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The 9 best Christmas travel movies of all time

If you live in the Southern hemisphere, feeling festive can quickly become 'festy' when it’s 39 degrees outside and you’re sweating like a Tiger prawn on a sun lounger. So sit back, crank up the air-con and chill with our pick of the best Christmas travel movies to get you in a merry mood.

If you live in the Southern hemisphere, feeling festive can quickly become ‘festy’ when it’s 39 degrees outside and you’re sweating like a Tiger prawn on a sun lounger. So sit back, crank up the air-con and chill with our pick of the best Christmas travel movies to get you in a merry mood.

 

9. The Snowman (1982)

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Warm and fuzzies

Based on the children’s picture book by English author Raymond Briggs, The Snowman was first published in the U.K in 1978.

The animation came later and despite only being 26 minutes long, it’s a charming story of a little boy who builds a snowman one winter’s day.

That night, at the stroke of twelve, the snowman comes to life and they begin their magical adventure together.

With a gorgeous orchestral soundtrack and the haunting anthem ‘Walking in the air’ it’s sure to have you crying like a baby and hugging those nearest and dearest to you.. Which could include your favourite alcoholic beverage.

 

8. The Polar Express (2004)

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Snowmen everywhere

The Polar Express is also based on a children’s book and follows the dream like adventure of a boy and his dramatic animated journey to the North Pole to meet Santa on board the steam train – Polar Express.

Tom Hanks amazingly plays six different characters in the movie and despite the animation looking a little dated (aged 12) compared to the wonders of today, the snowy surroundings and festive fantasy scenes make the film a must watch to get you in the mood for mulled wine, mince pies and all things St. Nick.

 

7. The Santa Claus (1994)

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Oops.

After accidentally killing Santa Claus by knocking him off the roof on Christmas eve, Scott Calvin (played by Tim Allen) travels all the way to the North Pole to learn that he must become the new Santa and convince those he loves that he is indeed Father Christmas.

It’s funny stuff and though there were two sequels, the original we think is still the funniest.

 

6. In Bruges (2008)

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A rare happy moment

After a major stuff up with a job, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson (playing two Irish hit men) are sent to the picturesque Belgian city of Bruges over the Christmas period to sit it out and await further orders from the boss (played by psychopath Ralph Fiennes).

What transpires is a black comedy that goes from bad to worse as Farrell and Gleeson stand out as two starkly different characters in a traditional Christmassy backdrop.

Perhaps not one for the snoozy post Christmas lunch session with the rellies, but definitely one to be enjoyed later on when everyone’s gone to bed.

 

5. Home Alone (1990)

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Don’t be fooled by his innocence

Who could forget Macauley Culkin a.k.a the lovable Kevin McAllister?

He was the nine-year-old pest who was accidentally left behind by his family when they took off to Paris for the Christmas holidays.

I mean, surely it’s a simple parenting mistake anyone could make?

So whilst Kevin’s mum realises her relatively large mistake and races home to rescue him, Mr Home Alone junior takes on and fends off two unlikely burglars trying to loot the family home, leaving them both destined instead for the mental asylum.

One burglar was even a young (ish) Joe Pesci from Goodfellas which just goes to show that Kevin really was a bad ass.

 

4. Love Actually (2003)

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Oh Hugh you big boofhead!

With an all star British cast including Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley and Emma Thompson, this quirky, hilarious British rom-com tells an intertwined tale of nine distinctive love stories in the lead up to Christmas, most of which end up concluding at London’s Heathrow Airport.

Aside from being a great ad for Visit Britain, and a timeless classic for everyone to enjoy it’s full of Grants trademark ‘Oh’s’ and ‘um’s’ and is a reminder that the spirit of Christmas romance always seems to come together in the end somehow (for most people anyway).

 

3. The Holiday

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It’s a classic holiday movie that often goes under the radar, but here at KarryOn, the team unanimously agrees that The Holiday should be high up on any Christmas movie list.

Nahrain and Haley say it not only does the film showcase the different ways Christmas is celebrating in the UK and California, but the various ways in which modern day travellers can choose to organise and reserve their holidays.

“And besides, who doesn’t want to see hottie Jude Law play a doting dad?” the pair giggled.

 

2. Elf (2003)

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That face

Another one of my annual Christmas must watches. Often more than once.

Will Ferrell, aka Buddy the Elf (Who’s actually a human that was separated at birth) leaves his beloved North Pole home where he grew up on a quest to find his real father (James Caan) and family in New York City.

Both totally random and heart tugging, six-foot-three Elf Ferrell plays the part brilliantly and ultimately teaches everyone something about humanity and ‘difference’ by the end of it in how own unique way.

 

1. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989)

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Quite possibly the finest Christmas movie ever made? We think so.

Because after all, we can all relate to poor Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) as his nut job family descend on his house for the Holiday period and he tries in vain to make it the ‘perfect Christmas’ for everyone.

A bit like watching a car crash in slow motion, things go from crazy to ridiculous as Griswold Snr’s mental health deteriorates with every legendary scene.

I never tire of watching this movie, or any of the National Lampoon series for that matter. Pure gold.

Did we miss any? What’s your favourite Christmas travel movie?