Christmas at teclan wouldn’t be complete without a great film to set the mood.
To celebrate the season, the team have each chosen their favourite Christmas movies – a mix of festive classics, unexpected favourites, and films that have become part of their own holiday traditions. From heart-warming stories to high-energy thrillers with a snowy twist, here’s what the teclan team will be watching this Christmas.
Although there’s no rule to say you can’t watch these classics every year, it was so hard just to pick 10 that we’ve also popped in some alternatives if you’ve seen them before!
Scrooge (1951)
A cold-hearted miser played by Alistair Sim is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve, who lead him on a powerful journey of reflection, redemption, and festive renewal. Charles Dicken’s tale has been filmed hundreds of times across the world, including dozens of major film versions.
Fergus: “A timeless story, that underpins my optimistic view that everyone has the potential for change and towards goodness and love, and Scrooge has the good fortune to see what is almost always unseen i.e. our individual emotional wounds we each carry that hold us back from this universal truth.”
If you saw it last year: There’s a version of Scrooge from 1970 starring Alec Guinness, or Bill Murray’s zany twist on it, Scrooged.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Dickens’ festive classic gets the Muppet treatment, blending humour, music, and heartfelt lessons about kindness and generosity with Michael Caine even singing at one point.
Drew: “Fergus picked the 1951 version but this might even be a superior version of the story.”
If you saw it last year: Try another classic family musical that may not be Christmassy but is a staple of the festive TV schedules, Singing in the Rain.
Die Hard (1988)
On Christmas Eve, a lone New York cop finds himself battling terrorists inside a Los Angeles skyscraper, turning a holiday reunion into an explosive fight for survival. Crooner Frank Sinatra was offered the lead role, having starred in an earlier film based on the same source novel.
Stephen: “We always love an action movie and it has been a staple viewing around Christmas every year.”
If you saw it last year: Lethal Weapon – also a Christmas movie, it has a fight in a Christmas Tree market! Or Die Hard 2 which has more snow!
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Separated from his family once again, hapless Kevin McCallister enjoys a Christmas adventure in New York City while cleverly outsmarting two familiar villains. Features a cameo from the current president of the USA, whose acting skills are as you’d expect.
Joel: It’s ridiculous, funny and undeniably a classic for many people. Grew up watching it on repeat, even if it came on TV at random times of the year!
If you saw it last year: The first Home Alone or Deck the Halls both offer similar festive slapstick.
Elf (2003)
Raised at the North Pole, Buddy the Elf heads to New York City to find his real father, spreading cheer, chaos, and Christmas spirit wherever he goes. One of the more modern films to become an instant Christmas Classic and shot Will Ferrell to stardom.
Axel: “It’s my favourite Christmas movie!”
If you saw it last year: Try Kurt Russell as the world’s coolest Santa Claus in The Christmas Chronicles.
The Family Man (2000)
A high-flying executive played by Nicholas Cage is given a magical glimpse of the family life he might have had, discovering what truly matters at Christmas.
Jackie: “I like it because it’s about what could have been. We all make various choices in our lives that lead us down certain paths – a different choice may mean you don’t marry the person you were with at college, you may work as a hot shot banker instead – in this film the main character has a glimpse of the life he could have led if he had made a different choice (plus it’s set around Christmas!).”
If you saw it last year: Go back to the source for alternative reality Christmases, It’s A Wonderful Life.
The Polar Express (2004)
A magical train whisks a young boy to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, taking him on a heart-warming journey of belief and wonder. Almost all the characters are animated versions of Tom Hanks.
Caitlin: “My favourite Christmas film is Polar Express cause it’s tradition to watch it every Christmas Eve and it has that hot chocolate scene which is the best scene ever!”
If you saw it last year: How The Grinch Stole Christmas is another tale aimed at kids but where it’s not all presents and goodwill.
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Amid the bustle of a Budapest shop at Christmas (and made as Europe was at war), two sparring colleagues unknowingly fall in love through anonymous letters. This was the inspiration for the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan film You’ve Got Mail, but don’t hold that against it.
Rory: “It’s like a little black and white hug by the end, with Jimmy Stewart doing Jimmy Stewart things at Christmas time. Plenty of snow and Christmas cheer, but a slight dark edge too.”
If you saw it last year: try The Bishop’s Wife, where Cary Grant plays an angel sent to help David Niven repair his crumbling cathedral and his crumbling marriage.
Love Actually (2003)
A series of interconnected stories unfold in the lead-up to Christmas, exploring love in all its forms as lives cross and emotions collide across London during the festive season. Richard Curtis at his heart-on-sleeve best with a cast of British and Hollywood stars.
Mags: “It is my favourite or The Holiday, but I’ve watched Love Actually more in the last few years. I used to work with Wes Butters who is the radio presenter telling Billy Mac he’s made number one! I love how it tells different stories that are loosely connected, Hugh Grant is so good in it, and we’re all #TeamEmmaThompson obviously.”
If you saw it last year: For another Christmas romance it has to be The Holiday, obviously!
Black Christmas (1974)
During the Christmas holidays, a group of sorority sisters find their festive season turning into a nightmare as a sinister presence stalks their house, making anonymous phone calls and striking without warning. One of the earliest slasher movies from the early days of the genre.
Adrian: “Christmas things didn’t need to be snowy in Australia so I didn’t pay much attention to the classics growing up, but this one has a festive flavour. The remake is not as good!”
If you saw it last year: This film is so obscure it’s unlikely, but you could try Violent Night where Santa dispatches the baddies with his own brand of vicious justice!
