It’s almost time to start getting ready for the holidays since they are quickly approaching. A lot of factors need to be taken into account when preparing, such as the meal, the invitations, the amount of guests, the décor, the Christmas trip you have been organising, and many more. But we also need to keep in mind another crucial holiday tradition: watching Christmas films. Christmas is a time for celebration, and watching films with loved ones over is a wonderful way to mark the event and the bonding it fosters. And who better to offer that kind of clean entertainment than Disney?
101 Dalmatians (1996)
This well-known canine film is a live-action, holiday-themed adaptation of the 1961 animated feature picture 101 Dalmatians, which was based on Dodie Smith’s 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians. The film follows the parents of a married couple, Anita (Joely Richardson) and Roger (Jeff Daniels, “Dumb and Dumber”), as they save their 99 children from the clutches of the evil Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close), who wants to use their fur for her new coat. The film features real Dalmatians, a mother named Perdita and a father named Pongo. Other canines and animals in London help them in their endeavour.
Despite the title “101 Dalmatians,” the film is a breakthrough simply for being able to gather that many pups in front of the camera; in reality, the producers had to bring in 230 different puppies because each puppy could only be used for two weeks before becoming larger. This film is ideal if you adore dogs and want your children to feel the same way. And even if you don’t, you will fall in love with them after seeing this film. It is available for streaming here.
A Christmas Carol (2009)
An version of Charles Dicken’s 1843 novella is called “A Christmas Carol.” Nevertheless, it never has aged and never will. The director this time around is none other than Robert Zemeckis, the man behind Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Polar Express, Back to the Future, Cast Away, and Flight. Motion capture technology is used in the animation of the film “A Christmas Carol.” Jim Carrey plays Ebenezer Scrooge in our story. It goes without saying that Carrey’s voice and facial expressions allow us to practically recognise him in the role in addition to hearing him. Zemeckis enhances the story’s enchantment and contributes to the holiday atmosphere in general. Here is a link to stream “A Christmas Carol.”
Frozen (2013)
Our list ends with the animated musical “Frozen,” which was helmed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee. It draws inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen’s 1844 Danish fairy tale “The Snow Queen,” which appears in his book “New Fairy Tales. First Volume. Second Collection.” The narrative narrates how a woman named Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) and a mountain man named Kristoff (voiced by Jonathan Groff) set out to find Queen Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel), the elder sister of the former, whose ability to transform objects into ice nearly killed Elsa. She isolated herself for this reason. But her erratic feelings have set off a curse that has left the kingdom of Arendelle in a perpetual state of winter.
Elsa must therefore locate her sister and assist her. The film has all the classic Christmas movie components, such as troll elves, Josh Gad’s voiced Olaf the snowman, and of course the Ice Kingdom. At the 2014 Academy Awards, Idina Menzel’s song “Let It Go,” which was written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, took home the Best Original Song Oscar, and the film itself took home the Best Animated Feature Oscar. The movie is available for viewing here.
Godmothered (2020)
Who wouldn’t want a fairy to be their friend and realise their greatest wish? But what if a fully grown fairy that like a human appeared in your life and surrounded you all the time? This is what happens to Mackenzie played by Isla Fisher. The youngest fairy godmother in The Motherland, Eleanor (Jillian Bell), finds Mackenzie’s wish—that she live a happily ever after—that she misplaced when she was ten years old. Eleanor meets Mackenzie in person because she is determined to spread magic, which is what brings her to the actual world.
Sadly, Mackenzie has changed from the young woman who dreamed of a happily ever after. Her marriage to her two daughters has soured, and she has lost her spouse. The film tells the story of Eleanor’s attempts to show Mackenzie that happiness exists in the world and in her life despite all of life’s hardships, set against the backdrop of Christmas. The fairy emblem in Sharon Maguire’s film “Godmothered” serves as a helpful reminder that things can always get better—but only if we want them to—and that our Happily Ever After is ultimately up to us. Here is where you may view the film.
Home Alone (1990)
“Home Alone,” arguably the best Christmas movie ever made, centres on eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who is abandoned at home in Chicago when his family—his mother, father, and four siblings—leaves for Paris for the holidays and forgets about him. Not only is Kevin alone himself, but he also becomes the target of two criminals (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) who wish to plunder the house. While Kevin’s mother, Kate (Catherine O’Hara), frantically tries to find a way to return to her son, it is up to Kevin to defend his home. You can see “Home Alone,” a cult classic helmed by Chris Columbus, right here.
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (2011)
The popular Ice-Age film franchise’s television special “Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas” stars the prehistoric trio of Diego the sabretooth tiger (voiced by Denis Leary), Sid the sloth (voiced by John Leguizamo), and Manny the mammoth (voiced by Ray Romano). Similar to the previous films, this one again sets the three on an adventure, but this time it’s Christmas and they wind up at Santa Claus’ abode, the North Pole. However, how? Sid has his name added to Santa’s naughty list after ruining Manny’s Christmas custom. Sid makes the decision to make amends by meeting Santa.
But as predicted, things only become worse, and the group must go to whatever lengths to salvage the Christmas season along with the opossum brothers, Eddie (voiced by Josh Peck) and Crash (voiced by Seann William Scott). “Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas,” directed by Karen Disher, demonstrates that, in the end, being with your loved ones is what matters most, so even when things go wrong, spending time together helps you deal with them. And it gets better with Christmas. Here is where you can view “Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas.”
Jingle All the Way (1996)
All rights reserved. TM & Copyright (c) 20th Century Fox Film Corp., “Jingle All the Way,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, 1996.
