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- While fans love seeing the new Christmas movies that are released every November and December, not every fictional family seems like they would be a pleasure to have a merry, festive celebration with. Some relatives seem like they would create a chaotic and stressful atmosphere that wouldn't be joyful at all. Others would be a lot of fun to spend time with and would make sure that the holidays are festive and fun.
Every Christmas movie brings its own unique story, characters, setting, and oftentimes magical lesson, but many of them focus on families, big and small. During this time of the year, loved ones travel to one another, in order to eat, drink, be merry, and exchange gifts.
Some of these groups are sweet, caring and picturesque. Others, though, are obnoxious, problematic and questionable. After watching many sweet and nostalgic Christmas movies, fans can pick out the families who would make for a festive holiday celebration and those who would make it hard to have fun.
Updated on December 2nd, 2022 by Aya Tsintziras:
While fans love seeing the new Christmas movies that are released every November and December, not every fictional family seems like they would be a pleasure to have a merry, festive celebration with. Some relatives seem like they would create a chaotic and stressful atmosphere that wouldn't be joyful at all. Others would be a lot of fun to spend time with and would make sure that the holidays are festive and fun.
Fictional Families Fans Want To Spend Christmas With
The Lins (Love Hard, 2021)
Stream on Netflix
The 2021 Netflix movie Love Hard is a sweet story about Josh and Natalie who fall in love when Josh catfishes Natalie. While they pretend to be dating each other before they actually develop real feelings, Natalie meets the Lins, who are one of the best families in a Christmas movie.
Josh's grandma June and father Bob are some of the most likable Love Hard characters and they make Natalie feel welcome from the moment that she meets them. Natalie wants to be part of the family and this would be a fun, enjoyable celebration.
The Stones (The Family Stone, 2005)
Stream on Starz and DirecTV
The Family Stone is a heartbreaking movie set at Christmas, as one character has some bad health news to share with everyone. But besides this tragic plot point, the Stones love Christmas and their enthusiasm and good cheer would make for a perfect dinner.
The Stone home is definitely one that fans would love to visit, and December 24th and December 25th there would be full of delicious food, good company, and lively conversation.
The Weasleys (Harry Potter, 2001-2011)
Stream the first movie on HBO Max
Harry meets Ron Weasley's family in Harry Potter and instantly loves them, and that's exactly how audiences feel too. Ron's mom Molly would make Christmas particularly wonderful and heartwarming.
In Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, Harry spends time with Ron and Ginny and eats delicious pie. Harry feels just like everyone wants to during this time of year: loved and cared for and like good things can keep happening.
The Whos (How The Grinch Stole Christmas, 2000)
Stream on HBO Max
The Whos down in Whoville are, of course, from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There is a TV special of this story, as well as a couple of films. All of them tell the tale of The Grinch stealing Christmas, learning the true meaning of Christmas, then returning all the gifts on Christmas.
At the end of the story, he joins Cindy Lou Who and her family and friends for a holiday feast. He even gets to carve the roast beast. Whoville is a wonderful and whimsical place, and getting to celebrate with this group would be a dream come true. From the songs to the decor to the food, it would be a great Christmas. Fans love the Whos because they are kind and fun-loving, and this would be a holiday that would make everyone feel good.
The Calvins (The Santa Clause, 1994)
Stream on Disney+
One of the most popular movies about Christmas is The Santa Clause from 1994, which starred Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, a man who had to become Santa.
Spending the holidays with Scott would mean hanging out with his son Charlie, meeting Bernard and Judy and everyone else at the North Pole. The movie is incredibly heartfelt and is about family and spending time together. Scott and Charlie have a lot of fun together, and they would be great company. It's one of the best Santa Claus movies and Scott tries hard to make this time of year special for his son.
The Hobbs Family (Elf, 2003)
Stream on HBO Max
If fans hung out with the Hobbs family from Elf, that might mean meeting Santa Claus, which would be fun. This fan-favorite was released in 2003 and featured Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. He went to New York to meet his biological family: Walter Hobbs (James Caan), Emily Hobbs (Mary Steenburgen), and Michael Hobbs (Daniel Tay).
He also grew up in the North Pole, meaning a celebration with this group would also include Papa Elf (Bob Newhart). Fans would also get to consume a lot of sugar. Elf is as sweet as Farrell's character, and he seems like a positive person to be around.
The Baileys (It's A Wonderful Life, 1946)
Stream on Prime Video
In 1946, It's a Wonderful Life was released, and it's now considered one of the greatest films of all time. In it, James Stewart stars a George Bailey, a man who has given up on life but who is then reminded of all his blessings, thanks to a guardian angel.
