Christmas Day arrives and the house fills with family and friends. We are with parents, cousins, nephews, and grandchildren (which sometimes includes us). And in that moment of joy, once we have eaten, we crave a moment of tranquility after so much celebration and laughter.
At that moment, there’s nothing like watching a good movie, if you ask me. And preferably a movie that fits the moment. So we have to choose between Christmas movies or fantasy movies. In case you’re hesitating, we’re going to clear up your doubts, as we have the five movies that best fit this day.
All the movies on the list are perfect and all are fantasy, some even combine fantasy with Christmas. It’s your decision to choose, the good thing is that with any of these you will get it right. Enjoy with your loved ones, it’s worth it!
The Polar Express (2004)
Many iconic Christmas movies combine the holidays with fantasy, and a great example of this is this movie. Based on the book of the same name, this story follows a boy who is unsure about Christmas until one night, a mysterious train stops in front of his house. The boy is invited to board the train, which is headed to the North Pole, where he will discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Many viewers first watched The Polar Express when they were children, which makes it the perfect nostalgic movie now, 20 years after its release. The Polar Express is about the Christmas spirit and what it means to believe, even when circumstances make it difficult to do so.
The Chronicles of Narnia (2005)
Another pillar of the fantasy genre worth watching at Christmas is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Adapted from the novel by C.S. Lewis, this film tells the story of the Pevensie siblings, who find themselves in a magical land called Narnia after crawling through a magical wardrobe.
In this new world, the Pevensies encounter interesting characters who are both good and bad, leading them to fight for this magical land. The Chronicles of Narnia is a classic story on its own, but the 2005 movie is especially wonderful to watch during the holidays. This heartwarming fantasy is great to watch on a stormy afternoon.
Gremlins (1984)
A fantasy movie that many forget takes place at Christmas is Gremlins. The 1984 film focuses on Billy, a teenager who is given a strange creature called a mogwai for Christmas. The mogwai, named Gizmo, comes with three rules: do not expose it to sunlight, do not let it come into contact with water, and never let it eat after midnight.
Of course, these three rules end up being broken, leading to a horrifying outbreak of small creatures called gremlins. Gremlins is not only a fantastic creature movie but also a wonderful Christmas movie. For me, it is the favorite on the list.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
One of the best fantasy movies to watch during Christmas is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Although all the Harry Potter movies are nostalgic in their own right, the best choice for Christmas is undoubtedly the first movie. In this film, Harry goes to Hogwarts for the first time and meets his friends Ron and Hermione, before facing Lord Voldemort for the first time.
Only a small part of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone takes place during Christmas, but it is an unforgettable element of the movie. Seeing Hogwarts covered in snow with beautiful decorations and lights is a delightful experience, and it makes the viewer want to fully immerse themselves in it. A fan favorite.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Another fantasy classic that is often revisited during the holiday season is the Lord of the Rings series. Based on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, the Lord of the Rings movies begin with the story of Frodo, a young hobbit who becomes embroiled in an age-old conflict when he receives the One Ring, which could save or destroy the world as he knows it.
Throughout three films, the franchise presents countless wonderful characters and a captivating battle of good versus evil. The Lord of the Rings may stray from the Christmas theme, but that doesn’t diminish its ability to make viewers smile. The Lord of the Rings is the best ace up the sleeve for families who can’t agree on which movie to choose.
