The best Christmas movies for every mood

Best movies to feel fancy

“Metropolitan” (1990): Who among us hasn’t dreamed of making a debut season in New York? Maybe you shouldn’t answer this, but Whit Stillman’s “Metropolitan,” about a few privileged youngsters on the Upper East Side, is the ideal movie to turn on when you’re in the mood for something that feels like a classy night out, but t calls for the white tie and prom dresses to be broken out. (Streaming on Criterion, MAX, Hulu and Prime Video) —Bahr

Best performance next to felt

“A Muppets Christmas Carol” (1992): It’s one thing to do Dickens with other people. But Michael Caine gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Ebenezer Scrooge, sharing the screen with the likes of Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew. To be fair though, Gonzo the Great and Rizzo the Rat are also really good at this. (Streaming on Disney+) — Coyle

Best Christmas shout

“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” (1964): Jacques Demy’s technicolor musical isn’t set exclusively for Christmas, but its tear-jerking final scene at the snowy gas station is enough for me. The entire candy-colored experience, from Catherine Deneuve’s whimsical bows to Michel Legrand’s sweeping, melancholic score, feels just right around the holidays. (Streaming on The Criterion Channel) —Bahr

The best LA Christmas movie

“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”: Christmas time traditions don’t usually include a motormouth Robert Downey Jr., but Shane Black’s 2005 neo-noir black comedy is worth revisiting over the years, whether it technically qualifies as a Christmas movie or not. In “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” about a thief turned actor in Los Angeles, Christmas is more of a decorative ornament, ironically set against all the deliciously unhealthy creepiness. (Available for digital rental) — Coyle

Best House Swap Fantasy

“The Holiday” (2006): Ok, so the cozy English cottage isn’t real, but what is? The premise? Romances? Cameron Diaz sprinting through snowy fields and country roads in stilettos? Mr. Napkin head? (Actually, maybe Mr. Napkinhead). The thing is, it doesn’t matter, does it? Nancy Meyers’ romantic fantasy never tries to be anything but a lovely movie, a little too serious, a little too glossy, and an unabashed ode to the classic films Meyers loves right down to Eli Wallach, who taught a new generation about “meet cute.” .” (Streaming on Hulu and Prime Video) —Bahr

A Great Christmas Thriller Not Called “Die Hard”

“Three Days of the Condor”: I’ll take any excuse to revisit Sydney Pollack’s 1975 spy thriller with Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway. But just like in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”, the Christmas backdrop is not accidental. If the holidays are the ultimate time for togetherness, “Three Days of the Condor” questions what that means in a post-Watergate world. (Streaming on Paramount+) — Coyle

Best recent children’s Christmas movie

“Klaus”: There is such a steady stream of mediocre or worse holiday movies that it can be easy to miss when a gem comes along. Sergio Pablos’ 2019 animated Netflix film was basically an origin story for Santa in the form of a desperate postman stationed in a remote northern village. Further proof, along with “Miracle on 34th Street,” that the best Christmas movies depend on the postal service. (Streaming on Netflix) — Coyle

For the under five set

“Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas” (2021): At only 30 minutes, this is the perfect movie for the little ones in the house. It’s cute, fun and adventurous and not even a little bit scary (unless you fear flying sleds and faulty recipes). (Streaming on Netflix) —Bahr

Best movie in regular holiday season

“Nobody’s Fool”: Robert Benton’s 1994 Richard Russo adaptation, starring Paul Newman, spans Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. And while it covers Christmas, the richness of “Nobody’s Fool” exceeds its vaguely Christmas setting. It’s a film more about small-town day-to-day struggles and long-term regrets, but its warmth can match any of the more traditional Christmas movies, and then some. It owes a lot to Newman, but there are countless good performances here, including Jessica Tandy (in her last film), an ever better Bruce Willis and a young Phillip Seymour Hoffman as a stealthy police officer. It makes me happy just thinking about it. (Streaming on Kanopy, Available for Digital Rental) — Coyle

For midcentury style and heartache

“Carol” (2015): Even if Rooney Mara didn’t catch Cate Blanchett’s eye while wearing a Santa hat behind the counter of a Manhattan department store, Todd Haynes’ “Carol” would still be one of the loveliest, most tender Christmases . movies all around. Romance, heartbreak, plaids and martinis, “Carol” is really thrown out of space. (Streaming on Netflix, Paramount+ and MUBI) —Bahr

The ultimate TCM Christmas movie

“Christmas in Connecticut” (1945): You don’t have to watch it on TCM, but it’s certainly an appropriate place to catch this 1945 screwball classic starring Barbara Stanwyck. She plays a popular homegrown columnist whose fake persona as a family woman with a Connecticut farm is challenged when her boss (Sydney Greenstreet) comes to Christmas dinner. As a rule, it is good to see everything with Greenstreet. But the central notion of “Christmas in Connecticut” — that the perfect Christmas is a lie and not that much fun — has proven remarkably durable. (Streaming on WatchTCM) — Coyle

For 19th century New England vibes

“Little Women” (1994 and 2019): Gillian Armstrong’s “Little Women” just feels like Christmas. Maybe part of it is because it came out around the holidays 30 years ago, or that its DVD cover leans into it. But then you remember Beth’s piano, the girls tramping through the snow with their Christmas party, the carol, their father’s return, fireplaces and night cats, and it makes sense. Those who want all this with a side of dancing Chalamet, Greta Gerwig’s version is also there for the taking. (1994 version available for digital rental; 2019 streaming on Hulu) — Bahr

The very best Christmas movie

“The Shop Around the Corner” (1940): You could make a good case for the second Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie. But in the knock-down, drawn-out battle for the Christmas movie title, there is no greater joy than Ernst Lubitsch’s timeless love story. One of the most charming films ever made, in part because it doesn’t shy away from real darkness either. It also makes for a very effective drinking game if you sip something every time someone says “Mr. Matuschek.” (Streaming on WatchTCM and Max) — Coyle

“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947): It’s not even a remote choice, but George Seaton’s “Miracle on 34th Street” stands as the Platonic ideal of a Christmas movie. It’s strikingly modern for something that came out 77 years ago with Maureen O’Hara’s single working mother, Natalie Wood’s precociously cynical New York kid and the litigious and capitalistic culture, and yet it’s all full of hope and holiday spirit (and a healthy amount of shine). capitalism) that takes us from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade through Christmas Day. (Streaming on Disney+, Hulu and Prime Video) — Bahr