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Christmas motion-picture show are a contentious case , and everyone has their favorite , but there are some that are so iconic that they deserve a spot among thegreatest movies of all time . These are the Christmas picture that will always feel an audience , that inspire and leave a seasonally - appropriate glad feeling in their viewer . moving picture put at Christmastime that do n’t have Christmas as a major focus also get a mention ( which should please fans ofDie Hard ! ) .
New holiday moving picture are released every class . They used to be full-grown theatrical events , but with the rise in popularity of cyclosis services , waft have gotten in on the action . Disney Plus hasNoelle , Apple hasSpirited , Netflix hasFalling For Christmas , etc . While these modern take are fun , it takes a stack to be named among the salutary Christmas picture show of all clip , andmost of the best are tried and honest classics .
Disney+ is quick for the vacation season . These picture show are the best pick for Christmas view on the streamer for the whole crime syndicate .
Best Family Christmas Movies
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Cast
Originally airing in 1966,How The Grinch Stole Christmashas since spawned an animated and a live - action full - distance feature film , but the original remains the most iconic . It isbased on the 1957 children ’s book by Dr. Seuss , and is narrated throughout by the incomparable Boris Karloff ( who also voices the Grinch ) . In many ways , this is a deceptively uncomplicated story : the Grinch is a mean sometime thing who hates Christmas , and seek to steal it , only to learn that Christmas is something that can not be stolen , and has a change of heart . However , the animation manages to imbue that tale with so much emotion that there is seldom a dry centre to be feel when the Grinch ’s heart grow three sizes .
This is also an idealistic movie for the whole kinsperson , as any age can watch it , and has a message that becomes more and more remindful each year - that presents , intellectual nourishment , and things that can be bought are endearing , but they are not what matter at Christmastime .
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Thisadaptation ofA Christmas Carolstands out in a tidy sum of adaptationsof the Dickens novel ( including the 1938 interlingual rendition made in the gilded eld of Hollywood , the telly movie starring Patrick Stewart as Scrooge ( 1999 ) , and the most late interlingual rendition , starring Jim Carrey ) . meld the classic tale with these darling creature , this film seesKermit , Miss Piggy , and the gang up against Michael Caine as Scrooge .
There are flock of songs ( that many probably know by ticker ) , hilarious quip from favorite characters , and nod to the hearing that make this production truly unique and special . Seeing Kermit and Miss Piggy together again will have farseeing - time fans sighing with nostalgia , and even family members who seldom watchedThe Muppet Showwill apprise this precious and colorful take on the classic .
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Released in 1965 , A Charlie Brown Christmas is an animated holiday television flick direct by Bill Melendez . The Peanuts gang are work together during the Christmas season when Charlie Brown is select to lead a holiday Christmas dramatic play for his neighborhood . Despite his depressive disorder during the time of year , the group comes together to create a memorable Christmas upshot .
This 1965 Christmas shortstop has become one of the most iconic Christmas picture show ever made , even for those who are not familiar with ( or big lover of ) the original Peanuts comic striptease and cartoons . A Charlie Brown Christmashits all the heavy Christmas beats : the importance of heart and aim over expensive thing and consumerism as a whole , friends and family come together , and a central character learning a example about how get laid he really is .
The living style is typical , and the characters may be caricatures or personality traits , but that is all part of what makes this short photographic film so beloved - its ethnic intimacy . Some modern viewer may , however , be less impressed with the percipient spiritual overtones of the film . When Linus admit middle microscope stage to talk about the ' rightful meaning of Christmas , Charlie Brown ' , he blab about the annunciation to the shepherd in the Nativity of Jesus . Unlike most modern Christmas picture , that put the focus on a more worldly coming - together of friends and family , this is a absolved Christian message . However , it is a classic , even for laic family .
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer is a 1964 animated goggle box special direct by Larry Roemer . The story follows a young reindeer named Rudolph , ostracise by his peer due to his shine violent nose . As Rudolph ventures through the North Pole , he receive various characters include Hermey the elf and Yukon Cornelius , ultimately get his place within Santa Claus ’s reindeer squad . The special has become a classic , particularly during the Christmas season .
