Christmas Classics

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Christmas Classics

Written by Christian Abbott on 18th December 2020

Christmas is one of the best times of the year; everyone has their favourite part of the season. From seeing family to sharing presents, no other holiday is like it! But, there is another reason to enjoy the season – the films. This time each year, it almost feels as though we can unlock a whole new selection of content, films that at any other point in the year would be strange to view.

Christmas films are unique, some bad, many good, all have their own charm. With them, come the favourites, the films we have to watch each Christmas. Everyone has their own pick, that one film you always come back to, here at Searchlight we are no different. We went round and asked the team which is their Christmas classic.

Cathy Alford – The Holiday (2006)

Christmas and romance go hand and hand, right? Well The Holiday certainly thinks so. Following two women struggling to find the right guy, they decide to swap homes in each other’s countries, and just so happen to meet a local guy and fall in love. It’s a classic tale told very well, starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and… Jack Black(?), it’s hard not to enjoy. If you haven’t seen it, make this year the time you finally do so.

Amy Osterley – Arthur Christmas (2011)

Christmas is a time for family, friendship and coming together, three things this film understands. Speaking of three, Arthur Christmas is about three Santa’s, the grandfather, dad and son, all with their different ideas of what Christmas is all about, add a missed Christmas present on Christmas Eve into events and you have yourself one of animations best films for the season.

Suzanne Alden – Home Alone (1990)

Who doesn’t love Home Alone? This is the gold standard for Christmas films and it needs no introduction. If you are one of the 5 people on Earth that hasn’t seen this, it follows a young boy who is left… home alone, and has to defend his house from burglars. You know a film is great when it spawns endless sequels nobody likes. Ignore them, watch this, and watch it again.

Melanie Short – A Christmas Carol (1999)

There are so many A Christmas Carol adaptations it boggles the mind, there are even two on this list! It really could be its own list for favourite adaptation. This version from 1999, starring Patrick Steward deserves its place along any other. The timeless Dickens’ tale of a bitter old man who learns compassion from three ghosts of the past, present and future, it never gets old.

Victoria Lugg – Muppet’s A Christmas Carol

Now, for a more light-hearted take on Dickens’ classic, why not throw a load of Muppet’s into the mix? On paper it seems like a bizarre crossover, but that just feeds into its magic. Many consider this the definitive version of the story, and considering most of the cast aren’t human, that should tell you something.

Rifka Rodrigues – Harry Potter

There is something about magic that just feels wintery, and indeed, Christmassy! Harry Potter, beloved by millions still to this day, is a wonderful and nostalgic choice for a go-to Christmas film. The story follows a young boy who is invited to join Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, and quickly discovers that things will continue to get stranger. So many grew up with these films, and right now, people need a little nostalgia.

Christian Abbott – Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

One of the films that started it all, it feels as fresh and full of life as it did over 70 years ago. This is the story of Santa himself, or maybe not? It follows a boy’s belief in Santa and the power that belief can have. Simply put, it’s wonderful. If you’re still not feeling Christmassy, watch this, it’ll change that.

Christmas Classics

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