Screen Comfort Zone
The holidays may come once a year, but the joy, love, and magic these films bring know no season. Anytime you require an extra dose of comfort and cheer, the following movies are sure to help you out. Ready to find your next favorite?
Home Alone (1990)
Released in 1990, this classic holiday comedy was written and directed by John Hughes and Chris Columbus, respectively. The story centers on eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left behind when his family departs for a Christmas vacation in Paris.
Twentieth Century, Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone (1990) (Cont.)
The movie was rightly nominated for two Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. The McCallister home is seen as a central element, designed to bring a sense of warmth and nostalgia, while Macaulay Culkin takes on the role of Kevin McCallister.
Twentieth Century, Home Alone (1990)
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
It all begins in Bedford Falls, New York, on Christmas Eve 1945. The festive film was written by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, and Frank Capra and is built on Philip Van Doren Stern's short story "The Greatest Gift".
RKO, It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's A Wonderful Life (1946) (Cont.)
Within the film, you’ll find phenomenal actors like James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, and Henry Travers. It's A Wonderful Life touches upon themes of selflessness, hope, community, and the impact of one individual's life.
RKO, It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Elf (2003)
With an IMDb rating of 7.0/10, this movie is often recognized for its ability to appeal to children and adults. This movie, which was officially released on November 7, 2003, grossed about $228.9 million worldwide with a $33 million production budget.
Elf (2003) (Cont.)
The plot is based on Buddy, a human growing up at the North Pole with Santa's elves after crawling into Santa's sack as a baby. Apparently, the voice of Buddy's iconic belch was provided by Maurice LaMarche, known for his work on Pinky and the Brain.
Love Actually (2003)
Here comes a holiday favorite with its intertwining love stories. Love Actually shows us the lives of eight different couples living in London during the month leading up to Christmas. You get to experience romantic relationships, familial bonds, and friendships.
Universal, Love Actually (2003)
Sleepless In Seattle (1993)
According to Roger Ebert, this piece is "an unapologetically romantic movie" that successfully conveys the spirit of love across boundaries. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's chemistry and heartfelt story cannot be missed. The film was directed by Nora Ephron.
TriStar, Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Sleepless In Seattle (1993) (Cont.)
Nora Ephron also voiced a radio caller named "Disappointed in Denver," adding a personal touch to the film. One intriguing scene is when Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), after hearing Sam's story on the radio, faces cozy moments of introspection in her home.
TriStar, Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
The Holiday (2006)
What you get to see here are two women who swap their homes for the holidays and find love. Cameron Diaz plays Amanda Woods, while Kate Winslet takes on the character of Iris Simpkins. The film was out on December 8, 2006, with a budget of $85 million.
The Holiday (2006) (Cont.)
As per reports, this film was written particularly with the four actors, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black, in mind. One review on IMDb suggests that the film is “kinda corny and kinda formulaic, but it has its heart in the right place”.
Klaus (2019)
The 2019 movie Klaus was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and even won a BAFTA for Best Animated Film. It stands with an impressive rating of 8.2/10 on IMDb and has been praised for its heartwarming narrative.
Klaus (2019) (Cont.)
A slack and arrogant postman named Jesper is the tale's protagonist, who is dispatched to the isolated community of Smeerensburg, situated above the Arctic Circle. But when he receives his first letter from a child asking for a toy, a heartwarming journey starts.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Reportedly, William Goldman's novel served as the inspiration for the script of this fantasy adventure comedy film. Here, a grandfather reads a story to his ailing grandson at the start of the movie, which revolves around Buttercup, a young lady who lives in Florin.
Act III Communications, The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride (1987) (Cont.)
The movie's memorable quotes, such as "As you wish" and "Inconceivable!" have made it famous. It is still praised in popular culture. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Princess Bride has an amazing audience rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Buttercup Films Ltd., The Princess Bride (1987)
The Polar Express (2004)
How about a magical train ride to the North Pole? Accept that this one teaches a young boy about the spirit of Christmas. This beautiful story is based on the children's book written by Chris Van Allsburg, which was adapted by Zemeckis and William Broyles Jr.