Technically a stop - motion revivify TV Special , rather than a feature film film , this is still one of a smattering of Christmas special from the ' 60s that have remained annual classics for 10 . ground ( very loosely ) on the iconic song of the same name , Rudolph The Red - Nosed Reindeerexpands on the Christmas ditty , excuse Rudolph ’s childhoodas an castaway due to his nose , his family and friends , the reindeer education to pull Santa ’s sleigh , and how Rudolph came to spare the twenty-four hours . The special also goes beyond the Sung , to create a earthly concern where he bunk off with an extremely low frequency , and hybridizing paths with colorful fictional character let in misfit plaything , an abominable snowman , and a gold prospector .
The quirks of the celluloid are what make it so memorable ; while there is plenty of seasonal schmaltz to enjoy , it ’s present moment like meet an brownie who wants to be a dentist , and a monster with a sore tooth , that bring up the temper - and real worked up pull to the idea of so many unlike characters who feel unwanted in their own ways , and who find their own room home .
Klaus (2019)
Klausis a beautiful , andtruly singular take on the common Christmas narration . laid in nineteenth C Norway , it follows Jesper Johansen ( the spoiled son of a rich man ) as he is sent to a remote Northern townspeople - and in the physical process of seek to save his inheritance , discovers the meaning of Christmas - with the assistance of a reclusive toymaker key out Klaus . While this could so easily be another trite vacation narrative , the fib is handled with delicacy , and it shines as a effect . The animation trend is captivate and singular , and of course , the focus stay on on stories of forgivingness and empathy in an befittingly snowy setting .
The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated lineament , and win a collection of other laurels on going .
Home Alone (1990)
One of the most iconic Christmas movies of the 90 , Home Alonecontinues to be a peculiarly ridiculousChristmas classic - even if not all of it holds up today . The first in the Home Alone enfranchisement , this 1990 family moving picture starts with a young Kevin McCallister being unexpectedly left behind when his extended family take off for a Paris vacation together . In and of itself , it ’s a premiss that promise wish fulfilment for kids who would hump to have ultimate freedom over the holiday time of year . However , the pic really gets exit with the introduction of two pitiful burglars , who are no match for Kevin ’s mousetrap - style booby - traps and gleeful fierceness in assist of protect himself and his rest home .
Home Aloneis slapstick perfection , with trap that should cause major injury only leading to hilarious scrape , and of course , a plucky kid who arrive the ripe of all the grown - ups . It ’s a great comedy for kin who favor a picayune less cheese with their Christmas movies , and the follow - up , Home Alone 2 : suffer In New Yorkis another hilarious addition to the holiday rotation .
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Kurt Russel stars in thisfun Christmas romp with a classical premise- something has gone wrong , and now it ’s up to Santa and some charming child to bring through Christmas ! In this pillow slip , the thing that has proceed wrong is in reality down to the child themselves , as their attempt to capture TV footage of Santa causes him to lose his hat and several nowadays . It ’s a twist that speaks to the approachThe Christmas Chroniclestakes - one that is a piffling more pert than most , and that include some eyebrow raising moments , like Santa stealing a auto !
Despite some of the borderline dark humor , The Christmas Chroniclesis still utterly appropriate for the whole family , and capture the common charm of saving Christmas intent . It was followed in 2020 byThe Christmas Chronicles 2,which bring Russel ’s Claus back to prompt the sometime , more misanthropical kids from the master about the joys of the holiday season .
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Arthur Christmasis not the only movie to hint that ' Santa ' is a genetic claim , and work this premise into a dictation for chronological sequence and ( of course ) a lesson about what ’s really significant in a Santa Claus . The celluloid introduces a Christmas family - with a reigning Claus , a son who wants to succeed him , an elderly ( and now deposed ) GrandSanta , and of class , the nominal young Logos who is the only one who seems to actually care about create children felicitous . The backcloth isa brisk change from the usual twee depictions of the North Pole , with a version that is incredibly high-pitched - technical school and run like a immense corporation - it ’s not a particularly charming take on the location , but it ’s a great take that makes this picture fend out .
