Rhemalogy

Alright, you movie watchers. Here are some good movies to watch over the Holidays—at least in my streaming collection. Some are old familiar friends and others are brand new; straight out of the can. Just click on the pic or series title to see the trailer. We hope you enjoy it. Happy hunting!

1. Miracle On Christmas – During the Christmas holiday, Mary (Erin Bethea) experiences emotional trials that cause her to question her faith until a visitor (Brett Varvel) arrives and her husband (Jason Burkey) receives an unexpected miracle. This film speaks the heart and soul of Christmas. And the music isn’t bad either. Hint: The visitor’s nickname is Harry—which is short for Harold—but isn’t spelled the way you think! If you need a refill of the true spirit of Christmas; this is the movie to watch. 87 min|2020|Children & Family. Can be seen on Prime Video.

2. The Princess Switch Films – In this first of three Netflix original films, Vanessa Hudgens plays a humble baker from Chicago who crosses paths with Duchess Margaret Delacourt (Hudgens) who could pass as her twin. They decide to swap places for a Christmas plot to experience life in the other’s shoes. (101 min|2018|TV-PG) In The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again, Duchess Margaret unexpectedly inherits the throne to Montenaro and hits a rough patch with boyfriend Kevin at the same time. It’s up to her double Princess Stacy to get the star-crossed lovers back together (98 min|2020|TV-G). The Princess Switch Romancing the Star, When a priceless Christmas relic is stolen, royal look-alikes Margaret and Stacy turn to audacious doppelgänger Fiona and her dashing ex for help. (2021|106 min|TV-PG) All three films have romance, comedy, and intrigue. If you like happy endings these three you need to see. Can be seen on Netflix.

3. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a Disney fantasy adventure film directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston based on a screenplay by Ashleigh Powell. On Christmas Eve in Victorian London, Clara receives an egg-shaped box from her father, which she is unable to unlock, together with a note saying “Everything you need is inside”. Young Clara needs a magical, one-of-a-kind key to unlock a box that contains a priceless gift. A golden thread leads her to the coveted key, but it soon disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. In that world, she meets a soldier named Phillip, a group of mice, and the regents who preside over three realms. Clara and Phillip must now enter a fourth realm to retrieve the key and restore harmony to the unstable land. 1h 40m|2018|PG. Can be seen on the Disney Channel.

4. Klaus – An Academy Award Nominee, Klaus is a beautifully animated film that tells the story of Santa and the North Pole with a unique twist. The movie follows a postman’s spoiled son named Jesper who gets sent to work in Smeerensberg, a desolate town in the North Pole with rival families and children who never get toys or even go to school, as an ultimatum to be part of the family fortune. If he can’t deliver 6,000 letters in a year, he’s out, so he stumbles on a way to reach his goal by having kids write letters to a reclusive woodsman named Klaus to ask for toys. You can see where this is going. 97 min|2019|F. Can be seen on Netflix.

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas: In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen). 1 hr 45 min|2000|F. Can be seen on YouTube, Vudu, and Google Play for $3.99.

6. The Polar Express – This holiday classic is about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. While riding the Polar Express into his great adventure, he also learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.100 m |2004|G. Can be seen on Hulu, AMC+, and Amazon Prime.

7. A Charlie Brown Christmas – In this special, Charlie Brown finds himself depressed despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a neighborhood Christmas play, but his best efforts are ignored and mocked by his peers. After Linus tells Charlie Brown about the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown cheers up, and the Peanuts gang unites to celebrate the Christmas season. A Charlie Brown Christmas received high ratings and acclaim from critics. It has been honored with an Emmy and a Peabody Award, There is just no Christmas without Charlie Brown and the gang. You must see Snoopy’s decorating prowess. 25 m|1965|TV-G. You can stream ad-free and in HD on Apple TV+ or pick up the DVD on Amazon,

8. A Cinderella Christmas – Angie works hard to run her uncle’s events business while her cousin Candace takes the credit. When Angie takes a night off to have fun at the Christmas Masquerade Ball, the mask and gown allow her to let loose, and she quickly catches the eye of Nicholas, a wealthy local bachelor. But then Angie has to go before revealing her identity, leaving Nicholas searching for his mystery woman in this modern take on the classic fairytale. 1hr33m|2016|Unrated. Can be seen on Tubi, Pluto, Peacock, Vulu, Amazon Prime, and Hulu with a subscription—all the other aforementioned streaming services are free.

