🎄 Merry Christmas!

As the Christmas atmosphere grows ever stronger on shopping streets and social platforms alike, decorating your home in full holiday style—like lifestyle influencers do—may not be so easy. But spending a weekend evening watching a Christmas-themed movie is always within reach. Whether it’s the heartwarming holiday romance Love Actually or the adventurous animated classic The Polar Express, both feel like perfect seasonal choices. In this special edition of What to Watch, we’ve selected 9 films ideal for Christmas viewing, hoping to bring you a touch of warmth during these cold winter days.

The What to Watch column will periodically release themed special editions. While keeping an eye on weekly new releases, we also revisit beloved classics together.

You can check out previous recommendations here or by clicking the tag #WhatToWatch at the end of the article. If you’d like more in-depth film and TV content, feel free to follow our spin-off column What to Watch Café. And as always, if you have other suggestions, you’re welcome to share them in the comments—thank you for your continued support and love for What to Watch.

[Film] Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

• Keywords: Comedy / Fantasy / Adventure
• Also known as: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Runtime: Around 115 minutes; Douban link
• Where to watch: Migu Video / Bilibili / Tencent Video / iQIYI

Non-professionals are advised to watch this film accompanied by chocolate.

@潘誉晗: The mysterious gates of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory have been shut for fifteen years. All this time, no one has ever been seen entering or leaving, yet rich and tempting chocolate aromas continue to waft out from within. One day, Wonka announces that he has hidden five golden tickets inside five chocolate bars—whoever finds one will earn the chance to tour the chocolate factory.

I think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an almost perfect choice for a Christmas family movie. For children, it’s a fairy-tale chocolate kingdom filled with wonder—like winning a golden ticket from the film itself, bringing pure joy. For adults, it offers a chance to see the world through children’s eyes and reflect on how grown-ups should provide the right guidance as kids grow up.

The five children represent archetypes in a very deliberate way: the gluttonous grinder, the rich pay-to-win tycoon, the elite player, the tech geek, and the lucky chosen one. Their different backgrounds and the ways they obtain their golden tickets predetermine the choices they’ll make—and the consequences they’ll face—on this adventure. The film makes its message crystal clear: excessive greed, arrogance, and vanity are among the worst traits in the world, and they ultimately harm oneself. What’s truly precious is having the kind of pure kindness and childlike heart that Charlie embodies.

When the visionary Tim Burton brings Roald Dahl’s story to the screen, he also reminds us that family is a child’s most important school. As long as a family is together, even living in a drafty little house and eating cabbage with cabbage soup every day can still be a source of immense happiness.

[Film] The Shop Around the Corner

• Keywords: Drama / Comedy / Romance
• Also known as: The Shop Around the Corner
• Runtime: 99 minutes
• Where to watch: Youku Video; Douban link

A “long-distance romance” story set on Christmas Eve, 1940.

@利兹与青鸟: When it comes to Christmas movies, the classic It’s a Wonderful Life often tops various “best Christmas films” lists. But another lesser-known gem starring James Stewart, The Shop Around the Corner, is just as perfect for the holiday season. Directed by the renowned Ernst Lubitsch, a master of romantic comedies, the film carries his signature lighthearted and playful style, filled with witty dialogue and richly drawn ensemble characters, transporting viewers back to a small corner shop during Christmas in the last century.

How did young people fall in love in 1940? Storylines we’re familiar with today—online romance and office love affairs—were already cleverly and elegantly constructed in The Shop Around the Corner decades ago. The film tells the story of a man and a woman who, by a twist of fate, become pen pals. In real life, they are bickering rivals, coworkers in the same shop who can’t stand each other; yet through anonymous letters, they unknowingly become soulmates who deeply admire one another. This dual relationship between the two leads is the film’s greatest highlight, generating plenty of humor as their circumstances shift, while taking the audience’s emotions on a gentle roller coaster.

Beyond the central romance, the everyday ensemble scenes inside the shop are equally delightful: a stubborn boss who holds all the power, sly and mischievous employees sneaking moments of slacking off—elements that feel wonderfully true to life while remaining highly entertaining. When the plot veers toward an unexpectedly chaotic point and viewers begin to worry about how it can possibly be resolved, Lubitsch once again diffuses the tension with a light and witty touch, reminding us that this is the highest form of a truly heartwarming, family-friendly comedy.

