TOP 'MUST-WATCH' CHRISTMAS MOVIES

The yuletide season is finally here and it brings along feelings of love, happiness, and family. Everyone is yearning for a great time this season amidst the bleak economic conditions in the country. There are lots of fun things to do during Christmas and watching Christmas movies with friends and family ranks high on the list. Lots of great movies have been released over time that have successfully captured the Christmas feeling and discussed here are a few that should be part of your watchlist. Most of these are old Christmas movies and there is a high probability that they are no longer screened at cinemas, but they are available on famous movie websites for offline download and access.

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CHRISTMAS MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS

In no particular order, below are the Christmas movies you might want to include in your watchlist

Elf (2003)

Elf is widely regarded as a Christmas classic flick. Starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, Ed Asner, and Mary Steenberg, the smash-hit motion picture follows an Elf known as "Buddy" who recently discovered that he is human. He eventually set out to look for his biological father on an adventure that ends up in New York City. Over time, the movie has become a holiday staple and has also garnered significant critical acclaim.

Home Alone (1990)

A list of Christmas movies recommendations would be incomplete without this one. It was written by John Hughes and stars Macaulay Culkin who plays Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy inadvertently left alone at home, facing down and outwitting a couple of burglars. The movie has had six sequels but none of them has achieved its level of critical and commercial acclaim. It is worth a watch or a rewatch if you've seen it once before.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

widely recognized as not just the best Christmas movie but one of the greatest movies of all time by several media outlets, this Frank Capra-directed flick follows a frustrated businessman, George Bailey (played by James Stewart), going through difficulties of life and eventually becoming suicidal until his encounter with an angel who showed him what life would've been without his existence. It's a heartwarming, funny, and deeply profound film and deserves to be high on the watchlist.

A Christmas Story (1983)

A Christmas Story was directed by Bob Clark and based on Jean Shepherd's 1966 book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash. This widely beloved holiday film explores the adventures of young Ralphie Parker (played by Peter Billingsley) who spends most of his time dodging a persistent bully and dreaming of the perfect Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder Air Rifle".

Love Actually (2003)

This holiday-themed romantic comedy film set in London is written and directed by Richard Curtis. It features an ensemble cast including Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, and Colin Firth. It examines the relationship lives of eight couples and the profound complexities of romance, relationships, and love. It is laced with many iconic moments and it is a great choice for romantics.

The Holiday (2006)

The Holiday is another great movie set in the Christmas period following two women who switch homes between Los Angeles to England and later get involved romantically with men local to their respective areas. It is directed by Nancy Meyers and it stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black. The Holiday, despite being regarded as predictable according to critics, is still a feel-good movie and deserves a watch.

There are lots of other classic Christmas-themed movies not included here but with any of the aforementioned ones, a Merry Christmas is guaranteed.