The Christmas season is a source of inspiration for many artists, including filmmakers. These artists in their corresponding cinematographic genre use the feelings, emotions and landscapes associated with Christmas to build a plot that arouses the interest of the viewer.
Many of the film productions with a Christmas theme can be seen all year round, but without a doubt when they are most enjoyed is precisely in the days and weeks prior to the date on which the birth of Christ is celebrated.
For this reason, they are essential in the end-of-year programming of television stations that transmit by air, cable or the Internet. But you don’t have to wait for those moments to arrive either. In almost the entire month of December and a few days after the beginning of the new year, subscription services (Netflix, Apple TV+…) and online platforms supported by advertising such as Pluto TV, Google TV or Samsung TV+ usually publish as part of its on-demand content films that evoke the magic of Christmas. So you can see them whenever you want and as many times as you want.
The following films have managed to become the most representative of Christmas. You can not miss it.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
A classic of Christmas cinema that has passed through successive generations of viewers. It was directed by George Seaton and starred Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn. It revolves around the troubles that a Santa Claus who claims to be the real one gets into. The message of faith and hope with touches of comedy is the most striking thing about this memorable film.
Home Alone (1994)
Directed by Chris Columbus and featuring notable performances by Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci. It is about the adventures of a boy who is left alone at home after being forgotten by his parents, worried about not missing the flight to Paris for Christmas. While he waits for his return, he must confront with fun resources a pair of house thieves who have planned to break into the house on Christmas Eve.
Die Hard (1988)
The first installment of the Die Hard action saga is a Christmas classic. John McClaine, starring Bruce Willis, is a New York police officer who travels to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve seeking to reconcile with his wife. Upon arriving at Nakatomi Plaza, the corporate skyscraper where she works, he is surprised that he has been captured by a group of terrorist criminals, right in the middle of Christmas celebrations.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The Grinch is an animated film directed by Ron Howard and for which figures such as Jim Carrey have lent their voices. It narrates the Grinch’s attempts to ruin the Christmas festivities for the residents of a neighboring village who usually celebrate it in style. To do this he dresses up as Santa Claus and steals all of his gifts, thinking that with this his plan would be consummated. However, it has the opposite effect, which makes him reflect and understand the meaning of Christmas. The Grinch ends up returning the gifts and is even invited by the townspeople to celebrate Christmas with them. Suitable for all ages.
Love Actually (2003)
English production directed by Richard Curtis and starring actors of the caliber of Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Collin Firth, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, among others. The weeks leading up to Christmas and the emotions that this holiday brings with it are the pretext to outline a central plot and subplots that interconnect, all of them expressing some form of love: romantic, familial, platonic…