Christmas Movie Magic with… Nieve Ella and Matilda Mann

Christmas films are like family members at the dinner table – some are classics you can’t live without, some show up uninvited, and others spark debates that could rival the great sprout wars of your childhood. But while the rest of the world exhausts itself arguing over whether Bruce Willis in a vest counts as festive entertainment, we’ve got not one but two indie-pop authorities ready to settle the great Christmas viewing debate.

In one corner, Nieve Ella arrives with a selection box of seasonal favourites that reads like a love letter to proper Christmas cinema. We’re talking felt frogs teaching moral lessons, Jim Carrey painted green and stealing presents, and – of course – the eternally perfect sight of Jude Law in a cosy jumper. In the other, Matilda Mann throws the rulebook out of the frost-covered window with a collection of films that capture the spirit of the season without ever actually mentioning the C-word.

Between them, they’ve crafted a viewing schedule that could keep you glued to the sofa from the moment you open your first Quality Street until the last remaining turkey sandwich disappears. Time to dim the lights, grab the nearest blanket, and settle in for a masterclass in festive film curation.

Nieve Ella’s Top 5 Christmas films

‘Tis the season to be judgy, and indie-pop’s rising star Nieve Ella is here to deliver her cinematic Christmas verdict with all the warmth of a freshly mulled wine. From felt frogs to green grumps, animated train rides to Cameron Diaz’s enviable cottage (not to mention the Jude Law of it all), her seasonal selections paint a picture of someone who knows their way around a Christmas Eve viewing schedule. Time to grab your hot chocolate, don your cosiest jumper, and dive into a festive film feast that’s equal parts nostalgia and swoon-worthy holiday romance – with a dash of puppet-based Dickensian drama for good measure.

→ 1. The Muppet Christmas Carol 

A childhood classic that reminds me of my primary school. I’ve always had a soft spot for Kermit. 

→ 2. The Grinch 

The Grinch reminds me of me in so many ways; I love how big his heart ends up being at the end. I think there’s actually such a beautiful story behind it. 

→ 3. The Polar Express 

In a way, this film sort of makes me feel a bit weird because I used to keep it on repeat all night, and the ‘press play’ screen would just repeat as I slept, so there’s a very nostalgic feel to it. 

→ 4. Elf

I love Zoe [Deschanel] and Will [Ferrell] in this film so much. They’re so quirky and in love; it’s so sweet. And I love that iconic bathroom scene.

→ 5. The Holiday 

Jude Law. That’s it. 

Matilda Mann’s Top 5 non-Christmas Christmas films

Feel that festive-but-not-quite-festive itch? While everyone else exhausts themselves debating whether Die Hard counts as a Christmas film (please, we’re begging you to stop), Matilda Mann’s here with the real winter warmers – films that capture the seasonal spirit without ever committing to the holiday itself. From wizard wonderlands to Nora Ephron’s greatest hits, her picks paint winter warmth across the silver screen in ways that don’t require a single appearance from Saint Nick. So grab your blanket and settle in for some seasonally-adjacent cinema that proves sometimes the best Christmas films aren’t Christmas films at all.

→ 1. Harry Potter 

I can’t remember a time in December that I didn’t hardcore binge-watch these movies all in a row. The Christmases they have in nearly every one are always so sweet and such a nice pause in their hectic lives, which I think is a nice representation of how Christmas should feel. 

→ 2. When Harry Met Sally

Yes, it’s more of an autumn movie, but it’s such a sweet and memorable scene when they get their Christmas trees together and how they go through all the seasons in different parts of the friendship / relationship. All the best bits are set in autumn / winter.

→ 3. Hope and Glory 

My mum would put this on every Christmas Day after everyone had eaten a silly amount of food and consumed too much mulled wine. So I’m not sure how much of it ever gets watched, but it’s just become a funny tradition that I’d hate to ever miss.

→ 4. Juno 

Maybe my favourite movie ever. A lot of which is because it feels so nostalgic, and I guess that’s what a lot of Christmases feel like. It also goes through a year of different seasons, and I love how much everything changes during them. 

→ 5. About time 

I think it’s just the sweetest rom com. I always tell everyone to watch it, mainly for the message at the end. To just enjoy every day, noticing the details of it and love the people around you. ■

Taken from the December 2024 / January 2025 issue of Dork.