By Catherine Engstrom-Hadley | Staff Writer
The time is upon us. Target has had Christmas trees out for nearly a month now (why?!) and holiday party hosts are scrambling to get their homes celebration-ready. Ah yes, dear reader, it’s new holiday movie time. Get ready for love, weird Santa origin stories and Rob Lowe. I watched all of them (you’re welcome) so you can make your holiday movie choices wisely during winter break.
“A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby”
Netflix (begins streaming Dec. 5)
Just when you thought you could escape, Queen Amber (Rose McIver) and King Richard (Ben Lamb) are back. This time Queen Amber is pregnant, and they have to deal with a curse brought on by a lost treaty with the neighboring kingdom of Penglia. I cannot wait to see how long they will draw out this franchise.
“Noelle”
Disney+
Noelle (Anna Kendrick) is Santa Claus’ daughter. She wants to make a difference in the North Pole but has a hard time finding her place. After her father passes and her brother (Bill Hader) disappears, she must track him down before Christmas with the help of a weird CGI baby reindeer. “Noelle” is a good start for Disney+ and an interesting twist on the Santa origin story.
“Christmas Break-In”
Netflix
This movie has it all: drone skateboarding, weird criminals, Danny Glover and Denise Richards. A little girl has to save her elementary school janitor when he is kidnapped by a pair of intruders during a blizzard over the holiday break. While clearly a “Home Alone” rip-off, it’s still worth watching.
“The Knight Before Christmas”
Netflix
If you came across a guy running around dressed like a medieval knight and carrying a sword would you: A) walk away slowly or B) invite him to live in your house for a while? If you picked B, do I have the movie for you! A medieval knight (Josh Whitehouse) is magically transported to modern-day Ohio where he meets Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens), a science teacher. Will he be her knight in shining armor?
“Let It Snow”
Netflix
Based on the YA novel, “Let It Snow” is by far the best holiday movie streaming right now. When a snowstorm hits a small midwestern town, it brings together a group of high school students who soon find love from unlikely places. Packed with stars, this movie is a charming and fun watch.