The Santa Claus (1994)
Another ' ninety classic that spawned a dealership , Tim Allen’sThe Santa Clausehas led to a further two feature films , a unforesightful flick , and an ongoing TV series - all based on the same concept : thatif Santa die , the person who finds him will become the new Santa Claus . While killing Santa may seem a little dark for a kid - friendly Christmas movie , it ’s quickly glossed over , and the veridical merriment begins as the unhappy Scott Calvin happen upon that he ca n’t get out of his new festive responsibility . Over the course of a year , he battles his newfangled realness , and virtually drop off his boy in the process , but finally finds a way to bosom being Santa ( and yes , save Christmas ) . While a plenty of the beats in the pic are predictable , that ’s not a bad thing - and the clowning delivers , as does the cuteness .
Best Classic Christmas Movies
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Another Christmas classic , this black and white moving picture from the Golden Age of Hollywood is undertake to give the audience the tender and fuzzies . Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey , with a further mold that includes Donna Reed , Lionel Barrymore , and Henry Travers . The taradiddle of George Bailey ( James Stewart ) begin and ends on Christmas Eve , when an angel comes to Earthto aid him find his way and show him the unbelievable difference that every aliveness make to the world .
Henry Travers as Clarence ( the angel ) is the perfect comedic alleviation to balance out the darker moments in the plastic film ( and there are some very dark moments ! ) , winning the hearts of viewers as they rout for George to realise what his liveliness is worth , and Clarence to earn his wings at the end of the cinema . WhileIt ’s A Wonderful Lifewasn’t a striking on release , it has since become iconic , after it fell into the public domain and became the go - to Christmas motion-picture show for TV station to air . Now , the film is one of the most dear Christmas movies of all fourth dimension - and with good intellect .
A Christmas Story (1983)
One for everyone ’s internal kid , this story of Ralphie ( Peter Billingsley ) and his electrocution need to get a Red Ryder BB ordnance for Christmas will remind the audience of the day when a individual natural endowment might make or break their Christmas morning . This classic will definitely put some things in perspective , although the idea of giving a child a throttle ( even a toy one ) for Christmas has n’t aged well . The imagination chronological sequence are perfect examples of what it was to daydream , and while the celluloid shows its age , itincludes some of the most iconic ( and burlesque ) scenes in Christmas movies- the male child with his tongue bond to a pole , the ugliest lamp of all time , and more . It is so iconic that it was added to the National Film Registry in 2012 .
White Christmas (1954)
This romantic melodious funniness from the ' fifty may consist it on a little thick at time , but what else is Christmas for ? Bing Crosby , Danny Kaye , Rosemary Clooney , and Vera - Ellen hotshot in this showbiz tale of new making love and crossed wires , as two producers attempt to help oneself their sometime ground forces General during the holidays . Expect destiny of sometime - school romance and gentle Crosby crooning as the audience hold for the snow to fall and play the deed of conveyance to life . The film is full ofold Hollywood glamor - including over the top costume and bragging strain and saltation numbers .
This can also be seen as a proto - Hallmark picture , with a circle of the chemical element that have since become beloved figure - romanticism that blossom when saving a snowy modest town Inn at the holiday time of year !
White Christmas was also adapt for the leg , with the first performance in 2004 .
Miracle On 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Streetwas the motion-picture show that launched a whole sub - genre of filmsthat question whether or not the chief character is the ' material ' Santa - and as such , merit a place on any holiday watch list . This black and blanched cinema centers on a section store Santa Claus who believes that he is the ' real ' Santa , even if he ca n’t convince the other grown - ups around him . Adding to this , one of the most interesting things about this movie is that by the end , the hearing is still unaware if it was ' real ' , an elaborate hoax , or a man with delusions - which is , of course , the true conjuration of it .
Since release , Miracle on 34th Street has been colorized , redo ( in 1994 ) , turned into a tuner play , a stagecoach show , more than one television receiver serial , and even makes an coming into court in another Christmas movie -Home Alone !
Best Christmas Movies That Aren’t Really Christmas Movies
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmashas a foot in both Halloween and Christmas , with Christmastown and Santa featuring to a great extent , but with a primal cast who live in Halloweentown . Tim Burton play his special brand of gothic whimsy to this melodic vitality about Jack Skellington , and his misguided attempts to have Halloween take over Christmas . ( A message that seems to gain substance each year , as Christmas and Halloween jubilation and plans progressively bleed into each other in stores . )
The music is the biggest standout in the photographic film , and there are even overcompensate version of the Sung dynasty in the album ' Nightmare Revisited ' from artist including Evanescence vocalist Amy Lee , Korn , and The Plain White T ’s . Beyond the songs , the story itself has launch long - lasting ingathering due to relatable characters who find stuck , or immobilise , who require more out of life sentence , and who are seeking love - and finding that they are exactly where they should be .
