Few joys are as precious as the time spent together with loved ones over the festive season. It never really matters what you’re doing with them per se; be it harmonising to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’; gathering for a round of the annual gift exchange; or simply playing catch-up with each other. Yet amid the endless highs of all those get-togethers, the allure of an intimate home affair would hardly be lost on anyone. For sometimes, all you really need is to snuggle up with the few who matter most, and relish in the magic of the season.
To make it all the more worthwhile, your precious hours spent indoors should be spent wisely. And to the team at Vogue Singapore, the verdict stands that there’s only one right way to do that: putting on a Christmas film. Better yet when it’s a film you’ve rewatched over and over again; your ultimate go-to when the festive period swings around. To some, it might be the cloudy romance of Love Actually that gets you feeling like a soppy human being. There’s also those who love to lean into the cosy, wintry mood, opting for the quiet charm of a film like The Polar Express. Whilst others simply won’t count it as Christmas time at all if they haven’t ‘Jingle Bell Rock’-ed the Mean Girls way.
So as the festive fervour rages on, we found it apt to look inwards, and discover the Christmas films that have never failed to warm our hearts every time the joyous season comes around. Below, the team’s all-time favourite films to watch during the holidays; some sharing a knack for mindless comedy; some revealing the hopeless romantic from within; and others, strong believers in a good classic.
1 / 14
Desmond Lim, editor-in-chief
All-time festive film: Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
“A feel-good movie that makes you question your life choices. Whatever more could you ask for?”
2 / 14
Alli Sim, beauty director
All-time festive film: Elf (2003)
““Santa’s coming! I know him! I know him!” Watching Elf is an annual tradition for my family every Christmas. It’s a feel-good classic that never gets old.”
3 / 14
Emily Heng, associate beauty editor
All-time festive film: Die Hard (1988)
“You can’t go wrong with any of the movies from the Die Hard franchise, but the original Die Hard movie still reigns supreme in terms of entertainment value and festive fun. What better way to ring in the new year than with a series of high-speed car chases and explosions?”
4 / 14
Janice Sim, digital editor
All-time festive film: How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
“Those who have yet to see the 2000 classic, might think it’s the antithesis to Christmas, disguised in a huge hilarious green furcoat. However the film doesn’t just hold weight in the arena of slapstick comedy, but ages well in today’s current times—where Christmas is chalked up to a nauseating season of gift-giving. And in the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss, the film transports you to a different realm, in the wintry universe of a fictional town replete with odd creatures. Not only will Jim Carrey’s macabre sense of humour keep you entertained, the Christmas fuzzies will certainly hit once they cue Faith Hill’s ‘Where Are You Christmas’.”
5 / 14
Nicholas See, fashion stylist
All-time festive film: After Life (1998)
“A different kind of Christmas film, Hirokazu Koreeda’s After Life is a great way to end the year. The film’s approach is full of humanity with a fantastical premise. At its core, it ponders about the significance of personal memory and how it informs a sense of self for many.”
6 / 14
Chandreyee Ray, associate lifestyle editor
All-time festive film: Om Shanti Om (2007)
“This modern Bollywood classic may not look like a Christmas movie on the surface, but it has all the fixings of a perfect holiday flick. Star-crossed romance, delicious ensemble cast and, of course, just a sprinkle of melodrama.”
7 / 14
Bryan Ho, fashion features writer
All-time festive film: A Christmas Carol (2009)
“I remember watching this as a kid when it was first released, and the film’s messages of love and generosity stuck with me through the years. It’s a timeless classic that will never grow old, and re-watching it always reminds me of what is truly important in life—which is the relationships we have with ourself and our loved ones.”
8 / 14
Jesslyn Lye, writer
All-time festive film: Eloise at Christmastime (2003)
“A brief introduction to six-year-old Eloise: her needs are few—food (filet mignon), shelter (the penthouse of New York City’s iconic Plaza Hotel) and clothing (Dior). Through her eyes, the holidays are filled with candy cane sword fights, musical numbers, a hint of espionage, and a lot of pink. I’ve watched this film nearly every Christmas since I was Eloise’s age, and it remains my favourite holiday movie to this day.”
9 / 14
Maya Menon, fashion features editor
All-time festive film: Breathless (1960)
“Though not a Christmas film, I first watched Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless during the holidays years ago, and it’s been something I return to time and again. Widely considered to be one of Godard’s best works, I enjoy it for its simplicity and pace. We follow Michel and Patricia—a young criminal and his journalist-to-be beau—as he is on the run after a murder. Stylish, chaotic, and percussive, it never fails to spark a sense of wonder. That, coupled with how slick the cinematography is, always inspires me. It’s been my gateway to French New Wave cinema, which I really enjoy.”
10 / 14
Jasmine Ashvinkumar, fashion stylist
All-time festive film: The Hateful Eight (2015)
“There’s snow, buckets of blood, and it makes me laugh. That’s really all you need for some festive cheer.”
11 / 14
Gordon Ng, watches & jewellery editor
All-time festive film: Klaus (2019)
“When a friend suggested we watch this back in 2019 I will admit I groaned. A Christmas cartoon at our big age? Hoo-boy, was I wrong. Klaus is an absolute visual treat. It’s hand-drawn and animated in a gorgeous old style with lots of atmosphere and character. The story’s a nice twist on the Santa Claus origin myth, but in the just as likely case that you’re looking for something gorgeous to play in the background at your Christmas party, this is one to put on.”
12 / 14
Azrin Tan, digital writer
All-time festive film: Serendipity (2001)
“Almost there, but not quite. It’s the defining trait of Serendipity, the lovelorn film where a series of fortunate accidents happen between two meant-to-be lovers who decide to bank it all on a game of fate . Every now and then, I let myself indulge in the quiet whisper of this soft winter romance—the one that made me a hopeless romantic in the first place.”
13 / 14
Jason Thien, designer
All-time festive film: Home Alone (1990)
“A classic holiday comedy that you will watch over and over again, offering both nostalgic joy and heartwarming moments for all ages.”
14 / 14
David Bay, producer
All-time festive film: Airplane (1980)
“Surely, everyone should be watching this during Christmas. I am serious and don’t call me Shirley.”
