When it comes to great holiday TV, one only needs to mention the original Christmas Story. What this movie has done for the industry is truly unbelievable. There have been undoubtedly many great Hallmark Holiday movies to follow, but none of them built a cult following like the original Christmas Story.

Bundling up around the TV with your family and favorite hot drinks and snacks can set the stage for the upcoming festivities. This is especially true when you got the right movies and shows. The following are the ones you and your family don’t want to miss out on this holiday season!

Spirited

You better believe Apple is going to bring it this holiday season, and they are kicking things off in a big way with this new rendition of the classic, A Christmas Carol. Although a true tried and tested Christmas tale most are familiar with, this rendition offers a more contemporary feel. This is no doubt the contribution of today’s film technology along with the young and recognizable cast, which includes funnyman, Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, Sunita Mani, and Patrick Page.

This is basically just a modern retelling of Charles Dickens’ 1843 classic novella, A Christmas Carol. It’ll first be available on Apple TV Plus with Ferrell and Reynolds at the helm. While there are some slight modifications to the tale and how it is told, they will make a huge impact on the story. The beloved original by Charles Dickens is told through the eyes of Ebenezer Scrooge, the crass and mean-spirited workhorse who is shown the error of his uncaring ways.

This modern depiction will come from the point of view of the Ghost of Christmas Present, played by funnyman Farrell. Also, it isn’t Scrooge that gets visited by the three ghosts. The Ghost of Christmas Present (Farrell’s character) makes a major mistake and chooses the wrong, unsuspecting soul.

He chooses the witty and capable Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds). Reynolds’s witty character further shakes the plot by turning the tables on the ghost. Before the audience knows it, they’ll be watching the past of the ghost unfold on the screen.

In addition to these changes, there is the hilarious musical twist. The story is told in the format of a musical, albeit a very comedic musical. Despite Farrell’s recognition as a funnyman, he is quite classically talented and Reynolds certainly is no slouch in any realm. Expect all-out laughs accompanied by an admirable tale of redemption. With a PG-13 rating and backed by a who’s who of undeniable talent, this is one the entire family can enjoy from beginning to end.

It only speaks well to fans and everyone involved that Sean Anders will be pulling the strings behind the stage. As director of both Daddy’s Home and Daddy’s Home 2, Anders is more than familiar with Farrell’s talents and how to showcase them in the best light possible.

Spirited Cast

• Octavia Spencer – Kimberly
• Ryan Reynolds – Clint Briggs
• Loren G. Woods – Yet-To-Come
• Sunita Mani – Past
• Patrick Page – Marley
• Will Ferrell – Present
• Tracy Morgan – Yet-To-Come (voice)
• Aimee Carrero – Nora
• Joe Tippett – Owen
• Jen Tullock – Wendy
• Marlow Barkley – Wren/Young Carrie
• Andrew Anders – Carrie

Where To Watch Spirited

Spirited aired on Apple TV+ on November 18, 2022.

A Christmas Story Christmas

Speaking of that beloved 80s classic, the brain trusts in Hollywood are giving it another shot. The movie titled A Christmas Story Christmas will actually be the 3 entry into the series. That said, the sequel was nowhere near as successful or as good as the first.

That first one was special, but those that have come after are certainly worth the effort of watching. This one will especially be given that will contain the original cast.

Fans will get to experience their favorite young BB gun-wielding protagonist, along with friends Schwartz (R.D. Robb) and Flick (Scott Schwartz), back on the big screen. Only this time the young Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) won’t be so young anymore. The cast will be missing a few of the originals given that it’s going on nearly 40 years since the first movie was filmed. Most notable of the missing will be the man who could weave a tapestry of obscenities, unlike it was anyone’s business.

The absence of Darren McGavin (Ralphie’s Dad) will certainly be felt on and off screen, as will the iconic voice of the original narrator, Jean Shepherd. Cast and crew assure fans that there certainly won’t be any slacking in the snappy quotes or witty references the movie has become a staple for.

This time around, it will be Ralphie in the patriarch role, with wife Sandy (Erinn Hayes), daughter, Julie (Julianna Layne), and son Mark (River Drosche) in tow.

