3 Holiday movies that will make you laugh

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The Family Stone

The Family Stone is a 2005 holiday dramedy. It has an all-star cast which includes: Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Rachel McAdams, and Luke Wilson. (You can watch it on Amazon.)

Everett (Dermot Mulroney) brings his girlfriend home to meet his family for Christmas. His girlfriend Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker), is wound a little tight while his family members are all free spirits. This dichotomy allows for an array of comedic moments. Diane Keaton is wonderful as Everett’s disapproving mother and Rachel McAdams who plays Amy, Everett’s sister is amazing. The open hostility she unleashes on Meredith is extremely funny without being cruel and is one of the best parts of the movie. It’s reminiscent of her portrayal of Regina in Mean Girls.

This movie is special because of the feelings it evokes. The tone is realistic and nostalgic and makes you feel like you’re at your own home for the holidays. It’s hilarious, but it also has a depth to it that is seldom found in comedies these days. I watch this film every year and enjoy it just as much as the first time I watched it.

Elf

Elf is a 2003 holiday comedy and my absolute favorite Christmas movie! Will Ferrell and James Caan head up the cast, which also includes Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart, and Ed Asner. (You can watch it on Hulu or HBO Max.)

Will Ferrell portrays Buddy the elf. As a baby, he’s in an orphanage and he unknowingly crawls into Santa’s toy bag one Christmas. Hence, Santa (Ed Asner) takes him back to the North Pole where he is raised by Papa Elf (Bob Newhart). He grows up believing that he is an elf. Then one day, he finds an old photo and this sets him off on a quest to New York City to find his father (James Caan).

The laughs begin as we watch a grown man, who thinks he’s an elf, show up in New York City looking for a father who doesn’t know he exists. Will Ferrell brings a naivete to the character of Buddy that is sweet and endearing. You can’t help but fall in love with him. Elf is a feel-good and hopeful movie that everyone should see at least once. Or you can be like me and decide to watch it every year!

The Family Man

The Family Man is a 2000 romantic comedy. Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni star in this holiday classic. (You can watch it on-demand on AMC.)

Jack Campbell (Nicholas Cage) is a rich financier and playboy. He seems to have it all and is happy with the life he has made for himself. On Christmas Eve, he inserts himself in a crime that is in progress and brings Cash (Don Cheadle) into his life. Unfortunately, Cash doesn’t like Jack and tells him that he is going to give him a glimpse. Jack has no idea what he’s talking about and continues on his merry way.

On Christmas morning, Jack’s penthouse and Lamborghini have been replaced with a house in the suburbs and a mini-van. He also miraculously has two kids and his lost love Kate (Tea Leoni) is now his wife. This information initially freaks Jack out because his other life no longer exists, but then he comes to terms with what has happened and even embraces it.

It has parallels to the Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life, where George Bailey gets a glimpse at life without himself in it. Jack in a similar way gets a glimpse of the life he would have had if love led him instead of ambition. I don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll say no more. This is also one of my favorite Christmas-time movies and one that I think you will enjoy immensely.

I hope that these movies make you laugh and that your holiday season is filled with lots of love and joy!

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