Home Alone
The story of a little boy who gets accidentally left behind when his family jet off to Paris for the festive season, captured the imagination of eight-year-olds everywhere. Late night movies, sledging in the snow and all the ice-cream you can eat; fun times indeed - until a pair of “wet bandits” plot to burgle the house, that is! Twenty-five years on, it’s not hard to see why John Hughes’s hilarious holiday hit is still enjoyed by all the family.
Elf
Father Christmas may take all the credit come 25 December, but let’s not forget his elves do their fair share of the work – and this genius 2003 comedy certainly pays homage to that. Buddy (played by Will Ferrell) is a larger than life elf who was raised among Santa’s little helpers when he accidentally landed in the North Pole as a toddler. Naturally he doesn’t fit in, so as an adult he travels to New York to seek out his real father, with laugh-out-loud consequences.
Miracle on 34th Street
Hollywood legends Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood set the silver screen alight when this magical tale about the existence of Father Christmas was released in 1947, so it’s no surprise the 1994 remake (starring Elizabeth Perkins and Mara Wilson) is a firm favourite with families, too. The Macy’s store’s dress-up Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, says he is the real thing, but can he prove that to the biggest non-believers? Someone’s in need of a Christmas miracle!
It’s a Wonderful Life
Having spent his life looking out for other people (to the detriment of his own needs) George Bailey (James Stewart) has finally had enough. It’s Christmas Eve and he’s all set to end his life when a guardian angel intervenes. Clarence (Henry Travers) sets out to show George what his community would have been like if he’d never been born. This 1946 classic is heart-warming, life-affirming, curl-up-in-front-of-the-fireplace stuff.
Love Actually
Not strictly a “Christmas time” film, more of an “anytime” film. Romcom king Richard Curtis’s 2003 ensemble comedy starring Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Keira Knightley (among many others) never fails to bring festive cheer, not to mention tug at the heart strings. Delving into the lives of a variety of couples, there are love triangles, infidelities … and let’s not forget Bill Nighy’s hilarious rendition of Love Is All Around.
Don’t forget: stock up on these movie night nibbles …
- Salty snacks are a must, and Aldi Specially Selected Hand Cooked Crisps (150g, 99p each) come in deliciously unexpected flavours, such as Gin & Tonic, Venison, Red Wine & Thyme or Camembert & Caramelised Onion.
- Cheese is a Christmas essential. Aldi’s Specially Selected Truly Luxurious Cheese Selection (460g, £4.49) has all the classics, including cheddar, brie and stilton.
- To satisfy that sweet craving, Aldi Specially Selected Christmas Ice Cream comes in two flavours: Florentine or Gingerbread. At £1.99 for a 480ml tub, you’ll want to have both.
The Snowman
We’re walking in the air … The 1982 animated film of Raymond Briggs’s classic children’s book about the friendship between a little boy and a friendly snowman didn’t just create one catchy Christmas choral song, it regularly reduces all who watch it to floods of tears. Break out the stripy pyjamas and slippers and settle in for the night – it’s so short (27 minutes) you may have to watch it more than once.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Originating from a poem and developed by Disney into a feature film in 1993, Tim Burton’s critically acclaimed stop-motion musical fantasy tells the story of Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, who frightens people year after year. Stumbling upon Christmas Town in all its festive glory, he plots to kidnap Santa and take on the job himself. Dark, dangerous and thoroughly delightful.
A Christmas Carol
Bah Humbug! The story of Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’s classic novel is as essential to the festive season as a plate of mince pies with brandy butter. And the greatest adaptation is undoubtedly the 1951 film starring Alastair Sim in the lead role. Disgruntled and mean, yes, but this Scrooge is a lot more fleshed out than the average portrayal of the festive anti-hero and feels more human and compelling as a result.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
The third and festive instalment of John Hughes’s National Lampoon’s Vacation film series makes families everywhere feel better about their Christmas. Accidental fires, power cuts and disastrous dinners all serve to wreak havoc for the Griswold family – and that’s all before the big day. Headed up by Chevy Chase, this 1989 comedy sequel (that went on to produce a direct sequel) really is one of a kind.
Gremlins
It may be about a load of destructive monsters, but Joe Dante’s 1984 black comedy is also a much-loved festive classic. And the snowy setting of the run up to Christmas definitely distracts from any violence. Billy is given a furry “Mogwai” as a pet – with more than a couple of house rules – which is all well and good until his furry little friend starts spawning some more evil cousins. Whoever said a pet is for life and not just for Christmas definitely hadn’t watched Gremlins.
This article was amended on 8 December 2015, to correct the family’s holiday destination in Home Alone.
