One of the most popular traditions during the holiday season is watching festive movies. Holiday movies set the mood for the winter season, as you can sit down in a cozy room and enjoy the company of others or just the festivity that’s brought upon by the movies. From Christmas-themed films to general films that take place during winter, there are a variety of movies suitable for the holidays.
To get to know the staff of West Covina High School better, staff responded to a Google Form, answering what their favorite holiday movie was. The form got a total of 38 responses. The top six most recommended holiday movies among staff are “Home Alone”, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “White Christmas”, “Elf”, “The Polar Express” and “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”. Each movie has its own meaning in expressing holiday spirit. The most popular of them all is “Home Alone”, but specifically the first movie.
- “Home Alone” (1990)
“Home Alone” (1990) is a holiday comedy that follows Kevin, an 8 year old boy who finds himself in trouble with his family the day before vacation, leading to him wishing that his whole family forgetting about him and goes on vacation without him. The movie captures his adventure being home alone during the holidays, fending off two intruders.
“Home Alone” is the holiday movie that was the most recommended. Six out of 38 staff members chose this movie as their favorite. A classic holiday movie that’s widely known, it’s rated 7.7/10 stars, according to IMDb (The Internet Movie Database). The story follows Kevin, an eight-year-old boy, who had an argument with his mother and hoped his family would be gone during the holidays. Then, the next day, the whole family got on a flight for their holiday vacation, forgetting about Kevin and leaving him home alone. This holiday comedy movie highlights Kevin’s adventures being alone for the holidays, going from joyful to afraid when two burglars try to break into his house. The movie, overall, is popular as it was a relatable movie suitable for all ages.
“We didn’t have many… good movies, to start with, and… also, younger generation, appropriate movies to watch. So I think that was why it was popular. I think most of us kind of grew up in that family of everybody running around doing crazy stuff during the holidays,” history teacher Phuong Hoang said.
- “It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946)
“It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946) is a holiday romance that follows George Bailey, a banker who reaches a low financial point, and is blessed by an angel that allows him to rise back up and find his value in life.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” was chosen as the best holiday movie by five staff members. This old, but classic holiday movie is especially popular among the staff. The movie is rated 8.6/10 stars on IMDb, highly favored by many. The story brings out the emotions with George Bailey, a kind man who reaches the lowest point in his life on Christmas Eve, however, an angel sent from Heaven guides him to a better path, helping him see the value in his own life. This movie brings out themes of joy and spirit on Christmas day.
“I love that the main character, Stuart, he knew so many people and the movie, it just goes to show you that it means so much to just be the person you are and that for the people at the end of the movie, to come together and help him to bail him out with the bad thing that happened in the movie, which was not right. And it’s just how much true friends and family, and everything means in the spirit of Christmas,” front office lady Sylvia Sanchez said.
- “White Christmas” (1954)
“White Christmas” (1954) is a holiday musical that sparks holiday joy with its message and songs.
“White Christmas” is a classic, loved among the older generations. Its release in 1954 attracted an audience of older age, but it can be enjoyed by all. It’s voted as “favorite holiday movie” by five staff members.
“It’s been a tradition in my family. We watched White Christmas since I was a kid. It’s just totally Christmas vibes. The music and the story is really good–about saving an old man’s Christmas,” math teacher Alex Lohman said.
The movie is rated 7.6/10 stars on IMDb, keeping its well reputation for 70 years. White Christmas is a holiday musical that follows Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who were both in the army and after World War 2, became performers. The two men met Betty and Judy Haynes, who were also performers. Together, they created a big Christmas show, bonding through holiday spirits and their intention of attracting guests for their army general.
- “Elf” (2003)
“Elf” (2003) is a holiday comedy that follows Buddy, a human that grew up with elves. The movie presents a humorous and festive adventure of Buddy trying to find his biological father.
“Elf”, a holiday comedy movie, is one of the most popular picks for holiday films to watch, gaining four votes from staff as “favorite holiday movie”. The movie features Christmas-themed elements like elves and presents, promoting Christmas spirit for those who celebrate. The movie is rated 7.1/10 stars in IMDb. The story follows Buddy, an elf who was giant compared to other elves. Buddy soon finds out that he’s actually human, and throughout the movie, he goes on a journey to find his father.
“I really like some of the hilarious scenes, and I really like just the positive attitude and I like that it’s set in New York because New York is one of my favorite places,” English teacher Lucie Pelleriti said.
- “The Polar Express” (2004)
“The Polar Express” (2004) is a fantasy holiday movie that unfolds a magical train ride to the North Pole. The train helps fix the children’s mindsets on Christmas and its existence.
“The Polar Express” is an animated holiday movie that’s rated 6.6/10 stars on IMDb. Its entertaining to watch for a younger audience due to its storyline. In addition, three staff members picked the movie as their favorite. “The Polar Express” follows a young boy who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, he’s awakened by a magical train called “The Polar Express”, heading to the North Pole. The boy hops on, finding many children who also boarded the train. When arriving at the North Pole, the boy sees Santa, who gives him a special silver bell. The movie goes through a long adventure of helping the boy believe in the magic of Christmas.
“I live in front of railroad tracks, and the Metrolink would come by during Christmas time and have Christmas lights. And it was always like, oh, it’s like a Polar Express, especially as a kid. It brought back a lot of memories. And when I first read the book and it was about the time where I was like doubting my belief in Santa, and I was like, oh, and it kept me believing in Santa a bit longer,” math teacher Rosalyn Reyes said.
The story’s message highlights its impact on kids as it helps keep their innocence of believing in Santa’s existence.
- “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)
“How The Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000) is a holiday fantasy movie that embeds the importance of celebrating Christmas with people you love. The story’s message resonates with a lot of people, along with its iconic characters: The Grinch and Cindy Lou.
The holiday movie that was voted as “favorite holiday movie” by three staff members was “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”. The movie is rated 6.4/10 stars on IMDb. “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” is a movie that’s loved due to its iconic character, “The Grinch”. The story begins with The Grinch, a lonely and grumpy creature, who absolutely despised Christmas due to his past; being excluded on this holiday that’s celebrated with people. On the contrary, the “Whos” of the town of Whoville love Christmas and decided to make Christmas a bigger and jollier experience. However, the Grinch was not invited again. Irritated by this, he decides to put an end to this tradition by attempting to steal Christmas. Through the movie, he finds his heart to see the joy and passion Christmas brings and develops a change of heart for the holiday.
“I love the whole message of ‘What is Christmas about?’ You know, Christmas is not about making and buying the most expensive gifts. Christmas and the holidays, just in general, is about being together, being there for each other, making sure that people aren’t alone. So that probably need someone, like you’re there for that person,” dance teacher Andrea Williams said.
