Festive Favorites: Nostalgic Films Perfect For A Holiday Rewatch

It doesn’t have to be a "Christmas" movie to be a seasonal classic

The holidays are a time where we revel in nostalgia as we take some time out of our regular schedules, wind down for the year, and gather with friends and family. And what’s more nostalgic than watching movies that we associate with the December holidays? Whether it’s a Christmas movie you must watch every year because you can’t remember a time when you didn’t, or a franchise marathon you always watch every New Year’s Eve, these are some of the films we love to rewatch. Let us know what your annual cinematic traditions are in the comments!

1. Home Alone

Ever since its release in 1990, Home Alone has been a classic–but then again, most John Hughes-written movies are. You know the story: the entire extended McCallister family plans to spend their Christmas in Paris, and in their rush to the airport they forget something very important: the youngest member of the family, Kevin, is still in the house. But it works out, because what the family doesn’t know is that local burglars have been watching their home in order to vandalize it while they’re away–and what the burglars don’t bank on is Kevin left behind, rigging his entire house with various traps to protect it. It’s a comedy that is bound to remind anyone of their childhood, as young Kevin has a unique—and hilarious—approach to saving his home while missing his family. But it’s also nostalgic for another time, where cell phones and modern airport and airline protocols might prevent such a thing from happening.

2. Elf

In perhaps one of Will Ferrell’s most iconic roles, the 2003 movie Elf is about Buddy, a North Pole elf who, upon learning of his human origins, is able to travel to New York City to meet his biological father. Hilarity ensues when a life-sized elf starts roaming the city, unaware of the customs of the real world. After wandering into department store Gimbels (itself a nostalgic relic, as Gimbels stores closed in 1987), he not only meets Jovie, a (hired) elf, he also meets “Santa,” exposing him as an impostor since he actually knows Santa. All the while, Buddy attempts to bond with his father. It’s a hilarious movie, but also a touching story about family and finding your place in the world.

3. Lord of the Rings trilogy

It can be argued that the Lord of the Rings trilogy are the quintessential Christmas movies, and not just because they arrived in theaters in December of 2001, 2002, and 2003 (is it just us, or do blockbuster films released in December always feel like holiday movies?). No, nothing in the worlds of the Shire and Middle Earth are particularly Christmassy, but the themes in the movies of family and friendship, along with the fact that Tolkien, a Roman Catholic, infused Judeo-Christian ideas into his work, makes these movies feel like spirit-of-the-holidays films. Plus, the hobbits enjoy the kinds of hearty meals we tend to indulge in during the holidays, and the films feature some pretty intense wintry scenery. They’re perfect for settling in for a Christmas Eve marathon with loved ones and lots of great snacks.

4. Harry Potter films

All of the Harry Potter films were released in November, which automatically gives them a holiday sensibility. But another reason they feel like holiday films is that each of them features a Christmas scene which the storyline hinges upon in some way. The scenes of both Hogwarts and Diagon Alley in the snow feel magical; the Yule Ball in The Order of the Phoenix looks like a snowglobe dream. There are plenty of cold weather activities in the films that feel relatable in the winter months. And nothing compares to the softly lit trees and decorations in the Great Hall at Christmas. Since these stories are about friends and found family, they are perfect for holiday viewing. And because there are 8 films based on the books, you could watch one a day for the entire week you might be spending on a holiday vacation.

5. A Christmas Story

This 1983 film is a multi-generational classic, so much so that you can visit the iconic house from the movie–even stay overnight in the home of the Bumpus House next door! The movie is in itself an exercise in nostalgia, as protagonist Ralphie is looking back on a 1940s Christmas in a small Midwestern town, one in which he dreamed of one gift: a Red Ryder BB gun. But the movie is about so much more: hilarious family dynamics, childhood adventures, and festive traditions, and the universal anticipation of Christmas morning. All of these elements make it a timeless classic that can be watched over and over again.

6. The Holiday

This 2006 romcom starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, and Jack Black is a must-rewatch every season for many. Two women, Iris and Amanda, who have had it with the men in their lives taking them for granted, swap homes for the holidays to escape. Iris, heartbroken in England, trades places with Amanda, a successful but emotionally distant Hollywood executive. Amanda craves a cozy remote cottage covered in snow and Iris is in need of a little luxury in her life. In their new surroundings, both women discover new outlooks on life, and unexpected romance in the process. It’s a perfect re-watchable movie for the holiday season, one where we all look for a fresh outlook for the coming year, and strive to shed attitudes, practices, and old relationships from the past that are keeping us from being happy.

7. You’ve Got Mail

This 1998 film is a quintessential romcom, if not a Christmas movie per se. But it has Christmas movie origins: it is a modern remake of The Shop Around the Corner, which is a Christmas film. Kathleen Kelly, played by Meg Ryan, is the sweet owner of a charming, small independent bookstore, and Joe Fox, played by Tom Hanks, is the heir to a corporate bookstore chain that threatens her business. The two are unknowingly chatting online via email over AOL. In real life, they are business enemies, but over anonymous email, they develop a beautiful friendship and deep connection. The movie’s most emotional, and often sadder, moments tend to take place at holiday time, against a backdrop of wintry holiday lights and holiday parties. Most of all, the film explores the impact of technology on human connection, something we try to combat at the holidays by unplugging and engaging in in-person gatherings and merriment.

8. Little Women

Little Women is a classic book by Louisa May Alcott, turned into two modern films beloved by fans. Both the 1994 and 2019 films were released during Christmas week, the latter on Christmas Day. So it feels fitting that these could be considered holiday classics to rewatch every year. The movies (and the book) open with the March women–Amy, Beth, Jo, and Meg and their mother Marmee spending their first Christmas in Massachusetts without their father, who is away serving in the Civil War. Even though they don’t have much, the women share their Christmas breakfast with a poorer family than theirs, and noting their kindness, their wealthy neighbor, Mr. Laurence, sends over a decadent dinner for them establishing a friendship between the two families that endures throughout the entire story. Add some wintry snow and ice skating scenes, and you’ve got yourself a bonafide holiday rewatch.

9. When Harry Met Sally

The classic 1989 romcom starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal isn’t really a holiday movie, but it definitely covers a lot of seasonal ground. Harry and Sally meet in the late summer, lose touch, and by the time they’re friends again we see them have a close friendship during winter, spring, summer, and of course fall, as one of the film’s most iconic frames is of Harry and Sally walking through fall foliage in Central Park. Slowly but surely, the two fall in love–but (spoiler alert!) they don’t get together until moments after midnight at a New Year’s Eve party.

10. Die Hard

Everyone should rewatch the 1988 classic Bruce Willis film Die Hard at Christmas, if for no other reason than to debate whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Some are vehemently against because it doesn’t embody the Christmas spirit as much as, well, violence. Others argue it absolutely is a Christmas movie because it takes place on Christmas Eve at a holiday party, a character’s first name is Holly, there is festive music and standard carols throughout, and more. It has become a tradition for folks to watch on Christmas Eve, and the statistics prove it’s as popular as other traditional classics. The film is an action-packed thriller wherein NYPD officer John McClane battles a group of terrorists who have taken hostages in a Los Angeles skyscraper during a Christmas party. Led by the charismatic Hans Gruber, the criminals plan a massive heist, but McClane, armed with wit, grit, and determination, becomes their unexpected obstacle. Cheery!

Want more? Our Discord is where you’ll find tons of other fans chatting in our forums about the books, TV shows, movies, music, and games we all love! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, tumblr, and Spotify for more fandom content—and hit that subscribe button so you never miss a thing at rmrk*st!