4 Cosy
Christmas movies to watch this holiday season
For me, Christmas doesn’t start with the first decoration or the first snowfall. It starts with the first Christmas movie of the season. The blanket comes out, the tea gets poured, the lights get turned down.
Why we rewatch Christmas movies every year
Over the years, I’ve noticed I don’t need new films every Christmas. I need the ones that feel like coming home. Here are four I return to every year, and the kind of evening each one is perfect for.
Christmas movies are less about the story and more about the feeling.
We already know how they end, and that’s the point. They remind us of childhood, of family traditions, and of the simple idea that kindness and a little magic can fix almost anything. In a busy, noisy season, that’s a comfort worth repeating.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Ron Howard’s live-action version of the Dr. Seuss classic is loud, colourful and wonderfully strange. Jim Carrey disappears completely into the green, grumpy Grinch, who lives on a mountain above Whoville and can’t stand the holidays. The film even won an Oscar for its makeup.
Underneath all the chaos is a sweet story about loneliness, and about how one kind little girl, Cindy Lou Who, sees the good in someone everyone else has given up on. It’s a reminder that Christmas isn’t about presents. It’s about the people we share it with.
Perfect for:
a family movie night with kids, or anyone who secretly feels a little Grinchy about the holiday rush.
Eloise at Christmastime (2003)
Based on Kay Thompson’s beloved books, this film follows Eloise, a six-year-old who lives at the Plaza Hotel in New York. At Christmas, the hotel is full of decorations, guests and a wedding in the making, and Eloise decides to help love find its way. Julie Andrews plays her patient, warm-hearted Nanny.
It’s charming, elegant and full of that old New York holiday glow. Watching it feels like stepping into a snow globe.
Perfect for:
a cosy night in with a hot chocolate, or a girls’ movie night with a little sparkle.
Curly Sue (1991)
Curly Sue isn’t a classic Christmas movie in the usual sense, but it has the warmth of one, and it has quietly become a winter favourite for many families. Written and directed by John Hughes, it follows Curly Sue, a clever little girl with a head of red curls, and her guardian Bill, played by Jim Belushi, as they get by on charm and small cons in wintry Chicago. Everything changes when they meet a wealthy lawyer who slowly lets them into her life.
It’s a story about found family, about the people who become home, and that’s exactly what the holidays are about.
Perfect for:
a quieter evening when you want something heartfelt, or watching with someone you consider family.
Home Alone (1990)
No Christmas list is complete without it. When eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind as his family flies to Paris for the holidays, he has to defend his house from two clumsy burglars. Macaulay Culkin is unforgettable as Kevin, and Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern are hilarious as the bandits. John Williams’ music makes the whole film feel like Christmas.
It’s funny, it’s clever, and it has a surprisingly tender heart about family and belonging. Fun detail: Home Alone was written by John Hughes too, so it makes a perfect double feature with Curly Sue.
Perfect for:
a big family gathering, a Christmas party with friends, or the night you finish wrapping presents.
My tips for the perfect Christmas movie night
- Make it a ritual. Pick one evening a week in December and keep it just for films.
- Set the scene. Blankets, fairy lights and something warm to drink turn any sofa into a cinema.
- Plan a double feature. Pair Curly Sue and Home Alone for a John Hughes night.
- Add a little snack tradition. Popcorn, gingerbread or hot chocolate makes the night feel special.
The magic of coming back
Every year, these films tell us the same thing in different ways: that home is the people you love, and that a little kindness can change everything. So this December, put the kettle on, find your softest blanket, and press play on an old favourite.