It’s the holiday season, and if you’re anything like me, you might be saving all your favorites for your weekends off prior to Christmas. I find that in these winter months, I find myself returning to some classic films that are feel-good, comfortable and give me a sense of nostalgia. To me, these movies and shows just feel like a warm beverage on a cold winter night, and give that cozy feeling without getting into holiday vibes too early. I’ve included some I love below, but I’d love to know some of your favorites in the comments.
Netflix: The Great British Baking Show (2010 – present)
Possibly the only truly wholesome reality TV show, The Great British Baking Show is a staple in the UK and has become quite popular stateside in recent years. For the unfamiliar, twelve amateur bakers will compete for the title in weekly episodes each featuring three challenges: the Signature, the Technical and the Showstopper. The combination of the skilled judges and comedian hosts makes for a fun watch experience, where baking techniques are explained but never get too in the weeds. The Technical is one of the most interesting in my opinion, as all the contestants go in blind and have to make a recipe they’ve never practiced based on only the instructions and their skill/experience. Despite the intrigue though, it stays warm and lighthearted with contestants often bantering and encouraging one another throughout. The result is something that feels like an engaging yet low stakes competition show, and one that’s endlessly fun to watch.
FOR FANS OF: Taskmaster; The Great Pottery Throwdown
MGM+: The Mummy (1999)
I think this one is just about a universal comfort watch. If you’ve somehow missed this movie, The Mummy is the action-adventure movie that caused a generation of people to fall in love with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Though it was technically pitched as a remake of the 1932 classic (which George Romero attached to direct), what we got was less scary but a lot more fun. The plot follows siblings John and Evelyn as they try to find Hamunaptra, the City of Dead. Accompanied by Fraser’s Rick O’Connell, they soon discover the curse that plagues the city and the titular Mummy who wields it. Even though this movie was stuck in development hell for years, the end project was a hit and lives on in the memories of a generation. I put this one on the other day and I was genuinely surprised just how well it holds up, 1990s CG and all. Definitely put this one on, it’s a lot funnier than you remember.
FOR FANS OF: Pirate of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl; The Mask of Zorro
Disney+: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
I’m a big fan of any movie where Clooney gets to play a memorable enigmatic character, and this one is my favorite. The Fantastic Mr. Fox (based on the Roald Dahl book) is Wes Anderson’s first venture into stop-motion and it’s a joy to watch. From its absolutely stacked cast to its witty writing and unforgettable characters, it’s a movie that is squarely for everyone without feeling juvenile or too dry. It’s honestly akin to older Disney films in that way. If you’ve somehow missed this movie, it’s a great one to watch no matter what mixed company is visiting for the holidays. Even my hyper-religious family members like this one! It’s just heartwarming and genuinely funny. It’s also very quotable, so be prepared for this one to enter your family lexicon.
FOR FANS OF: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On; James and the Giant Peach
HBO Max: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Of all the choices on this list, this movie gives me the most warm fuzzy feelings. Arguably one of Miyazaki’s best, Kiki’s Delivery Service follows a young witch as she leaves her home for the first time. Settling into the seaside town of her dreams, she starts a delivery service for a local bakery, bringing the townsfolk deliveries on her broomstick. Things aren’t all roses though, and Kiki faces some major challenges through the movie’s runtime. Kiki’s Delivery Service is almost like a hero’s journey, set in the setting of a coming-of-age story. Miyazaki has done this format before (Spirited Away) but here, it’s just so sweet without feeling unrelatable to an adult audience. The characters are wonderful, and the dubbed voice cast features some well-known voices like Phil Hartman, Kristen Dunst, and Matthew Lawrence. Please do yourself a favor and watch this movie, especially if you are new to Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli. This is a perfect place to start.
FOR FANS OF: My Neighbor Totoro; Amelie; Matilda
Prime Video: Downton Abbey (2010 – 2015)
But Val, I hear you cry, this is a period drama. Oh contraire dear reader, this is THE period drama. Downton Abbey follows the aristocratic Grantham family throughout events in world history, economics, and their personal family struggles. The amount of detail that’s put into this show is genuinely wild, from the costuming, settings and even the way the characters talk to each other and refer to others. I’ve been having my partner (who is not a period drama guy) watch this one for the first time, and as a history nerd, he is absolutely obsessed. The show also takes great care to highlight the growing class divide between the aristocrats who live in the house and the employees who live on site, and the ways everyone’s lives change with the beginning of WW1 and the economic collapse in 1929. It’s a show that’s rich with storytelling that truly has something for everyone.
FOR FANS OF: The Crown; Shogun; North and South