The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
From the creator of “Wednesday,” this stop-motion musical features Jack Skellington, the leader of Halloween Town who grows dull of the same Halloween festivity every year. In an accident, he stumbles upon the Christmas Town and becomes mesmerized by the colorful spirit of the winter holiday. Skellington decides to take up the idea and makes drastic changes to his spooky tradition, not realizing the consequences it will bring.
What “The Nightmare Before Christmas” offers is the extraordinary combination of the two holidays melded into one well-written story; you can watch it on Halloween and during the Christmas season. Aside from killing two birds with one stone, the film is full of charming characters and catchy songs to feast your ears on.
Home Alone (1990)
In the house of a big family, the youngest Kevin McCallister, is tired of his loud and crowded home where he barely gets a say in things. When he finds out his family forgot to take him on their Christmas trip to Paris, he’s delighted with the peace and freedom. Little did he know the trouble that would befall him.
“Home Alone” is a great classic comedy to watch with friends and families; Kevin’s silly activities, clever booby traps, and the snug Christmas aesthetic are always the best. In a cozy home with hot cocoa in your hands, this movie will be a perfect fit for the upcoming winter break.
Klaus (2019)
Jesper Johansen, the lazy, spoiled son of the Postmaster General, is sent to Smeerensburg with the task of posting 6,000 letters in a year. The town, where everyone’s too busy hating each other to write letters, seemed hopeless. But one day, Johansen meets a toy maker, Klaus, and an idea sparks in his head: people write letters to receive toys. The plan was to meet the goal and go back as soon as possible, but as days go by and friendships grow, Johansen struggles to decide whether to stay or leave.
“Klaus” gives a twist to the Santa Claus story that we all know in a heartwarming animated film. The visual is stunning, with the smooth 2D animation made to look 3D, which takes a lot of work. For animated movie fans, this comes highly recommended.
A Man Called Otto (2023)
(Content warning: suicide attempt) Otto Anderson is a grumpy old man living in a suburban Pittsburgh neighborhood. After the death of his wife Sonya Anderson, he plans to kill himself but is constantly interrupted by his new neighbors Marisol and Tommy. The new friendships and memories from the past fuel Anderson to live on for the remainder of his life, in which he becomes a hero for many.
Witnessing an old, broken-hearted man learning to love others and himself again in “A Man Called Otto” was a stirring experience. Tom Hanks’ acting as Otto Anderson was real and emotional enough to draw in the audience, as well as being both inspirational and a beautiful film. Looking to cry yourself in your living room this holiday season? Try this one.
