From classic to horror: Coastians list holiday movie favorites
From "It's a Wonderful Life" to "Elf," Christmas movies have become a holiday tradition. And with ABC Family Channel and Hallmark showing Christmas fare ad nauseum, the tradition seems as if it's here to stay.
Christmas movies can be also be big draws at the box office. According to boxofficemojo.com, Ron Howard's 2000 adaptation of Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," which starred Jim Carrey, grossed more than $260 million at the box office.
NBC's showing of the new holiday film "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" drew more than 13 million viewers, the most for an original TV movie since 2011, according to the trade publication Variety.
There are more than 100 Christmas movies available for holiday viewing. The titles run the gamut from adaptations of classics such as Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" to films filled with musical numbers like "White Christmas."
There are also lesser "classics" including "Santa Claus Versus the Martians" and the horror film "Silent Night, Deadly Night."
The Sun Herald asked South Mississippians what their favorite holiday movie was and here are some of their answers:
Morgan Shiyou, Kiln: I like "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" with Jim Carrey. I like to watch it right after Thanksgiving while I'm getting out the Christmas decorations.
Erin Darche, Biloxi: I'm a sucker for the Hallmark Channel. I'm addicted to the Christmas movies. I watch them over and over. I've seen them three or four times and I can't turn off the TV.
Jackson Darche, 7, Biloxi: My favorite movie is "A Christmas Story." I think it's funny.
Telicia Partman, Biloxi: I like "A Christmas Story." I watch it every year.
Ronnie Simnicht, Ocean Springs: My favorite movie is a "Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase. It's hilarious and it resembles my family more than any Christmas movie around.
Emie Pederio, Biloxi: I like "A Charlie Brown Christmas." It's really about the spirit of Christmas. It's about giving.
Isiah Anderson, Keesler Air Force Base: I like "Elf." Will Ferrell is my favorite actor. He's hilarious.
Tawanda Dozier, Keesler Air Force Base: My favorite is "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." It teaches you about overcoming adversity, and love and tolerance for others.
Jeff Clark, Long Beach: I love watching "Love Actually" during the holidays. It has several story lines that culminate on Christmas Eve. It stars Bill Nighy, Rowan "Mr. Bean" Atkinson," Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney and Professor Snape. It also has a great scene that involves a song by The Beatles and an entire subplot that revolves around a song by The Troggs. What's not to love about this movie?
This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 8:45 PM with the headline "From classic to horror: Coastians list holiday movie favorites ."