As we approach the fourth quarter of 2023, there is usually a renewed sense of joy throughout the holiday season. With so much going on throughout the year, it’s no surprise that individuals and families are looking forward to experiencing holiday cheer. Streaming services have made films more available for at-home viewing pleasure over the years.
During a season when films play an important role in creating holiday joy, customers are grateful for streaming services such as Apple TV Plus. Apple TV Plus has an outstanding collection of Christmas films accessible to stream, with an ever-growing catalogue. While their holiday catalogue isn’t quite as large as Netflix’s, it’s more than enough to get you through to 2023. Here’s a list of seven of the best holiday films now available on Apple TV Plus.
A Family Thanksgiving (2010)
This Hallmark Channel Original Movie stars Daphne Zuniga and Faye Dunaway in the key roles. Despite being a workaholic, Claudia (Zuniga), a brilliant attorney, believes she has the perfect existence. So much so that when Thanksgiving arrives, she intends to work through it, forcing her subordinates to do the same. Claudia is feeling anything but festive, thanks to a pressing job assignment. She meets a strange older woman (Dunaway) who strangely upends her entire existence as the novel progresses. Claudia is initially frustrated because she is forced to live in a world she would prefer not be in. However, as the novel progresses, she realises that there are other aspects of life that she may value more than her career. A Family Thanksgiving is one of the best holiday films to watch on Apple TV Plus this November.
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner (1967)
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is more than just a holiday classic; it was considered a breakthrough film for its day. It played an important influence in shaping talks about race and relationships in the 1960s by openly and sensitively addressing the topic of interracial marriage. Joanna Dreyton (Katharine Houghton) and John Prentice (Sidney Poitier) are an interracial couple who fall in love. When one’s parents disapprove of their planned partner, family dinners must be difficult. Throughout the film, the two must struggle for their love to win. The all-time holiday favourite received critical acclaim and was a huge box office hit.
Home For The Holidays (1995)
Claudia Larson (played by Holly Hunter) is a single mother living in Chicago in Jodie Foster’s Home for the Holidays. As Thanksgiving approaches, she faces a number of obstacles, the most significant of which being the loss of her employment. Claudia travels to Baltimore with her family for Thanksgiving after finding that her teenage daughter planned to spend the holiday with her boyfriend. Tensions mount as the fractured family reunites, secrets are revealed, and the holiday celebration takes unforeseen twists. Home for the Holidays, another wonderful film to see this Thanksgiving, is filled with lovable, hilarious, and memorable moments.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
This film depicts the misadventures of Neal Page, a character played humorously by Steve Martin. Page is a tense and stressed-out marketing executive on his way home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, he encounters difficult situations at every turn. When Neal meets Del Griffith (John Candy), his voyage becomes increasingly turbulent. Griffith is a well-intentioned but too chatty and inept shower curtain ring salesman. Despite their opposing personalities, the pair unwillingly joins forces to conquer the obstacles and arrive at their target. This is one of the best holiday films on Apple TV Plus, according to critics and audiences alike.
Son In Law (1993)
Son in Law, directed by Steve Rash, is about Crawl (Pauly Shore), a free-spirited and eccentric college student. Rebecca Warner, a small-town girl, invites him to her family’s farm for Thanksgiving break after befriending him during her freshman year of college. Crawl, with his distinct and colourful attitude, introduces the Warners to his laid-back California way while they are there. The orthodox Warner family is taken aback by Crawl’s eccentric behaviour at first. However, as he spends more time with them, his charisma and sense of humour gradually win them over. Son in Law is a fun comedy that is perfect for watching over Thanksgiving dinner.
Spirited (2022)
This musical comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell is a modern rendition of a classic done correctly. Taking on Charles Dickens’ renowned holiday narrative, A Christmas Carol, is no easy task, especially given the number of remakes that have occurred over the years. Making the plot exciting again appears to be a huge undertaking, given how many times we’ve watched it. Spirited, on the other hand, is a successful retelling that breathes fresh life into a classic story. With great hilarious performances from its two starring guys, this is a film you should see this Christmas season.
The Ice Storm (1997)
The Ice Storm is a drama film directed by veteran filmmaker Ang Lee, based on the 1994 novel of the same name. The story is set in 1973 and follows two dysfunctional suburban Connecticut households. Furthermore, the story takes place amid a major ice storm over Thanksgiving weekend. The ensemble cast includes notable stars such as Sigourney Weaver, Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Christina Ricci, and Elijah Wood. To be sure, The Ice Storm earned favourable reviews. While it isn’t as humorous as some other holiday films, it is unquestionably one of the best accessible on Apple TV Plus.
