‘Genie,’ a comedy film starring Melissa McCarthy and Paapa Essiedu, charts a crazy voyage towards the holidays, which remain magical in more ways than one. Flora is a Genie thousands of years old with an inexhaustible supply of desires to be delegated at command. Bernard Bottle is a man who struggles with his work-life balance, which drives his wife, Julie, and daughter, Eve, away until they decide to leave him for the holidays. As a result, when Bernard and Flora meet paths, it’s the perfect combination for a Christmas miracle!
The film follows this amusing team as they devise strategies to get Bernard back into his family’s good graces. Flora makes a lifelong friend along the journey, and the two learn valuable life lessons. While this is still a typical occurrence in holiday films, ‘Genie’ stands out with its whimsical, mystical touch that adds something fresh to a great Christmas story. If the film has left you wanting more fanciful takes on the holiday season, here are some flicks for you!
Elf (2003)
For years, elves have laboured at Santa’s workshop at the North Pole without fail. Except for Buddy, a human reared as an elf who is noticeably different for it. As a result, when Santa enables him to travel to New York in search of his human father, Walter Hobbs, the man finds himself in for an extraordinary journey. Buddy’s visit with the man is nothing what he expected, and neither is the enormous city of New York, which has many delights for the elf-at-heart human to discover.
Viewers will see an instant link between Buddy, with his wide-eyed curiosity for the world, and Flora, who is always astounded by modern life’s miracles. ‘Elf,’ helmed by delightful and rather magical charming goofballs, is a no-brainer for anyone wishing to indulge in some Christmas fantasy.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
When it comes to Christmas movies, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas,’ starring Jim Carrey as the titular character, will always be a classic. Whoville, the hidden land of enchantment, is teeming with cheerful holiday revellers. Grinch, the green-furred hermit on Mount Crumpit, stands out like a sore thumb as a result. The Grinch, moved by his irrational hatred of Christmas, intends to ruin the day for Whoville residents by stealing all holiday items from their village. Nonetheless, his evil plan comes to a halt when he meets Cindy Lou Who, a small girl who sees the good in the Grinch.
The Grinch and Flora from ‘Genie’ remain distinct personas, practically on opposing ends of the general friendliness continuum. Nonetheless, their characters’ explorations inside their individual storylines share comparable beats of friendship and a lifetime of misunderstanding. As a result, if you’re seeking for a Christmas movie with an intriguing protagonist, this is the film for you.
Last Christmas (2019)
‘Last Christmas,’ starring Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding, appears to be the ideal festive rom-com, but it actually tells a deeper and more subtle story about self-discovery. Kate’s life has taken a turn for the worst since she had a near-death experience as a result of health difficulties. Kate is still suffering from the trauma of the incident while intentionally avoiding it, and she lives with critical parents breathing down her neck. As a result of her dead-end employment at the year-round Christmas store, Kate has little direction in life. Things change when fate introduces her to Tom, a charming man with a special quality about him.
The film is a transformational journey that centres on familial bonds. Furthermore, it contains a mythical secret at its heart, which adds mystery and intrigue to the plot. If you’re still looking for modern Christmas stories with unpredictable plotlines after ‘Genie,’ you might love this flick.
Noelle (2019)
If you enjoy wacky Christmas films that are rich in comedy and quirkiness, then ‘Noelle,’ starring Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader, is the film for you. As Christmas approaches, the North Pole prepares for a momentous occasion: Nick’s succession to his father’s position as Santa Claus. Meanwhile, Nick’s younger sister, Noelle, is there to support her brother on his path, no matter how difficult it may be. Nonetheless, her commitment is put to the test when Nick goes missing a few days before Christmas. As a result, Noelle must embark on an exciting voyage into the human realm to restore the cheerful celebration.
‘Noelle,’ like ‘Genie,’ emphasises the importance of family as one of the most important components of Christmas. As a result, for anyone looking for stories about rescue quickly drowning December 25ths with off-beat yet sincere characters at its centre, this film will be an excellent choice.
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
‘Rise of the Guardians,’ a Dreamworks animated picture starring Hugh Jackman, Chris Pine, Isla Fisher, and Jude Law, is defined by its sense of playfulness in the heart of the festive season. The film follows the recruitment of Jack Frost, winter’s everlasting spirit, into the Immortal Guardians, a squad of mythical creatures tasked with protecting all children worldwide. When Pitch Black, also known as the boogeyman, rises from the shadows, threatening everything the Guardians hold dear, the team, which includes Santa Claus and The Easter Bunny, must find a way to work together and rescue the planet.
The film does an excellent job of expressing the pleasure and love that the holidays signify while avoiding Christmas cliches. As a result, if you liked Flora’s refreshing genie magic in ‘Genie,’ you’ll love ‘Rise of the Guardians.’
The Family Man (2000)
The comedy-drama film ‘The Family Man,’ directed by Brett Ratner and starring Nicolas Cage, tells a story about second chances and taking the route less travelled. In college, Jack Campbell decided to end his relationship with Kate Reynolds, who was possibly the love of his life. The man, who lives in the fast lane with a good profession and flashy things, has no regrets about how his life turned out. However, instead of waking up in his luxury apartment on Christmas morning, the man finds himself in a suburban house with Kat, his putative wife, and many children.
Faced with the possibility of a different existence, Jack is forced to choose between love and his work. The parallels between Jack and Bernard are obvious, especially to their character-defining conflict between family and careers. As a result, if you’re seeking for a film that revolves on the holiday season but delivers something more, this is the film for you!
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
An unexpected glimpse into the life of a historical novelist, Charles Dickens, as he journeys through the development of his holiday-season-defining story, ‘A Christmas Carol,’ ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas,’ directed by Bharat Nalluri, is a package of unexpected joy. When a terrifying drought overtakes Dickens’ profession, he finds himself in desperate need of an amazing story. His writer’s block is exacerbated by the announced presence of his estranged parents. With his career on the brink and an impending deadline, Dickens is forced to confront his own haunted history as characters from his most recent work, such as the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, come to life. Fans of ‘Genie’ will enjoy this film’s incredible and wacky storyline, as well as its unorthodox but definitely Christmas-y features.
The Polar Express (2004)
‘The Polar Express,’ an animated Christmas film by Robert Zemeckis, is the perfect watch to satisfy any dreamy holiday desires. The film follows Chris, a little boy who has an exciting night unlike any other when a mysterious train appears outside in the snow. The Polar Express, a train bound for the North Pole, promises to dispel the boy’s well-founded scepticism about Santa Claus. As the journey progresses, the youngster and his little co-passengers gain significant memories and lessons.
Like ‘Genie,’ ‘The Polar Express’ presents themes inherent to Christmas, with characters whose journeys centre around the same. Despite this, both films use distinctive instruments as their narrative centres, such as a wish-granting genie or an eccentric train.
