By Matija Šerić

“The Polar Express” (2004)

This American animated fantasy-adventure hit was released 21 years ago but remains a true favorite. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by William Broyles Jr., it is a timeless work of art of remarkable quality, based on the 1985 children’s book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. The characters from the book are brought to life in the animated film, with the talented actor Tom Hanks providing voices for multiple characters.

The story revolves around a boy who begins to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, he boards the magical Polar Express, which, together with other children, takes him on a journey to the North Pole. Along the way, he learns about faith, friendship, and the importance of believing in miracles, ultimately rediscovering the Christmas spirit. The film is highly successful because it combines a warm Christmas story about faith and childhood imagination with innovative animation and a strong emotional atmosphere. It has become a holiday classic that viewers of all generations love to watch year after year. 100 minutes of pure enjoyment.

“Scrooge” (1951)

This British Christmas film achieved remarkable success. It is a Christmas fantasy drama adapted from the 1843 novel A Christmas Carol by British author Charles Dickens. This version is the most faithful adaptation and one of the films that best translates the book to the big screen. Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and written by Noel Langley, the story carefully follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, grumpy, and bitter old man who despises Christmas and everyone around him. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by the spirits of past, present, and future Christmases, showing him the consequences of his greed, which ultimately prompts him to change his ways and open his heart to people and the joy of Christmas. Alastair Sim shines in the lead role. The work is very emotional, which is why it continues to captivate audiences even decades later.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)

Also known as Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, this is actually a gothic animated film with a runtime of 79 minutes. American director Henry Selick displayed great creativity in making the film, which proved to be a complete success. The story is largely an adaptation of a poem written in 1982 by American filmmaker Tim Burton. The protagonist, Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, accidentally discovers the magical world of Christmas and is captivated by its warmth, joy, and festivities. Enthralled by this new experience, he decides to organize Christmas himself, but his good intentions quickly lead to chaos and hilarious misunderstandings.

The film masterfully blends dark fantasy and humor, exploring the contrast between darkness and light, as well as fear and holiday joy. It was the first animated film nominated for an Oscar in the Best Visual Effects category. Although it did not win the award, in 2023 it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” This is a film that can be enjoyed by both young and old.

“The Nativity Story” (2006)

This film is an American biblical drama directed by Catherine Hardwicke, with a screenplay by Mike Rich. Although an American production, parts of the dialogue are in English and others in Hebrew. The story focuses on the biblical narrative of Mary and Joseph and their journey to Bethlehem, where the birth of Jesus Christ is to take place. The film portrays the challenges and hardships the couple faces during their journey, including the lack of accommodation and dangers along the way, while highlighting faith, courage, and hope in fulfilling God’s will and ancient prophecies.

Through an authentic, realistic, and emotionally portrayed story, the film provides insight into the historical and spiritual context of Jesus’ birth. Many consider this the best film about the Nativity, even though, for some reason, it is not as widely known as other works. While faithfully based on the Bible, the film is directed in a way that is accessible even to those not deeply familiar with the Scriptures. The beautiful landscapes, costumes, and set design enhance the authenticity and aesthetic appeal.