[Film] Everyone Says I Love You

• Keywords: Comedy / Romance / Musical
• Also known as: Everyone Says I Love You
• Runtime: 101 minutes
• Where to watch: Tencent Video; Douban link

A warm and romantic all-star musical.

@甜约翰: Set in New York, the film tells the story of a family with very different personalities, each bravely pursuing true love. Free-spirited Juna lives in a large, happy family—her mother Steffi and stepfather Bob have maintained a close friendship with Juna’s biological father, Joe Berlin, for many years. Her sister Skylar is about to walk down the aisle with her fiancé Holden, only to fall for a convicted criminal. Joe Berlin, who has remained single for years, meets a married woman while on vacation and ends up chasing her from Venice to Paris. Meanwhile, the family also includes an eccentric brother Scott, the innocent sisters Lane and Laura, and an adorable grandfather. With Christmas just around the corner, will they be able to find true love?

This 1996 all-star musical was written, directed, and starred in by the “little old man” himself, Woody Allen. The film continues his signature style: a tightly structured script, concise storytelling, just-right choreography and musical design, and of course, Allen’s characteristically rambling musings. It carries a strong sense of classic Broadway tradition, yet moments like a dancing soul at a funeral and a duet by the Seine add a touch of lightness and warmth. Through his lens, every member of this middle-class family feels especially endearing, while New York, Paris, and Venice appear irresistibly romantic—almost as if this is what love itself looks like.

Everyone says they love you—but what exactly is love? Is it that once-in-a-lifetime spark, or the quiet companionship that grows over time? Perhaps no one truly knows. With Christmas just around the corner, why not look for an answer in this film?

[Film] A Christmas Carol

• Keywords: Drama / Animation / Family / Fantasy
• Also known as: A Christmas Carol
• Runtime: 98 minutes
• Where to watch: Tencent Video; Douban link

A darker fairy tale better suited for adults.

@甜约翰: The protagonist, Ebenezer Scrooge, is a thoroughgoing miser—selfish by nature and notoriously stingy. He treats his employees and nephew harshly, and even beggars on the street dare not ask him for alms. After his business partner dies, he becomes even more unrestrained. As Christmas approaches, Ebenezer, alone at home, encounters three spirits in succession—the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. These extraordinary experiences awaken another side of his humanity, and he finally repents, deciding to change his ways.

This film is adapted from Charles Dickens’s novella of the same name, written in 1843. The original work is one of Dickens’s “Christmas Books” (alongside The Chimes and The Cricket on the Hearth), and the phrase “Merry Christmas” itself gained widespread popularity because of this story. Directed by Robert Zemeckis of Forrest Gump fame, the film combines a solid script, a dark visual style, unsettling elements, and the use of performance capture technology, resulting in a richly textured and distinctive cinematic experience.

Of course, the film also carries a deeply educational theme: if you could see your own past, present, and future, what kind of life would you choose? It’s also worth noting that Jim Carrey, who plays the lead role, along with familiar faces such as Gary Oldman and Colin Firth, all deliver strong performances, adding plenty of highlights to the film.

If you’re in the mood for something other than the warmth-and-fuzzies of Love Actually, this darker fairy tale for adults may be just the right choice for Christmas night.

[Film] Klaus: The Secret of Christmas

• Keywords: Comedy / Adventure / Coming-of-Age
• Also known as: Klaus
• Runtime: 96 minutes
• Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

The most selfless acts are often the most moving.

@SHY: Even the youngest children know the story—when the year draws to a close, a white-bearded old man in red sets off from the far north, riding a reindeer-drawn flying sleigh to visit homes around the world, quietly leaving gifts to be discovered upon waking. But where did this well-known legend come from? Here, I’m not talking about Saint Nicholas as you may have heard of him, but a story that might have truly happened in 19th-century Norway.

When we think of Christmas, we naturally picture family reunions and festive decorations. This story, however, begins in a bleak, icy town that feels as though it has stepped straight out of a Lovecraftian myth. Jasper, a spoiled young man exiled there by his postmaster father, desperately tries to complete his delivery quota, only to find the townsfolk locked in deep-seated hostility, vowing never to interact with one another. At his lowest point, he reaches an understanding with the woodsman Klaus—and through acts of kindness born from selfish motives, they gradually weave the fabric of a new tomorrow.

