There’s nothing quite like settling down with a hot chocolate and a mince pie to watch an entertaining movie with your family over the holidays.
Whether you love action adventures, romantic comedies, or animated stories, there’s plenty of festive cinema to enjoy this time of year.
Here are five of the Intelligent Pensions team’s top Christmas films to enjoy during the festive season – we hope you love them too!
1. The Santa Clause – A magical fantasy for all the family to enjoy
This 1994 fantasy comedy has quickly become a modern Christmas classic.
The Santa Clause stars funny man, Tim Allen, as Scott Calvin, a marketing director for a toy company and the divorced father of eight-year-old Charlie.
One night, Scott and Charlie are woken up by a noise on the roof. They go to investigate and find Santa, who, startled by their presence, falls off the roof and dies.
Scott reluctantly dons the red suit and spends the evening delivering gifts before being taken back to the north pole, where he learns that he must now take on all of the late Santa’s duties permanently.
Jenna Mcinnes, who works in our client support team in Glasgow, chose The Santa Clause as her first choice of Christmas film.
Her favourite moment is when Judy the elf says, “Seeing isn’t believing. Believing is seeing”. Jenna loves how this scene champions the power of a child’s imagination and encourages them to believe in Santa.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming family film, The Santa Clause is a great choice.
2. The Holiday – A classic romantic comedy
This much-loved rom com got three votes for “best Christmas film” from the Intelligent Pensions team.
Our compliance and advice director, Fiona Tait, said, “I’d like to say it’s because it’s a funny and entertaining insight into modern relationships, but a young and gorgeous Jude Law is a very large factor!”
Meanwhile Ian Wilcock, one of our financial planners in the north-west, enjoys the feel-good factor that this story delivers every time he watches it.
The story centres around an American woman, Amanda (played by Cameron Diaz), and an English woman, Iris (played by Kate Winslet), who agree to swap houses for a few weeks over Christmas.
Both characters are unlucky in love and seeking a fresh start.
We won’t spoil the ending for you, but let’s just say this is a classic romantic comedy and you’ll hopefully be feeling warm and fuzzy inside when the credits roll.
Alison Tyne, a financial planner in the south-east, enjoys the humour that Jack Black – Kate Winslet’s love interest – brings to the film. She also loves the idealistic English countryside and luxurious Los Angeles settings, which offer a healthy dose of festive escapism.
3. Love Actually – Christmas love stories with a star-studded ensemble cast
Sophie Tinney, one of our financial planners in Scotland didn’t hesitate when asked, “Which is your go-to Christmas film?”
She gives Love Actually a 10/10 and says, “It’s perfect for getting you into the winter spirit”.
This popular romantic comedy boasts an impressive cast that includes Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, and Laura Linney – to mention just a few!
The film explores a collection of interconnecting “love stories”, including secret crushes, friendships, marriages, lost love, holiday romances, and unrequited love.
Most of Love Actually unfolds in London against a toe-tapping soundtrack of well-known tracks. This smash hit has something for everyone and it’s no surprise that it has become a Christmas viewing staple in many homes.
4. Elf – A laugh-a-minute slapstick film with heart
This 2003 blockbuster stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, an orphan who grows up in the north pole believing he is one of Santa’s elves.
One year, Buddy learns that he is a human and decides to travel to New York City to find his birth father.
The ever-optimistic, sugar-loving Buddy is delighted to meet his dad, Walter. However, the grumpy, workaholic publisher is less keen to embrace his newly discovered son.
Gradually, Walter becomes fond of Buddy, who reminds the curmudgeonly, Scrooge-like character that the meaning of Christmas – and life in general – is family, love, and joy.
Joe Sheridan, one of Intelligent Pension’s financial planners in the home counties, said, “Elf is a funny, warm film that you can watch every year and still enjoy, no matter how many times you have seen it before”.
5. The Poseidon Adventure – Something a little bit different
Our managing director, Andy Pennie, chose this 1972 American disaster film as his top pick to watch over the holidays.
He said, “The Poseidon Adventure may not be the cheeriest Christmas movie, but it’s the one I remember watching on many Christmas Eves as a youngster.”
“With its themes of hope, resilience, and togetherness, the film tells the story of a group of strangers, led by the determined Reverend Frank Scott (played by Gene Hackman), as they face life-or-death challenges to escape the overturned ocean liner, SS Poseidon, on New Year’s Eve.”
If you’re looking for something a little bit different to break up more traditional festive films, this classic tale is a fantastic choice.
As Andy says, “It’s an epic American disaster film with so many unforgettable moments. Even after all these years, it stands the test of time.”
Get in touch
If you’re feeling relaxed and re-energised after all that film-watching, the Christmas holidays are a great time to review and update your financial plan for the new year.
If you’d like to find out how we can help you get your finances in order for 2025 and beyond, we’d love to hear from you.
Email hello@intelligentpensions.com or call 0800 077 8807.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
