Christmas 2022 should be a little more pleasant for many readers than in previous years, when the corona pandemic prevented large and even small family celebrations for many people. I can tell you a little bit about it myself, because I fell ill on December 23rd last year and therefore spent both Christmas and New Year’s Eve in quarantine. Streaming had to help out on many evenings to pass the time. Disney+ in particular has a nice selection of Christmas films and specials, of which I would like to introduce you to a few in this article.
Two hints: This is only a subjective selection, so please don’t be angry with me if you forgot your personal favourites. In addition, I can of course only recommend the Christmas films that Disney + also has in the program. So I’m just referring to concrete streaming tips for the service from the house with the mouse.
After all: I think Disney+ is quite strong, for example I unfortunately had to kick the “Lego Star Wars Holiday Special” off my list because I almost forgot to include “Die Hard”. And woe betide any muddlehead claiming this classic isn’t a Christmas movie! Then there’s the rod. Jokes aside, let’s get to my list. And of course you are welcome to share your Christmas film tips with the other readers and me in the comments!
Kevin – Home Alone / Kevin – Alone in New York
I’ve come out as a fan of the two family films with Macaulay Culkin several times over the past few years. Even if the first part is definitely superior, I also think the sequel is still very worth seeing – if only because of the grandiose scenes with Tim Curry. Both films were scripted by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. I have to say that even though it’s actually a Thanksgiving classic in the US, I wish I could have somehow cheated “Ticket for Two” into one of my lists – my all-time favorite comedy of all time.
At least John Candy, who died far too young, has a small guest role in “Home Alone”. The story of the two films about the little boy Kevin, who feels misunderstood, wishes his family away and then, due to a coincidence, actually stays at home alone over the holidays, is as funny as it is heartwarming. Funnily enough, the debut was also torn to shreds by many critics when it was released, but it has become a Christmas classic in countless families.
Some people will criticize the cartoon-like depiction of violence in both films, because two certain burglars have to endure a lot. I’ve always been able to overlook that and I always enjoy watching the films.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
A topic that finally poses an unsolvable problem for university philosophy: Is Henry Selick’s and Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” a Halloween or a Christmas film? After all, he can certainly be both. The lovingly staged stop-motion adventure was not a hit in the cinema, but has developed into a cult film over the years. The simple but creative story revolves around Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween, who no longer feels like the eternally same scary festival. Instead, he is enthusiastic about a short excursion into the world of Christmas and summarily hijacks that festival – with chaotic consequences.
Also in relation to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” there is a rather ironic background story. Originally, Disney wanted to distance itself a little from the end product, which studio management felt was too dark and frightening for small children. Therefore, the strip was quickly maneuvered under its Touchstone brand. However, my impression is that young and old alike get something out of this film – whether for the holidays or just in between.
Die Hard
Die Hard is the ultimate Christmas action film. Bruce Willis may have retired but will surely be remembered for generations to come as John McClane. “Die Hard” is anything but stupid and combines exciting action with wordplay and a compelling story with a few twists. The adventurous German dubbing, which tampered with the plot a little, is legendary. For example, the German terrorist Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman, simply became Jack Gruber, who is now believed to be from Ireland.
Either way, at least I rate “Die Hard”, in which Bruce Willis hides from hostage-takers as a lone policeman in a high-rise building and draws them into a kind of guerrilla war, as a classic of Christmas and action films. It’s a shame that none of the sequels even remotely come close to the debut.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
“The Guardians of the Galaxy” are among the better Marvel films for me with their two screen adventures. This is certainly not least thanks to director James Gunn, whose other films such as “Super” or “The Suicide Squad” I also appreciate. Gunn is now under contract with DC and will say goodbye to Marvel after the third part of “The Guardians of the Galaxy”. This year, however, he gifted Disney+ subscribers with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. The often silly, but in some moments quite emotional special has a playing time of 44 minutes and is one of my few highlights of the MCU phase 4.
Don’t expect a deeper message here or that your tear ducts will be pressed hard. The story ultimately revolves around the Guardians trying to give their leader, Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, the perfect Christmas present. And what better way than to kidnap his childhood hero: Kevin Bacon.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special offers an entertaining feel-good story with a touch of humor – exactly what you got with the films. Anyway, I personally had a lot of fun.
Edward with the scissor hands
Sometimes I have the feeling that this early work by Tim Burton starring Johnny Depp has almost been forgotten outside of the black scene. In fact, not all of the film takes place around Christmas, but with its fairytale atmosphere, this fantasy drama suits the holiday season perfectly. Ice also plays a special role here, but I don’t want to spoil the film for anyone who might have the chance to watch it fresh.
The plot revolves around the artificial human Edward, whose inventor died before he could complete it. So mute Edward has to live with scissors for hands. Edward lives in a castle at first, but finally escapes his loneliness when an aging small-town girl takes him in. Edward falls in love with her daughter, but her boyfriend and his clique are not at all enthusiastic about this development and other neighbors also develop mixed feelings.
“Edward Scissorhands” somehow mixes the stories of “Pinocchio” and “Frankenstein” with Tim Burton’s own style. Despite a certain melancholic touch, the film is also suitable for children and great entertainment for those who can only begin to relate to Burton’s style.
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