The Christmas spirit is alive and well despite 2020 being as close to the real-life grinch as perhaps possible. This year, like the last, will be dominated by ugly yet seasonally appropriate Christmas jumpers, windows adorned in lights of various assorted colours, tinsel, mugs with hot chocolate. And what goes better with a mug of hot chocolate than a good Christmas movie. But – here’s a problem – which one to watch? Whether you’re on the side who deem Die Hard a Christmas movie or the kind to rightfully praise ELF as the best of the bunch when it comes to the holiday season, we’re here to offer a solution by listing some of the top Christmas movies on Netflix!
1. The Christmas Chronicles 2
Kurt Russel’s portrayal of everyone’s favourite beer-bellied saint returns appropriately clad in red and white to deliver a spectacular sequel to The Christmas Chronicles which made its debut in 2018 to wide praise. The Christmas Chronicles currently sits at #1 in the UK Netflix Top 10. As the synopsis so puts it, the Christmas Chronicles follows an elf who gives “‘naughty’ a new name.”
2. Nativity
Released a haunting eleven years ago and recently released on Netflix, Nativity follows innocent primary school teacher Paul Maddens – Mr Maddens to the school children – played by Martin Freeman who’s been placed in charge of the school’s nativity and, in order to scare the competition in the competitive world of school plays, has lied about a Hollywood producer coming to adapt the children’s play into a feature film. Nativity is a nostalgia bomb both as a viewing experience and it’s appeal to everyone’s inner child, desperate for the spotlight, and a spot in the manger!
3. Arthur Christmas
Debuting with a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, Arthur Christmas is an animated classic following its 2011 release. It follows the traditional save Christmas storyline on a more microscopic level. When Santa’s son, Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy), realises the machines of the North Pole have malfunctioned and sent a young girl’s Christmas present astray, he sets out on an epic quest to find it and make sure that this little girl’s Christmas goes exactly to plan. Winner of Best Animated Film at the Richard Attenborough Film Awards, it’s a must-watch for any fans of animation this holiday season.
4. Klaus
Perhaps a hidden gem in Netflix’s catalogue of Christmas movies, Klaus scored 94% on Rotten Tomatoes following its release on the streaming platform last year and is both parts festive and heartwarming. It follows, surprise surprise, Jesper is a failed postman sent to an island divided by a century-long family feud. Needless to say, they were in desperate need of some Christmas spirit, and when Klaus’s Job is put in jeopardy, he and an exiled toymaker named Klaus (who possesses a shocking resemblance to our very own Saint Nick) team up to restore Christmas cheer to the island. Just like Arthur Christmas, Klaus is a much watch for any fans of animation and with its charming art style, it’s bound to be a favourite this year.
So there you are, spoilt for choice, and (we hope) feeling the festive spirit. These are just a few examples of Netflix’s library of excellent Christmas movies to binge this holiday season. Whatever you go for, whether that be animated brilliance such as Klaus or Arthur Christmas or you ARE one of those people who consider Die Hard a Christmas movie, we hope you find something to satiate you this Christmas!
