The Christmas season is best spent enjoying time with family and friends. This comes in many forms一a Christmas dinner, gift openings and the most important of all traditions, watching Christmas movies. But what Christmas movies should you actually spend time watching? Bluffton students and faculty share their favorite Christmas movie selections:
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” said Assistant Professor of Social Work Heidi Mercer. “It captures the chaotic stress events of the holidays – present buying, light decorating, and the joy of the in-laws – whilst remembering what the holidays are truly about, being with your loved ones and remembering past times.”
Associate Professor of Social Work Walter Paquin echoed Mercer’s thoughts.
“Not much is funnier than Clark W. Griswold,” said Paquin.
“The Grinch [2000] with Jim Carrey,” said sophomore social work and psychology major Kori Frey. “That’s the one I grew up with, so it’s the one I know and love.”
“The Muppet Christmas Carol,” said senior English education major Emily Rush. “I watch it every year with my family.”
Senior biology major Katelyn Amstutz said her favorite is How the Grinch Stole Christmas [1966]. “It’s just a classic. I don’t have any other reason than that,” she said.
“My favorite Christmas Movie is Annabelle’s Wish,” said junior early childhood education major Loagan Neal. “It’s all about the animals showing true Christmas spirit.”
“The Polar Express,” said first-year convergent media major Elijah McNeal. “The reason I say The Polar Express is because of the narrative it tells and the journey that it brings us through. It has wonderful animation and it has great voice acting throughout the entire film.”
Senior business administration major Dan Gregg said his pick for favorite Christmas movie is It’s a Wonderful Life. “It just makes you reevaluate life and how important friendships are,” he said.
“Jack Frost [1998],” said senior art and writing major Brista Drake. “It’s such an emotional movie where Michael Keaton does such a wonderful job at playing the father figure, and I cry every time.”
Not-so-honorable mentions, according to students and faculty
While it’s in the spirit of Christmas to spread joy, not every Christmas movie is good. Some are absolutely awful, in fact, but which ones are the worst, and why?
“Love, Actually,” said Assistant Professor of Religion Jackie Wyse-Rhodes. “It normalizes creepy behavior by men, objectifies women in various ways, and engages in pretty horrific body shaming.”
Paquin said his least favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story. “My nephews used to watch this over and over each year and it’s like nails on a chalkboard to me,” he said.
“The [2000] remake of The Grinch – haven’t seen the newest one, however” said Mercer. “You just don’t mess with the 1966 classic and my kids get freaked out every time they see Jim Carrey’s face as the Grinch.”
“The Nightmare Before Christmas,” said McNeal. “Even though the movie as a whole is pretty good, it’s not particularly a Christmas movie. Since it’s like half Halloween and half Christmas, I’d say it’s the worst one.”
Drake cited Krampus as the worst Christmas movie. “I don’t believe it brings the holiday spirit to Christmas. They’re just using Christmas themes during the holiday.”
“Elf, because I don’t like how many terrible decisions he makes,” said Amstutz.
Neal shares Amstutz’s thoughts.
“One, I just don’t like Will Ferrell in general,” Neal said. “Two, I feel like it just doesn’t show true Christmas spirit, and it’s just tacky in my opinion.”
“Basically any Hallmark movie,” said Rush. “They’re predictable but you still watch them anyway.”
Frey said her least favorite is How the Grinch Stole Christmas [1966]. “I just don’t like it, I don’t think it has the same dynamic as the [2000] version.”
“I’m not a huge fan of White Christmas,” said Gregg. “It’s kind of generic and it’s not that great of a storyline.”
Over winter break, there are lots of ways to relax. If you and your family gather around to watch a movie, consider these movies as suggestions. Pick from either list, depending on if you want to be naughty or nice.
