Rhemalogy

Alright, you avid movie watchers. Here are some good movies to watch over the Holidays—at least in our collection. Some are old familiar friends and others are brand new; straight off the “Nice” list. Just click on the pic or series title to see the trailer. We hope you enjoy it. Take One!

1. A Boy Called Christmas – On Christmas Eve, Andrea, Moppet, and Patrick, whose mother has died recently and whose father is leaving for an urgent task for work, are put in the care of Aunt Ruth (Maggie Smith), an old woman who tries to entertain the children by telling a Christmas tale about an ordinary young boy called Nikolas (Henry Lawfull) who sets out on an adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, Nikolas soon meets his destiny.  Based on the 2015 book of the same name by Matt Haig this film brings you an adventure that will give you the gift of hope. 106 min|2021|Children & Family. Can be seen on Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube.

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 Star – A small but brave donkey named Bo (Steven Yeun) yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day, he finds the courage to break free, embarking on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth (Aidy Bryant), a lovable sheep who has lost her flock, and Dave (Keegan-Michael Key), a dove who has lofty aspirations. Along with three camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told — the first Christmas. Nominated for the GMA Dove Award for Inspirational Film of the Year The Star is an adventurous playful twist on a 2,000-year-old story that is still the centerpiece of our Christmas celebration and will be a treat for both children and adults alike. 86 min|2017|PG. Can be seen on Fubo, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu.

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. Dreamworks Holiday Classics – This holiday classic compiles four of the company’s influential half-hour holiday specials Merry Madagascar (2009): Santa and his reindeer crash on the island of Madagascar, and Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman, and the penguins must save Christmas. Donkey’s Caroling Christmas-tacular (2010): Donkey leads a Christmas carol singalong, with musical numbers including a unique version of `Jingle Bells’. Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury: Hiccup and his friends are preparing for Snoggletog when all of the dragons suddenly fly away and leave Berk. And finally The Madagascar Penguins in A Christmas Caper (2005): Private slips out of the zoo for some last-minute Christmas shopping when he’s mistaken as a cute chew toy by a mean old woman named Nana leading the penguins on another hilarious rescue mission.

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. The Christmas Chronicles Films. In The Christmas Chronicles (105 min|2018|PG) 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. In The Christmas Chronicles 2 (112 min|2020|PG) it’s been two years since siblings Kate (Darby Camp) and Teddy Pierce (Judah Lewis) saved Christmas, and a lot has changed. Kate, now a cynical teenager, is reluctantly spending Christmas in Cancun with her mom’s new boyfriend and his son Jack (Jahzir Bruno). Unwilling to accept this new version of her family, Kate decides to run away. But when a mysterious, magical troublemaker named Belsnickel (Julian Dennison) threatens to destroy the North Pole and end Christmas forever, Kate and Jack are unexpectedly pulled into a new adventure with Santa Claus (Kurt Russell). The Christmas Chronicles 2 is an action-packed adventure for the whole family that’s full of heart, humor, and holiday spirit.

9. 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 the ghosts of 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.

10. 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!