Die Hard (1988)
Die Hardis an iconic action moving picture in its own right , spawning a huge franchise of five movies , comics , video recording games , and parodies - but it is also celebrated forsparking debate over whether or not it ' numeration ' as a Christmas film . The picture show is set on Christmas Eve , at a Christmas Party , and finish with the hero mystify the lady friend , all of which points to a Christmas classic . However , the real heart of the moving picture has nothing to do with Christmas , as John McClane ( Bruce Willis ) confront off against Hans Gruber ( Alan Rickman ) and his henchmen as they attempt to steal the substance of the vault . It is , in essence , a pure action flick ( with all the blowup and high - octane moment expected ) that just so materialize to take place at Christmas .
Ironically , it seems that the debate about whether or notDie Hardis a Christmas movie is what has cement it as an iconic Christmas movie - and now , many will argue that it ’s not Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from Nakatomi Plaza .
Harry Potter (2001 - 2011)
TheHarry Potterfranchise is synonymous with Christmas for many , although the central secret plan of the films are not in any way concentre on the holiday . However , each of the films does let in a Christmas scene , or series of scenes , that are often especially meaningful . In addition , the wizarding world is one that accommodate the holiday , with its vehemence on magic and spectacle , andthe scenes of the Hogwarts Great Hall are the stuff that Christmas dreaming are made of . From the Yule Ball to Christmas at the Burrow , this is a holiday that is incredibly important toHarry Potter , and it ’s no surprisal that the dealership has become a holiday custom . In addition to the obvious magical elements and Baron Snow of Leicester - covered scenes , Harry Potteris a family - friendly series , and with eight films in total , is a perfect binge - watch over the holiday time of year .
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
This Oscar - name Gothic Latinian language does have a climax at Christmas , and an iconic snow-clad scene , but otherwise does n’t include any of the hallmarks of a Christmas moving picture - but it is a truly beautiful film , and one that is perfect for anyone who wants someChristmas magic without the corniness of a traditional Hallmark movie or rom - com . The flick is a dearest story , between a teenage girl and a lab - created mechanical man with scissor grip or else of hands - and the moving picture point into all the weirdness that come with it . The titular character is an pariah , living in a decrepit mansion where he was created , until he is brought into a small townspeople that has never figure snow . His journey goes from outcast to local celebrity and back again , with a doomed love tale in the center of it all . The lack of snow in the town over Christmas prevents it from finger very gay , but that ’s what makes the iconic ' C. P. Snow ' scene ( where Edward is creating an ice sculpture , causing ' C ' to fall ) becomes all the more impactful as a result .
Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones ' Diarytakes place over the grade of a year , so the Christmas theme is n’t present throughout , however , a few well - known scenes , and the fact that it starts and ends during the vacation , are what make this an honorary Christmas classic . base on the book of the same name , the movie chronicles a year in the life sentence of Bridget Jones ( Renee Zellweger ) as she tries to improve herself and navigate beloved . It ’s a retelling of Pride and Prejudice , with the vacation twist of meeting Mr Darcy at a New Year political party ( in the moving-picture show - in the rule book , this is a post - Christmas dud curry buffet ) , and make believe a New Years Resolution based on his unflattering appraisal of her .
Bridget Jones Diarystands out among read-only storage - coms as hugely popular , thanks in no modest part to the particularly relatable St. Bridget . The movie was awarding gain ground and Oscar - nominate , and follow up by two sequels and composition of a stagecoach melodious adjustment .
Best Christmas Comedies
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Not everyone would debate theNational Lampoonseries of pic to be family - well-disposed , and the comedy unquestionably gets salacious in the mod era , but this particular movie can be revel by a variety of age . That ’s especially rightful for anyone who wantsa shot of what celebrating the holidays might have been like in the 1980s , if everything that can go wrong , does go wrong .
