The time of year for festive films is upon us and this year, I think we can all agree, we need a bit of Christmas cheer in our lives. So, here's my top 5 film choices to get you feeling festive.
Love, Actually
A Christmas classic and for me, it's not Christmas until I've seen this film.
This film is a collection of relationship stories intertwined around Christmas time in London. We see brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, parents and children, boyfriends and girlfriends, friends - but every person is somehow connected to another. We also see all types of love: new love, old love, unrequited love, and perhaps some love we don't all support... (No, I'll never forgive Harry!)
If you haven't seen this film, you must! It's full of comedy, romance and Christmas joy.
Rating: 5/5
Arthur Christmas
Technically an animation film for children, but I still love it!
Arthur is the youngest son of Santa and works in the North Pole, replying to letters from all the children. Santa comes back from his believed successful Christmas Eve deliveries to discover that a child has been missed. Arthur takes it upon himself to get the present to Gwen, whatever happens.
This light-hearted animation takes you on a journey across the world following Arthur's selfless pursuit to provide Christmas merriment for all.
Rating: 4/5
Scrooged
Now, this is a bit of a curveball choice. This 1988 dark-humoured adaptation of the classic Dickens story, A Christmas Carol, stars Bill Murray as a grumpy, cynical TV executive who hates Christmas. He is then visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future on Christmas Eve and the tale unfolds.
This unusual retelling of the classic tale is one I always enjoy, as it applies Dickens' story to a more modern life. The humour is darker than in most retellings (especially in comparison with the Muppets' Christmas Carol, for example) but I would recommend watching this film to most adults. Perhaps not so family-friendly but definitely an alternative Christmas film that is worth a watch!
Rating: 4/5
Nativity
This film (which is now part of a series) brings back a lot of memories of British primary schools around Christmas time.
Full of catchy songs and hilarity from beginning to end, the first Nativity film is a charming and heart-warming story about a Coventry primary school's nativity play. But this would be no ordinary school hall set up because Hollywood has been invited.
My housemates and I had a Sunday afternoon Nativity marathon recently and it was so much fun. I had the songs stuck in my head all day!
This a perfect family favourite. The kids will be singing along and the adults can feel all nostalgic about their own primary school days.
Rating: 4/5
ELF
Now, this is the ultimate Christmas film! If you haven't seen ELF, where have you been?
This film focuses on Buddy the Elf, who discovers he's actually a human from New York. We follow Buddy on his journey to meet his family at Christmas time and discovering the world outside of the North Pole. You'll fall in love with his elfish innocence and naivety; it's bound to make you smile from ear to ear. Plus, the message of spreading Christmas cheer is heart-warming.
This is by far my favourite Christmas film and I'm sure it is loved by many many people worldwide. Everyone has to see this film and get in the Christmas spirit.
Rating: 5/5
I hope this list of festive film favourites gives you some inspiration to make your Christmas spirit come alive!
By Megan Gaen
Image courtesy of Taryn Elliott via Pexels