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National Lampoon, The 11 best holiday film screenings

The 11 best holiday film screenings in New York City

Looking to get in the Christmas spirit with other strangers sitting in a dark room? Consult our calendar of festive screenings

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Sure, you could sit at home and wait for these titles to inevitably turn up on TV or Netflix during the holidays. But let’s not forget that It’s a Wonderful Life and Gremlins were audience experiences first—and that’s still the best way to see them. Nothing will bring on the Christmas feeling quicker than shamefully hiding your sniffles during a public screening of Love Actually.

Christmas Evil
  • Movies
  • Horror
Before Silent Night, Deadly Night, there was another horror movie about a psychopath donning a Santa costume and going on a killing spree. This is that movie. Landmark’s Sunshine; Fri 19, Sat 20 at 11:55pm
Die Hard
  • Movies
  • Action and adventure
The classic that recently topped our top-100 action movies of all time, John McTiernan’s bruising thriller is, indeed, set during Christmas. It’s also the gift that keeps on giving. IFC Center; Fri 12, Sat 13 at 9:40pm, 12:10am
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Eyes Wide Shut
  • Movies
  • Drama
Stanley Kubrick’s Christmas-set final film was unfairly castigated upon release, but its deliberately hermetic virtues—not to mention Nicole Kidman’s brilliantly mannered performance—are becoming increasingly appreciated as time goes on. This masterpiece is screening in 35mm, and the password is “Fidelio.” IFC Center; Wed 17, Thu 18 at 9:40pm
Gremlins
  • Movies
  • Fantasy
Credit director Joe Dante, a veteran of Roger Corman’s B-picture team, for making this fantasy-comedy about kids ’n’ cuddly creatures more than just a Spielberg-lite romp. Remember: No bright lights. Don’t get them wet. And above all—never feed them after midnight. IFC Center; Fri 19, Sat 20 at 9:40pm, midnight
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  • Movies
  • Comedy
The film (scripted by John Hughes) that made adorable little moppet Macaulay Culkin a star is heavy on the sentiment and slapstick, though it now appeals more for its kitsch than anything else. Nitehawk Cinema; Sat 20, Sun 21 at noon
It's a Wonderful Life
  • Movies
  • Drama
Sure it is, if some do-gooder guardian angel is trying to use your personal problems to earn his stupid wings. Go ahead, jump off that bridge—see what happens. IFC Center; Fri 12-Thu 25. Showtimes vary; visit ifccenter.com for more information
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Love Actually
  • Movies
  • Comedy
A veritable orgy of rom-com tropes served with a side of tea and crumpets, Richard Curtis’s epic ensemble phenomenon packs a career’s worth of fuzzy love stories into a single symphony of candied cuteness. A thoroughly English movie but a milestone for millennials across the English-speaking world. Nitehawk Cinema; Sat 20, Sun 21 at 11:30am
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
  • Movies
  • Comedy
A John Hughes script hiding moments of unexpected pathos is the only draw here; mostly we’re talking stoopid Griswoldian pratfalls and the like. Nitehawk Cinema; Sat 13, Sun 14 at noon
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Scrooged
  • Movies
Here’s the flabby, smug, overextended SNL skit that made such movies fashionable in the first place. And yet, Bill Murray wills it into a classic. IFC Center; Sun 14, Mon 15, Tue 16 at 9:40pm
Silent Night, Bloody Night
  • Movies
A young man inherits a mansion that used to be a mental hospital. There’s probably a few crazy spirits hanging around, don’t you think? Nitehawk Cinema; Fri 12, Sat 13 at 12:10am
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White Christmas
  • Movies
In case you hadn’t guessed this already, yes, Bing Crosby does sing the super famous title song in this movie. But it wasn’t the first time he’d crooned the tune; that’d be Holiday Inn (1942), which provided the basis for this somewhat lackluster semiremake. IFC Center; Sat 13, Sat 20 at 1:30pm
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