Christmas Movie Advent Calendar
Christmas is coming. The tree is up. Hot chocolate is in your cute wee Christmas mugs. All that's left are the movies that will sink you further into the Christmas spirit.
That's where I come in. I LOVE Christmas films. All shapes and sizes. The goofier the better. There are some belters out there and some nice films that are cringe worthy but leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.
So without further ado, allow me to introduce to… BE NOTHING CLUB'S FIRST CHRISTMAS MOVIE ADVENT CALENDAR!
WARNING EXPECT MANY HALLMARK-ESQUE FILMS
December 1st
The Holiday
Kicking off the holiday season, one of my personal favourites! It's cute! It's romantic! It has Jude Law! It's the first film where I see Jack Black as being attractive?! It has it all. Picturesque imagery of quiet snowy English villages juxtaposed with the glam of Hollywood Christmas. The story is marvelous, I cry every time when Arthur walks onstage at the gala. Its just the perfect film to allow yourself to get into the sappy Christmas romantic spirit!
December 2nd
A Christmas Prince
Did it win an Oscar? No it didn't. Will it melt even the grinchiest of hearts? Yes. And if it doesn't...you're taking it too seriously.
A reporter goes uncover to get the biggest scoop on a playboy Prince but she ends up finding her biggest story yet - Love.
December 3rd
The Muppets Christmas Carol
Okay…so…a confession… I've not actually seen The Muppets Christmas Carol. This was an entry from our very own Liam. But now that it's on our Advent Calendar (and Disney Plus) I will be watching it this December! And you should too! The Muppets are the centerfold of lot of 90’s children's lives so go watch it, relive your childhood Christmas memories!
December 4th
Die Hard
This is on the list because my boyfriend told me to put it on because and I quote "This is Christmas music". I'm sorry. He's one of those.
December 5th
Rise of the Guardians
Our first animation on the list, and what a film. A story that just encapsulates all our childhood beliefs and characters and creates an unique, vibrant story from them. I'm due a rewatch and who needs a better excuse than an advent calendar!
December 6th
Miracle on 34th Street (version of your choice)
What a classic! I first watched the 1994 remake with Richard Attenborough and it was magical. I didn't watch the 1947 version until I was much older and learned in the ways of Christmas but it was still just as magical. So pick your favourite, settle down for the night relive the magic!
December 7th
Christmas with the Kranks
Our first film with the King of Christmas Movies - Tim Allen. In favour of a luxurious cruise, the Kranks decide to skip Christmas...until their daughter decides to come home at the last minute, forcing the ranks to scramble to organise their legendary Christmas eve party and deck the halls. It's silly, it's fun, a film that doesn't take itself seriously and filled with Christmas gags.
December 8th
The Nightmare Before Christmas
This is a Christmas film and that's a hill I'm willing to die on. Henry Selick's musical has it all: catchy tunes, gorgeous animation, and a great story. I first saw this on Christmas 2001 so that's why it's on the calendar. Because it's a Christmas film.
December 9th
Love Actually
You know this had to make an appearance. There would be uproar if I didn't include Love Actually. It's a classic and deserves a re-watch every year.
December 10th
Jack Frost
Look, this is a lovely film. I cried. It also makes me warm and fuzzy. A dad who passed away in an accident comes back a year later as a snowman to try and set things right with his grieving son. Michael Keaton's best role (slight exaggeration).
December 11th
Klaus
A newcomer to the Christmas movie scene. Klaus is a 2019 Netflix animation centering around the friendship between postman and lonely toy maker. The art of this film I think is incredible and it's the perfect film to get you into the spirit of kindness this Christmas.
December 12th
Voyage of the Damned (Doctor Who Christmas Special)
I'm miles deep into a Doctor Who re-watch, and currently ending my time with David Tennant’s tenure as the Doctor. That's why I've included his best Christmas Special. It's like 60 minutes long, that's technically a film!
December 13th
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Sorry to fans of the Benedict Cumberbatch animation, but we're going back to the O.G. Jim Carrey is a God in this role. It's perfection, and essential to watch every Christmas and realise as you get older you're more like the grinch then you previously thought.
