It’s officially my most favorite time of the year. In addition to celebrating the real reason for the season, there is lots of food, family and fun going on in our house.
I’ve been adding Christmas movies to my watchlists for at least a few weeks, and my favorite girl and I have had a couple of Hallmark Christmas movie marathons. For me though, Christmas just isn’t Christmas until I’ve watched some of my favorite holiday movies featuring African-American characters.
Whether it’s you, your boo or your crew hanging out to watch, here are a few of my favorites for you to consider watching (or rewatching). There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Perfect Holiday
When it comes to movies, all you have to do is say Morris Chestnut and you have my attention. All Nancy Taylor (played by Gabrielle Union) wants for Christmas is to meet a nice man. Benjamin Armstrong (played by Chestnut) is just the man to make her dreams come true. Complete with an all-star cast, this is one movie my baby girl and I watch all year long.
The Preacher’s Wife
This family-friendly remake stars Denzel Washington as an angel sent back to earth to help a disillusioned pastor (Courtney Vance) and his wife (Whitney Houston) regain control of their lives. The movie also boasts one of my all-time favorite Christmas soundtracks.
The Best Man Holiday
This much-anticipated sequel to The Best Man is one I watch throughout the year, and I still experience every range of emotions like I’m watching it for the first time. The original college gang is all back together again to celebrate the holidays. Rivalries and romances are reignited and secrets are revealed. Did I mention it stars Morris Chestnut and includes a performance of New Edition’s “Can You Stand the Rain”?
Diva’s Christmas Carol
Vanessa Williams conquers this classic remake, playing Ebony Scrooge. Once part of a singing trio, Ebony has gone solo and has forgotten where she came from. Luckily, the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future are on hand to give her a reality check and to make this holiday season one she will never forget.
This Christmas
The Whitfield family—composed of an all-star cast, including one of my favorite actresses, Regina King—is together for the holidays. Not only are secrets revealed, but family bonds are thoroughly tested.
Last Holiday
After Kelly (played by Queen Latifah) learns she only has a few weeks to live, she leaves behind her secret crush (played by LL Cool J) and trades in her boring life for a European vacation.
Jingle All the Way
One father is on a mission to get his kid the season’s hottest toy, just like every other person in the country, including the postman (played by Sinbad).
Snowglobe
Angela (Christina Milian) has always wanted a perfect Christmas. She gets that opportunity thanks to an antique snow globe. This family-friendly film is one my baby girl loves, so we normally watch it together at least once over the holidays.
Mistletoe-Tones
My favorite girl watches this over and over and over. All. Year. Long. Holly (Tia Mowry-Hardrict) forms a musical group and challenges her rival to a Christmas Eve singing competition.
The Family Man
A rich Wall Street bachelor encounters an angel (Don Cheadle) and wakes up to find himself living in suburbia and married to his first love.
What movies do you watch every Christmas or do you plan to watch this year?
