7 must-watch holiday classics for a magical christmas

7 must watch Christmas movies

The holiday season has arrived, offering the ideal time to cozy up with loved ones, enjoy a warm cup of cocoa, and immerse yourself in the enchantment of Christmas movies. Filled with joy, nostalgia, love, hope, and second chances, these films perfectly embody the essence of the festive season.

This Christmas, the British Council Library invites you to experience the holiday magic with a specially curated selection of heartwarming classics. Featuring over 8,000 films, documentaries, and shorts in its vast digital collection, the library is a paradise for movie lovers of all ages. From hilarious comedies to touching dramas and timeless masterpieces, this festive lineup offers something special for everyone to enjoy with their loved ones.

Here’s your ultimate guide to Christmas classics that will light up your holiday season:

1.       Christmas with the Kranks:

Tim Allen plays Luther Krank, a man who decides to skip Christmas and all the surrounding trappings and go on a vacation with his wife Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis) instead. But when his daughter decides to come home for the holiday at the last minute, he is forced to put Christmas back together. This movie is based on the novel "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham.

2.       Jack Frost:

A 1979 Rankin-Bass, an animated stop-motion classic similar to ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’, Jack Frost is a classic winter tale of good and evil, hope and despair, and love and sacrifice that will captivate viewers of all ages. Narrated by Pardon-me-Pete Groundhog (Buddy Hackett), Jack Frost is the story of young sprite Jack Frost who, under Father Winter’s leadership, is responsible for bringing winter weather to the world. Felt, but never seen, a lonely Jack begs to become human when he falls in love with January Junction resident Elisa.

3.       The Bishop’s Wife:

In this charming fantasy romance, Cary Grant stars as an angel named Dudley sent to help a struggling bishop (David Niven) who has lost sight of his family while trying to build a grand cathedral. Dudley’s arrival brings unexpected miracles and a renewed sense of joy, especially to the bishop’s neglected wife (Loretta Young). As Christmas approaches, the angel's presence brings both warmth and confusion, leaving the bishop to confront his own priorities. But Dudley’s growing affection for the bishop’s wife adds an unexpected complication to his divine mission.

4.       The Christmas Toy:

In this Jim Henson holiday classic, the toys in the playroom of the Jones household magically come to life when their owners aren't looking. On Christmas Eve, as the toys eagerly await the arrival of a new toy, Rugby the Tiger plots to make sure he remains the favourite toy.

5.       Scrooge:

A British fantasy drama film and an adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It stars Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge and was produced and directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, with a screenplay by Noel Langley. An old bitter miser is given a chance for redemption when he is haunted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve.

6.       Dear Christmas:

Natalie Morgan is the host of a popular podcast, Holiday Love, which shares true stories of holiday romance with its listeners. While to the outside world and her listeners everyone sees Natalie as an expert on romance, she’s never truly experienced a romance of her own. As Natalie prepares to embark on a promotional tour for her new book, she stops back home to spend Christmas with her family where she unexpectedly begins to experience her own holiday romance as sparks ignite with local firefighter, Chris.

7.       Wrapped Up in Christmas:

A mall manager is tasked with cancelling the leases of underperforming stores at Christmas. She soon discovers that she's falling for a store owner's nephew as he helps his aunt try to get through the holidays.

From cherished classics to uplifting modern stories, these films beautifully embody the essence of Christmas, adding warmth and enchantment to the holiday season.