The movie features comedy legends Beverly D’Angelo and Chevy Chase in the lead roles , and it ’s got plenty of slapstick to keep masses express joy . Aspects of it might appear a piddling date over 30 geezerhood later , but at its heart , National Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacationis really about a family who just want to bask their time together .
Bad Santa (2003)
Billy Bob Thornton is a standout in thishilarious , grownup - tailor Christmas comedy about a professional thief who poses as a mall Santaeach year to rob the store . It ’s a phenomenally black and cynical take on the idea of consumerism at Christmas and a character who detest the integral performance - but of line , who finds the true signification of Christmas through a connection with a troubled and lonely kid . While dead nothing about this moving-picture show is mob - friendly ( and it has an gas constant - rating for the copious cuss , sex , and force ) , it still manages to tugboat on the Christmas heartstrings and has a amazingly sweet and inspiring determination .
While there are definitely some jokes in the picture that do not stand the mental test of clock time , the brainy performances and dark comedy of the moving picture lay aside it , and keep it watchable year after year .
Scrooged (1988)
One of dozens of moviesinspired byA Christmas Carolis this ' 80s classic star Bill Murray as a bitter and selfish goggle box executivein need of a object lesson in kindness . Scroogedis one of the few variations on this tale that rearranges it to keep the spirit of the narrative , but brings it fully into the present daylight , making the point that the core lesson ofA Christmas Carolis still one we need to take heed . Of course , by this point , the film is far from ' modern ' , and much of it is outdated , but the central tale bear on to work , and Murray make out to make everything he does incredible , withScroogedbeing no exception .
The movie is funny , touching , and filled with amazing shots of New York at Christmastime , and is a consummate alternative for anyone who wants to enjoy the magic of the original without the catamenia setting . It ’s also a slightly less family - friendly version , than some . It is rated PG-13 , especially for the spirits who are a little more frightening than in most version - however , the FX do n’t quite hold up these days , making some of the ' scarier ' parts more amusing than horrific .
Elf (2003)
Thishilarious slapstick clowning star Will Ferrellhas spawned generations of meme that still do the rounds every December , and is guarantee to have the audience rolling on the level with laugh . Ferrell is pure as Buddy , a son raised as an elf at the North Pole and now on a journey into the human world to incur his father .
Buddy may be completely over the top at times , but his naïveté is utterly wizardly , andElfis intensely quotable . Seeing his completely unfettered joy and excitement over the holiday season will cue watcher not to get too jaded at this time of yr . After all , Santa ’s get along !
The Family Stone (2005)
This holiday rom - com taps beautifully intothe glee ( and strain ) of the mob moral force at Christmastime , and does a beautiful job of balancing the romantic component against the family unit connections to make something really funny and heartfelt , that avoids too many obvious cliche . Sarah Jessica Parker stars as Meredith Morton , a successful adult female who is sound to meet her fellow ’s family for the first time , and who is deeply anxious and stiff about spend the holiday with them . Her boyfriend wants to get an heirloom ring from his mother to pop the question to her , but his family does n’t take to her , and her tense behavior does her no favor with them , with things quickly spiraling out of control in a idiotic room .
The Family Stonehas plenitude of slapstick mood and relies on 2d - hand embarrassment at times , but it also proves a deeply relatable expression at the stress of Christmas and meet ' the parent ' over the holiday season . The film also stands out for featuring two Deaf main characters and LGBTQ histrionics , although neither of these are the stress .
The Night Before (2015)
WhileThe Night Beforeis a stoner comedy that have interracial review , but it include a few ingredient that make it worthy of inclusion - especially as an gas constant - Rated drollery that is complete for adult who want something that is n’t focused on romance or the reliable Meaning of Christmas . rather , this comedy is all about friendship , conform to three life - long best friends who always expend Christmas Eve together , searching for the infamous Nutcracker Ball . The movie takes place as all of their life history are modify , and their Christmas custom is come to a close - and their drug - fuelled jinks in conclusion lead them to the Nutcracker Ball , and to a deeper friendship and cognisance of themselves .
While the laughs may be uneven , one of the most brisk thing about this Seth Rogen funniness is that unlike so many Christmas comedies , it ’s about people who love the vacation , and who really want to spend time together . It care to be uproarious and heartwarming , and it does it with a focus on friends as chosen fellowship .
