Alright, you avid movie watchers pull out the snacks and drinks. 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 “Who’s Nice” list. Just click on the pic or series title to see the trailer. We hope you enjoy it. Happy Cinemas to you!
1. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. Jeronicus Jangle (Justin Cornwell)—an inventor, toymaker, and owner of Jangles and Things—receives the final component to his latest invention that he believes will change his and his family’s lives forever. This concelebrate, leaves Diego and the store under the care of his apprentice Gustafson (Miles Barrow). Diego is distraught to learn that he will be mass-produced, thus robbing him of his uniqueness. He manages to convince Gustafson, an aspiring inventor himself, to get back at Jeronicus by taking Diego and his book of inventions. Without proof of Gustafson’s actions to show to the police, Jangles and Things falls into financial hardship while Gustafson starts his own factory. After the death of his wife Joanne, Jeronicus grows distant from his daughter, Jessica (Anika Noni Rose), who moves away. 30 years later, Jangles and Things is a failing pawnbroker shop and Jeronicus (Forest Whitaker) has completely lost his creative spark. He is visited by postwoman Ms. Johnston (Lisa Davina Phillip) who is sympathetic to his plight and smitten with him as she tries to lift his spirits. Jeronicus is visited by banker Mr. Delacroix (Hugh Bonneville) who tells him to pay his debts or produce a new invention to show to the bank by Christmas or lose his shop. 2020|2h 2m|PG. Can be seen on Netflix.
2. Best Christmas Ever. Jackie and Charlotte, are college besties and every Christmas Jackie sends a card to Charlotte that makes her feel bad about her life. Jackie sends a newsletter to her friend Charlotte. Fate brings Charlotte to Jackie’s (Brandy Norwood) doorstep. As a result, Charlotte (Heather Graham) tries to prove that her friend’s life is not perfect. When Charlotte ends up at Jackie’s house for Christmas, she tries to prove Jackie’s life isn’t as good as she makes it seem in her cards. After Charlotte tries to hijack Jackie’s family vacation, they rediscover their friendship and Charlotte finds someone to share the holidays with. There is a surprising twist in this storyline that really helps us to appreciate family and friends, not judge others by what we see, and be thankful for what we have no matter our social station. 2023|1h 22m|TV-PG. Can be seen on Netflix
3. A Disney Christmas Carol. I have been fortunate to see four adaptations of this classic “A Christmas Carol” including the original with Alastair Sims then George C. Scott in 1984, The Muppet Christmas Carol in 1992, Sir Patrick Stewart in 1999, and now Disney’s version with Jim Carrey as the unconscionable miser Ebenezer Scrooge who detests the merriment of Christmas, declining his nephew Fred’s invitation to an annual Christmas dinner party and refusing to make a donation to the poor to two charity workers. At home, Scrooge encounters the ghost of Jacob Marley, his seven-year-dead business partner, bound in heavy chains. Marley warns Scrooge to change his wicked ways or be condemned to the same fate, telling Scrooge that he will be haunted by three spirits over three nights, regardless of Scrooge’s suggestion for them to come at once. 2009|1h 36m|PG. Can be seen on Disney+, Hulu, and Fubo with a subscription then Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, and YouTube from $3.79 and also ABC and Freeform free with cable TV.
4. Jingle All The Way. Workaholic Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wants to make things up to his son, Jamie (Jake Lloyd), and wife, Liz (Rita Wilson). He promises to get Jamie the hottest toy of the season, Turbo-Man — even though it’s Christmas Eve and the toy is practically sold out. As Langston hunts down the elusive gift, he runs into mailman Myron (Sinbad), another father on the same quest. With the clock winding down, Langston’s moral code is tested as he starts to learn the real meaning of Christmas. Add Phil Hartman and Robert Conrad to this holiday punch with the comedic hijinx in this movie and you get a holly jolly Christmas. 1996|1h 29m|PG. Can be seen on Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu.
5. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. After snarky youth Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) loses track of his father at the airport, he mistakenly gets on a plane headed for New York City — while the rest of the McCallisters fly to Florida. One year after he was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars Kevin cons his way into a room at the Plaza Hotel and begins his usual antics during Christmas, with enough cash and credit to live it up. But when Kevin discovers that those same Sticky Bandits (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) are on the loose, he struggles to stop them from robbing an elderly man’s toy store just before Christmas. Personally, if I were the Sticky Bandits peppermint candy would’ve been safer. 1992|2h|PG. Can be seen on Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Philo, The Roku Channel, YouTube, and Fubo with a subscription then, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube TV, and Vudu from $3.99.
6. A Christmas Story. Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle.” Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact. This movie really brings out the true essence of Christmas. Everyone young and old can relive the magic of being a child. 1983|1hr 33m|PG. Can be seen on TNT, TBS, and for rent or sale on tru TV Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu.
7. The Santa Clause. Divorced dad Scott (Divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) has custody of his son (Eric Lloyd) on Christmas Eve. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa’s place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he’s dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn’t a dream after all — and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do.) has custody of his son (Eric Lloyd) on Christmas Eve. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa’s place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he’s dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn’t a dream after all — and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do. 1994|1h 37m|PG. Can be seen on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, and YouTube from $3.79.
8. Miracle on 34th Street. In an adaptation 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. 1994|1h 54m|PG. Can be seen on Hulu with a subscription, YouTube from $3.79, The Roku Channel, and Sling for free.
9. The Naughty Nine. Imagine Oceans 11 meets Catch That Kid—Rebels with a Clause! What if your name was on the Naughty List for real and you didn’t think you deserved to be there. What would you do? Well, leave it to some precocious kids, with Andy (Winslow Fegley) as the ring leader, to come up with the unthinkable…deciding to pull off a plan by going to the North Pole and robbing Santa’s (Danny Glover) workshop of the toys they didn’t get for Christmas. This insane adventure is fun and definitely kid-focused. The storyline remains real and true as to how kids act today. Woven through the storyline is some mild intrigue and suspense mixed with plenty of heist-movie shenanigans. A great Christmas movie—one of Disney’s best in a long time. This film also contains some life lessons for our young folks such as having self-confidence, using your talents for the greater good, and never underestimating your parent’s love. 2023|1h 23m|TV-PG.
10. 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, Vudu, and Freevee.
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!