The Polar Express (2004) (Cont.)
Interestingly, the animation of the train featured in the film was modeled after the Pere Marquette 1225. It was a real steam locomotive in Michigan, which still operates holiday rides today. The Polar Express earned almost $314 million in global revenue.
The Polar Express, Warner Bros. Pictures
Happiest Season (2020)
Happiest Season (2020) has received recognition for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ couples in the holiday genre and has an IMDb rating of 6.6/10. We find Kristen Stewart as Abby Holland and Mackenzie Davis as Harper Caldwell in well-acted lead roles.
TriStar, Happiest Season (2020)
The Family Stone (2005)
The Family Stone chronicles the antics of the Stone family throughout the Christmas season and is set in the made-up town of Thayer. The story is focused on Everett Stone, who brings his uptight girlfriend, Meredith, home to meet his eccentric family for the first time.
Twentieth Century, The Family Stone (2005)
The Family Stone (2005) (Cont.)
A critic on IMDb left a review stating, “All of the actors did very well with the script and with both the funny and dramatic scenes”. Some others also mentioned that “Sarah nailed both her dramatic and humorous dialogue in the various scenes”.
The Family Stone (3/3) Movie CLIP - You're the Worst! (2005) HD by Movieclips
The Holdovers (2023)
This Christmas comedy-drama film was directed by Alexander Payne and released on October 27, 2023, in the U.S. The American Film Institute and the National Board of Review also named it one of the best 10 movies of 2023.
Focus Features, The Holdovers (2023)
The Holdovers (2023) (Cont.)
The Holdovers is essentially a 1970s New England boarding school drama that centers on Paul Hunham. He is a grumpy adjunct professor who is left in charge of a few pupils who have nowhere to go for Christmas break. Paul Giamatti plays this character quite well.
Frozen (2013)
Walt Disney Animation Studios produced this highly regarded animated movie, Frozen. We all know that the film is about two royal sisters in the kingdom of Arendelle: Elsa, who possesses magical ice powers, and her younger sister, Anna.
Frozen (2013) (Cont.)
The song "Let It Go," which Idina Menzel sang, is a standout track from this film. The touching moment when Anna asks Elsa to "build a snowman" captures their delight and innocence as children. The film was well-directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee.
Let It Snow (2019)
This one is set in the fictional town of Gracetown, starring Isabela Merced (Julie), Shameik Moore (Stuart), Kiernan Shipka (Angie), Odeya Rush (Addie), and Joan Cusack (Debbie). The screenplay was written by Kay Cannon, Victoria Strouse, and Laura Solon.
Let It Snow (2019) (Cont.)
The movie is based on a young adult anthology, Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances, by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle. An IMDb review reads, “It's a fun, lighthearted teenage version of Love Actually. So sweet, good acting, and good storyline”.
The Best Man Holiday (2013)
As a follow-up to the 1999 movie The Best Man, The Best Man Holiday (2013) brings the original cast back together for a poignant examination of friendship, love, and life's obstacles during the holiday season. The movie was out on November 15, 2013.
Universal, The Best Man Holiday (2013)
The Best Man Holiday (2013) (Cont.)
So, basically, the story is about a group of college friends who reunite for Christmas at the home of Lance Sullivan and his wife, Mia. As they catch up over the holiday festivities, old feelings resurface, particularly between Harper (Taye Diggs) and Lance (Moris Chestnut).
The Best Man Holiday (2/10) Movie CLIP - Can I Use Your Phone? (2013) HD by Movieclips
Serendipity (2001)
When Jonathan Trager and Sara Thomas first meet during the Christmas season in New York City, they are both attempting to buy the final pair of black cashmere gloves at Bloomingdale's. That's how this Peter Chelsom-directed movie begins.
Serendipity (2001) (Cont.)
