5 Cozy Christmas Book to Movie Adaptations You Can Watch During the Holidays

‘Tis the season again! Before you start baking sugar cookies and decorating your Christmas tree, get in the holiday spirit by watching some of the most heart-warming Christmas movies. Everyone agrees that they’re the most feel-good movies to watch. We all have our favourites, but did you know that many of our cult-classic Christmas movies are based on books or short stories? So, grab a cup of hot cocoa and a warm blanket, because we’ve rounded up a list of the 5 most cheerful Christmas book adaptations that you can watch with your family during the holidays.

1. A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol is perhaps one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time. It is also one of the most iconic Christmas stories. It is based upon Charles Dickens’ famous novella published in 1843. There have been several adaptations of this story on film, television, theatre and radio. Ebenezer Scrooge must pay attention to what happens when he is visited by three ghosts of Christmas past. Scrooge is shown how he went from a joyful young man to a money-hungry miser by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. What does Scrooge’s future hold for him? This story has been presented in a variety of ways and includes a spooky element as well as a pleasant ending. What is also interesting is that the movie stars Jim Carrey in several roles including Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts that haunt him! 

2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

When Christmas comes around, you can’t help but hum this catchy carol in your head. The story of this red-nosed reindeer (also told by the song) has been engraved in our brains since childhood. It doesn’t come as a surprise then that it’s a famous children’s storybook. The book was written by Robert May in the 1930s as a touching tribute to his daughter. Since then, it has sold millions of copies. This book allowed the hit 1964 TV special to come to life. 

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This one’s probably the most famous Christmas movie in popular culture. One cannot imagine Christmas without the Grinch. Fans of this old classic would also be aware that the movie has been adapted from the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Doctor Seuss. The book has been a Christmas story staple for generations. It’s timeless, funny and heart-warming, and it’s safe to say that kids will be falling in love with this tale for generations to come. Jim Carrey’s rendition of the Grinch has won critical acclaim from viewers worldwide.

4. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Now famous as a two-act fairy ballet choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, The Nutcracker has become synonymous with Christmas. But did you know that there are movie adaptations of this classic? Also, did you know that the story is based upon E.T.A. Hoffmann’s fairytale, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King? It follows the tale of a child’s toy nutcracker which comes alive and takes her to a magical kingdom. Nutcracker dolls, also known as Christmas nutcrackers, are decorative nutcracker figurines most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier. In Disney’s reimagining of The Nutcracker, a young girl named Clara receives a mysterious gift from her mother which launches her on a journey of discovery to four secret realms.

5. The Polar Express

The movie The Polar Express was released in 2004. It is based on the 1985 book by Chris Van Allsburg. The film portrays the narrative of a little child who begins to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. A train outside his window wakes him up on Christmas Eve. He asks the conductor where the train is going, and when the conductor says they’re going to the North Pole, he gets on board. On the train, he meets other children, and their adventure begins. Tom Hanks plays six characters in the film: narrator, hero boy, hero boy’s father, hobo, conductor, and Santa Claus. Daryl Sabara, Jimmy Bennett, Nona Gaye, and Eddie Deezen also star.

Who doesn’t love watching Christmas movies at this time of the year? If you’re not a movie buff, you can curl up with one of the above books by the fireside. Either way, we hope they get you in the Christmas spirit. All of these movies and books are the quintessential holiday entertainment. Happy reading, happy watching and happy holidays!

Also Read : Why The Movie Industry Is Turning To Books For Its Biggest Productions