These 7 Movies Already Deserve to Be Christmas Classics

As a lover of all things Christmas and someone who has spent countless hours curled up by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa and a stack of holiday movies, I must say that these latest additions to the Christmas movie canon are truly delightful! From the heartwarming tales of love found in unexpected places like Love Hard, to the magical adventures of Candy Cane Lane, each one brings a unique flavor to the holiday season.

Over the past couple of years, several new holiday films have earned their place among timeless Christmas favorites. This is due to their touching storylines, endearing characters, and undeniable Christmas spirit that resonates with viewers. Unlike traditional Christmas classics which were primarily animated, contemporary ones frequently star live actors.

On Max, you can dive straight into Christmas movie viewing! Whether it’s Max, Hulu, Netflix, or another streaming service you prefer, here’s a collection of captivating holiday films that are quickly becoming timeless classics. Enjoy the festive season!

Hot Frosty

A 2024 holiday film featuring Lacey Chabert as the main character is titled “Hot Frosty“. She’s widely recognized as the symbolic figure for Christmas movies across networks like Hallmark Channel, Netflix, and others. “Hot Frosty” is a must-watch movie, and fans are eagerly anticipating news about whether it might receive a sequel by the following year.

In this film, we follow the story of a woman named Cathy, who’s recently widowed. An unexpected event occurs when she creates a charming snowman, which turns out to be magical and comes to life due to a mystical scarf given by one of her friends. The snowman, now resembling a human, spends the movie struggling with the possibility that he may melt away at any moment. Despite this looming concern, he seizes every opportunity to live fully with Cathy, trying not to dwell on his time being limited.

For two compelling reasons, this film could become a cherished Christmas tradition: Firstly, Lacey’s convincing performance, genuine charm, and charisma elevate an otherwise potentially cheesy movie. Secondly, it offers a romantic twist on the timeless tale of Frosty the Snowman, a story that generations have loved for decades.

Best. Christmas. Ever!

2023 saw the debut of “The Best Holiday Ever!”, a delightful Christmas film featuring Heather Graham and Brandy as the main characters. In this heartwarming tale, they portray longtime friends Charlotte and Jackie. Despite growing apart over the years, Jackie continues to send an annual Christmas newsletter boasting about her accomplishments, much to Charlotte’s amusement.

Every time Charlotte gets the arrogant newsletter in the post, it grates on her. However, their plans for a spontaneous Christmas get-together take an unexpected turn when Jackie’s true, dismal situation is revealed to Charlotte. While Jackie had been boasting about her continuous victories to Charlotte, her life was actually falling apart behind the scenes.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say this film strikes a chord with most viewers, tugging at their heartstrings and evoking deep emotions. It explores the universal struggle many adults face – the persistent questioning of whether the greener pastures truly lie elsewhere. The film serves as a poignant reminder for us all to be thankful for our own paths, reinforcing the message that contentment can often be found right where we are.

Falling for Christmas

These days, Lacey Chabert is often associated with Christmas films, but it’s important to acknowledge Lindsay Lohan too, who has made a notable contribution to holiday-themed movies. Indeed, in 2022, Lindsay starred in the film “Falling for Christmas,” which blends elements of comedy and romance, further adding to her impressive list of festive films.

In the story, Lindsay portrays Sierra, a lady who’s been diagnosed with amnesia following a skiing accident. A captivating aspect of this character is that she’s an heiress set to wed a very affluent man. Yet, due to her sudden memory loss, her privileged status holds no significance. Instead, Sierra finds herself drawn to a cabin owner named Jake, played by Chord Overstreet, without any recollection of her former life.

Despite seeming cheesy initially, Falling for Christmas delivers a more profound and thought-provoking message. It emphasizes embracing genuine love over any monetary value. The idea that money becomes insignificant when you’re not surrounded by the right individuals resonates particularly well during the festive season.

Single All the Way

Movies depicting the single life over the holiday period resonate with anyone yet to find their significant other, as the scrutiny encountered when visiting relatives during these seasons without a romantic partner is a recurring challenge faced by many unattached adults. The 2021 film “Single All the Way” focuses on this very issue.

The tale unfolds around a man named Peter, who longs to break free from spending another Christmas alone at home. He convinces his dearest friend, Nick, to play along as his supposed partner before they set off for the holiday season. As they act out their pretend romance, an unexpected twist occurs – Peter and Nick find themselves genuinely and deeply falling in love with one another.

“Single All the Way” is one of the more forward-thinking modern holiday films to enjoy. Currently, there aren’t many LGBTQ characters in the traditional list of Christmas favorites for viewers to support, but “Single All the Way” does indeed provide such representation.

Family Switch

Bodyswap movies, like “Freaky Friday” featuring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, have consistently captivated audiences. This is especially true after the success of such films. In 2023, a new one called “Family Switch” was released as a holiday movie, continuing to explore this intriguing concept.

The story, titled “Family Switch“, revolves around a bickering family who find themselves in an extraordinary situation when a Christmas spell goes awry – leading them to swap bodies unexpectedly. The mother ends up in the daughter’s body, the father in the son’s, the son in the baby’s, and the baby with the family dog. At first, they’re taken aback and disoriented by their transformed circumstances, but eventually learn to appreciate and respect one another while living this temporary reality. Eventually, they manage to return to their original bodies.

“Family Shift” – A profound film exploring the layers of understanding within families, even those who seem unbearably exasperating. This movie is set during Christmas, a season designed to reunite loved ones, and its core theme revolves around mending fractured relationships. It emphasizes the importance of empathy, tolerance, and mutual respect amidst differences that may arise among family members.

Love Hard

Nina Dobrev, with her extensive fanbase built over the years from playing the leading role in The Vampire Diaries, had everyone hooked when she showcased her acting skills in the 2021 Christmas movie Love Hard. It was only natural that a large number of viewers became immediately captivated.

In the film, Nina portrays Natalie, a young lady who finds her ideal match on a dating app. Eagerly believing him to be her soulmate, she embarks on a 3,000-mile journey to Los Angeles to meet Josh in person. Sadly, upon arriving in LA, Natalie discovers that she has been the victim of catfishing – quite severely. Despite initially being disheartened, she eventually understands that the deep-rooted connection she felt with her online companion was genuine.

Love Hard showcases the idea that romance can sprout even in the most unexpected situations, mirroring the enchanting essence of Christmas’s mystique. Although Josh didn’t meet Natalie’s initial expectations regarding his appearance, genuine love managed to triumph in this film. The touch of holiday magic, which is inherent in Christmas, played a role in Natalie extending an opportunity to get to know Josh better and discover the real him.

Candy Cane Lane

In simpler terms, “Candy Cane Lane” is a 2023 comedy-adventure movie ideal for family viewing during Christmas season. The renowned actor Eddie Murphy plays Chris, who gets embroiled with a mischievous elf who aims to create havoc and chaos in the world around him.

Chris accepts an arrangement that makes the twelve days of Christmas a reality. At first, Chris is thrilled about the concept, but later on, he discovers that the bargain he struck with the elf was much more detrimental than he had ever initially imagined. Eddie’s humorous portrayal in the role has earned critical acclaim, which contributes to it being considered a timeless Christmas comedy today.

In simpler terms, “Candy Cane Lane” is a laid-back movie, full of hilarious comedic moments and heartwarming scenes that bring the whole family together. It’s similar to the Christmas classic, “Elf”, which stars Will Ferrell, in its focus on elves, family-friendly theme, and high-spirited atmosphere.

2024-12-24 16:40