12 Christmas movies and shows to watch in 2021 (and 5 to skip)

ELF - One Christmas Eve a long time ago, a baby crawled into Santa's bag of toys... Raised as an elf, Buddy (Will Ferrell) grows into an adult three times larger than the biggest elf--and realizes that he will never truly fit in at the North Pole. This holiday season, Buddy goes looking for his true place in the world--in New York City. (WARNER BROS)BOB NEWHART, WILL FERRELL /

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LONDON – NOVEMBER 16: Hugh Grant leaves the After Party for The UK Film Premiere of Love Actually held on November 16, 2003 in London. (Photo by David Westing/Getty Images) /

Skip: Love, Actually

For the whole family? Not really

What it’s about: The movie follows a set of individuals, who do happen to have some crossover in their stories for the most part. We see how these individuals find or treat love over the Christmas season. Hugh Grant is the Prime Minister falling for a new member of the 10 Downing Street staff, while Alan Rickman is a husband having an affair. Then there’s the guy in love with the best friend’s new wife.

Not all storylines end with happiness. And some of them you’re left wondering what would happen after the credits roll.

Why you should skip it: Love, Actually is likely a movie that you’ve seen over and over again. You can give it a skip this year. There are just so many other great Christmas movies and shows to watch.

Some of the storylines are actually infuriating, especially Andrew Lincoln and Keira Knightley’s story. Others are fun, but are they really worth taking up a couple of hours when you can watch something else rather than this for the millionth time?

There are some sweet parts to the story, like the sister who chooses her disabled brother instead of her own love life. However, some of these stories probably aren’t the best for positive look of love. There are too many questions about what happens afterward.

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