From letter-writing wishes and naughty lists to reindeer sleighs, chimney stockings, and even the iconic “Ho-ho-ho,” the film cleverly connects all the familiar elements of Christmas into a whimsical and imaginative symphony. With carefully planted foreshadowing and steadily advancing narrative threads, it traces the growth of Jasper and the townspeople alike. The striking contrast before and after their transformation naturally elevates Klaus into the figure we now recognize as Santa Claus.

Built upon exquisite art direction, the creators use hand-drawn 2D animation to simulate three-dimensional lighting and textures, giving the film its distinctive “2D-rendered-as-3D” visual style—truly a feast for the eyes. Guided by pure love and goodwill, long-standing feuds are resolved, a harsh and frozen land is turned into a haven of laughter and joy, and warmth is carried out into the world. This beautiful legend is one I’m happy to believe in—and one of the finest interpretations of the origins of Santa Claus.

[Film] The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales…

• Keywords: Comedy / Adventure / Healing
• Also known as: The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales…
• Runtime: 83 minutes, with a post-credits scene
• Where to watch: Youku; Douban link

Since it’s come to this, I’ll just be Santa Claus myself!

@SHY: The curtain slowly rises, and the show begins. The stage is a seemingly ordinary little farm. An overly responsible pig teams up with a not-so-bright duck and rabbit to escort a baby dropped off by a stork back home, setting off on a long journey. The scene then shifts to the Big Bad Fox plotting with Mr. Wolf to steal chickens—only to be mistaken for a mother by newly hatched chicks, forcing him to take on the responsibility of childcare. And as the year draws to a close, the duck and rabbit accidentally “kill” Santa Claus. Determined to step up and save Christmas, they join forces with the pig for a series of absurd and hilarious adventures.

Benjamin Renner, director of Ernest & Celestine, brings his own illustrated book to the screen. Using the premise of animals putting on a stage play, he weaves together three standalone stories, occasionally breaking the fourth wall. Although only the final segment is directly related to Christmas, every childlike adventure is infused with a strong festive spirit. The corners of the frame are filled with delightful details—watching a snail on a tree branch repeatedly miss falling leaves, or the frog janitor stealing the spotlight during the end credits—there’s always a moment that will have you laughing out loud.

Embracing the watercolor style that French animation does best, the film uses simple lines to sketch a cast of vividly distinct characters, gently telling a warm bedtime story with a brisk pace and a fresh, lighthearted mood. No matter how chaotic the journey may be, the adventure always ends with a heartwarming payoff. Just as the closing line says, everyone finds their own happiness—and that’s what matters most. With its uniquely French humor and delightfully silly charm, this whimsical, all-ages family fairy tale is the perfect festive treat to enjoy with friends and family.

[Film] The Holdovers

• Keywords: Drama / Comedy
• Also known as: The Holdovers
• Runtime: 133 minutes
• Where to watch: Bilibili / iQIYI; Douban link

A sincere and quietly moving slice-of-life film.

@甜约翰: Set in the 1970s, the film follows Paul, a teacher at Barton Academy. Aloof, somewhat arrogant, and accustomed to keeping to himself, he isn’t particularly popular on campus. Having never married and lacking close family or friends, Paul is left with no choice but to stay at the school over the Christmas holidays. Remaining with him are Angus, a troublemaking student who is constantly causing problems, and Mary, the school’s head cook. And so, three very different people form an unlikely “alliance of the stranded,” spending an unforgettable Christmas break together…

Directed by Alexander Payne (Nebraska, Paris, je t’aime), the combination of an eccentric teacher, a problem student, and a strong-willed cook may not sound novel, but the film stands out thanks to its solid script and high level of overall execution. The character work is especially compelling: a lonely, middle-aged single teacher; a rebellious student acting out in the wake of his parents’ divorce; and an African American mother who lost her son in the war. Three people who are, in different ways, “without a home,” move from mutual unfamiliarity to understanding, eventually opening up to one another and forming a temporary family for the holidays.