Apparently, the film features Serendipity 3, a real restaurant in New York City known for its desserts and whimsical atmosphere. Also, it is said that originally, Sara was written as an American character; however, Beckinsale's British accent brought charm to her role.
Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
Miracle On 34th Street bagged three Academy Awards. As a holiday classic, it is celebrated for its message of hope and belief. The film features the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while grossing over $2 million in its initial release.
Twentieth Century, Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Miracle On 34th Street (1947) (Cont.)
Here, an old man named Kris Kringle is hired as a department store Santa and claims to be the real Santa Claus, leading to a court case to determine his sanity when his identity is challenged. The script is based on a story by Valentine Davies.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947), 20th Century Fox
Love Hard (2021)
Here is a romantic comedy that looks into the complexities of modern dating through the lens of online relationships. Basically, Natalie Bauer (Nina Dobrev) travels across the country for a holiday romance only to discover she's been unfortunately catfished.
Wonderland Sound and Vision, Love Hard (2021)
Love Hard (2021) (Cont.)
Roger Ebert's site described it as "a frustrating but occasionally adorable romantic comedy”. On Rotten Tomatoes, the picture has an audience rating of 4.5 out of 5, with several critics mentioning how “touching” and “happy” the film's ending is.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Following two little sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who go to the country with their father while their mother is in the hospital, is the plot of My Neighbor Totoro. The picture conveys themes of childlike awe, nature, and family. It was first released on April 16, 1988, in Japan.
Ghibli, My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
About Time (2013)
In About Time, 21-year-old Tim Lake, played by Domhnall Gleeson, learns he can travel back in time, allowing him to change events in his life, primarily to improve his romantic prospects. This movie was nominated for Best British Film at the BAFTA Awards.
Nativity! (2009)
The stress and excitement of staging a school nativity play are captured in the British Christmas comedy Nativity! (2009). The plot revolves around Paul Maddens, played by Martin Freeman, a disillusioned primary school teacher at St. Bernadette's School in Coventry.
Nativity! (2009) Official Trailer # 1 - Martin Freeman HD by Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers
Nativity! (2009) (Cont.)
The film has spawned several sequels, including Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! (2012) and Nativity Rocks! (2018), growing its popularity among family audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, a review mentions that it is “such a brilliant film. Perfect to watch with all the family”.
Nativity! (2009) Official Trailer # 1 - Martin Freeman HD by Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers
The Shop Around The Corner (1940)
Roger Ebert described this 1940 movie as "a perfect romantic comedy”. It stars Margaret Sullavan as Klara Novak, James Stewart as Alfred Kralik, Frank Morgan as Hugo Matuschek, and Joseph Schildkraut as Ferencz Vadas.
MGM, The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
The Shop Around The Corner (1940) (Cont.)
This film’s story unfolds in Budapest during the Christmas season and is said to be based on the 1937 Hungarian play Parfumerie by Miklós László. Here, two gift shop employees, Alfred and Klara, dislike each other at work while unknowingly falling in love as anonymous pen pals.
MGM, The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
After making a New Year's resolution to better herself, Bridget Jones, a 32-year-old single woman in London, takes charge of her life. One of the most touching moments occurs when Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) reassures Bridget (Renée Zellweger) by saying he likes her just as she is.
Universal, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) (Cont.)
The success of Bridget Jones's Diary led to two sequels: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) and Bridget Jones's Baby (2016). Additionally, the screenplay for the 2001 film was co-written by Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies, and Richard Curtis.
Universal, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
This movie is ingrained with themes of love, friendship, and the complexities of reconnecting after years apart. It stars Ali Wong as Sasha Tran and Randall Park as Marcus Kim, two childhood friends who grew up in San Francisco, next door to each other.
Netflix, Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Always Be My Maybe (2019) (Cont.)
Keanu Reeves makes a memorable cameo in this film, directed by Nahnatchka Khan and written by Ali Wong, Randall Park, and Michael Golamco. An IMDb review mentions how “the characters are globally endearing and transform this conventional story into a delightful rom-com”.
