This has been a reset, retro, revival year during cancel-culture and a return to traditional, Christian values in movies. Cinemas have been shut down due to COVID and home viewers have been returning to family-friendly movies with more traditional family values.
Here are ten top redemptive, retro Christmas movies for the whole family:
#1 – Son of God
#2 – The Bible
#3 – The Nativity Story
#4 – The Star
#5 – The Christmas Candle
#6 – Saving Christmas
#7 – A Charlie Brown Christmas
#8 – Dr. Seuss' The Grinch
#9 – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
#10 – The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
#1 – Son of God
Son of God is an engaging, compelling, biographical drama of the life of Jesus Christ that inspires deep and great gratitude for the life and depth of sacrifice of our Savior and Lord. It presents Jesus Christ as God in the flesh, serving sacrificially to redeem mankind. The movie begins with John’s narration of God’s promises and covenants with His people throughout Israel’s history. The film has good acting, production, and cinematography This is an excellent movie for any time of the year, but it is especially appropriate for the Christmas season. The scenes of Jesus’ birth and early life are especially heart-warming and captivating.
#2 – The Bible
The Bible is a biographical, dramatic miniseries that covers God's creation through landmark events leading to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This outstanding miniseries with good acting, production, and cinematography include the following: Noah recounting Genesis One to his family as rain pours down on the Ark, lives of Adam and Eve, lives of Abraham and his wife, the Exodus, Joshua at the Battle of Jericho, Samson, David, Solomon, and Daniel. It then covers the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, followed by the lives of Peter, Paul, and John. The Bible weaves the Biblical accounts together and keeps the integrity of Scripture with emotional, spiritual depth, and engagement. Although details are left out and some added for dramatic effect, this miniseries brings the Bible to life in all its power and significance.
#3 – The Nativity Story
The Nativity Story that tells the story of the birth and early life of Christ is engaging, compelling, and entertaining. Scripture is referenced and quoted throughout the movie. The dialogue, the plot, turning points are captivating and dramatic. The Nativity Story tells how Jesus Christ as the Messiah came to the world. The acting, production, and cinematography are excellent.
#4 – The Star
The Star celebrates the real reason for the season in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to give us the possibility of eternal life. This delightful Christmas movie is appropriate for the whole family and tells the story of the birth of Christ from the perspective of the animals in the story, especially that of the little underdog donkey Bo, who develops as a hero. With excellent, charming animation, the voices are entertaining and engaging. As it tells the story of the birth of our Savior, it conveys valuable lessons of persistence, friendship, and true purpose. It demonstrates the truth that good overcomes evil, even though underdogs. It is a lovely movie that portrays the story of the greatest, eternal Christmas gift of all.
#5 – The Christmas Candle
Best-selling author Max Lucado’s A Christmas Candle movie is a heartwarming story of faith, trust, and tradition. It is set in the little village of Gladbury, England, where it is believed that an angel visits the Haddington Candlery every 25th year. The angel blesses a candle which was first given by the candle maker, who gave the candle to a poor orphan girl. The acting, story, and cinematography are lovely, charming, and delightful. It is appropriate for the whole family.
#6 – Saving Christmas
Saving Christmas is a Kirk Cameron movie about the Christmas holiday. Kirk’s sister, Bridgette, is throwing a Christmas party. Bridgette has gone to great lengths with a huge Christmas tree, many ornaments, lots of presents, and Christmas decorations galore. Bridgette even has someone to play Santa. However, Bridgette’s husband, Christian, is not as thrilled about the party as she is. In Saving Christmas, Kirk Cameron talks about and questions Christmas traditions. This is a thought-provoking film that asks good questions and presents valuable insights. This film stresses the importance of Jesus Christ and His coming to our world to save us. It is a good discussion-starter.
#7 – A Charlie Brown Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas is the animated classic with the Peanuts gang. Charlie Brown feels sad in the Christmas season. His friend, Linus, tells him he needs to be productive. Lucy selects Charlie as the director of the Christmas play. However, Charlie picks a scrawny Christmas tree, which his friends mock. Linus tells Charlie Brown and everyone else that the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. This lovely film is based on the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schultz. The music and animation are charming. The voice actors are entertaining. The film includes Christmas carols and focuses on celebrating the birth of Jesus.
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#8 – Dr. Seuss' The Grinch
In the 2018 Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, the love in families and in the community triumph over materialism, greed, and hostility. The story is about the people of Whoville, who are full of joy as they prepare for Christmas, which is their favorite holiday. The Grinch who decides to steal Christmas dresses as Santa Claus steals a sleigh from his neighbor and uses a reindeer named Fred along with his dog, Max, to visit every home in Whoville to steal Christmas trees, ornaments, and gifts. This is a delightful movie with skillful animation and entertaining comedy. It incorporates Christmas carols that focus on the redemptive love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
#9 – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The classic Best Christmas Pageant Ever movie is about troublesome Herdman siblings considered the worst kids in the history of the world and how they take over an annual church Christmas pageant only be transformed by it as they transform the church, enabling all to appreciate the real meaning of Christmas. Although the antics of the Hermans are outrageous, the behaviors of the church children and people are humorously familiar. It is an entertaining and heartwarming movie for the whole family. It highlights the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in a most memorable nativity scene.
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#10 – The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a wonderful family, adventure, fantasy Disney movie. It is based on C.S. Lewis’ classic story by the same title. Because of an air raid in London during World War II, four children (Lucy, Peter, Edmund, and Susan), are taken to the English countryside for safety. There, in Professor Kirke’s house through an old wardrobe, they enter the land of Narnia, a world with fascinating talking animals and mythical creatures. In Narnia, they learn that the evil White Witch has taken control of the land, turning it into a state of forever winter but never Christmas. In this beautiful film full of delightful characters, the children learn of their destiny to set Narnia free with the guidance and sacrifice of the great lion, Aslan. This movie is a captivating, compelling allegory of Christian resurrection and redemption.
Christmas is a wonderful time for families and friends to watch classic Christmas movies and to discuss Christian themes. Fortunately, there are many worthwhile choices on streaming sites. These movies not only entertain, but they enlighten and edify with artistry and content. They provide outstanding discussion starters for families and provide valuable insights about the Christian life.
