children’s author, Dr. Seuss. The film adaptation was released on November 17, 2000. The movie stars Jim Carrey as the Grinch, an actor known for his comedic roles.
Plot – The movie starts off with the Grinch wanting to ruin Christmas for the whole town of Whoville. Grinch and his dog Max sneak into town and swipe everything that was holiday-related. However, he meets a sweet girl who shows him the true meaning of Christmas.
Our Review – How the Grinch Stole Christmas certainly stole our hearts with Jim Carrey being the leading character. In our opinion, the movie was a great adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s book, bringing justice to it. It did lack in the plot department, but this does not change how great the movie is. The movie is a great option to watch with your family, and it will sure bring you a good laugh.
#6 – A Charlie Brown Christmas
Up next is A Charlie Brown Christmas. This timeless movie came out on December 9, 1965. A heartwarming classic that is perfect to watch this Christmas season
Plot – The movie is about Charlie, a young boy who does not enjoy being around people who do not see the true meaning of Christmas. Charlie is given the opportunity to become director of the school Christmas pageant, which he agrees to in an attempt to restore the holiday cheer. However, during this, Charlie begins to realize that he also did not understand the importance of Christmas. While picking out a tree, Charlie Brown notices a really small tree, which most people look past. The other characters work with Charlie Brown to transform this tree into something special, looking past the physical appearance with love and unity.
Our Review – A movie designed for families, it’s great to watch with all ages. It teaches you valuable lessons and shows how even someone like Charlie got the wrong idea about Christmas. It’s definitely an oldie but a goodie!
#7 – The Christmas Chronicles
Ranked #7 is The Christmas Chronicles. The film was released on November 22, 2018 on Netflix. The film was even followed by two other movies, making this series a trilogy. Compared to the other films listed, this movie is definitely newer, but this doesn’t take away from its brilliance.
Plot – The Christmas Chronicles begins with the Pierce siblings, Kate and Teddy, devising a plan to capture Santa Claus. However, their scheme goes awry, forcing the children to team up with Santa to save the holiday season.
Our Review – The Christmas Chronicles is what we believe to be one of the best adaptations of Santa. Even with a simple story line, this Christmas movie should certainly be on your watch list.
#8 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Ranked #8, is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Released on December 1, 1989, this Christmas movie is some of EP students’ favorites.
Plot – The movie begins with Clark Griswold, a father who is determined to have a perfect family Christmas. However, his plans don’t go accordingly due to his cousin and his family showing up without notice. To make matters worse, Clark’s employers go back on their promise regarding the holiday bonus he relies on.
Our Review – There’s no other words to describe this movie other than it being a classic. It’s a hilarious movie that you surely want to watch again. No matter how many times you watch it, it’ll never get old.
#9 – A Christmas Story
Next up is A Christmas Story. Although this movie is not as well known as the others listed, it’s certainly still a classic. The film came out on November 18, 1983. Let’s take a closer look into it!
Plot – A Christmas Story begins with a young boy named Ralphie Parker. He is bullied frequently by another boy, and wants a Red Ryder air rifle. He is very close with his kind mother. However, Ralphie struggles to make it to the end of Christmas with his dreams and holiday cheer remaining perfect and in order.
Our Review – Upon watching the movie, the character of Ralphie, along with the other children in the film, interested us. Their personalities significantly contribute to the film’s overall charm and appeal. We highly recommend this movie to everyone!
#10 – The Princess Switch
Finally, we have The Princess Switch! This film debuted on November 16, 2018, on Netflix. The Princess Switch is a trilogy, with the second part released in 2020 and the final part coming out in 2021.
Plot – The film starts with a baker and a Duchess who are both dissatisfied with their lives. Each character seeks something different to alleviate their struggles. Upon meeting and recognizing their shared experiences, the Duchess proposes that they swap lives for a time. The baker develops feelings for the prince, who is engaged to the Duchess, while the Duchess finds herself attracted to the baker’s best friend. Ultimately, the baker marries the prince, and the Duchess ends up with the baker’s best friend.
Our Review – Although this movie may not be for everyone, it is certainly worth a watch. While being a cheesy rom-com, it still captures the essence of Christmas. Due to it having two other movies, this series is definitely something you’ll want to watch during your winter break.
Conclusion
Overall, rewatching and watching some of these movies for the first time was a truly enjoyable experience for both of us. Once again, thank you so much to everyone who filled out the form; your contributions brought this article to life through YOUR opinions. We hope this article provides you a helpful insight into which movies are worth watching this Christmas season.
Works Cited:
- The Best National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Quotes (n.d). Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/best-national-lampoons-christmas-vacation-quotes
- What Year Is A Christmas Story Set In? (n.d). Retrieved December 8, 2024, from https://www.cbr.com/christmas-story-when-take-place/#:~:text=It’s%20set%20in%201973%20%2D%2D,be%20together%20for%20the%20holidays.
- What is your favorite Christmas movie?, December 4, 2024
