There's nothing like New York in Christmasas these ten festive classics prove. There are some things that are inexorably associated with the Christmas season, even if they don't denote Christmas on a practical level. It makes sense that Christmas trees and Santa Claus are tied to the holiday season, but hot chocolate and gingerbread houses are available year-round and still manage to feel unique at Christmas. Likewise, some of the best Christmas movies of all time aren't as closely tied to the season as viewers might remember before watching them again.
Although 2019 is critically acclaimed Little Women While the remake may feature a significant scene set during the holiday, the structure of Louisa May Alcott's adaptation means its story takes place over several years and doesn't prioritize the holidays. Likewise, some great Christmas movies without Santa Claus, from Happiest season to Black Christmasuse everything from scary comedy to outright horror to subvert standard Christmas movie clichés. Yet these movies still feel Christmassy despite their best efforts, just as many Christmas movies set in New York make the surroundings of the city itself feel inescapably tied to the holiday season.
Serendipity
John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale shine in this sweet Rom-Com
2001 Serendipity opens with John Cusack's Jonathan and Kate Beckinsale's Sara completing their Christmas shopping in New York and goes on to become one of the most frustrating romantic comedies of all time. This may sound like a criticism, but watching Sara and Jonathan constantly almost lose each other and avoid potential dates leaves the viewer desperate for this pair to finally meet again. Both characters are convinced that the other has probably completely forgotten the brief flirtation they shared that fateful night, but they still find themselves drawn to the same places at the same time as the years pass.
The romantic comedy's sweet ending is a classic Christmas movie moment, thanks in large part to New York City.
Eventually, Jonathan and Sara's respective relationships fall into disarray and, for a brief moment, Serendipity It looks like it's going to be one of those spiky, subversive romantic comedies that ends without an optimistic conclusion. However, viewers need not fear. SerendipityThe unabashedly sentimental ending of is a Christmas reunion that makes the most of the film's New York experience, turning the iconic city into a character in its own right. SerendipityThe story may not be perfect, and its final act feels as frustrating as it does charming, but the romantic comedy's sweet ending is a classic Christmas movie moment, thanks in large part to New York City.
Eloise at Christmas time
The famous Eloise series received an appropriately cute film adaptation
Adapting author Kay Thompson and illustrator Hilary Knight Eloísa books would be a great addition to any filmmaker, given how beloved the picture book series is by countless generations of readers. However, the 2003 made-for-television film Eloise in the Square it achieved this thanks to a star-studded supporting cast including Julie Andrews, Jeffrey Tambor and Christine Baranski. Disney veteran Kevin Lima makes the sequel Eloise at Christmas time even more festive fun as the director behind A goofy movie is the perfect match for this anarchic celebration of the holidays that perfectly captures the spirit of Knight and Thompson's collaborations.
It's a wonderful life
The iconic 1946 small-town Christmas story technically takes place in New York
Although the end of It's a wonderful life may celebrate the unique sweetness of small-town life, the film is secretly another New York Christmas classic. The fictional town of Bedford Falls is in New York, as surprising as that may sound, so George Bailey's memorable and sweet story of community and family is a New York Christmas film despite its comparatively rural setting. It's a wonderful life remains an essential rewatch and a rare Christmas film that unabashedly explores the darker side of the holidays, resulting in a sweet, uplifting ending whose optimism feels exceptionally well-earned.
The apartment
This iconic Jack Lemmon vehicle is another New York classic
As It's a wonderful life, 1960s The apartment is a Christmas film that doesn't shy away from cynicism and darker themes. Billy Wilder's classic centers on Jack Lemmon's insurance agent, Bud, who allows the bigwigs at his corporate job to use his apartment for extramarital affairs. This setup is inevitably complicated when Bud inevitably falls for Shirley MacLaine's quick-witted elevator operator, Fran, who is currently involved in an affair with Bud's boss. With a bittersweet ending that goes down in cinema history as one of the best ever written, The apartment is a perfect antidote to the overly sweet and sentimental schmaltz.