9. A Christmas Tree Miracle – A warm-hearted Christmas tale to remind us that in the holiday season, the best gifts in life are the simple ones and that miracles do happen if you believe. The story centers on the George family. Bothered by the upcoming Christmas holiday, father David (Kevin Sizemore) is focused on work, mother Julie (Claudia Esposito) is frazzled by the season, and teens Nick (Barrett Carnahan) and Natalie (Emily Capehart) are focused on their ever-growing Christmas lists. It’s only 6-year-old Nina (Siomha Kenney) who truly has any Christmas spirit. When David loses his land developer job right before the holidays, the family’s finances cascade out of control until an eccentric tree farmer named Henry (Terry Kiser) offers them a place to stay and a new chance at their lives. 1hr 42 mi|2013|TV-G. Can be seen on Prime Video and YouTube.

10. The Muppet Christmas Carol – Our beloved Muppets walk us through this Dickens tale, as Gonzo narrates and Rizzo the Rat tags along; through the cobblestone streets of Victorian London. Both shadow Ebenezer Scrooge in his daily business affairs, and ghostly activities at home. After being forewarned by his deceased business partners, Marley and Marley; Ebenezer is visited by three ghosts—Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future who terrify him so much he forever changes his evil, greedy ways. Mixed with many comedic moments such as the accountant’s “heatwave” episode when Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) asks for more coal because they were freezing their assets off. This is Muppet humor at its best, with Michael Caine at the helm as Scrooge; being able to maintain a serious role in the midst of such madcap comedy. 85 m|1992|G. Disney+ is the exclusive home of The Muppet Christmas Carol. So if you want to see it, you will have to stream it from there. Or, if you are like me—you can watch your own video.

11. Miracle on 34th Street – A 90’s remake of the 1947 film, six-year-old Susan Walker (Mara Wilson) is skeptical of the Christmas myth surrounding Santa Claus, a trait she perhaps learned from her mother, Dorey (Elizabeth Perkins). When tasked with hiring the Santa who will pose with kids at Macy’s, Dorey enlists a man with the curious name of Kris Kringle (Richard Attenborough) who claims to be Santa himself. His assertions are met with scoffs and threats of institutionalization, but a young lawyer, along with Susan and Dorey, comes to his defense. 1h 54m|1994|PG. Can be seen on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Prime from 3.99. Is also on Disney Plus.

12. Holiday Rush – “It’s not what you got. It’s what you got around you,” sums up this movie nicely. Based in New York — the ideal location for any Christmas movie — Holiday Rush follows a single father who has been able to provide a lavish lifestyle for his children due to his successful radio show. But when the studio decides to go in a different direction, he’s got to make some changes, not just for himself, but for his family. With a little love, lots of family, and a lesson that will pull at your heartstrings, Holiday Rush reminds us that Christmas is about far more than material things. 93 min|2013|NR. Can be seen on Netflix.

13. Home Alone – This Christmas family comedy classic is one you can’t miss. An eight-year-old troublemaker, Kevin, must protect his house from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. And he does a hilarious job of protecting his house. 1hr 43 m|1990|PG. Can be seen on Disney + or VHS if you have one.

14. The Christmas Chronicles. Siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce hatch a scheme to capture Santa Claus (Kurt Russell) on Christmas Eve. When the plan goes awry, the kids join forces with a somewhat jolly Saint Nick and his loyal elves to save the holiday before it’s too late.

15. A Christmas Prince Films – In this first of three installments, journalist, Amber Moore, is sent to the foreign nation of Aldovia to cover a press conference given by Prince Richard, who is a no-show. Masquerading as his sister’s tutor Amber gains access to the prince which gets her a king instead. (2017|92 min|TV-PG) In A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding A year after Amber helped Richard secure the crown, the two are set to tie the knot in a royal Christmas wedding – but their plans are jeopardized when Amber finds herself second-guessing whether or not she’s cut out to be queen. (2018|92 min|TV-PG) And in A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby Amber and Richard host royals from a faraway kingdom to renew a sacred truce, but when the priceless treaty disappears, peace is put in jeopardy and an ancient curse threatens their family. (2019|84 min|TV-PG) In each film, Amber uses her journalistic nose to sniff out the culprit. These are more mystery/romance/dramadies for the entire family. Can be seen on Netflix.

There are hundreds of Christmas movies to watch. These are just a few of our favorites—with streaming there is so much to choose from. Merry Christmas!