Familiar without feeling formulaic, the film offers an alternative expression of “family without blood ties.” Paired with its rich sense of nostalgia, it feels heartfelt and deeply affecting—a genuinely sincere work that also happens to be perfectly suited for Christmas viewing.

[Film] Carol

• Keywords: Drama / Romance / LGBTQ+
• Also known as: Carol
• Runtime: 118 minutes; Douban link

With Christmas approaching, it’s time to revisit Carol.

@利兹与青鸟: Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 novel The Price of Salt, the story unfolds in the cold of winter. Cate Blanchett plays Carol, a mother on the brink of divorce, while Rooney Mara portrays Therese, a sales clerk with a passion for photography. The two meet in a department store shortly before Christmas, exchange one lingering glance in the sea of people, and fall in love at first sight—only to suffer for a relationship that was deemed taboo by the society of that era.

The film follows a familiar romantic narrative on the surface, yet director Todd Haynes creates a distinctive aesthetic space, amplifying sensory experiences of sound, sight, and touch to make this love story restrained, subtle, and unmistakably different. Shot on film, Carol has a soft, timeworn, grainy visual texture. Doors, windows, mirrors, and halos of light are frequently used as foreground obstructions, forming a barrier of time and space between the two women bound by love, while also positioning the audience outside the frame, observing that era from a distance. The score is flowing and densely woven, perfectly complementing the visuals and drawing viewers deeper into the delicate emotional shifts of the protagonists.

Of course, for a love story, what matters most may be the intangible chemistry between the leads. The performances are nuanced and exceptional; in the face of such powerful on-screen chemistry, dramatic conflicts and plot mechanics feel almost secondary. Through subtle glances, restrained emotions, and expressive body language—through countless meaningful looks exchanged—this pure and genuine love is more than enough to move the audience.

[J-Drama] A 29-Year-Old’s Christmas

• Keywords: Drama / Romance
• Also known as: 29歳のクリスマス
• Runtime: Around 46 minutes per episode × 10 episodes; Douban link

I like who I am right now.

@潘誉晗: “On my 29th birthday, I started going bald, couldn’t go to Paris Fashion Week, was transferred from the fashion department to a company-run restaurant, got dumped by a jerk, was soaked to the bone in the rain, and panicked over the possibility that I might be pregnant with that jerk’s child—thankfully I wasn’t, and could finally breathe a sigh of relief…” For Noriko, a day that should have been a happy birthday celebration turned out to be truly miserable. Work, romance, family, friendship—those seemingly ordinary problems of everyday life all came crashing down on her at once during her 29th year.

Society often feels deeply unfair to women. Men can still be seen as charming well into their forties, while women, once they reach a certain age, are told that if they don’t “solve” the issue of marriage, all that remains is to be chosen. That’s why I love this drama, and admire Noriko so much. Even in Japan in 1994, she proves—amid a strongly patriarchal atmosphere—that a woman can still be outstanding in her own right. When she questions her mother’s constant pressure to get married, her retort feels like it speaks for countless women: “In this male-dominated society, even when the pressure is so intense that I start losing my hair, no matter how hard my work is, I tell myself to keep going and keep trying. Please don’t dismiss my efforts as unfilial.” Exactly—if you’re capable of supporting yourself, why place your happiness in the hands of another person who may not even be reliable?

As Noriko’s 29th Christmas approaches, she’s on the brink of turning 30. Yet at this moment, she is no longer anxious, nor filled with regret, because she has received the best Christmas gift of all: facing herself honestly. I think many women need a Christmas gift like this, too.

More

[Film] That Christmas @SHY: After a chaotic Christmas pageant, the children head home carrying their own worries. As a snowstorm gradually engulfs this small town in England, Santa Claus is about to face the biggest crisis of his career. Adapted from the children’s book of the same name by Love Actually director Richard Curtis, and featuring voice performances by Bill Nighy and others, this charming animated film uses Christmas to weave together a cast of characters and intertwined events, ultimately crafting a joyful, feel-good ending. Brimming with laughter and heartfelt moments, it’s a warm companion for year-end viewing.

🙋: What films do you feel like watching this Christmas? Feel free to share with us in the comments! Click here to see more themed watchlists 📽