December 14th
Happiest Season
It's Kirsten Stewart in a Christmas romance movie. We love a glow up. Meeting your partner's family is tough at the best of times, but what if it was at Christmas, and they don't know you're gay and your girlfriend is about to propose? Well that's just a recipe for the perfect Christmas movie with conflict at the dinner table followed by that happy ending to fulfill your cringiest of dreams.
December 15th
Krampus
For variety. Nothing else. See,this is an advent calendar for everyone!
December 16th
The Polar Express
Who remembers the awe of watching this moving for the first time? It was incredible. As a kid you dreamed of boarding that train going to the North Pole and tasting that delicious looking hot chocolate. So try to recreate the hot chocolate and snuggle up to watch this classic.
December 17th
The Santa Clause
Hey look! It's Tim Allen in arguable his best role ever! (Don't fight me on this) No Christmas advent calendar is complete without the masterpiece that is The Santa Clause. Also Bernard the Elf still has my heart. I'm basic.
December 18th
The Santa Clause 2
Scott Calvin is back for round two. But this time, he needs to find love or risk not being Santa Clause anymore. What more could you want? Christmas. Love. Bernard.
December 19th
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
To round off our mini movie marathon with an advent movie marathon, we have the ending of the Santa Clause trilogy. This time Jack is back. Jack Frost. How can Santa Clause be everywhere at once to keep Christmas going and be with his new family? Only down side of this movie is that there’s no Bernard.
December 20th
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
(Or Belle's Enchanted Christmas as it was known in my house)
A staple for my family and I growing up. We have it on VHS. The straight to video holiday sequel bypassed many households and it really shouldn't have. It's great! New songs. New adventures. And Belle's Christmas dress is to die for! Also I had to put Belle's Enchanted Christmas on this day as it's my sisters birthday! Whoop!
December 21st
Gremlins
Takes place at Christmas ✅ Campy 80s movie ✅ Cute little creature called Gizmo ✅ I'm a huge fave of the Gremlins. It's a fun film. The practical effects I was obsessed with. I got it for Christmas one year on video when I was like 12 and saw that the age rating was 18??? I’ve watched it every year since.
December 22nd
Arthur Christmas
Santa's clumsy son sets out on a mission to give a misplaced present to a young girl before its too late. It's a sweet animation. That's all I can say. It's an easy watch and enjoyable for the whole family. Or yourself, we won't judge.
December 23rd
A Christmas Carol
Jim Carrey is rivalling Tim Allen as the King of Christmas Movies, especially in this visually stunning animation. It's a story everyone knows a hundred times over, but Robert Zemeckis' version is retold with new vigour and wonder. It brings a new life to it.
December 24th Christmas Eve
Santa Who?
This is a new Christmas movie for me. Yes it came out in 1994, but I didn't see until last week and it's a great Christmas film. Santa gets into an accident and suffers from amnesia days before Christmas Eve. Stranded and not knowing who he is, this premise sets up a very fun and at times emotional watch! A very appropriate Christmas Eve watch!
December 25th
It's a Wonderful Life
Are you shocked? Are you angry? Or are you pleased at our Christmas day film as chances are it is already your chosen Christmas day film. It is the quintessential Christmas film. It is a wonder of a film that is deserving of its classic Christmas film stature.
Now you've reached the end of the first annual Be Nothing Club Advent Calendar. CONGRATS.
If you're thinking “some of the films I watch at Christmas aren't here,” you'd be completely right. There are films that are necessarily "Christmassy" that are consistently watched at Christmas. I have compiled a list of some of the films my friends, family and I all watch at Christmas time below for your further enjoyment if 25 Christmas films weren't satisfying enough!
The Goonies
Harry Potter Film Series
The Lord of the Rings
The Great Escape
Any Disney Film.
The Spice Girls Movie (this was a Kelsie choice)
You know what, any movie can be a Christmas movie if you watch it at Christmas so go out there, well stay indoors, draw the curtains and just hibernate away watching Christmas movies for December!
