Oh, those winter evenings! When there’s snow outside the window, and the house smells of mandarins and *that* special Christmas tree. It’s the perfect time to snuggle under a blanket and host a movie marathon. And you know the eternal problem? Finding the movie! It’s a real battle: one person wants romance, another—an old comedy, and the kids—well, they always want something of their own. We pull the blanket over ourselves, as they say, and half the evening is spent in arguments. Sound familiar? It is to me, and how!
But the goal is to preserve that warm, magical atmosphere! So, to keep you from wasting your precious time, I’ve compiled a curated selection—the TOP-15 New Year’s and Christmas Movies. It has everything: classics and something completely crazy. Grab the popcorn, pour the hot cocoa, and just press Play. Let’s go!
Top 15 Best Family Christmas Movies
1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
This is a story that truly makes you believe that a miracle is right around the corner. Seriously, somewhere in your pocket or under the couch. Little Charlie Bucket lives in frankly terrible conditions—in one small room with two beds for six relatives (Mom and Dad, two pairs of grandparents). Can you imagine? And then there’s this lottery with tickets to Willy Wonka’s factory! That’s not just luck; it’s destiny, isn’t it? A question for you: would you want to go?
2. Deck the Halls (2006)
Oh, the classic story of how jealousy can spoil Christmas. Steve Finch has moved in, he wants peace, and then Buddy Hall moves in next door. Buddy sees that his house… is smaller! So what does he do? Decides to out-light everyone in town. Thousands of garlands, a light show every night! Steve, of course, is furious: it’s noisy, he’s stealing electricity, and he can’t sleep. This escalates into a genuine war between two dads. A purely male thing, right? And we get to laugh at it.
3. Home Alone (1993)
No need to say anything here! The movie that seemingly everyone grew up on! Kevin wished to be rid of his relatives. And what happened? It came true! And then—the classic tale: two clumsy burglars, a bunch of traps, and a little genius defending his fortress. What would you do if you were left home alone for Christmas?
4. Curly Sue (1991)
Bill Dancer—well, not rich, to put it mildly. He’s a con artist, but he’s the best “dad” for nine-year-old Curly Sue. He clothes her, feeds her, and does everything possible. This is about real love—not by blood, but by soul, isn’t it? About how family isn’t just about a birth certificate, but about care.
5. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Here’s romance, but one that’s a little… crazy. Lucy is in love with the handsome brunette she sees every morning. But shyness is our enemy! Then, an accident, she saves him… and that’s where it all begins! Who cares about the wrapping when you can fall in love with the soul? It’s a great story, by the way; it always convinces you that an unfortunate incident can become a lucky ticket.
6. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
New York, Christmas. Santa comes to work at a department store as himself! And then the problems start. Competitors aren’t sleeping; they try to get rid of him. And how will it end? It makes you want to believe that miracles happen, even in the world of business!
7. Love Actually (2003)
Nine stories! Nine of them! And they all intertwine on Christmas Eve. What I love about this movie is that it shows, “Love Actually Is All Around.” That’s the main line, and it’s absolutely true. Great Britain knows how to make beautiful things.
8. Borrowed Hearts (1997)
Sam Field, a successful businessman who changes women like gloves. But his influential client thinks Sam is the ideal family man. And Sam is caught! He desperately needs to “rent” a wife and child. A chance meeting with single mother Kathleen and her daughter Zoe… and he offers big money. A desperate move, but it works. And what happens next? It’s always interesting to see how a “game” turns into something real.
9. Surviving Christmas (2004)
Bachelor Drew Latham is alone on Christmas. No family, no friends, nothing! He drives to his childhood home, but other people already live there. They try to kick him out, but he offers them… a quarter of a million dollars just to spend the holiday with them! That’s borderline crazy, but the situation gets out of control, as always, and it’s hilarious.
10. Christmas Do-Over (2006)
What a present! A composer who writes Christmas jingles is forced to celebrate with his ex-wife, her parents, and his teenage son. And guess what? The day repeats itself over and over! It’s like Groundhog Day, but Christmas edition. He’ll have to seriously rack his brain to break out of this loop. Would you want to live one day 100 times?
11. 12 Dates of Christmas (2011)
Kate Stanton broke up with Jack before the holidays. Out of grief, she agrees to a blind date with Miles, and then… backs out! Of course, she loses her chance. But fate gives her 12 chances! Now, this date with the charming Miles will happen twelve times. Well, time to experiment!
12. Office Christmas Party (2016)
Clay Vanstone’s branch is about to be shut down. His CEO sister, Carol, is already at the door. What to do? Throw the most epic office Christmas party in history to land a big client! But, as always, something goes wrong, and the party spirals out of control. Chaos is always fun. For the viewer, of course.
13. Bad Santa (2003)
Now, this one is for the adults. Willie is an alcoholic, a womanizer, and a former convict. Along with Marcus, his dwarf partner, they rob shopping centers. They work as Santa and an elf, and at night—they disable the alarm and empty the safes. This time, something goes wrong. A film with dark humor, but very honest. No unnecessary sweetness.
14. The Adventures of S Mykolay (2018)
Carpathians, Ukraine! This is our answer to Hollywood. A thief in a costume pretends to be Saint Nicholas and comes to second-grader Artem. The boy, his teenage sister, and the local kids have to show ingenuity to defeat the villain and save the real Super Mykolay. It’s really cool when our films become part of the holiday selection! Let’s support our own!
15. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
This film is based on Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story “The Greatest Gift.” The main character, George Bailey, is so distraught by debts and problems that he contemplates suicide on Christmas. He always wanted to leave his town of Bedford Falls, but his good heart and circumstances prevented it. And now, he needs help. A classic that makes you think about the value of every life.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
- Which movie from the selection is the oldest?
It’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946). A true timeless classic! - Which movie is suitable for an adult company without children?
Definitely “Bad Santa” (2003) or “Office Christmas Party” (2016). The humor is a bit harsher, just how we like it. - Are there any Ukrainian films in the selection?
Yes, of course! “The Adventures of S Mykolay” (2018) is our family pride!
A Wise Thought to End On
Do you know what the brilliant actor Tom Hanks said when talking about Christmas movies?
Christmas for me is not about gifts. It’s about anticipation, about warmth, and about simply being together.
So, friends, don’t put off life until later. Gather your loved ones, turn on a movie, and make memories. Because these moments—that’s what matters most. I hope this selection helped you!
If you liked this selection, share it on social media! Help your friends avoid arguing over which movie to watch on Christmas Eve! Just copy the link and send it!
Author: ReelPoint
Think… Watch… Feel.
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