6 Entertaining Movies For the Christmas Season

Photo by Игорь Лушницкий

Ah, Christmas movies: one of the most wonderful parts of the season. Christmas movies have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Hallmark movies are popular around this time of year, but there are many other great films for this season. The ones listed below are just a drop in the bucket!

01 | Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Susan Walker doesn’t believe in anything, including Santa Claus. But after she meets Cole’s new Saint Nic, who believes he is the real Santa Claus, she’s forced to re-evaluate her stance. Her mother, Doris, challenges her to ask Kris Kringle for whatever she wants for Christmas and see if she gets it. What Doris doesn't know is all Susan wants is a house, a dad, and a brother. But her Christmas might get derailed when Kris is arrested and put on trial. The courts are forced to face the age-old question: Do you believe Santa Claus is real? Starring Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, and Mara Wilson.

02 | The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Charles Dickens’ classic meets Muppet fun in this hilarious but surprisingly accurate remake of A Christmas Carol. Narrated by The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat, they follow the greedy abrasive Ebenezer Scrooge on one Christmas Eve, when Scrooge meets three ghosts that will whisk him off to Christmases in his past, present, and future. Scrooge is forced to re-examine his life and his attitude towards Christmas and decide whether he will honor Christmas or not. Starring Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, and Steve Whitmire.

03 | The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

Henry Brougham is fixated on raising funds to build a cathedral, leaving him with no time or patience for his family or Christmas. After he cries out to God for help, he receives it in the form of Dudley, a man who claims to be an angel. He promises to be wherever Henry cannot be. Henry chooses to pursue his work, so Dudley befriends Henry’s wife Julia and helps her with Christmas shopping and preparations. As Dudley and Julia become closer, Henry grows jealous and realizes that there’s more to life than work, especially during Christmas time. Starring Cary Grant, David Niven, and Loretta Young.

04 | A Cinderella Christmas (2016)

A modern day Cinderella story with a Christmas twist! Angie Wells agrees to work for her cousin Candace in exchange for full ownership of their event-planning business. One of her jobs is to get Candace an invitation to the famous Christmasquerade ball so she can meet rich Nikolaus Karmichael and make him fall in love with her. But on the night of the masquerade Candace is unable to attend and Angie secretly goes, where she herself meets Nikolaus and instant attraction sparks between them. Angie leaves before he knows who she is and Candace convinces her to tell Nikolaus that it was her, not Angie, who was behind the mask. Angie must choose between the man who has stolen her heart or the business she has worked so hard for. Starring Peter Porte, Emma Rigby, and Sarah Stouffer.

05 | ‘Twas the Text Before Christmas (2023)

Addie is facing Christmas alone when she accidentally gets a text from an older woman whom everyone calls Nana. Nana invites Addie over for Christmas after she finds out she's spending it alone. Addie accepts and in the subsequent years she becomes close friends with Nana and falls for James, Nana's handsome single son. The question is, does he view her as his mother's friend or something more? Starring Merritt Patterson, Trevor Donovan, and Jayne Eastwood.

06 | Christmas With A Capital C (2011)

Mayor Dan Reed is disgruntled when his high school rival Mitch Bright comes back home for the holidays. Tension between them increases when Mitch simultaneously decides to run against Dan for mayor and files a complaint against the town’s public nativity display. The fight between the two causes a split in the town, triggering Dan’s wife and daughter to launch a campaign to unite the town and remind everyone why we celebrate Christmas. Based on the song Christmas with a Capital C by Go Fish. Starring Ted McGinley, Brad Stine, Nancy Stafford, and Daniel Baldwin.