This will be the first time fans get introduced to the young, modern Parker Family, and they create a whole new realm of potential storytelling. Expect writers and directors to take full advantage of the possible new avenues of storylines while old favorites will be taken down different routes than one might have suspected.

Fans know that young, now older Randy (Ian Petrella) will be returning as well as longtime feared bully Scott Farkus (Zack Ward). Interestingly enough, Scott will play a cop.

Although the role was cast to Julie Hagerty instead of Melinda Dillon, the now older mother of the Parker clan will be returning as a doting and loving grandmother. The potential for this rendition of the iconic Christmas favorite is set and there for the taken thanks to the potentially potent and memorable story.

Ralphie and his young family find themselves back in Ralphie’s old stomping grounds to bury and pay tribute to his later father. Along with his wife and kids, Ralphie promises his mother to make this Christmas special and one of the most memorable possible.

Although gathered around a solemn cause, there will be plenty of time for hijinks and dropping in on past childhood friends. The softer PG ratings make this one the whole family can gather around.

A Christmas Story Christmas Cast (2022)

• Julie Hagerty – Mrs. Parker
• Peter Billingsley – Ralphie Parker
• D. Robb – Schwartz
• Julianna Layne – Julie
• Scott Schwartz – Flick
• Erinn Hayes – Sandy Parker
• River Drosche – Mark
• Davis Murphy – Delbert Bumpus
• Ian Petrella – Randy

Where To Watch A Christmas Story Christmas

A Christmas Story Christmas premiered on November 17, 2022 on HBO.

Violent Night 

Not all Christmas tales need to be touchy-feely or even bloodless. Just look at Reindeer Games! That said, Violent Night will be one of those exact tales and could become an instant holiday classic. It’ll also be one where viewers will want to put the younger children to bed before seeing it.

Unfortunately, viewers will find themselves needing to venture out for this one, as upon release it’ll only be available in theaters, but it certainly promises to be every bit worth the time and trouble.

Stranger Things’ David Harbour has been on a roll as of late, and besides the release of Stranger Things Season 4 earlier this year, this dark comedy promises to be one of his most memorable roles. At least, the potential is there in this what promises to be an incredible holiday-dark comedy. Besides Harbour, there is the promise of several other acting greats, like both Edi Patterson and Cam Gigandet. And who could forget about John Leguizamo, Beverly D’Angelo, Alex Hassell, and Alex Louder?

Simply put, the cast is stacked full of TV and movie greats. Patterson is currently doing the HBO series, The Righteous Gemstones while Gigandet and Leguizamo have been tied up on the movie scene with hits, like Without Remorse, Last Shoot Out, 9 Bullets, and The Menu. Along with The Menu, Leguizamo also lent his iconic voice to the Encanto animation.

D’Angelo’s and Hassell’s past accomplishments include Wakefield and The Unicorn. Although the plot is basic, there will be plenty of hard-hitting action to fill in the gaps. That said, there will probably also be a cleverly hidden plot buried somewhere under the surface. As far as fans know right now from the trailer, Violet Night seems like your typical heist plot.

A group of skilled mercenaries breaks into a rich couple’s home to rob them. It isn’t clear if the husband or wife is targeted specifically for some reason. Everything just appears to be somewhat random, but there could be an interesting story avenue in there somewhere with more than financial gain being the reason for the break-in.

It is also unclear what Santa Claus is doing on the property, but he’s there and he’s there in full force along with all his badness. Regardless, this one will be entertaining with Pat Casey and Josh Miller reuniting on the big screen. The duo has previously collaborated on several successful works, like Shotgun Wedding, and Transylmania, and who could forget about both of the groundbreaking Sonic movies?

It’s could be a very merry Christmas!

Violent Night Cast

• John Leguizamo – Scrooge
• Brendan Fletcher – Krampus
• David Harbour – Santa Clause
• Edi Patterson – Alva Lightstone
• Alex Hassell – Jason Lightstone
• Beverly D’Angelo – Gertrude Lightstone
• Alexis Louder – Linda
• Mike Dopud – Commander Thorp
• Alexander Elliot – Bert
• Leah Brady – Trudy Lightstone
• Erik Athavale – Richard

What Is The Theater Release Date For Violent Night

Violent Night previously premiered on October 7, 2022, at the New York Comic Con. It will hit theaters nationwide on December 2, 2022.