1989 - G - 103 MINS - FAMILY
Nutshell: A farm girl nurses a wounded reindeer she believes is one of Santa's, hoping to bring it back to health in time for Christmas, her holiday spirit inspiring those around her.
Top Cast: Sam Elliott, Cloris Leachman
Review: Sometimes to truly enjoy Christmas, you need to step back into the eyes of a child and this heartwarming movie provides a more innocent point of view. Not spectacular but a nice easy watch and definitely special for little girls.
1984 - PG - 100 MINS - DRAMA
Nutshell: A bitter old miser who rationalizes his uncaring nature learns compassion when visited by 3 spirits on Christmas Eve.
Top Cast: George C. Scott, Frank Finlay
Review: A wonderful adaption, brought to life by Scott as Scrooge. The dark lack of color is unappealing to some and more authentic to others. You know the story but try this version if you haven't seen it yet.
2007 - PG-13 - 117 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: A Christmastime drama centered around the Whitfield family's first holiday together in four years, bringing a whole lot of issues together.
Top Cast: Regina King, Columbus Short
Review: A realistic story with drama, comedy and some great music. Maybe a little raw to really get the festive juices flowing - this is a different type of script, one which is a little more real and if you are looking for a more serious pic, take a look at this one.
2019 - PG-13 - 92 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: When a snowstorm hits a small town on Christmas Eve, a group of high school seniors finds their friendships and love lives unexpectedly colliding.
Top Cast: Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore
Review: A young person rom-com that leaves wanting more. It does offer that nice Christmas formula that although predictable, keeps you watching. Just a shame they stay so veneer thin with the characters. Maybe read the book instead.
1994 - PG - 114 MINS - FAMILY
Nutshell: After regaining her belief 6-year old Susan joins forces with a lawyer to prove Santa is real to the courthouse and rediscover their own Christmas spirit along the way.
Top Cast: Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins
Review: Attenborough is a perfect Santa, but this does not have quite the impact of the original movie. Lots of festive cheer, some nice moments between the characters and pleasantly funny.
1939 - Approved - 94 MINS - ROMANTIC
Nutshell: Love blooms between a sympathetic attorney and the comely shoplifter he has taken home for the Christmas holiday.
Top Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray
Review: If the ability to melt even the coldest of hearts, to transform the feelings for our fellow people, is a feeling you desire in your holiday viewing, watch this!
1998 - PG - 119 MINS - ROMANTIC
Nutshell: A book superstore magnate and independent book shop owner fall in love in the anonymity of the internet, blissfully unaware he is trying to put her out of business.
Top Cast: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan
Review: Some key scenes happen over Christmas so it crept in, but although this charming feel-good movie is a nice watch, I would watch some others in that run up to the big day!
1992 - PG - 120 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: Kevin is separated from his family…again…when he accidentally boards the wrong flight, and stumbles across the same burglars who are planning to rob toy stores on Christmas Eve.
Top Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci
Review: Not as good as the first but all the same winning formula and bigger adventure. This is a great one for both the kids and the adults, bigger and better booby traps, more violence and more wisecracks. Viewers prefer this over critics.
1968 - PG - 134 MINS - DRAMA
Nutshell: In 1183 A.D., King Henry II must decide which of his three sons will inherit the throne. His wife and sons all variously plot to force him into making a decision.
Top Cast: Peter O'Toole, Katherine Hepburn
Review: Gloriously entertaining examination of medieval politics and family strife. With sharp dialogue from two acting masters, not to mention Dalton and Hopkins, with dazzling performances. But not a movie to warm your spirits.
2021 - TV-MA - 104 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: An L.A. journalist Natalie, unlucky in love, falls for an East Coast guy on a dating app and taking a leap of faith, decides to surprise him for the holidays, only to discover she has been catfished.
Top Cast: Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang
Review: This is cheesy, but somehow this does not bomb, with a great cast and thoughtful acting. Sometimes this kind of feel-good movie to enjoy, have a little laugh not give it much thought is just what you need.
