Christmas is not only a time for gatherings and after-dinner conversations, it is also an ideal time to enjoy stories that awaken the imagination of the little ones (and the not so little ones). Streaming platforms are full of titles designed to brighten up these dates, combining classics that marked generations with new films that will probably be remembered as future Christmas must-haves.
Home Alone (1990): the quintessential Christmas classic
Without a doubt, Home Alone has become synonymous with Christmas. The story of Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy who is forgotten by his family during a Christmas trip, has marked several generations.
Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, is left home alone just as two burglars plan to rob the house, believing it to be empty. “Home Alone is a holiday classic,” the review notes, with a mix of physical humor, childlike wit and impossible situations that still works strong decades after its release.
The movie, available on Disney Plus, not only entertains, but also generates laughter and complicity between parents and children, especially because of the elaborate traps that Kevin sets for his clumsy assailants. In addition, its sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), is also available to platform subscribers.
Klaus (2019): animation with a message of generosity and hope.
Klaus has been hailed as one of the great contemporary Christmas classics. Directed by Sergio Pablos, this animated film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature and offers a fresh take on the origin of Santa Claus.
The story follows Jesper, a selfish letter carrier destined for the remote village of Smeerensburg, where he will meet Klaus, a toymaker who will change the entire community. This film, available on Netflix, stands out for its visual technique, a fusion of traditional animation with novel lighting solutions, and for a profoundly positive message about generosity and how small gestures can generate big changes.
The Grinch (2000): Christmas from a humorous and rebellious point of view.
Based on the Dr. Seuss story, The Grinch has become a universal Christmas icon thanks to the film adaptation starring Jim Carrey. The character, famous for his hatred of Christmas, hatches a plan to ruin the holidays by stealing all the presents.
Although the synopsis is simple, the film works because of Carrey’s magnetic performance and the exaggerated and colorful world it presents. The film is available on Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video, and remains a fun option for little ones who are not yet familiar with the Grinch’s story.
Elf (2003): Christmas comedy with spirit and a lot of laughter
Elf follows the adventures of Buddy, a human raised in the North Pole among elves, played by Will Ferrell. As an adult, Buddy travels to New York to search for his biological father, colliding with the fast-paced and cynical life of the big city.
The film, available on HBO Max, blends Ferrell’s typical humor with a tender message about innocence and joy, making it entertaining for both children and accompanying adults.
A father in trouble (1996): Christmas, gifts and family chaos
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, A Dad in Distress is a Christmas comedy that chronicles the adventures of a father so busy that he forgets to buy his son’s most desired gift: a Turbo-Man figurine.
The film, available on Disney Plus, uses slapstick and absurd situations to provide family entertainment, with a classic moral about priorities and what really matters at Christmas.
