The most beautiful Christmas films for everyone who has wanderlust

The most beautiful Christmas films for travel junkies

I'm not really in the Christmas mood right now. We have only just moved into our new home and are once again in another lockdown. And to be honest: I really miss traveling as we used to know it. I'm usually always on the go at this time of year. Just like last year Prague or two years ago in Dresden. This year the situation is unfortunately different and my planned trips have to be postponed. That's why I dream of going to distant countries for at least that long and use the time to get the moving work done quickly.

In between, I would like to introduce you to my top 8 of the most beautiful Christmas films. For all travel addicts who are just as longing for adventure and beautiful landscapes as I am: It will pass and until then we can still have a nice time and slowly and relaxed switch to Christmas mode with a hot chocolate. I wish you a lot of fun with my top 8 list of the most beautiful Christmas films for everyone who has wanderlust. Here we go! But be careful: This article could contain exaggerated depictions of kitsch and predictable clichés 😉 Read at your own risk!

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The most beautiful Christmas films for everyone who has wanderlust

1. Christmas in the wild

Admittedly, at first I didn't have very high expectations of this film. I initially put it in the category of nice and somewhat irrelevant Netflix Christmas productions (you can watch it, but you don't have to). But "Christmas in the Wilderness" has turned out to be a small, entertaining Christmas jewel. Of course, the plot is a bit cheesy at one point or another and not surprising, to put it mildly. Despite that, I found the film refreshingly different from the usual Christmas movies, apart from the plot that was predictable in places. This is mainly due to the fact that most of it is set in the elephant orphanage in Zambia. Far away from the western Christmas hustle and bustle.

About the story: After her son leaves college, Kate Conrad (Kristin Davis) from Manhattan books a kind of second honeymoon for herself and her husband. However, the husband ends the relationship beforehand. Completely frustrated, Kate decides to travel alone. On the way to her luxury resort, she ends up in Zambia, where she meets pilot Derek Holliston (Rob Lowe). Together they try to rescue and nurture an orphaned baby elephant. Kate feels alive for the first time in a long time and promptly extends her stay.

2. Falling Inn Love - Christmas in New Zealand

“Oh my god how incredibly cheesy and predictable is this movie please? I really need to watch it!” Does that sound familiar to you by any chance? Me too! Sometimes I just need a proper feel good movie! It should be quite undemanding but heartwarming. Falling Inn Love isn't actually set during the Christmas season, but it's still on the list. Strictly speaking, the same narrative patterns are used here that make up the glue for a good Christmas story.

A run-down guest house on the other side of the world

About the story: After Gabriela (Christina Milian) lost her job and her boyfriend as well, she spontaneously takes part in a raffle and actually wins an old guest house in New Zealand. She can hardly believe her luck and immediately sets off for New Zealand. Thousands of air miles later, the prize turns out to be a run-down farm with an extremely pushy goat as a lodger. Gabriela decides to renovate the property in order to sell it again as soon as possible. For the work, she hires (surprise, surprise) the outrageously handsome New Zealander Jake Taylor (Adam Demos), with whom she doesn't get along too well at first. Do I have to write more 😉? Yes, this film is not exactly intended for demanding evenings of discourse. But I especially liked the breathtaking landscape shots. And the story with the sympathetic main actors is also quite nice to look at *grin*.

The most beautiful Christmas films for everyone who has wanderlust

3. Three Days of Christmas - 3x Christmas with family saga in Spain

Three Days of Christmas is a three-part Spanish Drama-Miniseries. In my opinion, this series from 2019 is still a little insider tip on Netflix. With its plot, it clearly stands out from the other Christmas productions. Because if you only expect glitter, tinsel and shallow entertainment in this series, you will be surprised with an atmospheric, touching and sometimes even dark family saga. As viewers, we accompany the adventures of four unlikely sisters during key moments in their lives. However, the action takes place in the sisters' family home in different time levels. The first episode in particular is reminiscent of a classic Christmas fairy tale with its costumes, the production design and a picturesque setting (a secluded house in a valley between mountains and forest), which is, however, very quickly confronted with harsh reality.

4. Christmas at home – Christmas time and dating fails in Norway

Since my childhood I have loved international films and series. In the meantime I have seen many Russian, Japanese, Spanish, Indian, French, Italian and recently also some Norwegian films. With "Christmas at Home" comes the first Norwegian series. And this series was my personal Netflix highlight during the Christmas season in 2019. Maybe it's because Norway has been my absolute dream destination since I was 13, along with Australia. Nothing earth-shattering actually happens in the series, but it's this mixture of laconic humor and rustic Norwegian winter wonderland landscape that made me go through with the series.

