Must-see holiday movies for your watchlist

It’s the perfect time of year to gather your loved ones, pop some popcorn, and ease into the season with some top-tier movies all about decking the halls. Here are some picks both new and old to make your list this year.

Boxing Day

Born from Jamaican and Vincenctian parents, Aml Ameen’s 2021 family film is based on his experience growing up with a Caribbean family in England. If you’re past Christmas day and still feeling festive, Boxing Day is fitting choice for a heart-warming, yet hilarious comedy.

Blackjack Christmas

This story of two sisters is sure to resonate. Both born and raised in Jamaica, but one decides to live in the states. They come together in their homeland for the holidays. Tensions arise, but at the end of the day, it’s a movie that highlights the importance of a strong family bond no matter the distance.

The Holdovers

This 2023 film about an unlikely pair coming together on Christmas was a critical darling, and made the cut for The Gleaner’s top-10 films of last year. Perfect for anyone who’s having a hard time finding the festive spirit after a difficult year.

A Muppet Christmas Carol

There’s always room for the classics, especially when those classics have iconic characters. The Muppets take the Charles Dickens original and adding puppets made of felt, only makes it more heartfelt.

Home Alone/Home Alone 2

This choice is a two for one, because you really can’t watch one without the other. This duology of Kevin McCallister’s reign of violent self-defence has just the right mix of slapstick physical comedy, and a strong emotional centre. Truly fun for the whole family.

Here are some favourite picks from some of our biggest stars in the film industry:

1. Jackie Jackson– film commissioner of Jamaica

“It’s between This Christmas and Die Hard. Die Hard I would watch with my father all the time, and This Christmas because it represents the perfect dysfunctional happy family. I also want to shout out Time Heals (A Jamaican Christmas Story) which made its début last year. Such a sweet short film.”

2. Saeed Thomas– director and writer

“Definitely Home Alone because I think it’s a classic holiday film with a very good story. How The Grinch Stole Christmas, I think Jim Carrey was very good in it, This Christmas is good for seeing your own people and it brings out the joy of Christmas. Last one is Harry Potter. Very strong Christmas themes, especially the first two.”

3.Tanya Batson-Savage– writer and co-founder of Have a Bawl Productions.

“The only real choice is Die Hard. I have nothing else I watch at Christmas. Die Hard is an iconic action movie that broke the mould on what a Christmas movie could be. I love it and if you want a nice action vibe, no children allowed, it’s a great movie to watch.”

4.Nadean Rawlins– president of Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA)

“It has to be both Home Alone movies. Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost In New York. You start in the morning with the first one, then go have some lunch and come back to watch the sequel. I have to watch Home Alone during Christmas or at least the week of Christmas.”

Damian Levy is a film critic and podcaster for Damian Michael Movies.