For cinema buffs, seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Christmas film is among the greatest things that has ever happened. Brian Levant’s film “Jingle All the Way” centres on father and husband Howard Langston (Schwarzenegger), who goes above and above to bring his son Jamie (Jake Lloyd) the newest toy of the season—the Turbo Man. As simple as it may seem, he has competition from Myron Larabee (Sinbad), a father who also desires the toy for his son. The two fathers fight in the middle of the Holiday Wintertainment Parade in Twin Cities, Minnesota, when the supply runs out and there is only one toy remaining. Here is where you may view the film.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
There aren’t many things that compare to spending Christmas with your loved ones while watching the enduring Disney characters celebrate. The animated film “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” which is based on Charles Dickens’ book “A Christmas Carol,” depicts Ebenezer Scrooge (Scrooge McDuck), a cold-hearted and money-minded character who is immune to the idea of celebrating Christmas. This caused his wife Isabelle (Daisy Duck) to leave him. He declines his nephew Fred’s (Donald Duck) invitation to Christmas dinner and even denies his employee Bob Cratchit (Mickey Mouse) a half-day’s pay when he requests one on Christmas Eve.
Then, he receives visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Future (Ghost of Christmas Future), Ghost of Christmas Present (Ghost of Christmas Present), and Ghost of Christmas Past (Jiminy Cricket), who help him understand the wrongs he has done, the people he has harmed, and the repercussions he will face if he doesn’t change. The film, which was directed by Burny Mattinson, emphasises the value of family and selflessness while highlighting the spirit of Christmas. You are welcome to see the film here.
Noelle (2019)
Imagine if Santa was a parent. This option is hilariously explored in “Noelle.” The film, which stars Bill Hader and Anna Kendrick in the key parts, narrates the tale of Kris Kringle’s two children, Nick and Noelle, or Santa’s children. Following Kringle’s death, Nick is the next in line to assume the position. But when Christmas approaches, Nick—who is under a lot of stress—decides to take a leisurely trip and disappears, causing panic across the entire North Pole. It is now Noelle’s responsibility to track down her brother, bring him back, and spare Christmas.
Marc Lawrence’s film “Noelle,” which tackles the value of family and togetherness and how the former two are incomplete without the latter two, is the ideal Christmas binge-watch. It’s full of humour and good times. Billy Eichner, Julie Hagerty, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Shirley MacLaine as elf Polly complete the cast. Polly helps Noelle in her search for her brother. You may watch the movie right here.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
The film is set in London during World War II and is based on the 1950 book “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” the second book in C. S. Lewis’s “Chronicles of Narnia” series. In their new haven away from home, it depicts the siblings Lucy (Georgie Henley), Peter (William Moseley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Susan (Anna Popplewell) journeying through a wardrobe to the enchanted realm of Narnia.
In order to battle the evil Jadis the White Witch (Tilda Swinton), whose curse has brought about a perpetual winter in Narnia, and bring peace back to the region, they band together with the mystical lion Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson). The charm that Andrew Adamson’s film gives is what elevates it to the status of a worthy Christmas viewing. In the film, Christmas is also mentioned. Where? You’ll have to see it for that, though. But you’re going to adore it, we promise. Here is where you may view the film.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
“The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,” which stars the Guardians of the Galaxy—members of the MCU’s Avengers—takes place following the events of Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). In it, Dave Bautista’s character Drax and Pom Klementieff travel to Earth in search of a Christmas present for Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord (played by Chris Pratt), who is still recovering from the shock of losing his girlfriend Gamora. However, the present they have in store is not just any gift—it’s a person, and not just any person but well-known actor Kevin Bacon. James Gunn’s flawless directing makes “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” a joyful viewing from beginning to end. This is the movie to see if your children are lovers of the Avengers or superheroes in general. Here is a link to stream the special.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The characters from Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol” and the well-known franchise founded by Jim Henson in 1955 are brought together in a most treasured way in Brian Henson’s film “The Muppet Christmas Carol.” The tale is the same as the one we told in “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” with cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge receiving visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, who expose to him all the flaws in his demeanour. Except for Sir Michael Caine’s portrayal of Scrooge, every figure is a puppet this time. This is an excellent choice if you want to spend Christmas Eve with your small children and have some quality time together. You can view it right here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion animated musical film directed by Henry Selick and based on a script co-written by Tim Burton (Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)), and Michael McDowell. The film stars Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, as the lead character (speaking voice by Chris Sarandon, singing voice by Danny Elfman). One day, Jack, tired of his work, walks his dog into the woods where they discover a door that draws them in and transports them to Christmastown.
He is excited about anything colourful and new and wants to be a part of it so badly. Is it even feasible for the Halloween king to experience Christmas joy? Isn’t there a conflict of interest here? We’re not joking when we say that this is one of the greatest Christmas films ever made; the stop-motion method makes the film seem authentic as we watch in wonder. You can view it right here.
The Santa Clause (1994)
For divorced father Scott (Tim Allen), Christmas is the only day he gets to spend with his kid Charlie (Eric Lloyd). However, things take a bizarre turn when Santa dies after falling off Scott’s house’s roof. On Santa’s body, Scott and his son discover a card that instructs him to put on his suit and board the sleigh; the reindeer will take care of the rest. Consequently, the father-son team reaches the North Pole, where Scott learns he is now the new Santa Claus. This is the source of the term “clause” in the title.
Will Scott take on this enormous duty for the benefit of his son and all children worldwide? John Pasquin’s “The Santa Clause” more than anything demonstrates that believing is only another way of seeing, and that seeing isn’t always the same as believing. The film illustrates the wonderful nature of a father-son relationship by fusing the spirit of Christmas with the bond. Here is where you may view “The Santa Clause.”
