10 Heartwarming Movies You Can Binge-watch With Your Family This Christmas

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We all know this year was not great. This pandemic we have going on destroyed all our plans for this year and it has brought us pain, hardships, and experiences that we were not all prepared for. Our Christmas this year may be different than the ones we had mainly because we'll be celebrating it without large gatherings (which we are usually used to as Filipinos) but who says it'll be boring? When you're living in a small numbered household like me (I'm an only child in the house), you can always turn on the television and relax with a good family movie that tells a story that'll certainly bring you and your family members close.

As a movie junkie, here are some of my top picks. These are arranged in alphabetical order.

1. Blended (2014)

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Single parents Lauren (Barrymore) and Jim (Sandler) are paired up for a singularly awful first date. In a bizarre twist of luck, the pair are soon reunited at the holiday resort. Will their differences - and their kids - cause vacation carnage?

Who doesn't love a good romantic comedy? Especially the ones Adam Sandler is in. Yeah, I'll admit some of his movies are oftentimes criticized to be "bad" and "utter disappointments" but hey, they make me laugh and I like watching them. This is a good movie for the family to have some laughs at without diminishing the essence the movie wants to convey.

2. Facing the Giants (2006)

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Grant Taylor, a Christian high-school football coach (Alex Kendrick), gets some very bad news. Besides his and his wife's (Shannen Fields) infertility problems, he faces the attempt of local parents to force the school to replace him. His team, the Shiloh Eagles, has never had a winning season in the six years that he has coached the boys. Following a visitor's message, Grant tries to inspire his team to use faith to conquer fear and opposing teams.

This movie came out long ago but the greatness of its message has not waned over the years. The aforementioned title is a great movie for you and your family to reflect on the current state of your faith. It also is a great reminder of what God can do and it will surely lift your spirits up amidst this terrible pandemic because "with God, all things are possible."

3. Gifted (2017)

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Frank, a single man raising his child prodigy niece Mary, is drawn into a custody battle with his mother. Frank Adler (Chris Evans) is a single man raising a child prodigy - his spirited young niece Mary (Mckenna Grace) in a coastal town in Florida.

Anybody who knows me would say I only included this because Chris Evans is the protagonist. Well, no (well, maybe only 50% no). I included this because of the warm and heartfelt performances of Evans and Grace. This movie isn't unique in any way in terms of the storyline but the performances of the principal actors gave justice to the movie's heartwarming and tear-jerking moments.

4. Rain Man (1988)

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This tells the story of abrasive, selfish young wheeler-dealer Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise), who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed virtually all of his multi-million dollar estate to his other son, Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), an autistic savant, of whose existence Charlie was unaware.

This one is an oldie. But you know what they say, an oldie but goldie. Lol. For me, this film is such an underrated classic. It deserves more recognition. So here I am giving it some. It may be slow-paced at first but if you are a patient viewer, you will surely be rewarded by an emotional experience that tugs at your heartstrings.

5. Instant Family (2018)

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A married couple, Pete and Ellie Wagner, decide to adopt Lizzy, a teenager. However, life turns challenging when they realize Lizzy has two more siblings.

I will describe this movie as a drama and a comedy smushed into one film. I felt like they struggled with picking on what genre to focus on and instead they just went with both. But I am recommending this since it has a lot of sentimental scenes that made my heart soften. Also, I am recommending this because this movie gives you a glimpse of the reality that other children are facing in this world like drug addiction, child neglect, and a failed system just to name a few. Families watching this movie will surely feel a sense of thankfulness (if they are complete) and a sense of empathy (if they are going through the same thing).

6. Little Women (2019)

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While the March sisters enter the threshold of womanhood, they go through many ups and downs in life and endeavor to make important decisions that can affect their future.

Of course, I'm not going to leave out the movie adaptation of my favorite book. I have watched ALL of the movie adaptations of Little Women but the latest one was my favorite. I think it's because of the cast. Don't get me wrong, the past cast that portrayed the characters was great too but this is just my personal preference. This modern classic shouldn't be left out of any list and instead of gushing on and on about it here, just GO. WATCH. IT. NOW. and see why this movie is perfect for this season.

7. Miracles from Heaven (2016)

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Ten-year-old Anna suffers from a rare and incurable disease. With the help of her mother Christy, she begins to heal miraculously that surprises her family and the medical specialists.

Based on the title itself you could pretty much guess the ending. But don't let that stop you from watching this powerful, uplifting, and reaffirming movie with your family.

8. My Sister's Keeper (2009)

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Anna, a young girl, seeks a lawyer's help to earn medical emancipation from her parents when they force her to donate organs, blood and tissue to her leukaemia-stricken elder sister and help her live.

It was only when I watched this movie years ago that I found out that there was such a thing as a "savior baby". Dang. Nevertheless, based on this movie's plot you may have already guessed that this movie's goal is to make its viewers cry. Well, I certainly did. Given the subject matter, it's hard not to.

9. The Blind Side (2009)

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Michael, a homeless African-American teenager, is adopted by a Caucasian family who help him overcome his learning difficulties and achieve excellence in American football.

This movie is one of my all-time favorites. You know, a movie that you can watch over and over again and you'll not get tired of it? This movie is based on real events of the real Michael Oher. And for me, all I can say is this is hands down one of the most heartwarming and inspiring movies ever made.

10. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

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Chris Gardner takes up an unpaid internship in a brokerage firm after he loses his life's earnings selling a product he invested in. His wife leaves him and he is left with the custody of his son.

If you guys judge me for spelling 'happiness' wrongly, then you obviously haven't seen this film before. That's really how the title is spelled. It would be considered a crime if I left this out of my list. Everything in this movie is worth watching -- the acting, the direction, the plot... everything. This movie conveys a valuable lesson to us all and it's no secret that this movie will get you reaching for your tissues. Watch it with your family and bond together over how Chris Gardner (Will Smith) refuses to give up on his commitment to his son. Something that'll have you (the kids) appreciate the breadwinner of your family.

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'Tis the season to remember that God sent his only begotten Son for us sinners. Christmas has not been canceled guys. Nobody can cancel Christmas because Christmas is not about the celebration and the gatherings. It's about remembering how great God's love for us is. So this season with the pandemic still threatening our health, let's all remember God's love in our own safe haven which is our home.

Much love,

Anne 💕