When Harry met Sally
Manhattan Hosts This Legendary Festive Rom-Com Story
Although When Harry met SallyWhile the original ending could have ruined the classic by leaving the central couple separated, director Rob Reiner wisely decided to change that conclusion. As a result, viewers were treated to what could be the best New Year's Eve movie ever made and what remains one of the best New York Christmas movies. As SerendipityMeg Ryan's Jonathan and Sara, Meg Ryan's Sally, and Billy Crystal's Harry come in and out of each other's lives throughout each season. However, their triumphant declaration of love comes during an old, liberating New York winter and is enough to warm even the coldest heart.
The night before
Seth Rogen's tongue-in-cheek Christmas comedy is set in New York
Sometimes, Bad Santa and Black Christmas are the only kind of Christmas movie that feels like the right choice. 2015 The night before is a gross, silly and unabashedly raunchy Christmas comedy which uses its New York setting to highlight the city's famous nightlife. Seth Rogen's Isaac, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Ethan, and Anthony Mackie's Chris worry that impending middle age will make them too old and responsible to party, but a chaotic night proves they still have the courage to create hell. A Christmas film worth watching every year, The night before brings a raucous twist to the usually family-friendly holiday.
Miracle on 34th Street
This classic Christmas movie revolves around a New York department store
Both originals from 1947 Miracle on 34th Street and its 1994 remake needs no introduction. The story of a mall Santa who may turn out to be real and the lonely little girl who still believes in him, Miracle on 34th Street is a quintessential New York Christmas film thanks to its department store atmosphere. It doesn’t hurt that the film’s critiques of consumerism and corporate cynicism are perfectly embodied by the bustling urban metropolis of its setting. The fast pace of New York contrasts perfectly with the sweetness and innocence of Santa Claus and his young charge.
Scrooged
Bill Murray's Christmas Carol Retelling Is Set in Manhattan
Although the most exciting moments Miracle on 34th Street are undeniably effective, there's no shortage of films that point out the contrast between New York's gritty attitude and the inherent sweetness of Christmas. Director Richard Donner A Christmas song retelling Scrooged pulls off a more complex trick, starting out as a largely satirical incitement to corporate greed. However, as Bill Murray's network executive gradually thaws, the romance he shared in New York takes center stage and the city's warm heart becomes more important. At the end, viewers would have a hard time leaving this Christmas comedy feeling cynical.
Home Alone 2: List in New York
Kevin's second adventure takes place in New York
Perhaps the most iconic use of New York in a Christmas film is the ingenious 1990 sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. When Alone at home proved to be a historic box office success, it was difficult to see how the inevitable sequel could reinvent its admirably simple premise. Macaulay Culkin's young antihero Kevin protecting his suburban home from thieves was a perfect, self-contained Christmas story, but the same character being left home alone again would have strained credulity. Instead of, Home Alone 2: Lost in New Yorkk leaves Kevin in New York, opening up a world of new possibilities.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New YorkThe scenario results in some of the franchise's best moments, from Kevin's elaborate attempts to pretend he has an adult escort in his hotel room to his unlikely friendship with a local drifter. Home Alone 2 is arguably more beloved than its predecessor, and if Kevin's extended family coincidentally having an empty workplace filled with dangerous equipment seems absurdly convenient, it's easy to forgive this plot device in exchange for the film's ambitious slapstick ending. However, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is almost the perfect New York Christmas movie.
Elf
Will Ferrell's Groundbreaking Film Is a New York City Story
2003's Elf Could Be the Ideal New York Christmas Movie as its story uses the city as both a stunning backdrop and a comically mean-spirited foil to its hyper-innocent main character. Will Ferell's childlike, sheltered Buddy is barely prepared for the moral complexity of a small-town Hallmark movie, let alone the cynicism and coldness of New York City's residents. However, this makes Buddy's struggles to acclimate to life in New York all the more hilarious, and his insistent attempts to spread some Christmas cheer in an intense, fast-paced urban environment are consistently funny.
Elf it works precisely because of its New York City setting.
Seeing Buddy meet his bitter father in the depths of suburbia may have comedic potential, but ditching the clunky “de Ferrell”Elf”In the world of Wall Street traders and robbers is an ingenious twist. Elf works precisely because of its New York City setting, which terrifies, delights, and confuses Buddy for much of the film's opening two acts. When Buddy eventually, inevitably, manages to burnish the Big Apple thanks to his relentless cheerfulness and unflappable optimism, it's impossible not to find his great joy infectious. If Ferrell's characters can bring Christmas For New York's cruelest cynics, there truly is hope for us all.