1970 - G - 113 MINS - DRAMA
Nutshell: A musical retelling of Dickens' classic novel about an old bitter miser taken on a journey of self-redemption by three mysterious spirits.
Top Cast: Albert Finney, Alec Guiness
Review: Considered one of the best adaptions - vibrant movie with lively songs and a standout performance from Albert Finney. Original songs like "Thank You Very Much" adding festive energy and an upbeat twist to the somber story.
2009 - PG - 96 MINS - FANTASY
Nutshell: After Ebenezer Scrooge begins the Christmas holiday with miserly contempt, ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths he must face, Scrooge must open his heart before it is too late.
Top Cast: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman
Review: A multi-sensory thrill ride captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale. A little darker so consider whether this is suitable for the little ones.
2024 - PG-13 - 123 MINS - ACTION
Nutshell: After a villain kidnaps Santa from the North Pole, an E.L.F. operative must partner with the world's most accomplished tracker to find Santa and save Christmas.
Top Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans
Review: This action-adventure "Marvel-style" Christmas movie, jam packed with different festive folklore takes you on a fantastic ride. There really isn't anything out there like this so enjoy it!
2013 - R - 123 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: When college friends reunite after 15 years over the Christmas holidays, they discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be reignited.
Top Cast: Monica Calhoun, Morris Chestnut
Review: An emotional movie with lots of funny bits - more a dramedy than a comedy, but sentimental enough to bring warmth to the Christmas season. This won't be a movie for all but for some it is 10/10.
1947 - Approved - 116 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: A homeless New Yorker moves into a mansion and along the way he gathers friends to live in the house with him. Before he knows it, he is living with the home owners family.
Top Cast: Don DeFore, Ann Harding
Review: A few typical cliches around rags-to-riches millionaires realizing that money isn't all that matters. Although set in the holiday season, this isn't my kind of festive movie, but an interesting story.
1987 - R - 119 MINS - ACTION
Nutshell: Set against a backdrop of Christmas lights and decorations, two newly paired cops who are complete opposites must put their differences aside in order to catch a gang of drug smugglers.
Top Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover
Review: A holiday season's themes of family, redemption and companionship resonates through this movie. While it is primarily an action movie (a good one), the subtle Christmas undertones give it a suitable festive watch.
2009 - PG - 105 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: An uptight but secretly heartbroken primary school teacher's little white lie about Hollywood coming to see his class' nativity play grows like wildfire in his rag-tag school low on self-esteem.
Top Cast: Martin Freeman, Marc Wootton
Review: Lots of laugh-out loud moments with lots of familiar faces in this British Christmas story. Maybe predictable, but if you are looking for a clever and amusing rom-com that will leave you warm inside, this is it.
2005 - PG - 143 MINS - FANTASY
Nutshell: During World War 2 to escape the London bombings, four English siblings are sent to a country house to be safe. While playing, they find a wardrobe that transports them to a mystical place called Narnia.
Top Cast: Tilda Swinton, Georgie Henley
Review: Christmas becomes a symbol of hope and change when Father Christmas provides gifts the children use in their battle against the Witch, restoring hope - an endearing reminder of the power Christmas can have.
2015 - R - 101 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: On Christmas Eve, three lifelong friends spend the night in NY City looking for the holy grail of Christmas parties.
Top Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen
Review: This won't be for everyone but if you are looking for some witty comedy with an acting trio with great chemistry, this will be a great after-hours choice. A great story about friendship and I loved the Christmas sweaters.
2018 - PG - 85 MINS - FAMILY
Nutshell: A grumpy Grinch plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville.
Top Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones
Review: This is a version that divides opinion. Despite being closer to the original story, the Grinch is maybe a little too nice. The music and children of Whoville really create a charm and the comedy spots made me laugh out loud.
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