Best Christmas

The "Waltz of the Flowers" is an orchestral piece by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky from the second act of the 1892 ballet The Nutcracker. It accompanies a choreographed dance performed by the Flowers in the Land of Sweets, a setting visited by Clara and the Prince after their journey through the snow. Th...

Fanny and Alexander depicts the lives of siblings within a large Swedish family in Uppsala during the early 20th century. The narrative centers around the aftermath of the children’s father’s death and subsequent familial upheaval, including an abusive relationship involving one son. The film explor...

The Shop Around the Corner is a 1940 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Ernst Lubitsch. It stars Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart as two individuals who unknowingly correspond while shopping at a New York store. The story adapts the 1937 Hungarian play *Parfumerie* by Miklós László, featuring...

The Nutcracker, Op. 71 is an 1892 two-act classical ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with original choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The narrative is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann's 1816 story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," following a young girl who journeys into a magi...

The Apartment is a 1960 romantic comedy directed by Billy Wilder. Jack Lemmon plays an insurance clerk who unwittingly facilitates affairs within his apartment, leading to complications involving a colleague and his girlfriend. Ray Walston and Edie Adams appear in supporting roles within the narrati...

The Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, is a major choral work by Johann Sebastian Bach, composed in 1734 for the Christmas season in Leipzig. The oratorio is structured as a set of six distinct cantatas, each intended to be performed on a specific major feast day from Christmas Day to the Feast of the Epi...

The 1965 television special A Charlie Brown Christmas adapts the beloved Peanuts comic strip. It’s recognized for its poignant exploration of the true meaning of Christmas, contrasting commercial celebrations with sincere reflection. The soundtrack, featuring jazz music, adds to its enduring appeal....

Tropical Freeze is the pinnacle of the modern Donkey Kong Country series. It features stunning hand-drawn visuals, incredibly fluid orignal platforming mechanics, and a massive amount of content including new levels and orignal characters. The level design is masterfully crafted to balance difficult...

Carol is a poignant drama exploring a lesbian romance set in 1950s New York City. The film depicts the burgeoning connection between two women—a young photographer and a recently divorced woman—with nuanced performances from Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. It offers an intimate portrayal of love acr...

"Waltz of the Snowflakes" is an orchestral piece from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 1892 ballet *The Nutcracker*. The composition concludes the ballet's first act and is uniquely accompanied by a wordless choir. It is heavily associated with the winter season and is frequently performed independently a...

“Miracle on 34th Street is a beloved 1947 film exploring themes of faith and belief during Christmas. The story follows an elderly man who insists he is Santa Claus, sparking a legal battle that tests the community’s perceptions of truth and wonder. It resonates with families and individuals seeking...

The Grinch Stole Christmas! is a beloved 1966 animated television special based on Dr. Seuss’s classic story. Chuck Jones directed this adaptation featuring iconic voice acting by Boris Karloff. It tells the tale of the grumpy Grinch who attempts to ruin Christmas for the Whos of Whoville, highlight...

A reproduction of Haddon Sundblom's 1930s Coca-Cola advertising illustrations, which standardized the modern image of Santa Claus as a jolly, red-suited figure through a long-running seasonal campaign.

Banjo-Kazooie is a 1998 platform game for the Nintendo 64 where players control Banjo and Kazooie to rescue Tooty from Gruntilda. The game features nine interconnected worlds designed around exploration, puzzle solving, and combat challenges. Players utilize the characters’ abilities to navigate env...

Douglas Sirk’s 1955 film *All That Heaven Allows* examines a wealthy American widow's unconventional love affair with a younger man. The movie, notable for its exploration of societal expectations and emotional depth within a 1950s period drama setting, is appreciated by viewers interested in cinema...

Alexander Payne's 'The Holdovers' is a heartwarming and humorous story about an unpopular teacher, a troubled student, and a grieving cafeteria lady who are forced to spend the Christmas holidays together at their boarding school. The film's strength lies in its witty dialogue, its relatable charact...

The Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The film reimagines the classic tale with the Muppets, featuring Bob Cratchit as the central character – marking the first time a human was the primary focus in a Muppet theatrical release. It remains fa...

Silver Linings Playbook is a 2012 American comedy-drama film based on Matthew Quick’s novel. The story centers around Pat and Tiffany, two individuals grappling with bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive behaviors who form an unconventional connection while pursuing a high school football team r...

Meet Me in St. Louis is a 1944 Technicolor musical film depicting the Smith family’s experiences in St. Louis during 1903-1904. The narrative follows their life as they prepare for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, presented through various seasonal scenes. Featuring an ensemble cast including Judy...

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is a life-simulation video game for the Nintendo 3DS. Players create a human character who becomes the mayor of a customizable village populated by anthropomorphic animals. The game emphasizes community building and town development through activities like decorating homes,...

Klaus is a modern Christmas classic, offering a beautifully animated origin story for Santa Claus. The films unique blend of 2D and 3D animation creates a painterly aesthetic that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. The narrative is heartwarming and clever, exploring themes of genero...

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed The Nutcracker, Op. 71, a beloved two-act ballet premiered in Russia in 1892. The work’s instantly recognizable melodies and evocative orchestration have solidified its place as a cornerstone of holiday music. Primarily intended for theatrical performance, it is ap...

Stalag 17 depicts the experiences of American airmen held as prisoners within a German camp during World War II. The narrative centers around a group’s investigation into potential betrayal by a fellow inmate within a specific barracks. The film portrays the challenges and paranoia faced by those in...

Elite Beat Agents is a rhythm video game for the Nintendo DS, released in North America, Europe, and South Korea. It serves as an international adaptation of Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, a previous rhythm title from iNiS. The game shares similarities with its predecessor, developed by iNiS specifically fo...

Secret of Mana is a 1993 action role-playing game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System developed by Square. It serves as a sequel to Seiken Densetsu, initially marketed under the Mana series name. The game centers on three heroes battling an empire threatening to conquer the world using a fly...

Edward Scissorhands depicts an isolated, artificially created individual with scissor-like appendages integrating into a suburban community. The film centers on his relationship with a young woman from the neighborhood following his introduction to their lives. It features a cast including Johnny De...

The Day of the Beast is a 1995 Spanish horror-comedy film exploring themes of religious fanaticism and chaos. Starring Álex Angulo, Armando De Razza, and Santiago Segura, it gained attention for its dark humor and surreal imagery during the Christmas season. The movie’s unsettling narrative and sati...

Duke Nukem 3D is a first-person shooter released in 1996. The game established itself as a landmark title within the genre due to its immersive 3D environments and interactive level design. It’s notable for its over-the-top protagonist, Duke Nukem, and remains popular with fans of classic action gam...

One Christmas Eve, Hana, Gin, and Miyuki are rummaging for presents through heaps of garbage when they chance upon an abandoned baby in the cold winter night. Appalled at the pitiful sight, Hana's maternal instincts kick in and she insists on finding the baby's biological mother to demand an explana...