Those who are a bit more critical of the subject say that if you’ve seen at least one Christmas movie, you’ve seen them all. However, the Hype&Hyper team tried to interpret the theme of holiday films as broadly as possible, making crime, fairytale, classic, comedy and even action films appear on the list. To get you in the mood for the holidays or to pass the time between them, any of these movies could be a perfect choice!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This movie is exactly the same age as myself, and I will never forget the first time I saw it when I was a few years old. It opens with a narration that rings out in rhyme faithful to Dr. Seuss’s masterpiece and accompanies the film throughout. Dr. Seuss’ characters are iconic in their own right, but what this adaptation delivers in terms of visuals is everything I need for the Christmas season: the world of “The Who”, everything is a fairytale, yet terribly human. Weird hair creations, over-decorated town, over-enthusiastic people living it up. And yet, at the heart of it all is the Grinch himself, with whom so many can identify. One thing is certain, however: no other film makes you hate and love Christmas so much, with all its flaws and all the magic that this season otherwise gives us.
Angéla Kaufmann, editor
Die Hard
In terms of its theme, it’s not your usual light-hearted Christmas film, but the first two parts of the series are intrinsically linked to Christmas. If you’re already in the mood for the holidays, you’ll definitely re-watch the film with different eyes.
László Bárdos, founder, art director
In 2021, comedian Bo Burnham took on a big task: during quarantine, without leaving his apartment, he put together an all-night musical on his own. The work is a stand-up comedy, a theatrical performance and a documentary—but most of all, it is a bold social critique. I recommend it for those who like experimental films and are not willing to sit through “Home Alone” over and over again on Christmas Eve.
Kamilla Nagy, project manager
If someone is looking for a terribly cheesy American family comedy, this is the best choice! Lots of funny situations and the usual simple twists and turns. No brain training is required, just pop some popcorn and sit back.
Márk Gelley Márk, editor
The Nightmare Before Christmas
My list of favorite Christmas films keeps growing: the first film of my life was The Grinch, which I saw as a toddler, followed by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and most recently Klaus. While each one takes you to a different magical world, what I really like about them is the balance between the syrupy Christmas feeling and the grey, sometimes wicked emotions. This time of the year is a bit like that for me too. After the summer, things get busy for me and the second half of the year always blends together, these films symbolize all at once the darkness, the magic and the festive atmosphere of this period.
Roberta Bertók, editor
If Christmas, then home and snow-capped mountain landscapes. Exactly one year ago, at Christmas time, we watched Béla Bagota’s first feature film, Valan, during a family movie night. It’s not exactly based around an intimate story, but it’s a must-see for fans of crime fiction. Its exciting narrative is at times grim, yet compelling, with endless pine forests and crumbling buildings: the setting is one of the most desolate and isolated settlements in Transylvania, Balánbánya, which the director has christened Valan (a combination of the words Balán and the Romanian valley, or “vale”). And for authenticity, the film is bilingual, with Transylvanian actors playing most of the main supporting roles. Many say the production evokes the world of Scandinavian crime stories—and, if we are talking about Scandinavian, then I highly recommend Thomas Vinterberg’s tragicomedy Druk as a counterpoint to Valan!
Réka Vikárius, author
The reason this is my favorite Christmas film is that it gives us a whole new perspective on the story of Santa Claus. The plot is about the friendship between a young postman and a reclusive toymaker. What’s interesting about it is that it breaks away from the style that we are used to. Various technical innovations are used in the animation, such as organic and volumetric lighting, and textures that create a unique visual world, which adds an extra dimension to the cinematic experience. It can create a festive atmosphere at any time, so I recommend it to anyone who gives their head to watch a fairy tale around Christmas.
Réka Pisla, graphic designer
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
In terms of Christmas movies, the most notable for me is How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which is pretty mainstream in this category, but it’s the one that’s closest to my heart because of the memories and experiences. It’s important to me mostly because of my dad, who passed away eight years ago, and it reminds me of the time when we used to spend Christmas together and watch The Grinch up to three times every year during the festive season with my two sisters, my mum and dad. A typically chilling experience no matter how many times I’ve watched it since.
Lilla Szabó, project manager
Watching a film from a comfy sofa in a warm room with a roof over your head at Christmas is a huge privilege—since Nomadland, I’ve been reminded of this more often than before I traveled through an hour and a half of the film with Fern, played by Frances McDormand. There is a subculture in America, made up of retired people who, after a lifetime of work, are not given the opportunity to live peacefully on their pensions. Leaving their homes behind, they find themselves forced into campervans and then traveling in a wandering caravan to wherever they can find work—without a home, but not homeless. Chloé Zhao’s film tells the real stories of real people through the journey of a fictional character, Fern, who loses her husband and home. Beautiful landscapes, heart-wrenching human fates, dignity and serenity—a good package for end-of-year reckoning, thanksgiving and the start of a new year.
Sári Győri, social media manager
An old windmill was remodeled into a residential house in Poland
Ukrainian Christmas traditions served up by Gunia Project
