It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the time being to watch films that bring seasonal joy. Here is a curated list of select classics for holiday cheer.

“A Christmas Story (1983)”

It’s a classic. An effortlessly hilarious and endlessly quotable piece of holiday history. In this adaptation of the works of Jean Shepard, we follow young Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) dealing with the trials and tribulations of adolescence during the most wonderful time of the year. Accompanying him are his two nutjob parents (Darren McGavin & Melinda Dillon) who spice up the film with their quirky but sharp delivery – coupled of course with a witty screenplay to top the whole thing off.

It’s always a go-to for my father and me during the holidays and it might just be for you too. If you’ve never experienced “A Christmas Story,”  do yourself a seasonal favor and watch this as soon as you can.

(“A Christmas Story” is streaming on Hulu and HBO Max)

“Planes, Trains, & Automobiles (1987)”

In this John Hughes staple of American-rooted entertainment, we follow an uptight businessman (Steve Martin) on his way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Takes a misguided flight evading his destination, forcing him to tag along with a talkative curtains salesman (John Candy) to embark on a road trip like no other.

Hughes (previously responsible for “The Breakfast Club” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”) takes the conventional road movie structure and impressively overlaps it with the universally enjoyable backdrop of holiday cheer. As Hughes’ signature filmmaking style seems to be complacent with stark comedies or dramas, “Planes, Trains, & Automobiles” breaks typical dramedy structure and opps as a transitional gradient from one genre to the other. Acting almost as an emotional journey, similar to the characters in the film. Genuinely funny and fantastically paced, this is a must-see this month.

It’s a delightfully rambunctious and surprisingly well-written character tale that offers way more than meets the eye. 

(“Planes, Trains, & Automobiles” is streaming on Hulu)

“Carol (2015)”

Todd Haynes’ holiday romance is unconventionally sweet and melancholic.

Cate Blanchett plays an oh-so familiar unsatisfied housewife who ventures to secure the heart of her newfound love, a store clerk played by Rooney Mara. Swiftly sketches against a backdrop of the 1952 Christmas season, “Carol” is a daring Christmas-romance. 

Shot on 16mm, the film’s visual language transpires past-cinema’s glory days, giving the film an authentic ‘oldie style’. The colors are dynamic and soothing to the eye, helped only more by the fantastic use of seasonally accurate production design. There’s never been a holiday film (or LGBTQ+ oriented film for that matter) that has brushed uniqueness onto a clean canvas quite like “Carol.” This myopically portrayed and dazzlingly passionate tale of love is an essential for anyone interested in boundary-pushing holiday movies.

(“Carol” is streaming on Amazon Prime and MUBI) 

“Phantom Thread (2017)”

Not a definitive holiday film by any means but it totally fits the winter spirit. 

A wealthy and refined dress designer in 1950s London (Daniel Day-Lewis) finds his muse in a waitress (Vicky Krieps) and the two develop a romantic relationship. They soon learn their Victorian love comes with an expensive cost, much more taxing than any voguish dress.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s exquisitely trimmed tale of a twisted relationship against the brash British countryside is a cautionary tale of control and longing. But don’t be fooled, it is its meandering overdramatics and beyond elegant imagery that make it a pleasurable watch – especially for the holidays. It even takes place during Christmas!

Never before has a film catered such divine aesthetics in recent years like “Phantom Thread”. Leave to a master like Anderson to craft a harsh, toxic dynamic amidst a beautifully shot winter wonderland. Jonny Greenwood’s soundtrack adds more to the aura than you can even imagine.

It’s a perfect film in my eyes and a great December viewing, no doubt.

(“Phantom Thread” is streaming on Amazon Prime) 

There you have it! A comfy, wintry movie watchlist perfect for this peculiar holiday season. Happy viewing.

(Every film on this list is available to rent on Amazon.)