There are so many Christmas movies out right now that you can hardly watch them all. The streaming services are chocked full of every kind imaginable. If you are a Christmas or Holiday fan it’s interesting to know which movies were based on books. There are some that I already knew, but there were many of which I was not aware.  So, if you are a fan of Christmas or the Holidays in general, you might want to grab some popcorn and watch some of these entertaining and often thought provoking movies and it might be fun to find the books and read them as well. You will often find that the original books contain information that isn’t revealed in the movie which can be interesting.

• The Nutcracker – From the 1816 short story by German author E.T.A. Hoffmann, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, a fantasy set on Christmas Eve in the early 1800s and centered around the excitement and anticipation of Christmas gifts.

• A Christmas Story – 9-year-old Ralphie Parker gets his ideal Christmas gift (the Red Rider air rifle), (you’ll shoot your eye out). If you liked the movie you’ll probably like to read author Jean Shepherd’s In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, a collection of short stories upon which the movie was based.

• Christmas with the Kranks – Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis live in the suburbs and are a couple new to empty nesting who decide to skip Christmas and go on a cruise. Upon finding out that their daughter will be home for Christmas after all, it turns into a hilarious disaster that you won’t want to miss. This 2004 modern classic is based off John Grisham’s 2001 novel titled Skipping Christmas.

• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – This hilarious 1989 Christmas movie was based on a short story by John Hughes titled Christmas ’59 that was published in National Lampoon magazine in December 1980.

• Miracle on 34th Street – This 1947 Christmas classic  is about a department store Santa, a single mom, and her 6-year-old daughter who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus. Miracle on 34th Street by American author Valentine Davies was also a best-selling novella in 1947.

• It’s a Wonderful Life – George Bailey showed us what a difference one life can make for those around us during James Stewart’s Christmas classic. The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern  was originally written in 1938, self-published, and mailed to around 200 people as a holiday newsletter.

• The Bishop’s Wife -This movie from 1947 tells of one clergyman’s prayers being answered in unexpected ways. The Bishop’s Wife is based on the 1928 novella by author Robert Nathan. A book that has charm, wit and wisdom that makes it a classic.

• Meet me in St. Louis – This is a 1944 Christmas classic/musical that was originally published as a series of short stories in The New Yorker magazine (titled The Kensington Stories) before it was published as a novel in 1942 by author Sally Benson.

• A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens’ legendary novella, A Christmas Carol , was first published on December 19th, 1843. By Christmas Eve of that same year, the novella was sold out. The book has been republished many times and there have been countless screen adaptions.

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas – A beloved Dr. Seuss children’s book before it was adapted for the big screen multiple times, How the Grinch Stole Christmas was first published in 1957 and written in Dr. Seuss’s iconic rhymed verses. Despite being for children, the book was notable for criticizing the commercialization of Christmas.

• The Polar Express – A children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express was published in 1985. It  tells the story of a young skeptical boy who takes a life-changing trip on the Polar Express where he receives the first gift from Santa Claus.

• You’ll also find dozens of Hallmark Christmas movies that were adapted from books.

I hope you enjoy the many movies and books of the Holiday Season with all your friends and family.  Have a very Merry Christmas!

Solitaire

www.solititaireparke.com