Holiday films are the toughest to decide! With the whole lot of family or friends gathered together it’s a must that a binge list should have something for everyone. From a ROFL comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, South Korean Thriller Memories of Murder, to Kamal Haasan’s silent Pushpak Vimana to this writers most preferred Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Here is a list of twenty films from across the globe that you can watch this holiday season.
Happy Binge-y Holidays!
The Lunchbox – One of the simplest and sweetest love stories to come out of Hindi cinema, this Ritesh Batra-directed gem is so much in its minimalistic approach, complemented by the amazing performances by Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Watching a film where the actors say so much without relying on words is always a delight.
Udaan – This coming-of-age film by Vikramaditya Motwane is something most of us can relate to, on some level. Rajat Barmecha, who was 20 when he played the role, delivers a performance with maturity. The major highlight is the father, played by Ronit Roy, who is a ticking time bomb in a human form.
Andaz Apna Apna – One of the funniest film ever made in the Indian cinema landscape, this Aamir Khan–Salman Khan starrer flick is the best recipe to tickle your funny bone this holiday season.
Parinda – In an era which is remembered as the worst time for Hindi films, this 1989 Vidhu Vinod Chopra film stirred the landscape with its realistic portrayal of violence. Every frame, every performance and dialogue is so deliciously real that you cannot help but love it.
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro – Another comedy film in this list, which is bound to happen since it’s the holiday season. This one has a satirical take on the system, which makes it more relevant due to the current political climate in the country. The final Mahabharat scene is sure to leave you roll over floor laughing.
Dil Chahta Hai – Released in 2001, the film marked the directorial debut of Farhan Akhtar. Starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna, the film started a new wave of cinema with its portrayal of urban middle-class life.
Sairat – One of the most daring films to come out of the Marathi cinema, this 2016 romantic drama builds up to a climax you would never imagine in your wildest dream. With a realistic take on caste system, it’s a must-watch if you want an entertainer that also jolts the comforter.
Court – The film that brought the nation’s attention to Marathi films, this 2015 film by Chaitanya Tamhane is a painfully realistic portrayal of the Indian judiciary system with a bizarre case as its centre point. There are several instances of dry humour in the film that gel together with its overall melancholic mood and kafka-esque setting.
Jallikattu – The most recent entry on this list, this 2019 Malayalam film is a visual tour de france about a bunch of villagers chasing a buffalo gone rogue. This is a film which is on constant movement. Give it a watch if you are into something different and you won’t be disappointed.
Bangalore Days – Directed by Anjali Menon, the film is a slice of life take on the journey of three cousins who discover different meanings of freedom together. With relatable characters and genuine laughs, this gem should be on your watchlist.
Charlie – Having the same lead actors from the above mentioned film, Dulquer Salmaan and Parvathy, this film follows the story of a graphic artist who falls in love with a nomad and goes looking for him.
Nayakan – This 1987 Tamil-language film directed by Mani Ratnam has repeatedly appeared on various greatest film list. It follows the life of a gangster, played by Kamal Haasan. He delivers one of his career best performance and is considered one of Mani’s best work.
Pushpaka Vimana – The second Kamal Haasan film to feature in this list, it’s one of those unique ones that say so much without saying anything, and I’m not talking metaphorically here. This film has no dialogue, but it never fails to amuse you, scare you and even jolt you depicting several social issues.
My Neighbor Totoro – One of the sweetest films you will ever watch, this Japanese Anime flick was directed by legendary animation filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. Its titular character, a chubby and friendly wood spirit, has become the face of its production company, Studio Ghibli.
Grave of the Fireflies – Another entry from Studio Ghibli, this one has elements that you don’t expect from an animated film. It’s heart-breaking, thought provoking with a gut wrenching ending that will stay with you much longer you have finished watching it.
Memories of Murder – Any list cannot be finished without one mention of a South Korean thriller. Based on the true story of the country’s first serial murders in history, this film is unlike any conventional serial killer story with an ending that doesn’t provide any closure, just like the real case.
Children of Heaven – If you put a simple story, brilliant performances and flawless direction in a bag and stir, you get this Majid Majidi directed Iranian film. With children in the center of the plot, it’s one of those films that simply leave you bitter-sweet.
A Separation – Following the footsteps of Majid Majidi, this is a story by Asgar Farhadi of a separated couple and the problems they face after hiring a caregiver. With every nuance of the human emotion hitting the right chord in you, this is an Iranian masterpiece that one can’t afford to miss.
United 93 – The film chronicles the events of the namesake flight during the 9/11 attacks and portrays it in a brutally honest way. It strips everything down of any cliches or heroic monologues and the end result is a brilliant and heartbreaking account of what happened to that flight on that doomed day.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day – The fact that I have seen it more number of time that any other motion picture in existence, is enough reason (for me) to include it in this list. With one of the most amazing action sequences, special effects and memorable characters, T2 is a gem that has easily stood the test of time.