In this episode of Midday Movies, hosts Laura and Stephen take a lunch break to delve into the American Film Institute's (AFI) Holiday Movie Guide, covering the top 10 of the 21 best US holiday films. They discuss a range of historically great holiday films touching on Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Highlights include 'Love Actually,' 'Miracle on 34th Street,' 'The Muppet Christmas Carol,' 'White Christmas,' and the number one pick, 'Yentl.' The episode is filled with insightful commentary on each movie's cultural significance, memorable performances, and festive charm. Perfect for movie lovers looking for holiday film recommendations!

00:00 Welcome to Midday Movies

00:08 Introduction to AFI's Holiday Movie Guide

00:40 Casual Chat and Cozy Vibes

01:10 Recap of Previous Episode

02:33 Top 10 Holiday Movies: Starting with Love Actually

04:12 Meet Me in St. Louis: A Classic Musical

06:13 Miracle on 34th Street: The Santa Claus Story

08:01 The Muppet Christmas Carol: A Magical Reimagining

13:22 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Family Comedy

15:04 The Art of Casting: Finding the Perfect Fit

15:59 The Preacher's Wife: A Nostalgic Gem

17:53 The Shop Around the Corner: A Classic Romantic Comedy

19:38 Tangerine: A Modern Christmas Tale

20:42 White Christmas: A Festive Favorite

23:39 Yentl: A Hanukkah Classic

30:40 Wrapping Up: Holiday Movie Recommendations

For more Laura and Stephen, follow us at ⁠⁠@middaymoviespod⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠@umbrellapodcastcollective⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠@facehuggersandfriendspod⁠⁠⁠

Ep 281: Top 10 Holiday Movies According to American Film Institute (AFI)

Midday Movies

Ep 281: Top 10 Holiday Movies According to American Film Institute (AFI)