George’s family (his wife, Mary, and his kids, Janie, Zuzu, Pete, and Tommy) is so sweet. The people in his town (Bedford Falls) truly love him, and spending any day here would make for a day filled with love and kindness. Sometimes Christmas can be stressful, but this family seems like they would keep things calm and fun.
The Kringles (Noelle, 2019)
Stream on Disney+
Noelle is a Disney+ film, and since it focuses on Santa’s family, this is another group that would be cool to hang out with, especially during the holiday season.
Fans could borrow clothes from Noelle Kringle (Anna Kendrick) and deliver toys with her since she is Kris Kringle's daughter. Fans could also laugh with Nick Kringle (Bill Hader) and Gabriel Kringle (Billy Eichner). Elf Polly (Shirley MacLaine) and Mrs. Kringle (Julie Hagerty) are other likable characters. The family cares about each other and seems to enjoy Christmas, and they would likely create positive vibes for a perfectly cheerful celebration.
Fictional Families Fans Would Avoid
The Addams (The Addams Family, 1991)
Stream on Netflix
Wednesday Addams is a great Gothic female character, the Netflix series is fun, and of course, The Addams Family and The Addams Family Values are beloved. But while Gomez and Morticia are compassionate parents and they love hanging out with their kids, this would make for a scary and unnerving holiday.
The Addams are a unique group of relatives who do things the way that feels right to them. But, of course, this leads to everyone else raising their eyebrows and thinking that they're a bit strange. This wouldn't be a typical Christmas celebration, with Wednesday always pranking her brother Pugsley.
The Lerners (Better Watch Out, 2017)
Stream on Peacock and Shudder
While Luke Lerner's mom Deandra seems nice enough, she has no idea about the truth about her son, which makes the prospect of spending Christmas with the Lerners terrifying. Better Watch Out is one of the most popular Christmas horror movies because of what happens when Ashley babysits Luke.
No one would feel safe during this celebration, and it would definitely be one of the most terrifying holidays. It's hard to imagine not wanting to leave immediately after arriving. While the film is clever and shocking, this isn't an ideal situation.
The McVies (Four Christmases, 2008)
Stream on HBO Max
A hilarious holiday flick is Four Christmases from 2008 which stars Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon as Brad McVie and Kate Kinkaid. These two decide to try and visit all of their family members on Christmas.
Brad’s family is made up of his dad, Howard (Robert Duvall), his mom, Paula (Sissy Spacek) and his brothers Denver and Dallas (Jon Favreau and Tim McGraw). Brad has trouble being around his family as they stress him out, and fans understand why Brad and Kate don't like spending the holidays with their relatives. This Christmas visit would be anything but enjoyable.
The Kinkaids (Four Christmases, 2008)
The Kinkaids from Four Christmases include Kate’s family members, who are also stressful to be around. Jon Voight portrays her dad, Creighton. Mary Steenburgen portrays her mom, Marilyn. And Kristin Chenoweth portrays her sister, Courtney.
While these characters aren't as wild as Brad’s family, they aren't very nice. Kate's relatives seem conceited and full of themselves, like they would judge anyone who came to visit for the holidays. They don't have good attitudes.
Oogie Boogie & Co. (The Nightmare Before Christmas, 1993)
Stream on Disney+
The Nightmare Before Christmas was released in 1993 and tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, discovering Christmas Town, which results in him wanting to celebrate this festive day.
It doesn't sound ideal to spend the holidays with Oogie Boogie, who is a boogeyman. His henchmen Lock, Shock, and Barrel, would probably be around, too, and they are trouble. While this is a beloved and entertaining movie, the characters love Halloween, and it doesn't seem like they would know how to celebrate properly.
The Griswolds (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, 1989)
Stream on HBO Max
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation may be a classic Christmas movie, but the Griswolds don't seem like the best people to spend the holiday with. Clark would mess everything up, Audrey and Russ would be bored, the grandparents would annoy everyone, and Randy Quaid’s character, Cousin Eddie, would make trouble.
While the National Lampoon movies are hilarious, people aren't looking for a funny Christmas. Instead, fans would prefer to go to a calm and peaceful holiday dinner where things go smoothly.
The McCallisters (Home Alone, 1994)
Stream on Disney+
Fans would also avoid the McCallisters from Home Alone. While it's a fan-favorite movie, the family annoys each other, and the opening scene of the beloved movie is incredibly chaotic and overwhelming.
Kevin McCallister has such a big family and everyone has bold personalities, which can be tough when everyone is crammed into one house for an extended period of time. Kevin has many siblings and adult relatives who treat him poorly and don't seem very nice. This wouldn't be a very peaceful place to be during this time of year.