December: It’s the time to bake cookies, wrap gifts and sing Christmas carols. It’s also the time to watch movies that feel a bit more special to watch during the holiday season. While new holiday movies take to the big and small screen every year, there are a select few that many revisit for years to come.
Whether they feature Will Ferrell hopping across a crosswalk to the tune of “Pennies From Heaven” or Tom Hanks as a train conductor, hobo and Santa Claus, everyone has a certain holiday movie they revisit every year. Posties share their favorites below.
Mallory Waligora, Political Reporter — “Elf”
It isn’t Christmas without “Elf!” Will Ferrell plays one of the funniest comedy performances ever, not just for a Christmas movie but all time in my opinion. The script and comedic timing is just perfect with quotable lines and an amazing soundtrack. Besides being hilarious, it has a heartfelt ending in the Christmas spirit.
Courtney Blackett, Photographer — “Mean Girls”
I realize that this may not seem like a Christmas movie, but come on? Jingle Bell Rock? Accidentally kicking the radio into your crush’s face, then Lindsay Lohan comes in clutch with some acapella? Christmas movie.
Lindsey Sobkowski, Photo Editor — “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
As long as I can remember, this movie has always been playing in the background of all of my family members’ houses during Christmas time. I don’t think I have gone a year without seeing at least a few disjointed scenes as the television channels were clicked through.
Clark’s antics throughout the movie never get old, from the failed lighting of the Christmas lights outside to the cutting of an enormous pine tree, the movie is full of iconic scenes. My favorite memory associated with the film is that my dad, without fail, always laughs at the same scenes every year, even though he has probably watched the movie hundreds of times.
Brian Einowski, Ads Director — “The Polar Express”
It’s been a favorite between my entire family, and I always make an effort to watch it every year around Christmas — I haven’t missed a year yet! So many scenes stick out in my mind, but the hot chocolate or ice lake scenes are probably my favorites.
Christian Udeozor-Nweke, Graphic Desinger — “The Polar Express”
I absolutely adore this movie to bits. I think I watched on repeat, I believe 3-4 times as a kid in a row, which is nuts to think about now. It’s nothing more than a nostalgia trip for me now, which I am thankful for.
Chloe Kukuk, Campus Reporter — “Rent”
It counts. I swear.
Ana Gjorgjevski, Features Reporter — “A Season for Miracles” and “The Santa Clause”
My most recent favorite watch and only well-loved Hallmark Christmas movie is “A Season for Miracles.” It has a sweet story and isn’t too overdone on the drama.
My all-time favorite that I watch every year is “The Santa Clause” franchise. Every year I watch them in order, and they seem to get better every year!
Noah Francis, Feature Reporter — “Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse”
“Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse” is an incredible film from top to bottom. Whether it’s the animation, the story, or the sound design, it is one of those movies that I can’t help but watch every year… It just so happens that I watch it every year during my winter break.
Watching the snow-covered New York City spring to life is my favorite way to get into the holiday spirit. It also helps that Spider-Man sings a rendition of “Jingle Bells.”
Moe Del Rosario, Arts Reporter — “Little Women” (2019)
I absolutely adore “Little Women,” and it’s been a staple to watch it at least once every December since its release. There’s a certain comfort that comes with the film that can’t be replicated for me. I love the different types of girlhood that are shown and their similarities and differences.
Olivia Chiappelli, Arts Editor — “The Holiday”
Please come back to the silver screen, Cameron Diaz! “The Holiday” is no doubt my favorite Christmas movie, and I did cry when it was taken off of Netflix. Now I have to pay four bucks every time I want to watch it, but that is honestly a price I am willing to pay to be able to relive Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack, Jude Law’s little glasses and Kate Winslet’s cozy cottage.
Megan Judy, Graphic Designer — “Elf”
Absolute classic. If you don’t watch this movie every year, you’re lying. I love comedy movies, and the story and overall concept is super original and very creative. I feel like they don’t make them like this anymore!
Autumn Okuszka, Content Editor — “Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh”
Let me set the scene. It was a cold and snowy night in late December 2008, and my mom was flipping through the TV channels looking for something to watch, preferably, a Christmas movie. As fate would have it, she landed upon this made-for-TV classic and inadvertently changed the course of my life forever.
15 years later, “Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh” is a movie I happily revisit every holiday season. There’s just something about Drake and Josh gifting Officer Gilbert a monkey for Christmas that warms my heart.
Arianna Heyman, Editor in Chief — “A Christmas Story”
This is the best Christmas movie, and I don’t make the rules. Any other answer is wrong. A Christmas Story is an all-time classic that I love watching every year. “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid” is an iconic movie line that never fails to make me laugh, and this coming-of-age holiday film is simply in a league of its own.
