The Ultimate 2021 Holiday Movie Guide
Written by Rachel Shin
Let’s set the scene: Snow is gently falling, a delicious pizza has been freshly delivered, you’re rocking cozy jammies on the couch… and you have no clue what to watch! If you’re like me, finding the right flick can take a while. That’s why I’ve cherry-picked my favorite wintertime movies for whatever kind of movie night you’re going for! So, snuggle up, eat the pizza while it’s hot, and enjoy this special gift from yours truly.
Classic Christmas
Grab the cookies and get ready for some holiday cheer!
Will Ferrell and Zoey Deschanel in ‘Elf’
It’s a Wonderful Life – The definition of a classic Christmas film.
Home Alone – Never gets old, always reminds me how much I like mac n’ cheese.
One Magic Christmas – A 1980s Christmas gem and a tearjerker.
Love Actually – “To me, you are perfect.” P.S: Hot take, I hate The Holiday.
Elf – A yearly hilarious tradition in our household!
Snow Day
Fun flicks for a cozy day in.
‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’
Little Women – Gimme the OG 1994 version or nada. #winonaforever
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe – Love the 2005 adaptation!
Bridget Jones’ Diary – Renée Zellweger in her feminist prime, tbh.
Into the Woods – I saw this wonderful revival with my dear friend Gredin on my first solo NYC Christmas. Gredin passed away in 2017, and this film will always remind me of him. Rest in peace, sweet friend.
Uncle Buck – Another 1980s gem and childhood fave.
December 26th – December 30th
No one knows what day it is, so… let’s watch the whole series.
George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Elliott Gould, Don Cheadle in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’
Lord of the Rings – Legolas getting on that horse one-armed, tho.
The Oceans – My BFF introduced me to this series and I’m forever grateful.
James Bond – “Skyfall” has major winter vibes, plus I love Bond.
Star Wars – Pillow fort and popcorn optional, but not required.
The Godfather – “Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday” aka 12/26-12/30. But also, everyone should see these once.
Snowball Fight
Nothing says “happy holidays” like an action movie set in winter.
Bruce Willis in ‘Die Hard’
Die Hard – Yippee-ki-yay, ladies.
Sherlock Holmes – London? 1800s? Robert Downey Jr.? Say less.
Batman Begins – I can literally watch this on repeat.
The Man From U. N. C. L. E. – Solid date night movie, and a hip revamp by Guy Ritchie of a Brit classic.
Knives Out – Stellar cast, stellar script. Can’t wait for the sequel!
Related Resources
‘Nope’, Jordan Peele Did Not Disappoint
You ever finish a movie and just sit in silence? Dazed as the credits begin to roll, almost numb, wracking your brain on what in the world you just watched. That has been me after all three of Jordan Peele’s films. I chuckled to myself as I watched the credits roll,...
The Kids are Alright in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’
Taika Waititi’s riotous adventure Thor: Love and Thunder is the perfect summer blockbuster. It’s action-packed, hilarious, surprisingly heartfelt, and the soundtrack is epic. In Love and Thunder we find Thor (Chris Hemsworth) aimlessly tagging along with the...
We Can (All) Be Heroes in the World of ‘Stranger Things’: Season 4 Part 2 Review
*Warning: This review contains spoilers* As a die hard Stranger Things fan since it premiered in the summer of 2016, the second installment of its penultimate season did not disappoint. Last month seemed to crawl by as the Stranger Things collective anticipated the...
