Christmas Movie Guide: Top Picks for Cinema and Streaming with Popcorn for a Cozy Weekend.
"That Christmas" (UK, directed by Simon Otto)
Where to watch: Netflix
Festive preparations in a picturesque seaside town are interrupted by a terrible blizzard, trapping even Santa Claus. However, no obstacles can deter the friendly community that believes in the spirit of Christmas. This is the latest film in our collection — an animated feature with voice talents from British theater stars Brian Cox (series "Succession"), Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker (series "Black Mirror," "Doctor Who"), and Bill Nighy.
"Robin's Nest" (UK, USA, directed by Dan Ojari and Mikey Please)
Where to watch: Netflix
A mouse family has raised a little bird, and now, as the bird becomes a teenager, its differences from the rest of the family become increasingly apparent. Whether it discovers its origins and whether parenthood is solely defined by blood ties is revealed in this charming film created using stop-motion animation.
"The Nightmare Before Christmas" (USA, directed by Henry Selick)
Where to watch: Megogo
Another film in this technique is the cult musical "The Nightmare Before Christmas," conceived by the legendary director Tim Burton. This spooky animated film is equally suitable for Halloween — in fact, that's the name of the mystical town whose ruler decides to destroy Christmas forever. It's a stylish and funny film, but its dark nature makes it more of an exception in our festive selection.
"The Man Who Invented Christmas" (Canada, Ireland, directed by Bharat Nalluri)
Where to watch: Megogo
The theme of Christmas being stolen fits well within the canon established by Charles Dickens. The works of the 19th-century British author have the most adaptations, making it difficult to choose just one film from many wonderful adaptations. In this list, we suggest watching a comedic biopic about Dickens himself and his journey to create "A Christmas Carol."
"The Grinch" (USA, directed by Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier)
Where to watch: Megogo, Netflix
If anyone can rival Dickens in influencing the image of Christmas in modern Western culture, it's American children's author Dr. Seuss with his bestseller "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" Outshining the 2000 film featuring Jim Carrey is no small feat, but the creators of the new animated adaptation have managed to stand up to this holiday classic — not to mention the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch as the Grinch.
"Lightning and Christmas" (Ukraine, directed by Mykola Nosok)
Where to watch: cinemas
For those interested in learning more about Ukrainian holiday traditions, we recommend a documentary by Ukraïner, capturing two winter celebrations in 2022 — before and after the full-scale invasion. Initially, we see authentic rituals in Bukovina, and the following winter, ancient customs return to the liberated territories of Slobozhanshchyna.
"My Thoughts Are Quiet" (Ukraine, directed by Antonio Lukich)
Where to watch: Takflix, Megogo, SweetTV, KyivstarTV
Although the film primarily features summer and autumn landscapes, the finale of this comedy, which coincides with the holiday, remarkably captures the spirit of Christmas and familial closeness even across state borders — a theme that resonates with an increasing number of Ukrainians today.
"Little Women" (USA, directed by Gillian Armstrong)
Where to watch: Netflix, AppleTV, YouTube
A few years ago, we recommended Greta Gerwig's "Little Women," and this time we suggest a slightly older adaptation of the same title from the mid-19th century. At the very least, for the scenes depicting Christmas celebrations during the Civil War in the United States.
The cast here is equally star-studded: Susan Sarandon ("The Rocky Horror Picture Show," "Thelma & Louise"), Winona Ryder ("Night on Earth," "Stranger Things"), Christian Bale ("American Psycho," "Batman" trilogy), Kirsten Dunst ("The Virgin Suicides," "Melancholia"), and others. The 1994 film was once regarded as a benchmark adaptation of the great American novel, though we encourage you to also revisit the 2019 film to compare how modern feminist perspectives allow for a fresh take on the classic story.
"Tangerine" (USA, directed by Sean Baker)
Where to watch: AppleTV
Continuing the theme of contemporary plots in Christmas settings, we recall the independent film from 2015, shot entirely on a fifth-generation iPhone. The comedy revolves around the criminal romantic escapades of a transgender sex worker in Hollywood, who, upon being released from prison, discovers that her boyfriend has been unfaithful. The film is filled with sex, drugs, and dark humor, making it unsuitable for family viewing, but definitely worth the attention of cinephiles.
"White Christmas" — "Black Mirror" episode (UK, directed by Karl Tibbetts)
Where to watch: Netflix
We conclude the selection with something unexpected. Science fiction enthusiasts will surely appreciate the special Christmas episode of the second season of "Black Mirror" — its creator Charlie Brooker transforms the holiday into a conversation between two men, the silence of whom has concealed a terrible past for years.