Next please

About the plot: Permanent single Johanne has had enough of the constant comments about her relationship status. So she wants to find a suitable partner within 24 days who she can bring home to the party. Easier said than done. Because what follows is an odyssey of shameful moments, likeable freaks and the big question: who will ultimately ring the doorbell on Christmas Eve? Admittedly, the concept and plot of the series has been seen somewhere before, but rarely with such endearing characters and stories. I particularly liked the scenes with Johanne at her work as a nurse. But see for yourself 😊 Season 18 will be on Netflix from December 2th.

The most beautiful Christmas films for everyone who has wanderlust

5. The life is wonderful, is not it? – The American Christmas classic par excellence

For me, “Isn't life beautiful?” is just as much a part of the Christmas season as the smell of cookies and the lights on the Christmas tree. This timelessly beautiful film is also the reason why I used to want to travel to the USA so much at Christmas time. In 2014 the time had finally come and my wish had come true. I was able to experience New York at the most beautiful time of the year and it was a magical journey characterized by all kinds of weather variations that you can think of. We had a varied program of rain, sun, snow and even a storm fit for a movie. I always associate this journey with this film, a film from 1946 that is still thought-provoking in our fast-moving world. Because the story is simply balm for the soul!

An angel for George

The story: On the way to the bank, on Christmas Eve 1945, George Bailey's uncle loses $8.000. George faces a prison sentence. In desperation, he slowly gives up his belief in life and decides to kill himself. Just in time, however, the angel Clarence comes to earth and shows George what an indispensable and valuable role he plays in the lives of his fellow human beings.

6. Edward Scissorhands Christmas in Tim Burton's Wonderland

For me, Edward Scissorhands remains one of Tim Burton's most magical and melancholic films. A fairy tale for everyone who feels wanderlust for enchanted castles and a longing for a spark of humanity in an increasingly superficial and stuffy world.

Who is the monster here?

In this case, the artificially created human Edward (Johnny Depp) appears a lot more sympathetic and "human" than the small-minded residents of the fictional town to which Edward moves from his castle AvonCounselor Peg Bogg is taken away. At her house, he falls in love with her pretty daughter Kim (Winona Ryder), who initially finds Edward suspicious, but a short time later also returns his affection. First, Edward's whimsical scissorhand skills quickly make him popular with the small townsfolk. They are enthusiastic about his special gardening and hairdressing skills. But over time and a few incidents, the enthusiasm for his talent changes and the citizens see him more as a threat than an asset...

7. Betty and her sisters - Charles Dickens could not have written it better

On a Christmas journey into the past: If you like Charles Dickens, you'll love Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. The 1994 film "Betty and Her Sisters" starring Winona Ryder is also based on her novel. This heartwarming film about four dissimilar sisters is one of my favorite films for the cold season. Each of the girls is full of hopes, dreams and desires. Together they grow up and experience many adventures. Due to the many funny, but also sad moments, the girls quickly grow on the viewer's heart. The film always manages to put a smile on my face with its attention to detail and warm-hearted storytelling.

Remake of “Little Women” 2019

Especially now in the Christmas season, the film is ideal for snuggling up on the couch with your loved ones and being enchanted. The story has since been filmed several times, including the remake starring Saoirse Ronan, which was released in cinemas in 2019. I think this film adaptation is also very successful, even if the film from 1994 will remain my favorite.

8. Ballet Shoes – The Nutcracker in the UK?

I saw ballet shoes for the first time many years ago. It's a quiet, magical film that transports the viewer to another world for a while. And again it's about three sisters (stories about sisters somehow seem to be part of the Christmas program. Family and stuff 😉) About the story: The orphans Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil are taken in by the paleontologist Matthew and grow in increasing poverty under their care his niece Sylvia Brown. The three adopted sisters still want to live up to their family name and decide to go down in the history books. Each of the three sisters develops different talents. And it all starts with a ballet piece...

Christmas 2020 – Maybe very different but no less beautiful

Admittedly, the familiar Christmas movies feel different to watch this year. Far away from the obligation to wear a mask, there is a bittersweet lightness in all stories that now seems light years away to me. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to one or the other Christmas film in 2020. Even without a Christmas market, you can make yourself comfortable at home, drink mulled wine or punch and immerse yourself in a good Christmas story. Which film do you think has to be on the list? Write it to me in the comments.