11 '90s Holiday Movies That Will Make You Nostalgic AF
The holiday season is all about feeling sentimental. And what better way to get those juices flowing than by popping in your favorite holiday movies from your VHS days? Watch an ordinary dad become Santa Claus and a wily kid with having abandonment issues in real-time outsmart -- and maim -- two burglars? These are the gifts/movies that keep on givin'.
'Home Alone' (1990)
One little boy who's accidentally left home alone over the holiday has the best Christmas ever while defending his turf from two comical burglars. "Keep the change, you filthy animal!"
'All I Want for Christmas' (1991)
Christmas and romantic comedies tend to be a pretty winning combination (just turn on the Hallmark Channel at any point this time of year). This forgotten gem from 1991 is a perfect example. It revolves around a child's wish to Santa that her parents get remarried, and the complicated scheme involved in making that happen. Plus, Leslie Nielson as Santa is always a good selling point.
'Batman Returns' (1992)
Despite hitting theaters in the peak of summer movie season, "Batman Returns" is best viewed at the end of the year. The Christmas backdrop to the three-way feud between Batman, Catwoman, and Penguin -- along with the doomed love story between Bats and Selina Kyle -- hit all the right notes.
'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' (1992)
We always recommend a "Home Alone" marathon every holiday season, but only so long as you stop after this sequel. Sure, "Lost in New York" mostly settled for doubling down on the original's approach, but there's a reason that approach worked so well. It still offers a winning blend of physical comedy and touching family bonding.
'The Muppet Christmas Carol' (1992)
It seems like everyone wants to put their own spin on this classic Charles Dickens tale, but the Muppets are a tough act to beat. "The Muppet Christmas Carol" combines the appeal of the source material with good, old-fashioned Muppet humor and songs. The fact that it was the first Muppet movie to be released after the death of Jim Henson only makes it seem more poignant in hindsight.
'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)
Not many movies can function equally well as both a Halloween and a Christmas story. But that's the fun of this quirky animated classic, which follows Jack Skellington as he decides to bring the magic of Christmas to Halloweentown for a change. The film's dark sense of humor is a nice antidote to all the saccharine sweetness of the holiday season.
'Miracle on 34th Street' (1994)
Many thought it was sacrilege to remake the original 1947 version of "Miracle on 34th Street." That certainly didn't help this version's box office reception. Despite that, the remake earnestly captures the appeal of the original, telling the story of one girl whose faith in Santa Claus knows no limits.
'The Santa Clause' (1994)
With a little fine-tuning, "Home Improvement" team of actor Tim Allen and director John Pasquin.
'Jingle All the Way' (1996)
What's more '90s than putting Arnold Schwarzenegger in a family-friendly Christmas comedy and pairing him with Sinbad? Nothing, that's what. It's also a good reminder that bloodthirsty holiday shoppers aren't exactly a recent phenomenon.
'I'll Be Home for Christmas' (1998)
'90s teen heartthrobs didn't get more hearthrob-y than Jonathan Taylor Thomas. If you want to relive the days when you used to fawn over new issues of Teen Beat while still getting your holiday fix, then you need this road trip comedy about a college student desperate to make it home in time to receive the ultimate gift.
'Jack Frost' (1998)
"Jack Frost" is kind of an odd holiday movie. It revolves around a man who dies in car crash and is reincarnated as a sentient snowman, and half the cast is comprised of Frank Zappa's children. Somehow, though, this movie mostly comes together. Like "The Nightmare Before Christmas," it's a nice counterpoint to the cheesier holiday movies flooding the airwaves.
