This festive time of the year isn't just the season to go to the theater to see new movies, it's also the time to settle in with a hot cup of cocoa and a snack, and sink into a favorite film or TV show -- old or not-so-old. We asked some of our regular contributors to reveal their go-to holiday favorites.
Then, at the end, we'll reveal our own.
As a newborn, my daughter would only fall asleep to this special–so we (my wife, especially) ended up watching it quite a lot.
Every year, we return to the story of Big Bird's existential holiday crisis for its perfect blend of comedy –- Frank Oz is doing a masterclass as Cookie Monster, Grover and Bert –- along with warm original songs like “True Blue Miracle.”
A testament to the special’s writer-producer Jon Stone, who spent 30 years of his life working on Sesame Street prior to his untimely death at age 65 from ALS, it's a hidden gem worth seeking.
Recently, when discussing which holiday TV program to watch before bed, my son said, “No pretend stories tonight. Put on the real story, about Jesus being born.”
After a search, we landed on this half-hour retelling of the Nativity narrated by the late Andy Griffith. From the director of 2018’s The Grinch, Yarrow Cheney, and his wife, Carrie, both committed Christians, The Three Wise Men tells it all, from the plotting of evil Herod to the wonder of angels visiting, and the expectation after a long journey.
Its simple, expressive animation and classical guitar score point to higher truths.
A charming vintage screwball comedy about a woman whose extravagant, inane lifestyle is challenged when she finds real love and connection. Funny and decidedly Christmassy, but with simple underlying themes of finding the right person and making good lifelong decisions.
Surprisingly well-done for a children's animated piece, my whole family enjoys watching the Nativity as seen from the eyes of the bumbling donkey that takes Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. It makes for a sweet meditation on the everyday simplicity and holiness of the Holy Family.
My favorite Christmas movie ever is Jingle All the Way, with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, and Phil Hartman. It’s completely ridiculous, but it's kind of like a cult classic in my family -- and there’s a smidge of heart in it.
Everyone seems to love White Christmas, and for good reason. The story is unique among Christmas films. While my favorite part of the film is Danny Kaye, I even saw a live performance when the Broadway show toured!
Thematically, the story goes to a dark place, with frustrated, desperate businessman George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) contemplating throwing away his life to get insurance money for his family.
The character arc then ascends to the highest of heavens, with George realizing the blessings throughout his life and even in his current moment of suffering. I think that’s essentially the Christmas story of God becoming incarnate: descending to our level and giving us hope and light amidst a dark world.
I came across this film last year after reading a review of it in the New Yorker magazine, of all places. It’s a Christmas movie with the thinnest of plots, where the extended family gathers at the matriarchal home one last time before it’s to be sold off in the new year.
The collection of vignettes will probably remind you of your own Christmases past, as it did mine.
Every year during the holiday season I have to watch White Christmas. Let’s face it. It’s the ultimate Christmas movie -- even though the title song originated in the movie Holiday Inn (another annual viewing must),
White Christmas leaves me happy and filed with the holiday spirit. And that song stays with me for days!
Another annual “must watch” is The Polar Express. There is something so magical about this film. It touches my heart every year.
And for the kid in me, A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) never gets old.
Chanukah films are rare, but there are a few that are worth re-watching. Hanukkah on the Rocks premiered last year on Hallmark Channel and is definitely going to be re-watched this year along with Love, Lights, Hanukkah.
Certainly not the usual Christmas film, this action classic stars Bruce Willis as former Catholic-school boy John McClane, a New York cop who winds up facing off against Eurotrash thieves during a holiday party at his wife's (Bonnie Bedelia) Japanese company, headquartered in an office tower in Los Angeles' Century City.
There's a lot of controversy over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie, but in 2018, for the film's 30th anniversary, Hollywood.com cut a new trailer that makes the case:
The unedited streaming version is not for families, but Christmastime for me wouldn't be complete without the snowfall of paper at the end of the film, to the strains of Ode to Joy.
Yippee-ki-ay!
Rankin Bass' deceptively simple stop-motion animated special is beloved for its songs and happy ending, but it also has a lot to say about courage, compassion, and the struggle for acceptance.
Both reindeer Rudolph and elf Hermey -- along with all the inhabitants of the Island of Misfit Toys -- learn that your usefulness can gain you praise from others, but it's not until you accept yourself that you can be truly happy.
You could say we're biased, but we're very proud of our projects, and these two are great additions to family holiday viewing.
Our founder, Holy Cross priest Venerable Patrick Peyton, was a media pioneer. This faith-filled son of rural Ireland came to Hollywood in the 1940s and enlisted some of its brightest stars for his radio dramas and TV programs, which lasted into the 1980s.
This documentary portrait -- available on DVD and for digital rental/purchase -- not only covers Father Peyton's showbiz career, but also his astounding success as an evangelist, taking his message that "The family that prays together stays together" around the world in often-huge Rosary rallies.
The film makes its Catholic-media debut on Jan. 10, airing on worldwide network EWTN.
Released to theaters this past October by Fathom Entertainment, this new documentary about an unconventional redemption story just hit streaming (click here for info).
Kevin Matthews was a radio legend in Chicago, partying with celebrities and athletes -- until he was diagnosed with a debilitating disease, his industry collapsed, and his prestige faded.
At the peak of his anguish, Matthews stumbled upon a broken statue of the Virgin Mary lying by a dumpster. His life then took an unexpected turn, as the former shock jock found a new purpose in spreading his story of faith, renewal, and the power of the Rosary.
Image: Adobe Stock
Based on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California, Family Theater Productions makes Emmy, Gabriel, and Christopher Award-winning stories that unlock hearts to the possibilities of love, family, and faith. Founded by Venerable Patrick Peyton in 1947.
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