Best Christmas Rom Coms
The Holiday (2006)
As much a rom - com as a Christmas movie , The Holidayhas a lot to propose beyond the trope of the Hallmark Channel ( enjoyable as they are ) . The celluloid stars Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz as Iris and Amanda , two women who find themselves confront Christmas with broken hearts . alternatively of stick home for the holidays , they decide to swap house , with Iris operate to stay in Amanda ’s stunning LA mansion , and Amanda come to a small English bungalow . Jude Law appears as Iris ’s buddy , who is the lovemaking interest for Amanda , while Jack Black shew that he is more than capable of play a romantic lead himself , as Miles .
The movie has deal of sorcerous twists and misinterpretation , not bad comedy , and a side - plot involving Iris and a retired Hollywood legend , all of which make it so much more than a unsubdivided forked romanticism . The Holidayis satisfying , witching , and uplifting , without being shopworn , and of course , it wrap up up with a perfect Christmas for everyone .
A Christmas Prince (2017)
When Netflix releasedA Christmas Princein 2017 , most assumed that this would be a low - scale Christmas motion-picture show in the Hallmark custom , watch by a few and forgotten by most . or else , it became a cultural phenomenon , with huge succeeder that has since spawned two sequels , with talk of more to come . The incredible popularity of the motion-picture show is in turgid part because it does not assay to do anything wild or unexpected -it is a strictly dulcet and predictable Christmas Romance language , with a Prince , an enemies - to - lover style central trope , a family mystery story , and a relatable heroine . naive realism does n’t have much of a place in the celluloid , and lovingly pointing out error and game holes ( not to cite half - finished sets ) has become a favorite interest of rewatchers .
However , that is part of the charm . A Christmas Princedoesn’t live to challenge viewers , but to charm them , and to make some Christmassy magic of everything proceed on the button as expected , and everyone getting a glad conclusion .
Love Actually (2003)
When a holiday motion picture devotee ca n’t decide which kind of Christmas film to watch , they can just watch them all at once ! This collection of interlinking narration about erotic love at Christmastimebrings together friends , family , new loves , married duet , and missed chances into a beautiful assembling that is the cinematic version of a big warm clinch . Set in London over the six weeks leading up to Christmas , this is an aroused rollercoaster drive , balancing glad and funny love story with instant of eye - wrenching sorrow .
While some taradiddle are a lilliputian ludicrous or not entirely kid - favorable , it ’s all part of the holiday fun . A double-dyed film for couples , this should do a solid job of reminding viewing audience that loveisactually all around …
The Holidate (2020)
After a black Christmas at her parent ’s planetary house , Sloane decides that what she ask is a ' holidate ' - a human beings to expend the vacation with , throughout the class , to avoid the stresses of having to do them single . When she happens to meet a stunning man in the mall ( retrovert terrible endowment , of form ) , she puts her purely platonic , holiday - only plan into action . The movie takes place over the course of the class , as they celebrate everything from St Patrick ’s Day to Valentine ’s Day to the 4th of July together - and no one is surprised when this slowly becomes amorous .
The Holidateis an exercise in how to make figure of speech gratifying , with a spin on the typical ' simulated couple ' trope ( as they are not trying to cozen anyone ) , and a grand gesture at the end of the picture . While it ’s not Christmassy throughout , it ’s a light and charming rom com that is just Christmassy enough .
Happiest Season (2020)
Happiest Seasonis one of the best holiday fixed storage - coms to boast a lesbian twain , with the common comedy of error that are to be expected with a Christmas romance and a grownup secret . Kristen Stewart stars as Abby , who is fit to be drop Christmas with her girl , Harper ( Mackenzie Davis ) , and Harper ’s family . ab initio , it seems like a set up for a straight rom - com about one partner who hates the holidays and one who loves them , but it apace becomes more complex when Harper bring out that she is n’t in reality out to her sept .
What follows is a vivid twist on the usual ' get together the parents ' Christmas movie , which deals attractively with the issue of homophobia and fears around coming out , as well as the pressure to love the holiday season . The motion picture has a great counterpoise of romanticistic plots as well as I that are more implicated with family human relationship ( and mystery ) , and Dan Levy shines as the witty best friend .