As the holiday season settles in and evenings turn cosy, the Luxembourg Times editorial team shares which movies they like to binge-watch over the Christmas break.
Spanning tear-jerking classics, ’80s comedies, magical adventures, and feel-good escapes, these are some of the films bringing festive cheer to our newsroom.
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Emery: Romance, action, and childhood nostalgia
“The British movie stars notable actors in every scene describing many faces of romance, but the scenes at the opening and closing with people arriving at Heathrow airport to the welcome of the people they love never fails to bring tears to my eyes.”
“Bruce Willis vs. murderous bank thieves posing as terrorists who are outmanoeuvred by a lone New York cop desperate to save his wife and team attending the company Christmas party. Full of great one-liners.”
“A Christmas Story is about a boy in 1940s America who just wants a pellet gun as his present because he imagines it will arm him to correct the wrongs of the world. He launches on a campaign to persuade his disapproving parents while coping with the day-to-day life of a 9-year-old at a particular moment in US culture.”
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Lucrezia: A festive tradition with Eddie Murphy
“For some reason, Italian TV always plays it during the holidays, and I never get tired of it! The snowy New York City setting, over-the-top ’80s/’90s fashion, and fun soundtrack make it pure comfort for the soul. The story follows a wealthy commodities broker and a street-smart con artist who swap lives and find themselves stuck in each other’s worlds. The film celebrates empathy, generosity, and seeing life from another perspective, all wrapped up in a happy ending that feels perfectly festive.”
Kate: Childhood magic revisited
“I love watching Harry Potter every Christmas. The films always remind me of my childhood and give me a warm nostalgic feeling.”
Duncan: Timeless comfort classics
“You would have thought this all-time classic would be wearing thin by now, but Frank Capra’s film set in small-town America is a true masterpiece that never fails to bring a tear to the eye. Not only does it superbly tackle universal themes of hope and despair, failure and redemption, the film is packed with humour and pathos. Mainstream culture has referenced the film often enough, but I challenge anyone not to be moved by less familiar scenes like the chemist Mr. Gower strikes a young George Bailey and then begging for forgiveness, the lady at the bank asking for “$17.50”, or adult George and his future wife Mary finally kissing while sharing a phone call, much to the disdain of her eavesdropping mother.”
“A gentle, charming story full of heart, kindness and innocence, the kind of film that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket on a cold day. A perfect watch for the holidays.”
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Heledd: Escapism in its purest form
“I’ve never been a huge fan of Christmas films (baa humbug, I know). The Holiday is probably the only exception. It’s more about the feeling of escapism than the storyline itself – watching Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and Iris (Kate Winslet) swap homes for the festive holiday and fall in love. Who doesn’t want to fantasise about spending Christmas in California or meeting Jude Law in snowed-under Surrey?”
Cordula: Sisterhood for the season
“Little Women has long been a Christmas staple for me. While the film follows the March sisters throughout the seasons, it makes me think of snow, chimney fires (not that I have one), roasted chestnuts and cosy crocheted blankets. Greta Gerwig delivered a worthy update with her 2019 adaptation (and there is a plethora of other versions dating as far back as 1917), but it is the 1994 film with Winona Ryder as Jo March that holds a special place in my heart. The score by Thomas Newman is essential to my Christmas soundtrack and there’s no place like Orchard House with a cup of hot cocoa.”
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Alex: Epic journeys and festive quests
“There is nothing Christmassy about the films per se, but they were always released around Christmastime and retain that association for me. They also feature magic, old-world, cosy homeliness, and snowy mountains.”
“A truly terrible Hallmark Christmas movie about Iceland. As cringeworthy as it was, it was also kinda cute and got quite a few of the folkloric details right. It was also fun to see that it was entirely filmed in Iceland – even the bits purporting to be Boston.”
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Sarita: Family fun and animated adventures
“This is our family Christmas eve film, and it never fails to make me laugh. Martin Freeman is a broken-hearted primary teacher in a run-down school who lies that Hollywood is coming to see his Christmas play. His unhinged teaching assistant Mr Poppy is far too enthusiastic, and things snowball resulting in a mad caper and several hilarious song and dance routines. The school kids in this are brilliant, earnest, and funny, and you come away with a warm feeling, as Freeman does eventually get his girl. It’s British humour (and satire) at its best, particularly the competitive private school drama teacher.”
“An animated Christmas adventure often overlooked. Jude Law’s Pitch Black is stealing children’s happy dreams, and soon he plans to steal Easter, and then Christmas. Jack Frost has been chosen as a reluctant guardian, but ts Alec Baldwin as a Russian Santa and Hugh Jackman as an Australian Easter Bunny, who get the best lines. An old-fashioned tale of good versus evil told in a different way this was a firm festive family film when my kids were younger. Now I tend to watch it alone!”
What will you be watching?
Whether you’re after romance, comedy, nostalgia, or a sprawling fantasy escape, the Luxembourg Times team has you covered. We hope that you’ll like our suggestions.
Whatever ends up on your screen, we wish you a warm, peaceful, and very cinematic holiday season.
